INTRODUCTION
The Hungarian Vizsla is one of the HPR (Hunt, Point, Retrieve) breeds and
can be described as a medium sized and 'many-sided' hunting dog or, put
simply, as an all-purpose gundog. Although the breed has a reputation for
being both easy to train and affectionate, you should NOT get the idea that
owning one will be a picnic! Their merits as working dogs are well known so
the focus here is to comment on their role as a family pet, since a
considerable percentage of all litters is destined to fill that post. Your
Vizsla will need careful management and clear and concise direction if it is
to become a valued family member. The following points should be taken into
consideration and most have been provided by Jackie Perkins - a breeder of
over 20 years standing:
TEMPERAMENT
The temperament of your Vizsla is paramount and, in the opinion of Jackie
Perkins (GARDENWAY) this is still the most important quality for your
consideration. After all, a dog may be the most beautiful one of its kind
but, what good is he or she if you cannot live together harmoniously?
Your Vizsla should be confident and friendly towards both humans and other
dogs. How you manage your Vizsla will impact enormously on its temperament.
Few people or animals respond well to harsh handling and there is little
doubt that most 'problem dogs' are the result of poor handling, often from
the owner's ignorance.
COMPANIONSHIP
The Vizsla thrives on human companionship and it MUST be a valued member of
your family, as so many owners will testify. However, in order to fulfil
that special role, your Vizsla has to know his/her place. Of course, this is
the case with all dogs but, many years of experience with the breed has
shown that the Vizsla excels in cleverness and downright cheek!
If you go out to work for long periods, a Vizsla is NOT the dog for you
(and, really, no dog should be!). Left alone, in such circumstances, its
intelligence will quickly come into play. If your Vizsla becomes bored, it
may seek to relieve its boredom by re-designing the legs of your furniture
or cupboard doors - at least those s/he cannot open and empty! Or, maybe,
your favourite knick-knacks that its ever-searching gundog nose can sniff
out might be preferred! And, toilet training will probably take for ever -
if, indeed, it is ever learned at all! Such behaviour is hardly likely to
endear him/her to you . . .
However, if you are at home with your Vizsla during those early, formative
weeks and months, you will not only have untold fun, as you realise his
potential and capacity for learning, but you will also develop the essential
rapport that will form an unbreakable bond between the pair of you.
PERSONALITY
Take a look at the results of the Shows, Field and Working trials, Agility,
Obedience and all the other, wide-ranging activities in which the Vizsla is
involved. You immediately realise you have a multi-faceted animal in your
life. Not only hard-working, but also intelligent, intuitive, inquisitive,
instinctive and 'in-your-face'. That's your Vizsla and you ignore him/her at
your peril!
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