Vizsla Puppies Blog

Is it normal, anyway?!

Yes, it is. Just imagine the situation from the point of view of your Vizsla. He is part of the family, often treated as “the kid”, and then, suddenly, a new creature arrives and takes all the attention of his beloved family. It is quite similar to what older children feel, when a little brother/sister arrives. One of the differences is just that the dog can’t speak English

Actually, if we are aware of this ‘problem’ in advance, the situation can be handled, but it needs consciousness and to be started in time, long before the baby’s arrival. Let’s see how we can prepare our Vizsla for the new family member.

If your dog’s daily routine has to be changed with the baby’s arrival (it probably will), you should start changing the rules much earlier, giving him plenty of time to get used to the new set up. This way it isn’t going to be so sudden and shocking. If your Vizsla hasn’t really been trained before, it’s high time to start. He should learn at least a few commands, like sit, stay, etc. This way, he’ll be easier to handle.

Many families worry about their dog endangering the health of the child, so the best thing to do is to take your pet to the vet, get him checked and get some advice. Get your Vizsla used to the new smells, sounds in advance (blankets, lotions, toys). It’s also a good idea, that just after your baby was born, send home a blanket that the baby had been in, so your dog can experience the child’s smell in advance. It is very important to know that your  Vizsla will get a lot less attention from the mother, so when taking the baby home for the first time, the mother should greet the dog, so it is better if someone else is carrying the baby.

It is also a good idea not to leave them alone together at the first times, until your Vizsla feels comfortable with the baby, because, for example, it is very possible that the dog won’t tolerate the child’s crying very well in the beginning. You have to teach him that this is a normal sound, and you should motivate him not to bark (with treats, for example).

And the most important rule for last, maybe it seems too obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning: try to give as much attention to your Vizsla as you can. The point is that he has to feel that you do care about him. If you keep this in mind, most probably there will be no problem. You could also try Preparing Fido, which is an amazing collection of Baby sounds designed especially to get your dog ready for the arrival of the new Baby!

Before running out and getting a Vizsla, here are some points to go over before making that decision. Vizslas need a good amount of exercise that requires a lot of walking and running and not just for a block or two. Future owners should be ready to give this to them. Vizsla are affectionate companions and get close to the owner that they may even become their shadow. If one desires this kind of closeness, then the Vizsla is just perfect. If one doesn’t want to be bothered by the “dog odor” that dogs are commonly known for, then don’t worry for this breed is clean, they do not have that odor and they have a low maintenance coat.

Vizsla are considered to be a talented and versatile  breed for they can function both as a pointer and the retriever with a soft mouth when holding on to objects. These are a few of many things to add to your checklist when getting a dog. If these things are green lights on your list, then the Vizsla is just waiting to be given a home.

Vizslas are energetic dogs that are 21 to 25 inches in height and 48 to 66 pounds. Having one will be like having an affectionate and loyal buddy who is curious and lively enough to engage in outdoor activities. If one is interested in owning a canine that is also gentle and very adaptable to family life, then studying the breed standard is imperative for spotting scam breeders that don’t follow quality. Vizslas are considered to be handsome dogs covered in golden brown coats that are short.  They have clean cut heads and tapered muzzles. Ears are silky and hang down and eyes are of the same color of the coat. They have a well developed musculature and have an aristocratic look. With this in mind, be aware of scammers who will try to sell something else.

Here are some red flags to be aware of when buying a Vizsla: Read the rest of this entry »