Hungarian Vizsla Puppy
Discussion
Here's my new pup, a Hungarian Vizsla...
Quick story... I wasn't planning on getting a dog for another year, but was in touch with a breeder and had arranged to go see her about her next litter, and meet her dogs. The week I was due to visit, he had been returned from his new home due to difficulties with settling him in, as they had a much older Vizsla in the house who was not taking to him, things were not working out. Long story cut short, I fell for him.
at 12 weeks old when I first got him:
Now at just over 17 weeks:
I can't believe how fast he's growing, the breeder commented yesterday on how big he is, he was the largest in his litter apparently, and both his parents are pretty large for the breed, his feet are enormous so he still has quite a bit of growing in to them to do.
Quick story... I wasn't planning on getting a dog for another year, but was in touch with a breeder and had arranged to go see her about her next litter, and meet her dogs. The week I was due to visit, he had been returned from his new home due to difficulties with settling him in, as they had a much older Vizsla in the house who was not taking to him, things were not working out. Long story cut short, I fell for him.
at 12 weeks old when I first got him:
Now at just over 17 weeks:
I can't believe how fast he's growing, the breeder commented yesterday on how big he is, he was the largest in his litter apparently, and both his parents are pretty large for the breed, his feet are enormous so he still has quite a bit of growing in to them to do.
Thanks for the compliments 
He's a great dog, as for the 'mentalness' he's not too bad so far, has the odd moment, but generally is pretty calm and relaxed, he has a good exercise routine and is taking to training extremely well, he's almost too clever in that respect.
I guess at the moment my only concern is that quite a few people have mentioned that they go through a stage of 'adolesence' at about 8 or 9 months, in which suddenly everything goes out the window and you almost have to start again... I don't remember experiencing anything like this with my last dog, so not quite sure what to expect there, just hoping all goes well!
I have only had a couple of minor issues with him, (in the first few days) the first was with recall, his first week or so he was excellent, but then it all went out the window for a few days, so when he saw another dog he wanted to go play with he was off! But I started whistle training him straight away, and he has taken to that really well, and I haven't had any issues since. The second issue was a bit of 'resource guarding' in the first few days, but I dealt with it in the only way I thought was right at the time, (not really knowing what it was he was doing) and I haven't had any problems since. Having done research following the couple of incidents I had, I didn't do what was suggested, but it sorted it. I think he was just finding his feet in those first few days as things were all new again, but he has settled in really well, I couldn't be happier!
He's a great dog, as for the 'mentalness' he's not too bad so far, has the odd moment, but generally is pretty calm and relaxed, he has a good exercise routine and is taking to training extremely well, he's almost too clever in that respect.
I guess at the moment my only concern is that quite a few people have mentioned that they go through a stage of 'adolesence' at about 8 or 9 months, in which suddenly everything goes out the window and you almost have to start again... I don't remember experiencing anything like this with my last dog, so not quite sure what to expect there, just hoping all goes well!
I have only had a couple of minor issues with him, (in the first few days) the first was with recall, his first week or so he was excellent, but then it all went out the window for a few days, so when he saw another dog he wanted to go play with he was off! But I started whistle training him straight away, and he has taken to that really well, and I haven't had any issues since. The second issue was a bit of 'resource guarding' in the first few days, but I dealt with it in the only way I thought was right at the time, (not really knowing what it was he was doing) and I haven't had any problems since. Having done research following the couple of incidents I had, I didn't do what was suggested, but it sorted it. I think he was just finding his feet in those first few days as things were all new again, but he has settled in really well, I couldn't be happier!
Dog plays with one of these in the village. Superb looking dogs and very playfull though can be a little snappy.
Has he got the scent of something yet? My friends vizsla goes mental and straight into hunting mode when it smells something like a rabbit. Last time it took him 45 mins to get it back.
Has he got the scent of something yet? My friends vizsla goes mental and straight into hunting mode when it smells something like a rabbit. Last time it took him 45 mins to get it back.
Yes, he is EXTREMELY playful, and goes into 'Hunting Mode' a lot. Where we are there are rabbits, deer and all sorts of birds about all the time, and where we go for our daily walks they are everywhere, the whistle training has been excellent with getting him straight back at my side, but generally speaking these dogs are known as 'Velcro Dogs' as they do not like letting their owner out of their sight, I have absolute confidence that losing him is not going to happen, he has been running off leash since day one and never leaves my sight.
) but very very adorable All the HPR (hunt point retrieve) breed dogs are a little bonkers, I should know, I've had a couple GWP and GSP. They've generally calmed down a little by the time they are about 2 years old.
The only thing I would say is that you really ought to get your lad on the stop whistle. Reason being that the HPR dogs are hard hunting and have a high prey drive even when you arent working them. They have an amazing sense of smell and can spot a rabbit/pheasant at 2 or 300 meters. They'll then proceede to chase said furry/feathered animal totally ignoring everything you've taught them.
If you have him trained to the stop whistle then you can sit him down as he starts to point. He'll then be easier to control/recall and should stay planted to the spot until you say otherwise.
Secondly, dont let him chase game as this only teaches him how fun it is to run across two fields in hot pursuit of someting. This might make me sound like a kill joy and I know you're probarbly not going to work him but this could save his life as these dogs just keep on chasing across roads anything.
Please bare in mind he might not stray far from you now as he has the puppy instinct to be with you but beleive me he will once he finds his feet a bit when he's a year or so old.
As well as this HPR's require firm training/handling to keep them in check as they are very stuburn and think they know best and try it on all of the time so my top tips are:
A)only ask him to do something if you can enforce it.
B)if he hasnt complied in 5 seconds correct him (see A)
C) only ask once for him to do something (see B)
D) Always use the same word ie not sit then soemtimes sit down etc.
E) dont shout he can hear you when softly spoken depsite how much he winds you up.
He looks a lovely big lad and I'm sure you'll love him why not get onto versatileHPR.com mainly for german wirehaired pointers but other HPR owners are welcome too and lots of expereinced trainers and advice.
The only thing I would say is that you really ought to get your lad on the stop whistle. Reason being that the HPR dogs are hard hunting and have a high prey drive even when you arent working them. They have an amazing sense of smell and can spot a rabbit/pheasant at 2 or 300 meters. They'll then proceede to chase said furry/feathered animal totally ignoring everything you've taught them.
If you have him trained to the stop whistle then you can sit him down as he starts to point. He'll then be easier to control/recall and should stay planted to the spot until you say otherwise.
Secondly, dont let him chase game as this only teaches him how fun it is to run across two fields in hot pursuit of someting. This might make me sound like a kill joy and I know you're probarbly not going to work him but this could save his life as these dogs just keep on chasing across roads anything.
Please bare in mind he might not stray far from you now as he has the puppy instinct to be with you but beleive me he will once he finds his feet a bit when he's a year or so old.
As well as this HPR's require firm training/handling to keep them in check as they are very stuburn and think they know best and try it on all of the time so my top tips are:
A)only ask him to do something if you can enforce it.
B)if he hasnt complied in 5 seconds correct him (see A)
C) only ask once for him to do something (see B)
D) Always use the same word ie not sit then soemtimes sit down etc.
E) dont shout he can hear you when softly spoken depsite how much he winds you up.
He looks a lovely big lad and I'm sure you'll love him why not get onto versatileHPR.com mainly for german wirehaired pointers but other HPR owners are welcome too and lots of expereinced trainers and advice.
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