Hungarian Vizsla

[BellySlater 15]

I'm after a bit / lot of advice on the Hungarian Vizsla breed. I am looking at bringing a dog into the family after Xmas and want to make sure that our lifestyle is suitable for this breed. I have been looking at lurchers over the past twelve months and have done a great deal of research, a Bedlington X Greyhound was top of the list until I saw a Vizsla.

 

I work from home apart from two days of the week, my wife doesn't work and we have a three year old. We have a medium size garden and live right next to a huge park in Solihull. I beat on our local shoot throughout the season and I have a permission of 900 odd acres which I shoot my air rifle on. I have been leaning towards the lurcher as I have been advised that they are pretty easy going, non destructive and will sit on the couch when not working / excercising. ( and in turn not pissing off the missus !) The more I read about the Vizsla the more i feel that this would be a great shooting / beating companion ( air rifle shooting is pretty difficult with a "tear a way yapping dog"). AND family member

 

I would really appreciate some feedback from owners of this breed, the last thing I want is to have a sad / frustrated animal in the family.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Belly

Edited November 10, 2009 by BellySlater

[Holland 0]

You need to think long and hard about your reasons for keeping a dog.

 

I train and work all types of gundog, and have encountered a few Vizsla, although i'm mainly Labs and Spaniels.

 

The Hungarian Vizsla is what's called a hunter, pointer, retriever (HPR).

 

These types of dog are very popular in Europe and have become more popular here, mainly i'm afraid because of their looks!

 

As a moorland pointing and flushing dog, the Vizsla is a good choice, for walked up shotgun shooting.

 

As a beating/airgun dog I think you could choose a better suited dog.

The reason that springers and Labradors are so popular through out the UK,is because they work well with the sort of sport we do.

 

The Vizsla is also hard to train well, and takes a long time to mature.

 

Please think this through

 

H

[BellySlater 15]

Thanks for the reply H.

 

This is definatly something I am not going to rush into, I am also not looking at this breed for its looks. HPR in general is something that I would find more beneficial with air rifle shooting as opposed to a cocker or springer, the ones I have spent time with (including my brothers which I take beating) do not seem to have the temprement for stalking (i'm sure I will be corrected !) Out of all the HPR breeds the Vizsla seems to be the smallest and "most" suitable.

 

As already mentioned, I am researching as much as possible, including going out with a friend of a friend who has a wire haired Vizsla, to discuss temprement, requirements and suitability etc.

 

Thanks,

 

Belly

[Back Stabbath 1]

Hi mate

 

I don't have first hand experience of Vizslas I'm afraid, and I wouldn't be able to tell you much about that type of hunting. However for what its worth, if you're looking for a calmer and more manageable dog with your wife and 3 yr old I'd recommend the lurcher. Not sure about Hungarian dogs, but working line German breeds (eg. Dobes, Weims etc.) tend to be quite a hand full, as they are very intelligent and can be (especially in the case of working line Dobes) quite stubborn. I'm guessing Hungarian dogs would be of a similar type, they breed no nonsense (and quality imo) type dogs in that part of the world. But all dogs are different and it depends on bloodlines too, you might find a lovely laid back Vizsla and a mad lurcher! Also if it was me getting one in that situation I'd get a female as I find they can be nicer, thats just me though As you said there, I'd agree that a lurcher would be happier to lie about when not working, wheras a vizsla would be likely to be restless and more of a pain. I find lurchers to be very easy dogs.

Whatever you choose I hope it works out!

[Swampy 147]

Noon pal.

I have a Viszla so excuse the bias.

Mine is both a working dog and a family pet. He beats with me and ferrets very well, marking and leaving the ferrets alone.

Under the air rifle he tends to be a bit eager.....he's only 12mnth tho' so he may well calm down.

I have been told that they don't really mature until about 18/24 mnths.

He is not what I'd call a brave dog. He doesn't like thistles brambles etc but that is probably because he is smooth haired.

As a pet he is superb. Very affectionate and craves attention and non aggressive.

Very intelligent, slightly stubborn.in a character kind of way.

As for looks?.........sorry but they are stunning looking dogs that actually do the job!

I cannot vouch for lurchers.

The man to ask tho is Garypo.He helped me no end in training

[BellySlater 15]

Cheers Swampy,

 

That's just the sort of info I am after. He's an absolute beauty for sure.

 

One of my main concerns is the point made on a lot of web sites (granted, these seem to be show / breeder sites) that they can be destructive in the house. I assume this is because they have become bored ? ( like any dog without enough exercise) What sort of exercise does he get on a non working day and have you got him on the whistle ?

 

Apologies for the questions but info on working HV's seems hard to come by.

 

Belly

[Swampy 147]

Cheers Swampy,

 

That's just the sort of info I am after. He's an absolute beauty for sure.

 

One of my main concerns is the point made on a lot of web sites (granted, these seem to be show / breeder sites) that they can be destructive in the house. I assume this is because they have become bored ? ( like any dog without enough exercise) What sort of exercise does he get on a non working day and have you got him on the whistle ?

 

Apologies for the questions but info on working HV's seems hard to come by.

 

Belly

No probs pal. Beats working!

I managed to get him to return to three on the whistle at 6 mnths. He will if tired stay in place at a distance to a call and even occaisionally to one on the whistle.

I have found that he behaves better when he's tired and burnt off the excess energy.

I'm taking him out for an hour every morning and an hour and half/two in the evening. The Missus will take him out at lunchtime occasionally if I'm hung over and miss the morning shift.

He has just started beating with me. Has done two shoots. I know I'm biased but he made me look soooooo good. It was like he'd been doing it for years. Was at his most obedient and his nose was the best of the day. Shoot master specifically asked him back......Not me, The dog!

As long as he's getting the exercise and attention and the proper training you shouldn't have probs with chewing etc etc Mine has never gone down that road. Does like to push his luck and try getting on the bed/sofa when we're not watching but very good really.

As I said before, do a quick search for Garypo on here. His knowledge of the breed is exceptional.

 

rgds

 

Swampy

[BellySlater 15]

Thanks Swampy,

 

I will drop Garypo a line.

 

One last question... Is you missus at home all day with the dog ?

 

Thanks again,

Belly

[Dave C 63]

Cracking looking dog Swampy, sounds like he is coming on well for you.

 

Dave.

[Swampy 147]

Thanks Swampy,

 

I will drop Garypo a line.

 

One last question... Is you missus at home all day with the dog ?

 

Thanks again,

Belly

 

Oh yes. Made her give up work when the kids came along.

He is left alone quite a lot during the day when she has her coffee mornings, shopping trips and other female stuff that escapes my comprehension.

We leave him in the kitchen and wont let him upstairs.

Took him out last night and he chased a mink in the river...........Amazing! I've never seen one before. He didn't catch it mind whuch was a bit of a relief as I've heard they're quite visious.

 

Rgds

 

Swampy

 

first ning today

[Swampy 147]

Cracking looking dog Swampy, sounds like he is coming on well for you.

 

Dave.

 

Thanks Dave.

Hard work but good fun!

 

 

Rgds

 

Swampy

 

ningingon

[BellySlater 15]

Cheers Swampy,

 

I appreciate you help. Looks like i've made my mind up....spoke to a lady this morning that is palnning a litter for Feb / March of wire haired. My names on the list

 

Can't wait

[Swampy 147]

Cheers Swampy,

 

I appreciate you help. Looks like i've made my mind up....spoke to a lady this morning that is palnning a litter for Feb / March of wire haired. My names on the list

 

Can't wait

 

Good call!

 

keep us all posted and dont forget the pics

 

rgds

 

Swampy

 

pointning

[English Steve 0]

I had a Weimar up until two years ago (she was 12 when we lost her). Very similar animal in all ways (not just looks), and as Swampy said hard work but well worth the effort. All of the HPRs are very intelligent and need stimulation and/or exercise or they can become destructive if left. We never had any problems in that area as she was exercised off lead for two hours every day.

We had to be able to leave her for up to 3 hours a day as my wife works part-time, so we trained her to it from a puppy. You know the sort of thing, leave her for ten minutes the first day, then 15 etc and build it up.

Great around children of all ages (usual disclaimer, don't leave them alone etc) but didn't like cats to the point of killing them if she could catch them, which she did on occasion

 

Only things to watch out for with the short-hairs is that they suffer from the cold and wet if there is much standing around, and they can damage themselves working thick cover. Shouldn't be such an issue with a wire-hair though.

If it was a short hair I would suggest you get it docked and dew clawed for that reason.

 

My honest opinion - ace dogs

Edited November 13, 2009 by English Steve

[jas 0]

Hi there, I'm on my first ever dog and have never been hunting/shooting before. I got my Vizsla and he is now 8 months, he is absolutely brilliant. He recalls to a few quick pips on I'm working on his quartering now and can sometimes get him to turn on 2 pips. He is a very intelligent dog indeed and can be a bit of a handful, but I reckon that can happen with any dog. I took him beating a couple of times and he really seems to be getting the hang of it. It may not be the right thing for this type of dog and I'm sure some will tell me i'm doing the worong thing, but as i don't own a gun or anything this seems to be the next best thing for him and he absolutely loves it.

I just train him as i see fit for me and it seems to work. I would definitely recommend one and your circumstances sound fine to me.