Vizsla puppies are much like any other puppies in most respects. They are very
cute, cuddly and will tear up your possessions if you turn your back for
a second. The difference lies in their long puppyhood, sometimes 2-3 years!
Combine this with their intelligence, exuberance, and mischievousness raising
a Vizsla puppy can be both a joyful and aggravating experience. Many people
are drawn to the Vizsla because of it's attractiveness, but their other characteristics
should be considered as the primary deciding factor. If you decide you can
live with a Vizsla at it's worst, then everything else will be a bonus!
Commitment
Any dog requires a big commitment in time and money from puppyhood to old age.
Puppies need to be supervised for their safety as well as the safety of your
possessions! They need the proper exercise and nutrition appropriate for their
breed, activity level and age. Puppies and dogs also need training to help
them become enjoyable members of the household. It also requires a commitment
of money. Can you afford quality food and necessary veterinary care such as
yearly innoculations, heartworm preventives, worming and other, unforeseen
Vet visits? Pet insurance is expensive but pretty much indispensable. Exercise
It is also important to remember that these are lively, active dogs which
need to run free, and need a lot of exercise compared to other breeds.
Without the exercise they need, a Vizsla will become withdrawn, unhappy
and most likely destructive through frustration. If you cannot commit
to run your Vizsla a couple of times a day for at least 30-45 minutes
each time please don’t get one. 
Your time, the Dogs time
Don’t make the mistake of trying to shoehorn the
dog into your busy schedule, the dog will always lose out. You must have time
available in your life to devote to the dog. If you still think a Vizsla may
be for you, make sure you take the time to talk to Vizsla owners, breed specialists
here in the Society, breeders. The HVS is present at many of the Game Fairs
around the country in the Discover Dogs tent, and you can always find Vizsla
people at Shows.
Choosing your Vizsla.
First, decide whether you want your dog as a pet, a show dog or as a working
dog. You may wish to have your dog for all three, and if this is the case,
then you need to think about whether the dog is going to be primarily a
working dog with occasional showing, or primarily a show dog with a bit
of working. The reason for this is because if the dog is to work then it
needs to come from a working line; the hunting instinct is lost in as little
as the 3rd generation if the dogs not worked. If you are looking for a
pet or show dog then this is not important to you (except to say that the
HVS promotes the ability – duality – of the Vizsla as both a working and
show dog). So you will need to do some research to find a breeder with
the right line for your needs, some breeders breed show dogs, some working
dogs and some both. 
Which Breeder?
With the above in mind, start talking to breeders. And when you do, make
sure they adhere to the HVS Code of Ethics. This is important. The Code
of Ethics is there to protect the health of the breed and adherence to
the code is important to stop the exploitation of bitches by unscrupulous
breeders intent on only making money, hipscoring of both parents is paramount
to guard against Hip Dysplasia (read about this by clicking HERE)
and many other considerations. Please read the HVS Code of Ethics by clicking
HERE.
Responsible breeders will appear as if they actually don’t want you to
have one of their dogs. They will ask many questions of you, covering most
of the points made above – they will tell you that if your puppy doesn’t
suit you that you should call them immediately and bring the puppy back,
they will invite you to see the bitch with her litter and you should go,
at least twice. If you don’t get this – avoid the breeder as they obviously
don’t care about their dogs.
If you are still interested in buying a Vizsla puppy then please see our list of questions to ask a breeder. |
