Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think there are calm, stable Vizslas?!

45 replies

Vizslaforme · 08/08/2019 18:00

Hi,

Our family is hoping to add a Vizsla pup in the near future but lots of threads I read on mumsnet seem so off putting and at odds with what experienced breeders / owners have told us. I must say it's making me nervous at our choice! Does anyone own or know a happy and sane Vizsla who is a family pet?! We have thoroughly researched the breed, met with owners and breeders before making our decision and all those Vizslas need a good amount of physical and mental stimulation but don't climb the walls if they have less and all are able to happily leave their dogs for reasonable amounts of time. Doubting our breed choice! Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
RedTrek · 08/08/2019 18:16

My parents have a Wirehaired Vizsla. He's usually happy enough but I'm not sure I'd describe him as completely sane. Not insane in a bouncing off the walls or destructive kind of way, but he is quite neurotic. Scared of his own shadow and gets quite nervy if everything isn't just as it normally is. Still, he has good recall and is a pleasure to walk as he doesn't rush off (they also have a German Pointer who was a bit of a nightmare when he was younger for buggering off in pursuit of deer).

He is a pet but he gets a good amount of exercise as my parents are retired and have the time for a really decent length walk every day. He's trained to a basic level but I definitely wouldn't exactly describe him as highly intelligent so not sure about needing mental stimulation! The German Pointer is much more intelligent - the Viszla is more a nice-but-dim sort of personality.

He is outstandingly gentle and hasn't got an ounce of aggression in him so from that perspective he'd be a brilliant family dog. Obviously he doesn't live with children full time but he's perfect with mine - just ignores them for the most part.

Original poster
Vizslaforme · 08/08/2019 18:22

Thank you! Good and bad points 😂. A tiny part of me is saying go for a labrador......

OP posts:
Original poster
Vizslaforme · 08/08/2019 18:25

Great to hear he is lovely and gentle with children, this is a massively important to us.

OP posts:
RedTrek · 08/08/2019 18:42

Overall, based on him (and I'm not sure how typical he is) I'd certainly recommend him despite his quirks. It's not really too much bother that he jumps out of his skin if someone is unexpectedly wearing a hat, for example - it's actually rather funny! Although I do feel a bit sorry for him sometimes.

I don't know if the Wirehaired version is the same in character to the Shorthaired version, but he does look like a haystack despite regular brushing and has a permanently damp beard so personally I'd favour the Shorthaired if I was getting one. My parents think his fur is charming, though, so that's a matter of taste.

RedTrek · 08/08/2019 18:47

We've had loads of labradors as well when I was growing up and they are usually bouncier than him, though also much less nervous. Couldn't draw a distinction between them in terms of gentle temperament.

Lalotai47 · 08/08/2019 18:51

I have a Vizsla x. She has 1/4 Springer spaniel and the rest is Vizsla. She is the best dog I have had. She is calm in the house, highly trainable, sweet-natured and such a character. She gets off-lead walks for 2 hours per day and goes to agility one a week which likely is crucial to her calm demeanour. I love her dearly. The puppy months were hard, as they are with all dogs and we worked hard to socialise and train her.

Doublechocolatetiffin · 08/08/2019 18:52

Well I’m not sure you’d call mine totally sane either, but she doesn’t have any strange quirks. She’s just bouncy and very excitable when meeting people for the first time. It’s definitely down to my poor training that we haven’t fixed the issue.

She’s either 100% running around or flat out. She’ll spend a large amount of the day chasing flies, stalking pheasants and trying to persuade you to throw the ball for her.

She is absolutely brilliant though, she has endless patience with our children, I wouldn’t want another dog with them instead she is amazing. I think they are a very very affectionate breed that needs a decent amount of stimulation, but very worth it if you can do it. Anyone I know that has a Vizsla adores them and would never have another breed.

We have no problems with her out with other dogs, people (unless they stroke her which she sees as an invitation to lick their face), horses etc. She is happy being left alone for the odd trip out but I’m at home most of the time. She isn’t bothered by fireworks or loud noises, she is overall a wonderful wonder dog.

I’d encourage you to spend some time with the breed. Where are you in the country? Could you go along to a local Viz whizz and meet some?

myself2020 · 08/08/2019 18:56

One of my friends has one - great dog. they do exercise it A LOT though - 1 hour bike, or at least 2 hours walk per day, plus obedience, agility and “circus tricks”.

Original poster
Vizslaforme · 08/08/2019 19:00

Thanks so much! I've been on a few viz whizzs (south east) and just love the breed. My main concerns are having a dog that will never chill out and being able to leave a dog for up to 4 hrs as inevitably there will be times this will be needed. Great to have some reassurances on these fronts! Thanks again!

OP posts:
Original poster
Vizslaforme · 08/08/2019 19:02

Ps the breeders I have spoken to have ALL said that although they need plenty of exercise they adapt to what you give so if you build in 2x 30 min walks a day that is what they get used to and are fine with it (alongside games, mental stimulation etc) and all have said they can leave their dogs on their own.

OP posts:
BenWillbondsPants · 08/08/2019 19:04

My friend has a vizsla. He is mental. Gorgeous dog, but he makes my loopy lab look positively calm. Grin

Smallandfriendly · 08/08/2019 19:06

We have one, he’s now 6. We regularly walk with other vizslas and keep up with his breeder.
Our dog is incredibly affectionate, has to always been touching or cuddling into one of us. Is very sensitive with training, you cannot raise your voice or “tell him off” as it scares him. No problem with separation anxiety, he’s happy to be left home alone for a few hours provided he’s had his morning walk.
Gets an hour walk morning and evening.
Loves other dogs but very much a coward. Definitely not aggressive or “top dog”, he will run away if another dog growls or goes for himZ
Very house proud, will howl at anybody coming near the house.
He is absolutely NOT a fan of children or young teens. He’s fine with our own children only. I’ve come across other vizslas like this as well.
They are very sensitive needy dogs who have to be one of the family, do not kennel well and need lots of love and attention.

myself2020 · 08/08/2019 19:11

@Vizslaforme 2 times 30 minutes walks is nothing! even my mother in laws tiny bichon frise needs and gets - more than that!

Lalotai47 · 08/08/2019 19:31

2x 30 mins walk a day is absolutely not sufficient for this breed. That would be downright cruel in a regular basis. They are hunting dogs and have huge amounts of energy. 2 hours per day is more accurate.

PolkaDotted · 08/08/2019 19:32

I have to agree with Myself2020. Two 30 minute walks is completely inadequate for the majority of dogs, let alone alone a Vizla, It'd be cruel. It may have to satisfy itself with that but it doesn't mean that the dog isn't suffering for it.

Original poster
Vizslaforme · 08/08/2019 19:33

Thanks very much for sharing your experiences, so helpful! Re the 2x 30 mins that is what breeders have said purely as an illustration that they can adapt to what you can give, it is NOT how much time we have personally.

OP posts:
Lalotai47 · 08/08/2019 19:34

Sound like irresponsible breeders to me.

Original poster
Vizslaforme · 08/08/2019 19:35

Sorry, I didn't make that clear. What they have said is that if all you can give one day is 2x half hr walks it won't mean the dog will be climbing the walls, they can adapt to that. All have recommended 1.5 - 2 hrs a day. We could provide a min of 2 hrs.

OP posts:
Annabk · 08/08/2019 19:37

Beautiful dogs but often neurotic.

I would not trust a breeder who suggested that 2 x 30min walks a day would be appropriate unless they meant whilst a puppy (when you need to limit exercise until joints fully formed, circa 18mths).

MonicaGellerHyphenBing · 08/08/2019 19:38

My neighbours have a viszla. Nice dog but it’s absolutely bonkers, our street is wide and open and it runs round and round in circles like a gazelle, it is the quickest dog I think I’ve ever seen. My laid back spaniels just stare at it with the most bemused expression whenever it’s out running wild.

2 x 30 minute walks isn’t that much though tbh, my spaniels usually get at least 1.5 hours daily and they are not nearly as demanding as a vizsla.

Original poster
Vizslaforme · 08/08/2019 19:38

I just worry that as a busy family the "sensible" option is a lab as that ticks all our boxes but would be "easier". Prefer Vizslas though......!

OP posts:
PolkaDotted · 08/08/2019 19:39

I appreciate that you're going to provide much more exercise but Any breeder who says that 2x30 minute walks is in anyway adequate shouldn't be allowed to own a dog let alone breed them, and I'd avoid them like the plague.

apostropheuse · 08/08/2019 19:39

*izslaforme

Thank you! Good and bad points. A tiny part of me is saying go for a labrador*

Really? We have a three year old chocolate Labrador. Calm he is not. Grin

NaviSprite · 08/08/2019 19:41

My MIL and FIL have a Hungarian Visla named Rusa and she’s a very chilled dog. They take her for massive walks three times a day because that helps get her energy levels under control and FIL takes her to work with him where (from what I understand) she mostly chills under the counter in the shop. She can get very excitable with visitors but mostly keeps this under control by picking up various toys and bringing them to you to show you 😂

She does get a bit overzealous with her tail wagging though which can lead to superficial tears in the skin, doesn’t seem to bother her at all but it does mean MIL and FIL have to wash the walls a lot 😊

Original poster
Vizslaforme · 08/08/2019 19:44

She sounds lovely and obviously has a fab life! Lucky thing! So great to hear from those who own or know Vizslas, thank you all.

OP posts: