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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
carlywurly · 08/08/2019 19:46

A friend had a nightmare with a Vizla. Apparently he was mental even by vizla standards and she had to call in help when he started to show signs of outright aggression. He was bloody huge and was far taller than my friend when standing on his hind legs. We stopped visiting at that point.

Unless you have a lot of land and a lot of time and energy, or they're going to be a working dog, I really wouldn't, but I'm not experienced with dogs and know I'd be out of my depth.

carlywurly · 08/08/2019 19:46

Vizsla not vizla - sorry

Genvonklinkerhoffen · 08/08/2019 19:49

I have 2 Weimaraners and sometimes have to check that the dog is still alive. He doesn't get up when I take the other one out, he hates being outside if it's too hot, too cold, too windy, too rainy or too ¯\(ツ)/¯ daylike. The bitch has more energy but still has never bounced off the walls or been neurotic. A spot of separation anxiety but trained that away very quickly.

I asked the vet if they were ok & she said we expect them to be mental so accept it when they're mental.

Vizslaforme · 08/08/2019 19:50

Oh dear, doesn't sound good but I suppose same could be said of most breeds for example I know a very aggressive lab but the breed as a whole isn't known for aggression. But I do worry about not being experienced enough for the breed. I have even had a lovely chat today with a great breeder (Nevedith) and she really reassured me, but still, such a big decision to make.

OP posts:
ApplestheHare · 08/08/2019 19:51

It's not great that you're doing so much research and thinking. I've met several people in the past few weeks who've commented that they've had friends have to return puppies as they couldn't give them what they needed. I guess that was inevitable as the breed became more popular.

I've been lucky enough to live with the breed for 15 years and they DO chill out with time but are totally bonkers for about 5 years. They're a working dog obviously and hate to be left, so not for anyone who has to go out to work every day or wants a dog that they can give less time to on busy days doing other things.

We're lucky because our current Viz was 6 when DD1 was born (he's now nearly 11) so it's been manageable with the help of a dog walker. He still doesn't get anything near the 3-4 hours per day exercising that he needed for the first few years of life, but he needs a good couple of hours per day or is very unhappy. DH works from home too, but even as experienced owners there's no way that we could get another Viz now if our old boy was to go. Family life is too busy to give a young Vizsla enough time. Hope that helps!

Vizslaforme · 08/08/2019 19:52

I asked the vet if they were ok & she said we expect them to be mental so accept it when they're mental.

That, in a nutshell, is what owners and breeders have told me re Vizslas.

OP posts:
ApplestheHare · 08/08/2019 19:59

Vizslaforme yeah that's about right. Have you had dogs before? Feel free to ask any Viz-specific questions btw. Meant to put that in my last post! We've always had them as pets though, so not experienced in showing or breeding Smile

bikinilinetoknees · 08/08/2019 20:03

We have one , he is 6 now and the laziest and most loving pooch I know . He will not get off the sofa before 8.30am to do his toilet even though the other 2 are moaning at 7am to get out .

He will actually roll his eyes and sigh loudly at you if you dare move an inch once he is cuddled up next you on an evening , he is scared of anything smaller (animal wise ) than him and will jump a mile if one of the rabbits is anywhere near him , he stalks birds and then runs off from them .

Bit of a sod on the lead but happy off it and his recall is great .

He will jump up at anyone to say hello when they first come in but will then go back to whatever he was doing and mostly ignore them .

All in all , a fab breed , he is a big ginger knob but we love him and no other animal we have owned ( and there is lots ) makes us laugh like he does .

A great breed to have Smile

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 08/08/2019 20:09

Coco says get a brown Labrador - they are simply The Best Dogs. Grin

To think there are calm, stable Vizslas?!
Vizslaforme · 08/08/2019 20:11

Thanks so much apples, will ask if anything I can think of!!

Bikini - that is so so refreshing and reassuring to hear, thank you.

Coco is just beautiful!!!

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kindredspirits · 08/08/2019 20:17

We have a 5yo Vizsla and he is honestly such a delight. We can't imagine our lives without him. When we're out walking, he's bonkers and runs around (although excellent recall). But when we get home, he's like a cat and just wants to snooze in a sunny patch. We have two children who he has grown up with and he's very gentle with them and their friends. He seems to understand that he can't bounce around children as he can adults. Honestly, if you're willing to exercise your dog daily, and accept that you'll never sit or sleep without a Vizsla on your knee EVER again, they are the best dogs!

Spinnaret · 08/08/2019 20:24

We have one. The first couple of years were hard work. She is incredibly stubborn and strong willed. Where Labradors work to please you, she expects us to work to please her. She is actually a lot brighter than most Labs I have ever met.

She is great with the kids, but has a high prey drive, so the cat is constantly keeping half an eye on her. She can also be food possessive around other dogs.

She will happily go for long walks and bike rides, but actually is similarly happy with just chilling at home.

I understand what the breeders were trying to say to you - as long as they are well exercised most days, an occasional day of lesser exercise is fine. Mine is happy with a single walk once a day now, but had to be twice daily when younger. She will also not bat an eyelid if there is a (very rare) day when she doesn't get walked, as long as we make up for it the next day. My job is home based though, so she is rarely left for long, and has the opportunity to mooch in and out of the garden as she wishes, which probably helps with the above.

She is petrified of fireworks, gets extremely distressed and destructive, despite all attempts at deconditioning, sedation etc. And this is getting worse as she gets older.

Unlike a lot of Vizsla owners, we do not allow her to be Velcro. She sleeps downstairs in her own bed, not allowed on furniture. And she has always been fine with this. But, if anyone ( at various friends houses) lets her get away with it even once, she takes it as her right to always be allowed on even back home, and we have to retrain her.

Would I have another? Not sure.

Vizslaforme · 08/08/2019 20:26

Kindred - thank you, wonderful! Sounds very positive. We have plenty of time for walks, training and cuddles but have 2 children and a busy life so would prefer not have to dedicate all day every day to the dog (who will be a member of the family so involved anyway), if that makes sense?!

OP posts:
Vizslaforme · 08/08/2019 20:29

Thank you spinnaret, very helpful and insightful!

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RedTrek · 08/08/2019 21:22

Haha maybe my parents' dog is a one off with his neurosis and extreme faintness of heart. I suppose you get weirdos in every breed Grin.

He sounds a bit calmer than some, though - you'd not catch him running round and round in circles for no reason. And he is a very sweet haystack.

To think there are calm, stable Vizslas?!
RedTrek · 08/08/2019 21:25

I'm actually not sure how much difference there is between the two breeds, whether it's more than just coat length. Perhaps they are completely different!

Flupibass · 08/08/2019 21:29

Vizslas are gorgeous dogs and as long as they get enough exercise will be calm at home once past the puppy stage BUT you must commit to spending a lot of time in the first year training them . If you are inconsistent or lazy or can’t spend the time then you’ll be unlikely to have a well behaved dog.

Lindormilk · 08/08/2019 21:31

My cousin has 2. One is 2 yrs old and the other 4 months. She walks the older one for hours, he needs it. He’s lively, well behaved and totally adorable!

Lilao · 08/08/2019 21:37

A family member had one - I didn't know it that well but from what I saw, he was very loyal and could walk off lead for hours with fab recall.

In the house he needed a lot of attention and almost constantly wanted to bring you a ball to throw. He also barked for attention quite a bit.

No idea if this is typical of the breed but thought it best to share it incase it helps.

sandysunsets · 09/08/2023 08:52

Hey! @Vizslaforme what happened in the end??? Did you get your Vizsla?
I’m now in your position and would love to know how it’s going for you 😁

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