Thinking about new dog - Hungarian Vizsla?

minesadouble

minesadouble

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We sadly lost our beloved 15 year old lurcher this week, and despite my saying we were going to have a break from dog ownership I am rapidly changing my mind. The house just seems so empty without a dog :(.

So just beginning to ponder what breed would be suitable. I really like the Vizsla, we have a farm, but we also have two young children (4 and 6), I have read they are good with kids but what I really want to know is what are they like around the house? Our lurcher was lovely but in his youth was nuts around the house (think wall of death along the back of the sofa!) and by 'youth' I mean until he was about 9! Any HHOers have one in their home?

P.S. Am not doing anything about new dog until after Christmas so plenty of time for thought.
 
I researched this breed before I got a Doberman puppy. I went to a vizz whizz. And joined a few groups on Facebook to watch the sort of issues they had. I have to say this actually put me off- many were described as Velcro dogs and appeared quite needy? Also I noticed there were many with allergies and skin issues. Stunning looking dogs but they come accross as more high maintenance than most and I have malamutes!!
 
yes they are known as velcro dogs, I like them and have known a few but the do seem to be high energy/high maintenance, they sit the kids down on occasion. I think the wirehaired as supposed to be a bit more laid back.

we see a lot of ear and allergy problems with them at work.

there is a member on here that has them, Vizslak I think will go and look, it is they may be worth a pm as they have given advice on the breed before
 
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I've got a viszla x weimaraner. He is more viszla-y in temperament I think. His good points are that he's very trainable and beautiful natured. I love watching him in action as he's so athletic, but is generally a lot closer to me than my weimaraner thug. He'll run for the sheer joy of running like a lurcher or greyhound, but has far more stamina and needs his brain exercised too with games etc. These dogs are hard to tire out and like to work.

His bad point is that he's a big whinge bag who moans if I ever stop anywhere when we are out which means that if we stop in a pub or cafe or even outside a shop, he groans and whinges until we move off again.

I've also got a weimaraner, so am used to high energy dogs and prefer him as he doesn't run off and please himself like the weim does unless ruled with a rod of iron. They are both clingy beasts, so I've got used to them leaping to attention if I shift in my chair and following me everywhere. At least someone in my family pays attention to me!

Edited to add that I have older kids of 16 and 12 and my boy is the 12 year old's best mate. I think little ones would have to put up with getting knocked over quite a lot but they'd get a lot of love too.
 
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Thanks for the replies. Not a straightforward choice then... But is it ever?? Am not deterred yet. Will pm Vislak too, thanks again.
 
One of our closest friends had one when we where in our twenties .
He was a friendly loving dog but as mad as a box of frogs his owner a very fit ex army officer was into long distance endurance sports .
I picked them up one day after they had run further than a marathon the dog was still bouncing four feet of the ground when he saw me because he had met a friend he was lovely but I could not have lived with him.
 
Get a fox red lab!! I have one and the amount of people that say to me "oh is she a vizla"!!! rather annoying...!! She has big ish ears which is the only reason why I think people think she is a vizla! All the perks of a lab (so easy, no skin conditions!!) with a vizla colour. I would put a photo up but I can never figure out how to do it on here!!
 
Thanks for the replies and suggestions, love the Spinones and the fox red labs are fab! BUT due to a series of strange and fateful coincidences it looks like we are going to be the proud owners of a Vizsla in the New Year - for better or for worse :)
 
Dogs are good/bad with; Visitors, Cats, other Dogs, Children, Grandparents, Jehovah's Witnesses, and quite possibly ferrets. I predict that your dog will be what you make it.

When I took in the dogs of others, for training, I found without exception, that when they were brought up with young children, they were always the most amenable.

Vislas are handsome animals and given that they can be a little aloof, with the small-child influence, I'm sure that you'll be fine!

Alec.
 
A friend's daughter bought a 7 month old Vizsla around 6 months ago and she has been a lovely dog. they live on a farm and the dog is brilliant with her 18 month old son (who is of course quite boisterous!!) and goes out with her when she rides out. How exciting that you've found one, let us know how you get on.
 
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