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Original poster

Any Viszla owners here?

17 replies

tulpe · 05/01/2010 14:43

We are starting to look seriously at getting a Viszla pup Done loads of research and am absolutely in love with the breed. I understand they need a fair bit of exercise but I am SAHM and our school is 30 minute walk through fields so plenty of opportunities

Just wondered if you would share your experiences, pros/cons etc

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eastendmummy · 05/01/2010 14:48

Our friends have one, and to be honest he is the most crazy dog that I have ever met. Gets very stressed if left alone even if for a short amount of time and has destroyed numerous pairs of glasses, dental braces, scratched cupboards etc. He's also been kicked out of puppy training classes several times for bad behaviour. My friend is also at home and he is getting slowly better but I think they were shocked by how difficult a dog he is.

Sorry, not the most positive spin but I'm sure others will be a long soon with other information.

Original poster

tulpe · 05/01/2010 14:59

Thanks eastendmummy - all info greatfully received It is such a major decision and I want to be sure we get this right.

I met an owner recently who said that she had also had probs with a male. Apparently he was very easily bored too and was very needy and destructive.

Not sure how accurate this is but I understand that its very important to meet and spend time with the pups' parents.....apparently they are a good indicator of how the pup itself will turn out.

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eastendmummy · 05/01/2010 15:03

I'm sure that's true. My friends did lots of research before getting their dog, but didn't really look into the cons of the breed as they loved the pros so much! Separation anxiety is a big thing for this breed and as they grow quite large they do have the strength to be quite destructive. Maybe a female would be less of a problem? Good luck with getting your new dog!

MitchyInge · 05/01/2010 15:26

It's not exercise alone but the mental stimulation - Vizslas very specialised gun dogs and are much more manageable and happier as pets if they are given the opportunity to use those traits so carefully bred into them over the years

look into availability of HPR (hunt point retrieve) trainers/clubs in your area, or even general gundog clubs - you don't have to get involved in competitions and field trials if you don't want to, but this is the sort of activity they thrive on

are you in a fairly rural area?

minimu · 05/01/2010 15:37

I have had viszlas. They are great dogs but are very intelligent and do need a job to do. I tink labs are easier as they will enjoy a long sleep but my viszlas kept going from morning to night. I started agility with a viszal tokeep them busy and he loved this. They do need careful, consistent handling and I would not recommend as a first dog. They are strong instinct driven dogs and this does need to be developed and used ini rhe correct way.

I think they would go a bit mad on only two 30 mins walks a day.

If you don't like long walks every day and weekend + spending time training them daily I think you would find them a bit of a chore

DrNortherner · 05/01/2010 15:42

A friend of ours has 2 Vislas and they are HYPER. They got their second one after another family couldn't cope with him.

He exercises them off lead twice daily for a min of 2 hours each time (in Yorks Dales so lots of climbing, running and swimmming involved), plus toilet break walks. They don't rest at home either apparantly....

We have a lab who does love lots of exercise but then flops in his bed when we get home.

minimu · 05/01/2010 15:48

Really sorry about my typing got a foster puppy biting my keyboard. Now what do I do about nipping puppies!?

MrsJohnDeere · 05/01/2010 15:50

A friend of mine has one. Absolutely beautiful dogs.

Very intelligent. Need lots of exercise, stimulation and company.

The one I know doesn't get on with other dogs (although is best buddies with my similarly dog-hating springer) and chases things, but that is only one dog. His owner is a dog trainer and has worked very hard with him too.

Original poster

tulpe · 05/01/2010 16:07

Thanks for all the info

Mitchy - we do live in a fairly rural area. Lots of fields and woodland within a few minutes' walk from our house. The long walks aren't going to be a problem - I absolutely love walking. I really miss my DCs being at home during the day as we will spend hours tramping around .

I like the idea of getting involved with agility or other dog training clubs. It sounds from what you all say that this breed definitely needs a "purpose in life". Will busy myself with researching what's in our local area. As I said, we are fairly rural and it's a very horsey/dog owner type village so there must be stuff like that going on.

Minimu and DrNortherner - when you say that they are always on the go/keep going all day - how does this manifest itself? (am having images of hyper dogs dancing around house rather than settling in basket!!)

Thanks again, guys I really appreciate it.

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DrNortherner · 05/01/2010 16:32

I think they just run around the house, follwing the humans, plying with toys etc etc as opposed to collapsing into basket! They also have 3 ds's so plenty of play mates...

flier · 05/01/2010 16:50

hello tulpe. We have a 7 year old male vizsla. We have had no problems at all with him with regards to destructive behaviour, he is very very very good with the DCs (age 6 and 3).
They do say that vizslas act like puppies (ie loads of energy etc) for a lot longer than other breeds. Do you have a specific breeder in mind? I'd suggest visiting several if you don't.
We got along to a few dog shows before deciding on the vizsla breed, and it was great to meet owners and breeders there, and also to see all those vizslas together.
There are some breed lines I would keep away from, purely from what I have seen and heard.
If you'd like any further info from me, you can PM me.
Have you been on to the uk vizsla website?

flier · 05/01/2010 16:53

ps. you do know they call them "ginger nutters"? thsi is very true

ArthurPewty · 05/01/2010 16:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

minimu · 05/01/2010 17:03

By always on the go I meant that I got no peace at all until they had had a good hour and a half run. Then back home to sleep for a short while and then ready for the same again!

You couldn't have a day off from their exercise or they would rampage around the house going self employed! But then this is the same with many breeds. Sounds like you are up for the exercise (in my opinion the best bit of having dogs and never a chore for me!)

They are beautiful dogs with the softest velvety fur and they had a lovely smokey bacon smell well I thought they did! They are happy responsive dogs who will give you loads of joy if they get their basic requirements meet. My OH is still yearning for another one.

CountessDracula · 05/01/2010 17:12

I have a great friend with a one
He has destroyed her house
He attacks her when she is running
last time we went out for a walk he dragged her ds across the ground by his hood

There are two in my mother's village too. When we were looking at dogs she went and talked to the owners who put her off as they said the dogs were very difficult and neurotic (sorry to any owners who have ones that aren't - I am not one to tar all dogs of a breed with the same brush, just telling my experience of them)

Also I know a dogwalker who has one who is a perfect delight. Maybe because she is very good at training?

We ended up with a Ridgeback - she is fantastic and very docile and a great house dog who loves walking too. People often ask if she is a Viszla!

3gorgeousboys · 31/01/2011 19:49

Stumbled across this thread & just want to add I have a 6 month old Vizsla called Ruby who is an absolute delight, she only needs 2x30min walks a day & sleeps like a baby on my lap for hours (if I'd let her - she ends up on the sofa, snoring away & trying to sneak up to me again). She hasn't destroyed anything (not a thing!) and is as gentle as a lamb with my 3 boys. She is hilarious (she 'talks' to us & regularly hides under a duvet so she can stay in one of the boys' bedrooms). A wonderful, wonderful breed. BUT I have heard it's all in the breeding - Ruby has 15 champions in her bloodline & has specifically not been overbred. Since winning Crufts the breed risks overbreeding & behavioural problems will be the result.

Original poster

tulpe · 07/02/2011 11:41

3gorgeousboys - how bizarre! We did finally get a vizsla girl and she is called Ruby too :) She is now 13 months old and an utter joy.

Tis true she is high energy and a wee bit cheeky if she isn't getting attention but she is loyal and loving.

I wouldn't change her for the world :)

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