Known as ‘the Versatile Vizsla’, these elegant golden dogs were once prized by the Hungarian Magyars for their ability to hunt, point and retrieve game. These days, they are generally enjoyed as a superb companion dog. A Vizsla is a ‘fun’ dog with an immense ability to enjoy life.
Vizslas are very trainable and are often chosen by people who wish to compete in obedience, agility, or one of the many other canine sports.
Their short coat is low maintenance and they have very little ‘doggy’ smell. Their nails should be clipped and ears checked regularly.
Highly intelligent and people orientated, a Vizsla will thrive when involved in family life and trained with positive, reward based methods. A Vizsla that is neglected will be unhappy, and if trained harshly, may become confused, snappy or timid.
Vizslas are generally excellent with children, but as with all dogs, interactions with young children should be supervised. A young child doesn't know how to train a puppy to behave, and your puppy may learn unwanted lessons such as how to jump up, lick faces, and thieve food, to name a few! A close eye should also be kept on kids with dogs when the dog is going through its confused, hormone-driven adolescence. (This may also apply to adolescent humans :-) .
A Vizsla is a very active dog and requires a commitment to DAILY exercise. Without this exercise it may become destructive.
The lifespan of a Vizsla is about fourteen years and it’s important to remember this when thinking about purchasing a puppy. It is a long-term commitment.
A Vizsla is not the dog for everyone – but if it is right for you, you will wonder how you ever got along without one.