Vizslas
Vizslas are curious, playful and cuddly. They need lots of love and lots of exercise. They are great with children, other pets and strangers. 33rd most popular of all breeds. See details below on history, as pets, to show, their physique, diet and health, and litters.
My Story: There have always been dogs in my household. Before I was born my family had a champion black cocker spaniel which my father had shown. Although she was a show dog she felt her sole responsibility was taking care of my older brother who at that time was a baby. By the time I came along my dad had acquired a liver spotted Dalmatian which he planned on showing. However, we moved from the mid-west to California and in the process the dog somehow got transferred to new ownership.
Our next dog was a rescue from the animal shelter. She was wonderful and the dog I grew up with. In the course of my lifetime she had three litters of puppies so as a child I became very accustomed to there being puppies in our home.
After I was married and our children came along we got a “labherd”, my name for a Labrador/German Shepherd mix. Although a “mutt” we allowed her to have a litter of puppies. Unfortunately she escaped from our yard one day and we lost her to a car. Shortly thereafter my husband mentioned this to a co-worker who said if we were looking for another dog, his dog, a Vizsla, had just had puppies. We had never heard of the breed but we drove to this co-workers home with our children and immediately fell in love with the puppies we saw there. We came home with TAMARA, a registered female Vizsla puppy. Because we had three small children she was kept very busy all the time.
We have rarely been without animals. I have a wild mustang, Freedom, which I acquired from Wyoming when it jumped the fence and joined a friend’s herd of Arabians. She’s been a delight to train and Kutya, my present Vizsla, enjoys being with Freedom and the other horses at the barn. My oldest, Caryn, rode horses in her early teens. She is now helping me with Freedom and learning to ride all over again. My son Carl, a college swim coach, and his wife Michelle, an attorney, have a large Mastiff named Butters. She is quite elderly and Kutya is very motherly and patient with her. Animals in our household become members of the family. Kutya sleeps with me. She also likes to sit on my shoulder when I’m watching television. My grandchildren, ages 2 and 4 love playing with Kutya.
Summary information on Vizslas below. See also:
American Kennel Club - Vizsla Page
History
The ancestors of the present Vizsla were the trusted and favorite hunting dogs of the Magyar tribes who lived in the Carpathian Basin in the 10th century. Primitive stone etchings over a thousand years old show the Magyar hunter with his falcon and his Vizsla.
Litters
Frequently larger than average dog litters. My first Vizsla had 11 puppies! See our Puppies page for more information.
As Pets
Great family dogs. Vizslas are very high energy, gentle-mannered, loyal, caring, and highly affectionate. They quickly form close bonds with their owners, children and even strangers.
Physique
The Vizsla is a medium-sized short-coated hunting dog of distinguished appearance and bearing. Robust but rather lightly built, they are lean dogs, and have defined muscles. Tails are usually cropped, but not ears.
To Show
The Vizsla Club of America is a great place to learn about showing your Vizsla.
Diet & Health
A Vizsla Club of America survey puts the average lifespan of the Vizsla at 9.15 years. The Vizsla is considered to be a robust dog, but with no undercoat is not good as outdoors or kennel dog. Needs lots of exercise. No special diet. Enjoys pulling sleds. :)
