Owning a Vizsla

Most people know only one thing about Vizslas - that they are a beautiful breed of dog. Their slick gold rust coat blends with their eyes, nose and nails. They require little grooming other than an occasional bath and regular nail trims. They are very clean in their habits and shed very little compared to many other breeds. This makes them a perfect house dog FOR THE RIGHT PERSON. However, the characteristics of the Vizslas go far beyond physical beauty, and these are the things that make them a breed not suited to every home.

The Hungarian Vizsla is one of the oldest pointer/retrievers in existence. It is believed that the ancestors of today's Vizsla came with the Magyar nomads who crossed the Carpathian Mountains into what is now known as Hungary in approximately 985 AD. Historically, they were possessions of the landed aristocracy. This all changed with the first World War when the social order in Hungary was drastically changed. With World War II and the Russian occupation, the Vizsla was nearly lost. Dedicated lovers of the breed spirited their dogs out of the country to save it. The dogs began arriving in the United States in the early 1950's. In 1960, the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club.

The Vizsla Breed Standard calls for a medium sized dog. Males stand 22' to 24' tall, and females range from 21 ' to 23'. The average weight is 40 to 65 pounds, depending upon height and amount of bone. The short, slick coat is varying shades of golden rust. The eyes, nails and nose should blend with the coat color. A small amount of white is allowed on the chest, but is not desirable. Massive areas of white on the chest, or white extending over the toes is a disqualification.

The Vizsla is used as a gun dog that can point and retrieve either fur or feather. In Europe he is expected to hunt both; here in the U.S. he is used almost exclusively on upland game birds. The Vizsla is a very versatile dog; you will also find him in the show ring, obedience ring, the field, in agility, in tracking, and working as therapy dogs. The first AKC Triple Champion was a Vizsla.

They are very intelligent and love to work. In fact, it is recommended that Vizslas have a "job" of some kind. They do not cope well with boredom. Left with time on his hands, and nobody to keep him company, the Vizsla is likely to become destructive.

The Vizsla is a free spirit, a clown who loves everyone. They are not guard dogs. However, they are great watch dogs, if what you mean by "watch dog" is an animal that barks to warn you of intruders. They will bark like a maniac if someone comes up the drive and rings the doorbell. Once inside, they are likely to grab your visitors by the wrist (or clothing) and escort them to your most prized possessions. They are, however, protective of THEIR people, especially children, and will defend you if they feel there is a real and present danger.

They ARE NOT good kennel dogs and suffer badly if not allowed to be part of the family. They were bred for many centuries to be close companions with their owners; therefore most Vizslas expect your bed to be theirs, and think they have equal rights with any other member of the family. People who are unfamiliar with the breed often think they are pushy, spoiled, and entirely too 'busy" to live with. They are a delight to own. If you are committed to seeing that they get enough exercise and proper training, are kept crated or in an area where they they cannot get in trouble when you are gone, and (most important) if you are the sort of person who does not mind having a dog in your face. They are "Velcro" dogs who want to be your constant companion, and they are very persistent!!

The personality of your dog should be of utmost importance to you. Since many personality traits are inherited, it is wise to choose your pup from parents whose dispositions are characteristic of the Vizsla. Shyness or aggressiveness toward people or other animals is not acceptable.

It is very difficult, even for the experienced eye, to look at a litter at seven weeks old and pick out one that is capable of becoming a Champion in show, field, or obedience. However, it is possible to pick out individuals that/how promise toward fulfilling this aim. Start by taking a critical look at the dam and sire (if he is available), and see how they fulfill to picture you have of the perfect Vizsla. How do they match up against the official AKC breed standard? Overall balance is probably the easiest thing to look for. Eyes should be friendly and intelligent, blue at birth but soon turning to green, and eventually turning to blend with the coat. Coat colors are generally lighter in puppies, so it is difficult to tell what the shade of the adult dog will be.

Temperament, disposition, stability and trainability are all inherited traits. Puppies who have had early handling and socialization have the best chance of a good relationship with their new owners. A puppy should be playful and outgoing. Watching a litter at play can help determine temperament and some emotional traits. In choosing a healthy puppy, check that eyes are clear, coat glossy, baby teeth should be bright white and gums a light pink. Bone structure should be solid and legs should not show curvature or bumps. A healthy puppy is usually lively and hungry.

Preparation should be made in advance of bringing your puppy home. During the first few weeks, your puppy should not have the run of the house, as this makes housebreaking more difficult and gives tha puppy an opportunity to get into things which may cause him harm. A puppy should have a place of its own where he can get away from the family. A good quality crate is ideal. If the children in the family are young, they cannot be expected to understand how fragile a small puppy is. The puppy must be protected from their well intentioned, but often disastrous teasing or mauling. Children should be taught to correctly handle the puppy, but not encouraged to do so unless absolutely necessary. No matter how easy-going and strong the dog may seem to be, he should not be expected to tolerate abuse, unintentional or otherwise. Be prepared to give your puppy a lot of time during the first few months; it will pay off in the long run.

Vizslas shed very little. A brushing several times a week will help distribute coat oils and keep your dog's coat glossy and beautiful. They should not be bathed too often, certainly not more often than every month or two unless they get really dirty. Too frequent bathing will strip the oil from their coats, and dry skin and dandruff will result. You can expect your Vizlas coat to have a bit of an oily feel about it, and will notice that it is somewhat water repellant. Toenails should be kept short. Trimming once a week is recommended. Absolutely start this from the beginning. Vizslas must surely learn toenail hysterics in the whelping box, because most all of them HATE having their nails done. Don't let them talk you into not doing it. If you hear nails click on the floor, they need to be trimmed. Remember to check his ears at least once a week and clean them as necessary. Also check for fleas and ticks. Check with your veterinarian or breeder about their preferred methods of flea control.

Inactivity is probably the best way to ruin a good dog and cause him to become destructive. Yes, Vizslas can be very destructive if left to their own devices. They will chew furniture (and anything else you value), dig pits in the backyard, jump fences, and become a general nuisance. Many are talkers, and some are recreational barkers. They like to bark at and chase small furry animals. This is a hunting dog; you cannot expect a dog that is bred to hunt to ignore game!! The Vizsla is an active breed that requires a good deal of attention and exercise. Turning your dog loose inside a fenced yard does not guarantee he will exercise. They are excellent companions to joggers. Being a natural retriever, most Vizslas will enjoy chasing balls or Frisbees. If you are fortunate to have a lake nearby, take your Vizsla swimming. Most Vizslas love water and will enjoy fetching bumpers, sticks, or balls out of the water. A Vizsla who is properly exercised will be much calmer and quieter in the house. If you cannot guarantee the proper amount of time, attention and exercise to your dog please do not choose a Vizsla!!

From the day your puppy comes home, start a routine, keeping in mind that it will take time and patience for the learning process to take place. As your puppy matures, simple lessons pave the way for more complex ones, but remember that training should always be fun with emphasis placed on repetition. Whether you plan to show or not, a good obedience class with the proper instructor is imperative and also a wonderful opportunity for you and your dog to really get to know each other, if an ADULT member of your family is not willing to assume the responsibility of proper obedience training your dog, a Vizsla is not for you. They are able to outwit highly intelligent and well-educated adults; children are simply no match for them.

The sex of your puppy is your individual choice. If you are not going to show, hunt and/or ultimately educate yourself to responsibly breed the dog, spay or neuter it.

As are many of the larger breeds, Vizslas are susceptible to a condition known as Hip Dysplasia (HD). Described simply, it is a malformation of the ball and socket joint in the dog's hip. HD varies in degrees of severity and some dogs may or may not experience problems and/or pain. While there are surgical procedures to help relieve pain in some instances, it is best to avoid HD by purchasing your pup from parents who have been cleared of it. The more generations of OFA certified dogs behind your pup, the lesser the chances that your pup will have this disease. The OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) is a non-profit organization which maintains a staff of Veterinary Radiologists who evaluate x-ray films of the dog's hip. On or after two years of age, x-rays of hips can be submitted to the OFA. They will be examined and issued an OFA certification number ONLY if the dog is free of HD. A conscientious breeder will have OFA certification on both sire and dam before breeding.

Vizslas are also prone to other hereditary conditions, including epilepsy, Von Willibrand's disease (a form of canine hemophilia), allergies, and autoimmune disorders. Dog's who have these conditions SHOULD NOT BE BRED.

In your search for the right dog, you may have noticed prices that vary widely. Though all of the dogs may be AKC registered, you can see from this discussion of health, personality and structure faults that AKC 'papers' are no indication of the quality of the pup or his trueness to the Vizsla standard.

The price of a well bred pup is not exorbitant when divided over the life span of the dog and weighed against veterinary expenses on poorly bred dogs. You do have the right to expect certain things from your breeder. First, the litter must be kept in clean surroundings with adequate room to play. If not kept in clean surroundings, your pup will be more difficult to housebreak. They should appear trim in weight - well fed, but not fat. Constant scratching is a sign of skin trouble or parasites. (Note: it is not unusual for the mother of a litter to shed after the birth of puppies.) They will be a bit unsure and cautious in now surroundings but should not be overly fearful or shy of people. The breeder should have had them to the veterinarian and they should have had their first puppy shot. Also, stool samples should be checked for worms and a deworming done if necessary. The breeder should also give a written guarantee that the pups will pass a health inspection by your veterinarian within a few days after leaving the litter.

The breeder should take as much time as needed to answer questions about feeding, housebreaking, etc., and should supply you with a written health record. The breeder should have AKC registration papers and pedigree for each puppy. Finally, the breeder should be knowledgeable enough to help out in the future, and be available to answer any questions you may have.

The responsible breeder will not allow one of his carefully bred pups to go to just anyone whose check clears the bank. Expect to be interviewed thoroughly. If the breeder fails to interview you, you should look elsewhere; he simply doesn't have the best interest of the puppies in mind. Be prepared to be cooperative and to give references.

You are sure to be successful if you keep in mind that a lovely, obedient, healthy Vizsla does not accidentally grow that way. Thoughtful breeding and many consistent hours of work, love, understanding, and patience go into developing the finished product.