Vizslas are very affectionate,  'they want to be close enough to get inside your skin', and like lots of cuddles and attention.    They were bred to hunt, point and retrieve, and hunt in close quarters  to the handler.    Most enjoy carrying something in their mouth, and many will hold your hand in the same manner.

EXERCISE    They are active, athletic dogs, and will enjoy a couple of runs per day,  with some time off lead.  Most like to swim, others prefer to wait till there is a duck or equivilent to chase to make the effort worth their while, and will surprise you at how adept they are.  They equally love home comforts, and will claim the best chair or bed if allowed. 

GROOMING    Their beautiful russet, gold coat is quite soft to touch, and is totally wash and wear.  Does shed with seasonal coat change.   Nails grow quickly, its a good idea to teach them to have their feet handled and nails trimmed as a puppy.  Ears cleaned as needed.

TRAINING    Vizslas are a very soft breed, and they are always wanting to do the right thing.  They are sensitive not only to the tone of your voice but also to body language, they do need discipline and training, but don't cope with harsh treatment and shouting.  Training with positive reinforcment brings the best results, they respond well to clicker training and food reward.   They do well at obedience, agility etc., although some are slow to mature, and can take time to actually understand what you are asking of them, but even then they are always wanting to please.

FEEDING    We have found they do best on a fresh natural diet, and when growing need a certain amount of fat content to maintain weight, and require generous portions.  We have been feeding Dr. Ian Billinghusrt's Give a Dog A Bone diet, now referred to as the BARF diet, since 1995, with good results.  Desexed dogs, or inactive dogs can become over weight.

HEALTH     Breeders have been x-raying their breeding stock to reduce the possibility of hip dysplasia for many years, most lines having been scored for at least 3-5 generations.   They have also been aware of hereditary epilepsy within the breed, and choosing lines thought to be epilepsy free.   It is hoped that a genetic test to detect epilepsy carriers will be developed for all dogs in the near future, as both HD and epilepsy are the most commonly occuring hereditary diseases in all breeds of dogs. 

With conscientious breeding, and co-operation between breeders, we will see less diseases in our dogs.  Until genetic tests are readily available it is impossible and naive to totally guarantee a pups life-time health, any breeder doing so is sadly misinformed.  Puppy buyers need to inform their breeders of any health problems, and hopefully in generations to come we will eradicate these problems.

PHOTOS....... Fletcher (main)    1st row...Flynn, Aggie & Pepper (left)/  Flynn (centre)/  Charm (on point)/  2nd row...Fletcher, Cricket & Flynn (left)/  Chris & Sarika (centre)/  3rd row...Marna  & Flynn (left)/  Jasper 6 weeks old (centre)/ Radar, 8weeks old (on point) 

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