This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, November 2013 issue.
Ask any Vizsla owner what was the first AKC TRIPLE CHAMPION and they will proudly tell you, “A Vizsla.” Ask them what was the first AKC QUADRUPLE CHAMPION and they will also tell you, “A Vizsla.” This elegant, rust-colored breed came to the US in the 1950s after their homeland, Hungary, had been torn apart by Russian, German, and Communist invasion and control. Beauty combined with brains soon had the Vizsla gaining a respected place as an all-around sporting dog, adaptable and comfortable in a variety of tasks. His easy care and eager willingness to please make him an ideal companion. A close-working natural retriever, pointer, and a hunting companion that worked on upland game birds, the Vizsla soon made an impression on the field trainers and trials.
He is a beauty to watch quartering the field and suddenly go on a staunch point for a bird. He points by instinct, has an extrasensory nose, a soft mouth, and a keen willingness to please. The breed has over 150 dual Champions, and responsible breeding programs have promoted the original use of the breed as a companion in the field. The Vizsla has also gained popularity in the conformation show rings with his eye-catching coat, far-reaching gait, and dignified carriage. He stands out in a sporting group just by his attitude alone and has garnered many top awards. He is a joy to exhibitors and spectators and loves the applause and attention. He is a top choice for owners who want an all-around breed and is a favorite for trainers in Obedience and Agility where his skills at jumping and retrieving always draw an enthusiastic, supportive crowd. He enjoys showing off to an audience and always displays a sense of humor while performing given commands and exercises.
But he is sensitive and soft, and a hard hand or a harsh voice of any kind will shut him down. Flyball is a game played by highly energized dogs that are ball-crazy, and the Vizslas love the noise, enthusiasm, and excitement. Rally trials are the bridge between regular obedience trials and the Canine Good Citizen and are a good confidence builder for the young Vizsla because it is a close bonding exercise between the dog and his owner. From a loving, affectionate, protective companion in the home, to becoming a gentle and sensitive therapy service dog visiting nursing homes and the ill and lonely, helping disabled, blind, hearing impaired, and comforting disturbed or handicapped children, this breed has provided physical and emotional benefits to not only healthy individuals but also the sick and emotionally ill.
He can sit quietly in a classroom of children and listen as they read to him, while equally enjoyed by families as a hiking, swimming, boating, jogging, and camping companion. The list of fun things to do with your Vizsla is endless. He does not do well as a kennel dog but only as a companion in the home and a member of the family. In the last 20 years, the Vizsla has been increasingly used at airports for drug or bomb detection, mold sniffing, and as a search and rescue dog for cadavers and live bodies in times of disasters. But this breed is not for everyone. He will become bored and find mischief on his own, so he needs early crate and obedience training. With his above-average intelligence, ability, and willingness to learn, consistency is a must. He is a problem solver, a thinking and creative dog, and understanding the breed is important.
That intelligence will be both a joy and a challenge. The standard calls for him to be “demonstratively affectionate,” but more than anything he is needy. A very socially oriented breed, he needs to sit in your lap, chair, and bed. He needs to be hugged, praised, and rewarded. Your life will be different when you own a Vizsla because he will have to be a part of everything you do. Vizslas are very adaptable to almost anything, even apartment living. But they do need daily exercise. A walk around the block twice a day is not usually sufficient for a young dog, so he will need a park or a dog run as often as possible. A tired dog does not get into mischief, and his energy has to be channeled into correct behavior patterns in order for you to keep control over a dog that is a wonderful “con artist.
