Hungarian Vizslas - any owners in here?

Droolinggimp

Droolinggimp

Droolinggimp

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Looking to get a puppy next year and were originally going to go with a Labrador again (my 11 year old passed last year) but after seeing 2 Vizslas on the school run, I am quite tempted by them. I had a quick chat with their owner (I know her as she was a teacher in my kids play group a year ago), very similar temperament, exercise, diet, health issues etc to a Labrador so I know what I would be getting into.

I have done a bit of reading up on them and they seem to love cuddles, have crazy zoomies, love other dogs and generally a great family member. They also would welcome an additional dog to the family so getting another Labrador isn't out of the question. I also have read they are a bit scared of thunder and loud noises like that, so I will obviously, from an early age, like I did with my other Labs, get them tuned into these things so it won't affect them later in life. My louis (RIP) loved fireworks, as a gun dog should really haha.

If you have one, what are you experiences with them. For what its, worth I have 3 kids (7,4 and 2), and 2 cats. So yeah, fire away. Pics needed of course.
 
Thats a shame. Fortunately, I have lots of time as I am the stay at home dad :D plenty of time to train, socialise. I think I will check to see if any breeders have anything coming up.
 
My manager has one and when I've been round for parties and such he seems an awesome dog. Very, very active though from what she's told me can sometimes be a bit overwhelming.

She had hers from a puppy and grew up around young kids/teens and apparently never had an issue. I took my Greyhound on a walk with her once and they loved each other. Was the only dog I've ever considered letting him off with as seemed quick enough to dodge and dive away from our big chaps gallop (when he gets speed up it can be quite frightening when he's tearing towards you).

I think so long as you're prepared for the an active dog you'll be grand.
 
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Thanks. Fully prepared for active dog. My lab was crazy active up till his last few weeks, still gave my mates whippet a good run for its money at 11 years old. I have just been checking current or upcoming litters, damn, Vizslas are far more expensive than labs now. Looking at £1500+, where as a litter of Labs I have just read about, with FTCW parents and grandparents and great grandparents are up for £700. family tree fully viewable, Which makes me think, working gundog breeders tend to price far cheaper than a run of the mill breeder down the road. I got my last 2 labs from the same breeder 12 and 13 years ago for £250 each.
 
My sister has a 16week old pup and he's a dear little thing but I'd definitely watch our if you get one around your 2 year old. They have damn sharp teeth and like to bite most things when young (like most puppies I guess!)
 
Rimsy said:
My sister has a 16week old pup and he's a dear little thing but I'd definitely watch our if you get one around your 2 year old. They have damn sharp teeth and like to bite most things when young (like most puppies I guess!)
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can't be any sharper than my two cats set of fangs.... and murder mittens.
 
Owned a Vizsla for 12years, sadly he passed away at the start of the year. He was a great dog, his recall was not so good at times, would keep doing a disappearing act if he picked up a scent... mostly the dear round our way. He would come back with god knows what in his mouth a would not let go. My daughter is now 9 now but he was never a problem to her and generally friendly around other dogs and people. They are dogs that like company so wouldn't leave him/her alone for extended periods and our Vizsla was always whinging. But yeah would have another one in a heartbeat, i currently have a 5 year old Weimaraner and he is a different kettle of fish.

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Yes I have one, and coincidentally also have a Labrador:

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(Excuse the hideous chair, uncle gave it to me as a freebie)

Phoebe - 10 year old Labrador
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Both
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Firstly - They aren't very similar so I would get that out of your head. Labradors are really easy, which is why there are so many and people have them as family pets. Vizslas are very demanding and super energetic. I have to walk mine for twice a day, for an hour each time - And that's off lead with her chasing a ball the whole time.

She was easy to train, but is still not great on a harness/lead. Never been able to get the pulling out of her. She's much better off lead, and will heel when asked, and doesn't bother random people, runners, cyclists etc.

Vizslas are good with older kids, and can be bought up with small kids but I wouldn't say they are ideal for that.

I've had Labradors my whole life (40 years), and our Vizsla was a total shock to the system and totally dominated our life for the first 12-16 months. My wife got to points where she couldn't cope as the dog would bark the place down when we went out, wreck beds, constantly wanted to play, slept very little etc etc.

She's better now because she's nearly 2 1/2 but she was a lot of work, and I would hestitate to recommend them to people.

Having said all that, she's the most loving, cuddly dog we've ever had and she's wonderful now.
 
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Next door neighbout has one, beautiful dog but god do they need a lots and lots of exercise and attention. Well trained and will walk off the lead and always comes back when asked.


I think he says he takes his dog for three one hour walks every day (he works from home so this isnt an issue)

So overall, fantastic dogs but you need the time and be prepared to make the sacrifices.
 
I concur with Vincent, (which admittedly is somewhat unusual ;)) and although I have never owned a Vizsla I do know a horse vet who has one and they can be hard work. They can be stubborn and they can chase things with a view to a kill. I would say they are a very different breed to a Labrador, both temperament and excercise needs wise. She got her bitch to the point of being reliable off lead in public places and around livestock, but apparently it was a trying process :)

If you can't give a breed like the Vizsla a lot of time and off lead excercise daily they will probably be very trying and very restless. I have livestock guarding breeds and they get hours of free running every day. Otherwise they'd be a nightmare as they'd be bored, hyper and probably destructive.

I rescue Anatolian Karabash dogs, people buy them as they want a macho guard dog, then find they plain can't cope with their excercise needs and their hugely stubborn, inbred guarding instincts. Sadly many end up in recue centres where they have even less chance to have stimulation and get put down. For the first 4 years they are usually a total nightmare unless run and worked to exhaustion, then they calm down and just patrol the perimeter looking for anything untoward. It doesn't matter if it's 3 in the morning, if they hear something moving about they don't expect, they bark. And bark. And bark.... Chooose your breed carefully, 12 years with a dog that is really unsuited to your lifestyle is a LONG time.
 
Nice1 said:
They are dogs that like company so wouldn't leave him/her alone for extended periods and our Vizsla was always whinging.

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100% this

I work from home and am currently eating lunch with my Vizsla whining at me and not even because she wants food as she never gets human food.

I had to visit a customer early this morning and she hasn't been walked yet, so that's what she needs.

She whinges a lot!
 
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VincentHanna said:
100% this

I work from home and am currently eating lunch with my Vizsla whining at me and not even because she wants food as she never gets human food.

I had to visit a customer early this morning and she hasn't been walked yet, so that's what she needs.

She whinges a lot!
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As annoying as it was, now that he has gone its the small things like this that you miss, funnily enough.

The other half always gives me a telling off for feeding the dog at the table and i keep saying to her... bugger it they aren't here long so keep doing it. :D

Also had a chocolate lab and jeez she was bonkers (in a good way) would steal dummies out of kids hands. And like all labs would eat for Britain.
 
Well, it sort of happened, going to see a litter of Labrador puppies tomorrow. Not Vizslas as my op questioned about. Funny how things turn around.
It also comes to my attention, my Louis (rip) grandad is the Great great grandad of this litter. Craighorn Bracken. Who would have thunk it.

no doubt a new thread will appear with pictures obviously.
 
Droolinggimp said:
Well, it sort of happened, going to see a litter of Labrador puppies tomorrow. Not Vizslas as my op questioned about. Funny how things turn around.
It also comes to my attention, my Louis (rip) grandad is the Great great grandad of this litter. Craighorn Bracken. Who would have thunk it.

no doubt a new thread will appear with pictures obviously.
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Definitely pictures!
 
Not that it makes a difference, and congratulations on your new puppy, but yes we have one that's 17 weeks. We've had her since 9 weeks. This is the first time we have had a puppy so not much to compare to. She gets crated for naps, she's pretty full on and needs something to do all the time so we train her using her meals which is going really well and I've never seen as much joy as when she's seen her humans. I would echo that she doesn't seem like our friends lab who is working stock or other lab pups in the village.
 
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