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[Want2Own]

We are looking to get a family dog soon and i was considering either a Vizsla or a Weimaraner. Was just looking for any pros and cons on these breeds. Somebody who owns them...sell me on your breed please

[tessa_s212]

Firstly, I am SO glad that you are doing your research! Kudos for you!

I will be getting a 11 month old Vizsla bitch soon(hopefully). Right now the breeder is still contacted my references. We have met at a show, I have met her dogs, and I have taken the time to meet many other Vzislas.

If you consider the Vizsla you MUST know what you are getting yourself into. They wont' want to sit and sleep all day! They want to go jogging with you, swimming with you, hiking with you, play with you, nap with you, get petted by you. Now, note all they "with you's"! They will be your CONSTANT shadow. Hehe..never expect to go to the bathroom alone again! They will be wanting your attention 24/7 and will need to release that energy somehow! I will be showing my girl in conformaiton as well as agility and obedience. I will be training her for short, multiple sessions everyday in agility, obedience, or to show properly in the ring. I have another very active puppy in my house for her to play with, and I have the spare time to spend at least 45 min. a day just throwing balls, playing tug, or just resting and having her in my lap! (Yes, you'd better be expecting a 50 lb lap dog! lol!)

Even by reading that, it is hard to realize their true personalities.

So, my advice to you is start emailing/talking to experience Vizsla owners or breeders! Ask them many questions. Ask about health problems in the breed, behavior problems that could come up.. Ask them how many hours a day they spend with their dogs just excersizing and releasing that energy! Good breeders would LOVE to explain these things to you and would welcome ANY questions! If they are near enough, ask to meet them and their dogs at agility trials, obedience trials, conformation shows, or hunting tests! You MUST meet one of these dogs to know what you are getting into. It is also best to meet quite a few, ranging in ages. Just as with people, they all have different personalities and you never know what you are going to get(though breeds as a whole tend to have certain traits and personalities!)

Also, if you truly wnat this breed, it is best to get involved in some kind of sport such as conformation, agility, obedience, or hunting if you are not very active in other things. These dogs truly need a lot of both mental and physical stimulation.

Now, I don't want to scare you away from getting this breed, I just want you to understand. If after researching and you think this dog is actually for you, YAY! Vizslas are an AWESOME breed, and they'll make GREAT dogs!

[BellFounder]

Our family pet before we got our boxer cross was a female weim called Skye. Wems are wonderful dogs - for people who can train a stubborn one! She was willful and very energetic. Skye would run with the collies all day and still have get up and go for her walk in the evening. She was great with the kids although did have to be watched as she was a little boistrous. Beautiful temperament though, real good natured.

[Want2Own]

Originally Posted by tessa_s212

Firstly, I am SO glad that you are doing your research! Kudos for you!

I will be getting a 11 month old Vizsla bitch soon(hopefully). Right now the breeder is still contacted my references. We have met at a show, I have met her dogs, and I have taken the time to meet many other Vzislas.

If you consider the Vizsla you MUST know what you are getting yourself into. They wont' want to sit and sleep all day! They want to go jogging with you, swimming with you, hiking with you, play with you, nap with you, get petted by you. Now, note all they "with you's"! They will be your CONSTANT shadow. Hehe..never expect to go to the bathroom alone again! They will be wanting your attention 24/7 and will need to release that energy somehow! I will be showing my girl in conformaiton as well as agility and obedience. I will be training her for short, multiple sessions everyday in agility, obedience, or to show properly in the ring. I have another very active puppy in my house for her to play with, and I have the spare time to spend at least 45 min. a day just throwing balls, playing tug, or just resting and having her in my lap! (Yes, you'd better be expecting a 50 lb lap dog! lol!)

Even by reading that, it is hard to realize their true personalities.

So, my advice to you is start emailing/talking to experience Vizsla owners or breeders! Ask them many questions. Ask about health problems in the breed, behavior problems that could come up.. Ask them how many hours a day they spend with their dogs just excersizing and releasing that energy! Good breeders would LOVE to explain these things to you and would welcome ANY questions! If they are near enough, ask to meet them and their dogs at agility trials, obedience trials, conformation shows, or hunting tests! You MUST meet one of these dogs to know what you are getting into. It is also best to meet quite a few, ranging in ages. Just as with people, they all have different personalities and you never know what you are going to get(though breeds as a whole tend to have certain traits and personalities!)

Also, if you truly wnat this breed, it is best to get involved in some kind of sport such as conformation, agility, obedience, or hunting if you are not very active in other things. These dogs truly need a lot of both mental and physical stimulation.

Now, I don't want to scare you away from getting this breed, I just want you to understand. If after researching and you think this dog is actually for you, YAY! Vizslas are an AWESOME breed, and they'll make GREAT dogs!

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Ive been looking into this breed lately trying to find a breeder close to here and havent come across anyone yet. Im thinking i will have to do some driving. I have a 4 year old son so all the "with yous" certainly wouldnt be a new thing . I would definitly love that kind of companionship from a dog. Right now im just a stay at home mom and would have lots of time to dedicate to training and excersise etc. This really does seem like an awesom breed so far and its high on my list for consideration . Thanks again

[Want2Own]

Originally Posted by BellFounder

Our family pet before we got our boxer cross was a female weim called Skye. Wems are wonderful dogs - for people who can train a stubborn one! She was willful and very energetic. Skye would run with the collies all day and still have get up and go for her walk in the evening. She was great with the kids although did have to be watched as she was a little boistrous. Beautiful temperament though, real good natured.

Thanks for your reply..I have a four year old son..are they very tolerant?

[Shalva]

can I just add one thing...... now keep in mind that I dont have vizslas or weims.... but I breed retrievers..... and my flat coats are very similar in temperment to vizslas..... however you spell that..... but no dog should have to be tolerant...... a dog is a dog and if a kid is going to be rough or play rough and the dog doesn't have a place to get away.... or the kid steps on a tail or pats to hard and the dog is unsupervised they snarl to communicate to tell a kid to back off and if the snarl is not heeded they may growl and if that is not heeded they will bite..... dogs are dogs..... and a dog, any dog..... a little lap dog and a golden retriever and a viszla and a weim and whatever MUST BE SUPERVISED at ALL times around a young child regardless of how tolerant the dog is.

Personally from what I know about viszlas I would not necessarilly recommend a high energy hunting dog to a family with a young child..... these are smart, high energy dogs .... and because they are a rarer hunting dog the viszla community works very hard to maintain their drive and ability to do the job that they were intended to do so these dogs like my flat coats have maintained their working drive.

They are wonderful dogs and if I didn't have my breeds I would consider one of these guys..... but I personally prefer coated breeds..... however..... my suggestion to you would be to find a breeder and go and meet their dogs..... bring your son with you and see what the breeder says.... a reputable breeder will be honest with you about their temperment and then be honest with yourself about whether that breed is an appropriate breed for your family situation as it is now.

good luck
S

[tessa_s212]

From my knowledge, both Weims and Vizslas can be trained(and usually don't take too much training) to be very tolerant of children, so long as the children respects the dog. I know of two Vizsla owner/breeders that raise/breed their Vizslas successfully with children. One even has two! (Which are quite young still.)

Want2Own, right now I have fallen in love with you! I am so ecstatic that you are doing your research, and from the little information I have so far, you could possibly make a wonderful Vizsla or Weim owner!

Some things that breeders may like:

stay at home mom-you could take plenty of care for a puppy and give it all the socialization, training, and attention it needs!

very open to be educated-breeders LOVE this! Lol! breeders LOVE to educate others about their breed, and I bet alot of them could write whole books on how wonderful they are, but also their downsides!

you are doing your research-not only are you open minded and willing to listen, you are doing your research. Breeders love this.


BTW, I do not know where you live, but I could give you the emails of a few Vizsla breeders I know. I respect them very much, and they are awesome breeders and will be very honest with you.

[Want2Own]

Thanks again for the comments.. I live in Savannah, GA

[tessa_s212]

I have found a Vizsla breeder webring. If you would like to take the time to go through it and view websites, you may. **Edit - Please do not post links to breeder sites within your post.**

Here is what people have to say about Vizslas:
http://www.hoflin.com/BR/Vizsla

I did stumble upon these breeders. I am not sure how close they are to you, but the are located in GA. They are apart of the Vizsla Club of American, and surely seem to be reputable. It may be a good idea to email them. **Edited out **


Now that i have provided you with Vizsla breeders to email, make sure that they health check their dogs, you should look for a breeder that field tests and shows in the conformation ring both, one that breeds for temperment, one that is possibly in Vizsla breed clubs, one that has much to say about the breed, and one that you can be friendly with of course!

(I have not checked out these breeders thoroughly, though some that I have provided to you certainly seem very reputable. Just as these breeders should be asking you questions to see if you are the right home for one of their puppies, you should ask them questions to make sure they are reputable. )

See "How to Find a Dog" to learn the right questions to ask
http://www.doggies.com/howto.html

[Want2Own]

Thanks so much. When i do a search i always seem to come up with "iffy" sites

[tessa_s212]

Well...I've really only been doing alot of talking on Vizslas! I know you are interested in both breeds, but I do not know too much about the Weim! Hopefully Novel will pop in here and help you out.

[Novel]

Here I am... Sorry, missed it until now!

Hi Want2Own... I seem to be the only current Weim owner on the board, except for perhaps Crazy Puppy who puppysits for a beautiful little girl Weim.

I'm sure some of this has been stated previously, but I'll just answer your original post first. I've had experience with both breeds and have chosen the Weim to fill my home. I think first we can do pros and cons of this particular type of sporting dog, and then go to individual breed characteristics.

Pros:
+Loyal Companion for a Family (These dogs enjoy a family, and are not necessarily one person dogs.)
+Shorthaired (Very little shedding)
+Intelligent (They can be trained quickly, by a trainer experienced with their mentality, but I've also put intelligent in the con area. Read there too.)
+Obedient (They are eager to please, and when they know what you want, through training, will do it without fail)
+Friendly (They are true people dogs. They love all people. Sometimes too exuberantly and must be taught manners to keep them from kissing your Aunt Lou in the face when she walks in the door.)


Cons:
-Very High Energy (These dogs need exercise and lots of it. A few miles a day is average. We run three times a day out in the field, and when they want, they can run in their fenced area as much as they like. This keeps them happy, a tired Weim/Vizsla is a happy Weim/Vizsla, an unexercised one is a destructive hellion.)
-Intelligent (This goes along with stubborness. They are highly intelligent thinkers. They are problem solvers. Opening the door to the bathroom because they want to eat the tissues in the waste basket is simple and to be expected. Example: Our youngest wants to lay on the couch, but the other dogs have hogged all the available space. She goes into the kitchen and barks, all the other dogs pile off the sofa in a mad pursuit of whatever she's "seen". She runs to the couch and lays down. Of course, they're already learning her trick and have begun just standing up on the couch without leaving it. she comes around the corner and looks at them to see why they aren't off the couch yet. Hilarious if it wasn't so darn smart.)
-Stubborn (this goes with their intelligence... They both work very intensely and can block you out quite easily when they want to. They require an owner that understands dogs and how they think and communicate. These dogs will try and be the leader if you don't fill the role. Without proper training they will run your life.)
-24/7 companions (I find this a pro, but always express it as a con to others. These dogs will want to be your constant companions. I never have cold feet because they are always sleeping on them. If I get up to go anywhere, they get up to, always, every time. I am in the bathroom, so are they, I'm in the kitchen, so are they, I go outside, they want to come too, I go to leave in the car, and they're waiting for me to open their door. Leaving them behind can cause mental anguish. They can be destructive, very destructive. A dog left outside without human contact is always suffering, but these dogs can become neurotic. They need human contact more than any other dogs I've ever come into contact with, the Vizsla being a little bit less needy, but not all that much.
-Health Issues (Hip Dysplasia, HOD (a reaction to vaccinations, especially in Weims) Thyroid, Bloat, Allergies, Skin Conditions)
-That Nose (These dogs are hunters. They were bred to hunt all day. If left to their own devices they will wander far and wide. In a hunting situation this is fine, in a home situation this is a sure fire plan for serious injury or death. They must be contained, preferably by a chain link fence when outside for potty breaks.)
-Prey Drive (All of my dogs peacefully coexist with our cats, but other owners have not been so lucky. It is not unheard of for these dogs to kill the beloved pet cat after years of peaceful coexistance. It is a situation that I am aware of. The dogs and cat are separated when not being supervised. These dogs will hunt and kill what they come across; chicken, rabbit, neighbor's cat, skunk, coon, etc. They will also harass livestock; horses, cattle, sheep and can bring down large game (The Weims original breeding intent) like deer. Without proper confinement and training, you could quickly become the black sheep of your neighborhood.


In particular to choosing between the two...

The Weim is larger. Females in the 50 - 65 lb region and males 70 - 85 lbs. Females are on average about 3 inches shorter than the males, with males averaging about 27" tall at the withers.
Vizslas are somewhat smaller. A male Vizsla will be about the size of a female Weim, perhaps a little smaller.

Vizslas are a little more hunting orientated and comparatively slightly more active. In my own opinion they are a little less human focused compared to their Weim cousins.

They are such similar dogs that many people often have a difficult decision between the two. I would encourage you to meet both breeds. A field trial or conformation show would be the best places. I would encourage you to seek out the breed at both places because like many breeds, there are field temperaments and show temperaments, as well as field and show body types, although nothing as striking as the difference in setters or other sporting dogs. Field are more birdy and more prey driven, in most cases. Show temps can be slightly better house dogs (lazier) however, I strive to make sure that my dogs excel in both areas, as do many other breeders.

Most Weim and Vizsla people will try and talk you out of their breed, honestly. These dogs are not for everyone. Despite their growing popularity, they are not wonder dogs. They are difficult dogs at times, for even the most experienced owners.

Speaking of Weims, as these dogs grow in popularity we have seen a huge increase in Weims in rescues and shelters. The majority of them are between 9 and 24 months in age. They have lost their puppy cuteness and the things they were not trained out of have become destructive and neurotic tendancies.
Many suffer from Separation Anxiety because they were not properly introduced to a crate (A MUST) and kept in it when the family was necessarily separated from the pup. They jump up, refuse to listen to commands, run away, jump fences, dig holes, chew the woodwork, eat supper off the table, counter surf, eat out of the garbage, pull during walks, or should I say drag you, etc... All easily modified behaviors as a puppy, but given free reign, as I said, these dogs will take you over, literally. They are assertive to say the least.

Now, I don't mean to make it sound like I don't love my puppies. I love all my dogs and every dog that shares our family, but Weims are my husband and I's first love and we simply could not live a day without them. We are an active couple and our dogs keep up with us. There is nothing that these dogs cannot do. Our personal dogs do obedience, field work, therapy and are starting agility and tracking. I have seen Weimaraner Cadaver Dogs, Narcotics Detection Dogs, Schutzhund trained, Search and Rescue (SAR) dogs, etc. They were bred to be the German's idea of the all around exceptional companion dog, which I think they are. These are not so much dogs as they are adolescents in gray fur coats. Their intelligence astounds me on a daily basis and their willingness to please warms my heart. Their companionship is a blessing that simply cannot be equaled on a breed basis by any others we've shared our life with. They are dogs that simply bring me joy by being within touching distance every second. It's like having a best friend with you all the time, they're always up for whatever you want to do and want to make you happy. Could you really ask for anything more??

[BellFounder]

Originally Posted by Want2Own

Thanks for your reply..I have a four year old son..are they very tolerant?

My kids were very small when we had Skye, Alexa was six when Skye was put down, Ginny was three and William one. Skye was always very tolerant of them, as are most weims i have met, but remember all dogs are individuals, breed generalisations are just that - generalisations.

[Want2Own]

Thanks Novel. The couch story had me cracking up. It really is a hard decision. They both seem like wonderful breeds. Im in contact with a Vizsla breeder now getting lots of answers. On the look for a Weim breeder in GA as well

[Want2Own]

Originally Posted by BellFounder

My kids were very small when we had Skye, Alexa was six when Skye was put down, Ginny was three and William one. Skye was always very tolerant of them, as are most weims i have met, but remember all dogs are individuals, breed generalisations are just that - generalisations.

Definitly agree. I have grown up with dogs my whole life. All being so different..most being labs hehe