Last Fall I decided I wanted a dog to go bird hunting with. It's nice to use other people's dogs when you go hunting because they are so well trained, but I thought it would be even better to have my own and train it. As it turns out, I am working on training him just to obey (i.e. sit, come, heel, etc), and I will be sending him to a trainer when he is old enough to retain the training well (around a year old).

My fiance bought me an 8 week old Vizsla from a well regarded breeder in Kansas as my wedding gift. Vizslas are Hungarian bird dogs. Bailey (my fiance's choice of name. I wanted Lazslo) is starting to show signs of pointing, but it's still early. I have never seen another breed that has as much energy as Vizslas (maybe German short haired pointers are close). They are incredibly loyal dogs. Bailey wants to always be by my side. He cries when I put him in the crate in the morning as I leave for work. He is going through the childhood equivalent of the terrible twos. If you leave anything laying around (especially stinky **** like sneakers and socks), expect it to get chewed. That said, he is great around people and other dogs. Even if he doesn't turn out to be a great hunting dog, he is a great family pet. See the video. He won't get more than 15-20 yards ahead of me without turning around to see that I am still there. If I hide behind a tree, he frantically races back to find me. And if you're looking to lose some weight, these dogs need to be walked a few miles a day. I've already taken him to Colliers Mills a few times to get him accustomed to the sound of gunfire. Thankfully he is not spooked by it.

Coincidentally, my sister's dog is named Bailey as well...... but it's a girl

Of all the hunting dogs my father has had over the years, his vizsla was his favorite. It followed him everywhere. Like you said, in the field, never went more than 50' ahead. Great, great with kids. She once broke out of her crate as a 1 yr old pup when the UPS man came. Literally broke down a correctly assembled steel wire dog crate. Never barked unless she thought the family was in danger when the hair on her back stood up. But you are right when you said they have the most energy you could imagine. If that dog didn't run in the park or golf course, it would us NUTS at night crying and getting into trouble, at least as a pup. Vizsla's are great hunting dogs, and will be the only breed I'll ever own, but unless you are as dedicated to them as they are to you, exercising them every day, you are being cruel to them.

 

 

By the way, they think they're human.

Vizsla's are great hunting dogs, and will be the only breed I'll ever own, but unless you are as dedicated to them as they are to you, exercising them every day, you are being cruel to them.

 

A walk in the morning. One in the evening. A dog walker comes twice a day (yeah, that gets costly). On my day working from home, I take himto the dog park or through the woods. I wish I had a big back yard with a fence.

Yeah luckily we had woods behind our house.

Awsome i had a vizsla 30 years ago growing up great dog..

 

Thier hard to find not many around..

 

one thing i noticed you did while taking him for a walk was you whistled for him, need to stop doing that call him by his name.

Great breed. I've told lunker my story and a couple of others on the board. I have even hunted with a couple of members here with her. Now, she is turning into a bear dog. I have a real problem bear that keeps coming around my yard, even with my kids and wife outside and the dog goes on the offensive. She is my early warning device, helps put food on the table and loyal companion.

That's a good looking pup, lunker. I've got a couple of Weims myself.

When they were puppies

 

Vizslas are versatile gun dogs, like Weimaraners, in that they can hunt, point and retrieve, but they don't do any one thing particularly well. Viszlas do suffer from a bit more separation anxiety than Weims, which can be good in some hunting situations (not so good at home). Their smaller size can also be beneficial. My Weims settled in at only 75lbs a piece since I had them spayed/neutered as late as possible (I didn't want to have tall, overly-delicate, gangly, adolescent-looking dogs)and I find they still have trouble getting through some of the brush. My female can finesse her way through the nasty stuff better than my male, who is all prey-drive and no brains, but she feeds off his energy and rarely goes it alone.

 

I think that the best thing to do is keep on exposing Bailey to the sights and sounds of your hunting grounds. Let him gain confidence and don't call him in too often. There's nothing worse than a dog that is literally underfoot the whole time because he's afraid to stray too far. Also, get him started on some scents (pheasant wings) but don't let him think it's a toy. And let him chase whatever he wants. I wouldn't start any training 'til he's at least a year, if not older.

Updated for a quick trip to Sandy Hook. I live next door so this is where he runs off his excess energy. He is nine months now.

 

Hey Chris, I'd love to get together for a doggie "Play Date". Maggie has never really been off a leash except in our (fenced) back yard and at the dog park (also fenced, of course). Would love the opportunity to let her run where there is no danger and the beach seems perfect. She's fine with other dogs (well, she isn't real fond of ankle biters, but she tolerates them). Bet Bailey would have fun, too. Don't let me coerce you, but if the idea interests you let me know. Viszlas are part of the make-up of the GSP breed.

 

Maggie...

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

the dog doesnt need a trainer we do.good hunting dogs know how to hunt we just need to have them hunt for us.I lost my dog months ago and now Im working with a 5 y/o gsp who never hunted now shes been introduced to gun fire and we are working on whoa and heel commands ,she tracked 2 quail pinned them down but it was raining so hard we had to stop.I also have a pair of 3 month old brittanys but we are starting out slow with them good luck

Still planning on sending him off to get trained? Look into joining the DelVal Chapter of NAVHDA. Also, if you're looking to train him yourself take a look at the Perfect Start/Finish DVD's. Hope you have deep pockets.