Hungarin Vizla
Discussion
C3BER said:
There becoming a must have dog in the gundog world by those that are starting out nevermind as a pet dog.
As it is I'm out four times a day with my working springer, two training walks and two training walks
. You have to put the time in with hunting dogs or they will turn around and become that devil dog. The greatest thing is a hunting dog working for you and you it to create a bonded team.
To many working gundogs fall into the wrong hands and the re-homing business has kennels full of them. Train your dog and work it hard to keep its mind active and you will have a fantastic Mr Hyde
Wish I had time to be out with mine four times a day, you jammy sod.As it is I'm out four times a day with my working springer, two training walks and two training walks
. You have to put the time in with hunting dogs or they will turn around and become that devil dog. The greatest thing is a hunting dog working for you and you it to create a bonded team. To many working gundogs fall into the wrong hands and the re-homing business has kennels full of them. Train your dog and work it hard to keep its mind active and you will have a fantastic Mr Hyde
Ha ha. It's called giving up a well paid job for having a life instead. I still work but odd hours and odd places around the world but I'm home lots and I'm able to to be out all the time I'm at home.
I'm using the springer on my sheep at the moment to practice his distance sit and recall. The sheep think he's a whimp for running away and coming back to his daddy
I'm using the springer on my sheep at the moment to practice his distance sit and recall. The sheep think he's a whimp for running away and coming back to his daddy
DoubleSix said:
Everything I've read about these dogs says they make wonderful family pets and are far to human-centric to be just a working dog... i.e. early lines were allowed the honour of entering the homestead and have become very sociable as a result.
This is true, in general HPR breeds don't like being keneled and like to be around people my GSP's would be heart broken if they became real kennel dogs. They love everyone and everyone loves them. 
C3BER said:
There becoming a must have dog in the gundog world by those that are starting out nevermind as a pet dog.
As it is I'm out four times a day with my working springer, two training walks and two training walks . You have to put the time in with hunting dogs or they will turn around and become that devil dog. The greatest thing is a hunting dog working for you and you it to create a bonded team.
To many working gundogs fall into the wrong hands and the re-homing business has kennels full of them. Train your dog and work it hard to keep its mind active and you will have a fantastic Mr Hyde
This true? Currently when out on a shoot all one sees is springers. Have yet to see a viszla in that environment. As it is I'm out four times a day with my working springer, two training walks and two training walks
. You have to put the time in with hunting dogs or they will turn around and become that devil dog. The greatest thing is a hunting dog working for you and you it to create a bonded team. To many working gundogs fall into the wrong hands and the re-homing business has kennels full of them. Train your dog and work it hard to keep its mind active and you will have a fantastic Mr Hyde
As it happens my mondeo dog is very well looked after is always out and about in the fields chasing pheasants (He isn't a worker). I did try to get him to chase peasants but apparently its not the done thing. On day though! So the viszla would be in good company and would be well exercised. Especially when this contract ends and I am back home.
I agree about the working dogs falling into the wrong hands. So many people take them on without realising how much effort and work has gone into them and that work and effort has to continue.
I also never realised they are the must have dogs for the middle class. There is only 2 round our way however now I come to think about it I have seen several up in Edinburgh. Having a dog like that in a city is ridiculous though. Just my opinion not a judgement on those that do.
Edited by Sexual Chocolate on Wednesday 1st August 10:17
Edited by Sexual Chocolate on Wednesday 1st August 10:18
I have owned two Hungarian Vizslas and I can say that they are one of the most demonstrably affectionate dogs you are likely to come across, and as a result have earned the title of the Velcro Dog. They love being close to their owners at all times, but will also 'work away' as an HPR. They are extremely intelligent, and pick up training like a sponge, they have a lot of energy, and need a lot of exercise or will often become bored and destructive (I am told that digging can be a problem) mine gets good walks/runs twice a day, off lead, and is a fantastic dog.
They do not take well to harsh handling, and can have a tendancy toward resource guarding if not handled correctly.
The book 'The Hungarian Vizsla' by Gay Gottlieb is invaluable, in my opinion, if you are looking to research the breed properly.
It can be ordered from here:
http://www.russetmantle.co.uk/
(The book also contains a chapter on the Wirehaired Vizsla)
Here's some of my Vizsla history, it may go on a bit, but stick with it if you choose to:
My first was a Smooth haired Vizsla, which we took on as a rescue dog, unfortunately he had some pretty serious agression problems, and with two small children in the house, and no risk worth taking in that situation, he was returned. We don't know that much about his previous history, but he had been to a previous home who had experienced problems between him and their other dog, he had developed some serious Resource Guarding issues, which he showed on several occasions toward my wife and I, and on his last day with us, resulted in me almost receiving a bite to my left thigh, I escaped with ripped jeans and a racing heart. He was only six months old, and apart from me picking up a tomato off the floor, was completely unprovoked... My son, who was three at the time would have picked that up, and the attack would have been face height... It didn't bare thinking about...
That aside, I did a lot of research into the breed, both prior to and after that dog, and it did not put me off the breed, most breeders and owners were shocked to hear that a Vizsla would have reacted like that, let alone one so young. After some further research it would appear that he may have been mistreated, or had picked up some bad habits in his previous home, but I will never know for sure.
Six months later, I picked up an eight week old, Wirehaired Vizsla, (who still looks like a smooth - they don't all get the wirehair), and he is now just over 9 months old, he is a fantastic dog. He has integrated fantastically well into the household, and is virtually my son's best mate, he is extremely affectionate toward the family, will bark and growl like a loony if he hears or sees something he thinks I/we need to know about, and is extremely easy to train. I have owned a few dogs in my life all of which have been gundogs and I am officially smitten with Vizslas.
I know several other owners and breeders who work them and find them extremely versatile in their abilities...
If you are able to spend the time with the dog, give it the exercise it will both need and crave, and provide the affection it will almost undoubtedly command, I honestly don't believe that you will regret owning a Vizsla.
The breeder I got mine from currently has a couple of litters, (born in June) http://www.ragnolds.com/ (one litter smooth, one litter wirehaired) and is only a couple of miles from me, if I am able to be of any further assistance, or with any further advice, please feel free to get in contact.
Best of Luck!
They do not take well to harsh handling, and can have a tendancy toward resource guarding if not handled correctly.
The book 'The Hungarian Vizsla' by Gay Gottlieb is invaluable, in my opinion, if you are looking to research the breed properly.
It can be ordered from here:
http://www.russetmantle.co.uk/
(The book also contains a chapter on the Wirehaired Vizsla)
Here's some of my Vizsla history, it may go on a bit, but stick with it if you choose to:
My first was a Smooth haired Vizsla, which we took on as a rescue dog, unfortunately he had some pretty serious agression problems, and with two small children in the house, and no risk worth taking in that situation, he was returned. We don't know that much about his previous history, but he had been to a previous home who had experienced problems between him and their other dog, he had developed some serious Resource Guarding issues, which he showed on several occasions toward my wife and I, and on his last day with us, resulted in me almost receiving a bite to my left thigh, I escaped with ripped jeans and a racing heart. He was only six months old, and apart from me picking up a tomato off the floor, was completely unprovoked... My son, who was three at the time would have picked that up, and the attack would have been face height... It didn't bare thinking about...
That aside, I did a lot of research into the breed, both prior to and after that dog, and it did not put me off the breed, most breeders and owners were shocked to hear that a Vizsla would have reacted like that, let alone one so young. After some further research it would appear that he may have been mistreated, or had picked up some bad habits in his previous home, but I will never know for sure.
Six months later, I picked up an eight week old, Wirehaired Vizsla, (who still looks like a smooth - they don't all get the wirehair), and he is now just over 9 months old, he is a fantastic dog. He has integrated fantastically well into the household, and is virtually my son's best mate, he is extremely affectionate toward the family, will bark and growl like a loony if he hears or sees something he thinks I/we need to know about, and is extremely easy to train. I have owned a few dogs in my life all of which have been gundogs and I am officially smitten with Vizslas.
I know several other owners and breeders who work them and find them extremely versatile in their abilities...
If you are able to spend the time with the dog, give it the exercise it will both need and crave, and provide the affection it will almost undoubtedly command, I honestly don't believe that you will regret owning a Vizsla.
The breeder I got mine from currently has a couple of litters, (born in June) http://www.ragnolds.com/ (one litter smooth, one litter wirehaired) and is only a couple of miles from me, if I am able to be of any further assistance, or with any further advice, please feel free to get in contact.
Best of Luck!
Edited by GTSDave on Wednesday 1st August 10:59
GTSDave said:
PW said:
I think they need a slightly firmer hand than a lab/retriever in terms of training
Completely the opposite.. Calm, consistent, positive responses to them doing what you ask is all that is needed, some are more 'treat orientated' than others.
boy said: For example one of mine will quake in her boots at a tone of voice change, whilst the younger one wouldnt flinch if you stuck a browning 525 up her left nostril.
Not HPR breeds, but sounds exactly like our two! Elder, lies down and hides his nose as soon as there's any sort of non-soft tone (unless he's got a toy). Younger one... oblivious.Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff