 |
North Texas Vizsla Rescue |
|
|
|
North Texas Vizsla Rescue |
|
The Vizsla The Vizsla is a medium sized, short-coated hunting dog. The Vizsla is not a small, red Weimaraner. Weimaraners are gray; Vizslas are golden rust. Vizslas look similar to redbone coonhounds except that Vizslas have docked tails and self-colored (color of the body) noses. Redbone coonhounds have natural tails and black noses. The ideal size for Vizslas is 22-24 inches for males and 21-23 inches for females. An inch and a half over or under standard is acceptable. More rescued Vizslas are observed to be taller than the standard rather than shorter. Average weights are 40-65 pounds, depending on height and amount of bone. Their coat is solid golden rust in different shadings, usually with lighter rust patches over the shoulders. Their color is darker than many golden retrievers, and mahogany coats (the color of Irish setters) are rare. Nails, lips, nose and eyes blend with the coat. There is no black on a purebred Vizsla. Small amounts of white on the chest and occasional white hairs on the toes are quite common. White due to aging may begin to occur as early as 3-5 years of age. Very old Vizslas might have entirely white faces and white paws. Their short coat requires little grooming. A monthly bath and weekly brushing, ear cleaning, and nail clipping should suffice unless the dog gets dirty. The breed standard calls for tails docked one-third off – longer than either the weimaraner or the german shorthaired pointer. It is more common to see tails docked too short than it is to see them too long or undocked. Tails docked from Doberman length to undocked have been found in Vizslas rescued. Vizslas are very lively dogs and demonstrably affectionate and sensitive. While they can be protective of their people and property if they feel there is clear and present danger, this breed is not a watchdog. Most Vizslas are good with considerate children. Aggression is not normal for the breed, nor is extreme timidity or nervousness. Rescued Vizslas may be somewhat shy until they know you. They do not lose their zest for life as they age; their energy level usually remains quite high. Vizslas are highly intelligent and do best if they have a job to do. Unemployed Vizslas can become destructive if they are bored. Digging, chewing, and climbing fences are not uncommon behaviors in Vizslas who are left unattended in yards. Some Vizslas climb 6-foot chain link fences, so stockade fencing is a better choice. Unattended, bored Vizslas (especially puppies under the age of 2) have been known to demolish furniture. Secure accommodations are essential until the dog is old enough to be trustworthy in the house. They have a strong desire to please and crave human companionship; many long-time Vizsla owners describe them as velcro dogs. They do not do well as backyard dogs. Vizslas are easily obedience trained if positive, motivational training methods are used. Beware of publications that state Vizslas are clam house companions. They can be great couch potatoes if they get enough exercise. Vizslas tend to have two speeds: on and off. Never forget that this breed was bred to hunt and has a lot of energy that must be used up daily. Many Vizslas are surrendered to rescue because their owners found them too much to handle. This breed requires an energetic owner who is committed seeing that the dogs get enough exercise and attention. It is common for Vizslas to jump up on people and grab a hand or arm in their mouth. Both habits are often hard to break. Vizslas are natural retrievers and, thus, very "mouthy." Some people find it cute that they grab whatever body part they can get their mouth around; others mistake it for biting. A 55-pound Vizsla who jumps up on you and grabs your arm as you walk through the door can make a mess of your clothes and leave scratches. They are quite capable of knocking down a frail elderly person or very small child. With persistence, Vizslas can be trained not to be so rowdy and enthusiastic; but it is not always easy to accomplish this. Vizslas are also notorious and determined kissers. If you cannot stand for a dog to lick your face or coat your child in kisses, this probably is not the breed for you. On the whole, this breed seems to have fewer health problems than many other breeds. Hip displaysia occurs; and allergies, often due to fleas or foods, are fairly common. The Vizsla Club of America code of ethics states, "Breed only those dogs who are free of serious heredity defects, including epilepsy, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), Von Willebrand disease (VWD), entropion, and cranial muscular atrophy, and who are over 2 years of age and have been x-rayed and OFA certified as free of hip displaysia."
|