Vizsla dogs - any experience

[Tabsicle]

We're looking at getting a dog in the spring and are investigating Vizsla dogs.

My main question is how much exercise they need - currently OH and I work from home four days per week and could commit to two-three hours of exercise per day for six days per week and two hours on the seventh.

Would that be enough? Would the dog be OK for one day in the house?

Any opinions?

[soulnotasoldier]

That's more than enough exercise for an adult dog, even a gundog like a vizsla.

They are a great breed, hardy, healthy, great with kids, good temperament etc etc. However.

Gun dogs are built to run and run all day with just a pork pie for lunch and then go again. They'll come to expect whatever routine you give them, so if you give them three hours, thats what they'll expect!

Without making a rod for your own back, an hour running off lead would be easily sufficient. Its better and more challenging for the dog to be off lead for an hour than on lead for three on a boring street. Your target dog is designed to run not walk!

Two hours of mixed exercise is all you need if you do it right.

Varying the walk's location - a different park, woods or fields each day stimulates their brains more too. Do that and the dog will rest more and be calmer.

You don't give clues to where you live, but a viszla isn't a city or town dog, so if you live in an urban area where the dog won't be able to chase, stalk and play flush birds or squirrels off lead, then its not really fair on it.

If you're in London, theres a show breeder who has 3 or 4 who walks each morning on Hampstead East Heath. Has a Range Rover with a private plate. Would talk vizsla all day long. Good for advice.

How are you going to get over the puppy stage, i.e., up to five months when the dogs bladder can last out being left?

The leaving the dog/puppy all day, even once a day is the bigger problem, especially if it becomes used to you or your partner being around, it will have separation anxiety on the day you're abandoning it (in its own mind)

Better to research dog day care or a dog walker who will pick up and take the dog for some hours before dropping it off again.

Leaving the dog of any age, especially a youngster, for more than four hours is unacceptable and unfair to the dog. Overcome that issue and its all good.

[Tabsicle]

Thank you. That's awesome advice. We're on the outer edge of Glasgow - and I mean suburbs edging into countryside.

Totally happy with a dog walker for one day per week. Would invest in that happily. Or maybe dog daycare one day a week for puppy?

[taptonaria27]

From the little I know they can be quite nervy but also lovely

[Lonecatwithkitten]

They become bored very quickly and chew a lot. I have removed twiggy shit with added baubles and fairy lights and sofa pieces from the stomachs of vizlas. The chewing happens if they are left for even a short period of time.
My colleague has one he has absolute no recall despite really extensive training that is still on going. We have a local walking group called 'go vizz' as that is literally what they do.
They are not an easy first dog. Personally I would only have one if I was working from home the biggest things seems to be they hate being alone.

[Cookingongas]

I have a Weimaraner - very similar in exercise and temperament. He needs stimulation. Beautiful creature, and very loving. He would be thrilled with your suggested routine. We walk 3-8 miles a day. Between an hour ( cold rainy day) and three ( nice leisurely day)

I agree that it's important to change the walks. It really helps in stimulation, and I could never get away with leaded walks as it simply wouldn't challenge enough.

[mom2twoteens]

Vizslas are the best dogs ever.
I currently have my second and third at the moment.

My first two were brilliant and after a bit of initial puppy chewing they were both great. Toilet training was a doddle.

However - number three - different story, it took quite a while to toilet train him. I think the breeder using the 'paper training' technique and not taking the puppies out caused some of these problems. My third one is also taking his time getting used to being left alone, partly our fault as we had someone at home a lot when he first arrived. We should definitely have made more of an effort to build up his time alone in the early days.

The three I've had have been great at recall, although they all get an independent streak as their testosterone kicks in. Hard work before and during this phase pays off.

I live in the suburbs of a city but take mine out for about an hour in the morning and half an hour or so later on the days I work and we go out for a couple of hours when I'm not at work. I incorporate some scent work and a bit of training during every walk.

I don't know whether it's a trait of the breed but mine can all be a bit skittish at some things.

I love them though and the only time I might think of a different breed is when I get a bit too old and not strong enough to handle a bouncy pup.

Best dogs.

[Tina39tina]

I have 2 they are great they can run all day or sleep all day they are very easy going. I have a paddock so I let them hurtle round there whenever they want but do an hour walk a day, sometimes 2 sometimes an all day event. They are the best dogs one of mine is partial to a rabbit or 3 though