Before deciding whether a vizsla is the breed for you, first think carefully if owning a dog is for you! All dogs whatever the breed are a commitment and will be part of your life for a very long time.

First of all consider the following

·        Do you have time for a dog?

If you live a hectic lifestyle than owning a dog is probably not a good idea. Dogs like routine and prefer to be fed at set times, they also need regular exercise and especially the more active breeds. Will you have time to exercise them twice daily?

If you have a young family then your dog will need to fit into your lifestyle, and you will need to spend good quality time throughout their lives, especially when they are youngster, they will need training and socialising. Will you be able to give one to one attention and time to your dog?

·        Can you afford the up keep of owning a dog?

Buying a dog is just the start, on average a medium sized dog costs around £8 per week to feed a quality diet. You will also need to take into account the cost of vet bills not just for their routine vaccinations, worming and flea treatment, but for in case your dog ever becomes ill, which sometimes can be costly. I would recommend pet insurance which on average for a very good insurance policy costs around £10-£15 per month. There is also the cost of kennelling fees should you wish to go on holiday which is usually around £6-£10 per day depending upon which part of the country you live in.

·        Will you be out for long periods of time?

Dogs are pack animals and don’t take kindly to been left for long periods at a time. This can lead to destruction due to boredom, especially the gundog and working breeds. It can also lead to behaviour problems.

So You Still Want A Dog – You want a vizsla?

First of all a vizsla is not really considered a suitable breed for the first time dog owner! They are extremely lively, energetic, intelligent and affectionate. You will need to put in a considerable amount of time and energy, as they are very demanding. If you expect to take them out for a walk and then return home to settle down for the evening then think again – a vizsla will look for more fun! They are not a walk in the park dog, and if you want something a little more laid back then I suggest you think about a Labrador. They will find a stroll in the park very dull and boring, unless however you make it fun and get them thinking and using there brains by doing some retrieving or hide and seek games.

You will need to put a lot of training in when they are younger; Vizslas tend to think they only have two feet! This may seem funny and cute when they are puppies but do you want a 25kg dog jumping up at you?

Can you cope with the continuous demands of attention they seek? This can often become a problem but it is all part of the vizsla trait, they are not called the Velcro dog for nothing! He thrives on human affection and been around his family, this is the main point of his existence. They don’t like been left for short periods of time and can become easily stressed and discontented when away from their family and master. This also a reason for them living indoors, they do not thrive on kennel life.

Do you have the temperament to suit the breed? They do not take kindly to anger or aggression especially if it is aimed towards them. They are an extremely sensitive breed and if you lose his trust it can take weeks even months to regain it back. They need a firm but gentle manner. They need lots of encouragement and praise when doing any form of training.

Due to their natural ability, one which so far as not been watered down, they make excellent workers. They love to please, and what pleases you will please them. It is best to do something with your vizsla due to their extreme intelligence (even better if you work them); they love agility and make excellent agility dogs. They are also good at working trails though not really often used in this country and working tests. You will find that even if you do not want to do any of the above but play games such as hide and seek, retrieving anything to stimulate their brain you will have a more happy and contented dog.

They get on well with children and other animals if they are exposed and introduced to them early in life. They are not really a dominant breed, but like all dogs if they do not know their position within the pack then they can become dominant, but only through human error. If this happens then addressing the behaviour and thinking dog can reverse it!

So You Still Want A Vizsla?

After considering all of the above and you are determined that the beautiful russet gold vizsla is for you, then welcome to the breed. I would recommend that you do as much research about the breed as you can before making your final decision. Contact as many reputable breeders as you can and also visit adult dogs. Most reputable breeders will be willing to help and give you advise and let them visit their dogs.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need help and advice. Good luck and may you have many wonderful years and pleasure with your dog.

Fancy an Irish Red & White Setter?

How energetic are you? Red and Whites are a very energetic breed I would say that they are more energetic than a Vizsla. They love to run like pointers and needs lots of excersice and stimulation. Some people think that setters are a stupid breed!! But they are confusing this with extreme intellegience! Setters like Vizslas need lots of stimualtion and they need to use their brains, if this is not channelled then yes they act stupid because they are full of energy. I would say that they are a little harder to train than the vizsla but this is only from my past experience having trained and worked vizslas and my last red and white. They can be destcructive  like most gundogs if left for long periods. They make great family pets if you have time for them and are very affetionate, but again I must emphasize that if you live a busy family life or free and single one then this is not the breed for you. They tend to calm down around the age of 2yrs (but they still think they are 6m during their entire life)!! Obviously they will grow bigger than a vizsla and can be sensitive too. They too love working, agility, obedience and flyball and I would advise anyone thinking of been owned by one, who is not interested in the working side to do some sought of activity with them as this will help build a strong realtionship with you both and also help tame some of the energy. Again they are not really a dominant breed and tend to be etremely good with children and other dogs but like I have mentioned before if a dog does not know his place within the pack they can become dominant through human error. It is also important that from an early age they are well socialised and I emphasize on this as they can be prone to nervousness. I would never purchase a puppy that as not been brought up inside and well socailised in the litter for this reason. I must also mention that if you decide to own a red and white that you must be extremely patient when training as they go through lots of stages and one of them up until 18months is not coming back when out walking because to them it is so much more fun to run, run , run and yes you've got it run! I usually find that if you go back to basics and keep them on a long line for 4 weeks ( dogs have an average memory of 4wks) and keep reinforcing the recall it usually does the trick(please also read my page on socialisation and why it is important). There is also the grooming to take in account they are well feathered around the ears, chest, feet, legs and tail so they need regular grooimg to prevent knots and mats. On the whole they are an extremely fun loving breed thats why they are called the red and white clown!

Think you still fancy a Red & White Clown?

Good luck and I hope you have lots of fun and enjoy your red and white as much as I love mine. By the way don't forget to get your prescription for some valium before you pick up your red and white friend!