Does anyone have any experience of Visla's?

[Tally-lah]

Hi,

first time posting on here, but seemed the best place to ask people's opinions.

My partner and I are looking to buy a puppy, as our lab x GSP is getting on and isn't able to do the things he used to do with us. We met a very lovely Visla who we adored recently and, as we are looking for a gun dog type feel a Visla could be perfect. However, I have never known any well and would love some info from anyone who has owned/knows about the breed.

About us: We are very active, we run every evening and want a dog who will be happy to come out with us, as well as something that will trot out with me when I ride my horses. My partner also does xc mountain biking so would like to be able to take the dog with him then too.

I work from home so, as well as having my other two dogs for company, I will be about most days.

I understand they need a lot of exercise but this is not a problem as mine get an hour's exercise in the morning as well as two trips to the yard each day and the aforementioned evening hours run with us.

If anyone could give me any info on these dogs I would be very grateful.

Thanks in advance

 

[CorvusCorax]

Try PMing the user Vizslak on here although she has been pretty busy and not on here for a while!

Sounds like a good lifestyle for the right dog when an adult

 

[Dobiegirl]

I will text Vizslak to answer you.

 

[weaselwords]

My boy dog is vizsla x weimaraner, but compared to the weimaraner bitch, I think he has come out quite "vizsla-y". He's a bit wimpy compared to her (she is very gung-ho, though) and will hang back more than she does and doesn't like the rain, but will get as muddy as anything. He hates it if I shout, even if not at him and lives to please me. He also likes to talk to me a lot. I've met another vizsla who was quite vocal too, so I do wonder if this is common. He can be a bit of a food thief but mostly he's a lovely natured, athletic and very trainable dog who loves to run and has an obsession with tennis balls. I wouldn't have called him laid back or lazy, but if you've got a lab x gsp, you will be used to high energy dogs. He's a million times less stubborn than the wiemaraner, but she is a problem child. I think if I get another dog, I'd go for a vizsla.

 

[Tally-lah]

My boy dog is vizsla x weimaraner, but compared to the weimaraner bitch, I think he has come out quite "vizsla-y". He's a bit wimpy compared to her (she is very gung-ho, though) and will hang back more than she does and doesn't like the rain, but will get as muddy as anything. He hates it if I shout, even if not at him and lives to please me. He also likes to talk to me a lot. I've met another vizsla who was quite vocal too, so I do wonder if this is common. He can be a bit of a food thief but mostly he's a lovely natured, athletic and very trainable dog who loves to run and has an obsession with tennis balls. I wouldn't have called him laid back or lazy, but if you've got a lab x gsp, you will be used to high energy dogs. He's a million times less stubborn than the wiemaraner, but she is a problem child. I think if I get another dog, I'd go for a vizsla.

Thank you for your info, your dog sounds lovely. I've never heard of a Visla x Weimaraner before. I think we're pretty much decided on the Visla, although we were also thinking about a Weimaraner or a pure GSP too. All quite similar breeds as far as I know, but it's interesting what you say about your Weimaraner being stubborn. I guess you can over think these decisions when looking at breeds you've not owned before, can't you?

 

[Vizslak]

I'm here *waves* you sound like you could offer a great life for a vizz. Main points about vs to consider are, as you have pointed out they are high energy, they are also very clingy dogs, nicknamed Velcro dogs for a reason, they like to be by your side at all times. Buying from a good reputable breeder that health tests is also very important, take recommendations, I'm happy to steer you in the right direction especially if you have any litters in mind. Feel free to pm me. You are likely to find yourself on a wait list for a decent pup. Are you looking to work the dog in the future or just like gundogs generally? There are extra considerations about the breed if looking to work them. PM (polymyositis) is a health condition that any new vizz owner should look into before looking for a pup. They are a wonderful breed, unlike any other I have owned or known before, my other dogs are dogs and vizslas are vizslas, not dogs! They are highly intelligent, part of owning a vizsla is the uneasy feeling that you may be being outwitted on a regular basis! They are clever but generally biddable, training methods are slightly altered for a vizz, they will damn your preconconceptions of how you think you train a dog. They are generally very sensitive, take things to heart and have memories like elephants as well which can work both for and against you!

 

[caradoo]

Have you thought of rehoming friend runs viszla rescue. Always taking new ones due to all sorts of circumstances.

 

[Superhot]

I regularly walk a Viszla, and have another one who comes for holidays. The first one is a fantastic dog, I would trust her 100% to look after me when walking in remote places. We have a special bond as I've looked after her since she was a puppy. She was good to train, but as has been said, no harsh voices etc. She has been very well socialized, and it pays dividends. I think both dogs are full of nervous energy. The 2nd Viszla I've only known for the last 18 months, and she can, on very rare occasions, show aggressive tendencies to other dogs, usually out of jealousy. She is an only dog and thoroughly loved (and spoiled).
I was at a dog show yesterday, Suffolk Dog Day, and there were some cracking Viszlas there, an absolute joy to see. One lady had her bitch its son there, stunning dogs. They are a fantastic breed, but you do have to remain in charge!!

Good luck, and has already been offered, PM members for breeder recommendations, they count for a lot.

 

[MeAndMyDog]

I would go for a GSP or Weim over a viz any day, my friend has one and it's a nightmare, it's a needy ginger whinging thing, she tried her hardest to get me to have one (no way), she has now firmly decided she won't get another. I also had the misfortune of looking after one (well it was dumped on me) and by lord did that whinge as well, it was so clingy and needy and it stank of sweat (im sure not all do) ha ha, but it made it worse as I did not want it near me. It was also very aggressive towards other dogs in a very brattish way. My sisters finace was thinking of getting one to work and was advised to get a GSP and he is glad he did.
I find weims to be intelligent and nowhere near as needy or sensitive, although they need a lot of exercise but would suit you.
I think my next dog could possibly be a weimaraner.

 

[echodomino]

I would go for a GSP or Weim over a viz any day, my friend has one and it's a nightmare, it's a needy ginger whinging thing, she tried her hardest to get me to have one (no way), she has now firmly decided she won't get another. I also had the misfortune of looking after one (well it was dumped on me) and by lord did that whinge as well, it was so clingy and needy and it stank of sweat (im sure not all do) ha ha, but it made it worse as I did not want it near me. It was also very aggressive towards other dogs in a very brattish way. My sisters finace was thinking of getting one to work and was advised to get a GSP and he is glad he did.
I find weims to be intelligent and nowhere near as needy or sensitive, although they need a lot of exercise but would suit you.
I think my next dog could possibly be a weimaraner.

Wouldn't wipe a breed out based on one or two dogs.

No experience with the smooths but grew up with and have two Wires. Never known one to have aggressive tendancies towards people or other dogs although they will let you know if there's someone there who shouldn't be. The wires are very easy to train and eager to please unlike the Weims or German Wires (grew up with GWPs too, no idea about smooths) who would generally rather please them selves unless you're firm with them from the word go.

From what Vizlak has put they're similar to the smooths in that they are also sensitive, they don't like to be shouted at or grovel if they think you're displeased with them.

They're highly affectionate people dogs as in that they love being in your company, as Vizlak says "velcro" dogs. Great with children, other dogs, horses, I know it goes without saying that most will with the right socialisation but also know a lot that live with cats, birds etc.

The best way is to contact reputable breeders of which ever breeds you've short listed and go and meet their dogs before putting your name on a waiting list.

 

[gunnergundog]

IMO, Vizs are probably the 'softest' of the HPR breeds.....the shorts more so than the wires, which still seem to retain an element of what they were originally bred for. This may be a benefit to you OP, looking for an active pet, but to someone looking for a worker it is generally a negative.

Join the breed club, talk to those in the know (especially re health issues, as per all breeds), see a variety out and about by visiting breeders.......both show and work. Look at them not only in the home environment but see them out and about off their own property!