The New It Dog: Vizslas

by mswen - December 05, 2008

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2 discussions

I'm not normally a dog person. They seem like a lot of work, and I'm not fond of wet dog smell or hair-covered couches. And I'm even less fond of trendy dog breeds, because the one thing worse than an annoying dog is an owner who buys one to flaunt as a status symbol. But it wasn't until I met a certain pup named Stella, fell in love, and then suddenly started seeing her kind all over the place. She's a Vizsla (pronounced "VEESCH-la"), and is apparently the latest craze in dog breeds. Stella is a beauty, of course, but she's also a handful -- so what is it that makes her breed so covetable?

Stellllllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

My friend Jenn is adorable. You’d love her. She’s petite, blonde, fun, and the owner of a very happy Vizsla named Stella.

Sure, it took a little bit of getting used to Stella’s jumping and licking (I’m the owner of a very snobby cat, you see), but it didn’t take long before I became smitten with this ultra-loving pup and I wanted to learn more about her breed. And why, it seemed, everyone in town has one, too.

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A...what?

The Vizsla breed dates back to the eighth (eighth!) century Hungary, where they hunted partridge and rabbits with the Magyar tribes. (The word Vizsla means “alert and responsive”, making their breed a favorite among hunters.)

Fast forward to World War II, when the breed started arriving in the United States. A steady, devoted following built, and in 1960 Vizslas were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club.

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So, what are they like?

Vizslas are natural hunters and fabulously loyal companions. They are considered great pointers, which (in hunting lingo) means that they have an instinct to stop and aim their snout towards game [as in the photo above], which notifies the hunter of the location of their prey. They’re also great retrievers, rounding out their world-class reputations as one of the best sporting dogs around.

Not a hunter? No matter. Although they are high energy, Vizlas caring and incredibly affectionate, making them fantastic family dogs. They quickly form close bonds with their owners, and want to be as close to them as much of the time as possible, so much so that they’re nicknamed “velcro dogs”. This includes children— the Vizsla’s gentle nature makes them great around kids.

This pup’s personality gets along well with everyone, including strangers and other animals. Although some Vizslas are overly excitable and easily rattled in new situations, they are quiet dogs, and only bark if provoked. Consistent and frequent early socialization helps to build confidence in this breed, and helps to keep them even-keeled.

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Vizslas are very intelligent, and they thrive on being challenged and stimulated, both mentally and physically. The happiest, healthiest Vizsla is one that gets lots of personal attention and vigorous daily exercise. Thirty minutes to an hour of exercise daily in a large area where they can run unleashed is ideal.

Another great trait of Vizslas are their excellent ability to take training. However, their sensitive temperments mean that they must be trained gently and without harsh commands or strong physical discipline.

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As is typical with trendy pups, Vizslas are quite attractive dogs. They’re sleek and look like some sort of championship breed you’d only see on television. At an average size of between 20 and 25 inches tall and 45 to 65 pounds, they’re very lean, with defined muscles. Their coat is a golden rust color, and their nose will always be the same color as their coat.

The best part? Their hair. It’s short, smooth, and close-lying, with no woolly undercoat. While this lack of undercoat means that this breed is susceptible to the cold and therefore shouldn’t be left outside or kept in a kennel, it does mean that they barely have that ”dog smell” that is a turnoff for most people. To top it off, Vizslas are self-cleaning dogs and only need to be bathed five or six times a year. Talk about low maintenance!

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Both mother and father dogs should have been medically tested for genetic health problems relevant to Vizslas.
Only dogs with excellent temperments should be bred together.
Closely-related dogs should not be bred together. (The breeder should have a good understanding of genetics.)
A good breeder will never place a puppy in a pet shop or sell it in any place other than from their own home or place of business.
A breeder’s involvement in things other than breeding (like dog training, obedience, and dog clubs) shows a genuine dedication to dogs.

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Polka Dog Bakery

256 Shawmut Ave, Boston, MA 02118

All good dogs deserve a treat. And with a bakery just for them, you’ll find plenty of goodies to bribe, train, and treat your pup with. Gourmet, hand-baked dog goodies about, and there’s even two floors of pet accessories.

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The good:

Vizslas are an ideal sized dog for many people (not too big, nor too small) with a low-maintenance coat and a great athetic disposition.
They’re usually bred by very responsible breeders.
Viszlas are high-energy and love exercise and sport.
They willingly respond to training and obedience teaching.
They’re gentle, sensitive, and very loving.
They’re demonstrative with affection and are even quite the lap dogs.
Viszlas are happy and friendly towards other people and animals.

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The bad:

Vizslas have vigorous exercise, attention, and companionship requirements. If they do not get enough attention and exercise can easily become destructive or hyperactive, and may even become depressed or engage in obsessive-compulsive behaviors such as persistent licking. If you are away from home for hours at a time (i.e. if you work full-time), this is probably not the right breed for you.
Vizslas like to jump up on people (and things), a trait that is exacerbated if they don’t get enough exercise.
Since Vizslas are naturally cautious, to prevent them from becoming overly shy or timid they need lots of socialization to people and to new sights and sounds.
Vizslas can be stubborn and easily distracted by exciting sights, scents, and sounds. Therefore, you must have great patience (and be very consistent) when training them to listen to you.
Though their hair is short, they shed like crazy.
As with most pointing breeds, housebreaking a Vizsla will be slower than with other dogs.
Vizslas are prone to certain health problems, including seizures and epilepsy, along with hip and eye disorders, bleeding disorders, skin diseases, and cancer.

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First, look at the litter as a group. If the majority of the pups aren’t immediately friendly or loving, don’t take any of them.
Lack of socialization is namely the fault of the breeder, and isn’t a good sign about the trustworthiness of the breeder overall. Walk away.
Be wary of shy puppies — they usually grow up to become shy dogs, and shy dogs can be dangerously defensive. Again, not a good choice.
Normal puppies are friendly, curious, trusting. They shouldn’t be afraid of you, and instead will interact with you in a playful and affectionate way.
Puppies also love to play with one another. Watch how they interact with their fellow siblings, and take note of the ones that are clearly the leaders and strong, bossy, and outgoing and which ones are quiet and gentle. Ideally, the best choice will lie somewhere in the middle, with a pup that’s neither the boss of the litter nor the most docile. You want a happy, even-keeled pup.
Weed out the most skittish pups as well as the completely non-responsive pups by making noises like clapping your hands, jingling your keys, and lightly stomping your feet on the ground. Note which puppies freak out, which ones don’t respond at all, and which ones have a more naturally curious reaction. You want an alert and confident puppy, one who’s neither nervous nor completely oblivious.
You also should ask to see each puppy individually, without the presence of the rest of the litter. You want a puppy who is comfortable with you and who listens to you.

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Dog Scoop the

216 Webster St, West Newton, MA 02465

Though kennels are not recommended for Vizslas, lots of exercise and socialization is. And the Dog Scoop is more than just a kennel — they are a Best of Boston winner offering dog walking services and training, as well as daycare.

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DoggieDay Pet Service

400 Tremont Street Boston, MA 02116

This indoor, cageless kennel is a great option for Vizslas (who can’t be kept outdoors), but they also will come to your home while you’re away and make sure your pup is fed, walked, and safe throughout the day. Need your pup cared for while you’re at work? Walks and playgroups are other services this reputable biz provides.

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Kelly's Underground Dog Grooming

248 B W Newton St, Boston, MA 02116

Though Vizslas only need to be washed five or six times a year, those baths may be something you’d prefer to leave up to a professional. And that’s where Kelly’s comes in: They’ll wash your pup, and — to the total pleasure of this ultra-social breed — allow them to run around and hang with the other doggies afterwards.

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Discussions

: by Pewpewpew 12/05/2008 Reply

Woooof. Love dogs!

: by aubreeWYATTsmith 12/05/2008 Reply

looks like a beautiful dog…not surprisingly the first i’ve ever heard of this breed! i’m a small dog person, though. my dog is basically a cat in a dog suit – perfect for city dwelling