Viszla vs. Weimaraner

[Kuchi]

I am researching dogs and I have a keeshond already, not sure if I want another one or a vizsla or a weimie. For you that have either one, what do you love or dislike about them?
I do have 4 cats, and Kuchi is an intact male, so hopefully they are fine with cats and not dog aggressive.
I am training for a half marathon so is running a few miles a few times a week enough with dog park?
How about grooming time?
Should I get a treadmill for winter exercise?
How destructive are they?
Crate training/housebreaking training take a long time?

[12weimgirl]

Well I have a weim so I'll start with them
cats and other dogs: If they are raised with them they should LOVE them because I have 2 cats that I had before I had Belle and she sleeps with them now.
dog park/exercise:It depends on the weim mine is lazy like but if you live in the city and he/she doesnt get to run a lot that would be PERFECT.
Grooming: bath, and if you show trim whiskers, and nails... and you hae to clean out there ears... thats about it so 30 mins maybe...
Treadmill: again it really depends on the weim some are lazier than others...
Destructive: a little but they will out grow it when there 1-2 years old.
Training: Belle was house trained in like 2 weeks, it doesnt take long to crate train them either...

and vizslas are pretty much the same except smaller and MORE energetic... same grooming, etc...

[Thadaboykobe]

I agree with weimgirl, vizslas are pretty much the same as weimies, but I do love vizslas just a little more. ;]

[sammy]

I haven't owned either but of the ones I know I prefer the Viszla. Vizslas just seem to be sweeter/sillier to me. Weims seem a bit more aloof in general. This is only my personal observation. V's also have the softest ears on the planet

[Ritz459]

I've always thought that Viszlas were more submissive, more easy going, more outgoing....more like a Lab.
But then I've thought of Weims as hard headed, dominant, active dogs. From what I know about Weims, I think an opposite sex dog would be fine with an intact male....and if they are raised with animals they are fine with family pets. They can also be destructive when bored, like a husky, kinda.

But I'm not an expert on either breed so don't take that as set in stone.

[Kuchi]

Thanks for your comments, I think they are both beautiful dogs, trying to get a feel of their temperments.

[Ritz459]

Here is a breed profile I found on them:

If you want a dog who...



Is large, sleek-coated, and tautly-muscled, a true athlete bred to hunt all day
Is unusual-looking, with a ghostly gray/silver coat and eerie light eyes
Is packed with energy and thrives on vigorous exercise and athletic activities
In the right hands, is a loyal, aristocratic gentleman of great presence and character
Is watchful with strangers, so makes a keen watchdog
Looks powerful and imposing, so also makes an effective physical deterrent
A Weimaraner may be right for you.



If you don't want to deal with...



Vigorous exercise requirements
Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young or not exercised enough
"Separation anxiety" (massive destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much
Suspiciousness, aggression, or skittishness toward strangers when not socialized enough
Aggression toward other animals
Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
Shedding
Barking
Slowness to housebreak
Health problems
A Weimaraner may not be right for you.

The high-energy Weimaraner, bred to hunt all day, needs an athletic owner who can meet his demanding exercise needs: running, biking, hiking, jogging, field work.

Too much confinement leads to hyperactivity and destructiveness, as does being left alone too much. A bored Weimaraner will bark up a storm, demolish your home and yard, even attempt to escape in search of adventure.

Reserved and protective with strangers, dominant with other dogs, predatory toward small animals such as cats and rabbits, the Weimaraner needs an owner who can provide leadership, socialization, and training beyond the beginner level.

He is headstrong, but in the right hands is capable of learning and doing virtually anything. Indeed, a well-matched owner will find him a loyal, aristocratic gentleman of great presence and character.

A novice with little time and space will find him a rambunctious bully, difficult to control."

If you want a dog who...



Is medium-sized, sleek-coated and tautly-muscled, a true athlete
Is usually bred by very responsible breeders who produce dual-purpose (both show and field) and even triple-purpose (show, field, and obedience) dogs
Is packed with energy and thrives on vigorous exercise and athletic activities
Responds to training more willingly than most pointing breeds and is a capable performer in obedience competition
Is gentle and sensitive, typically a "soft" dog
Has been called a "velcro" dog: demonstrative and tactile and tending to attach himself physically to the members of his family, preferably in their laps
Is usually congenial with everyone, including other animals
A Vizsla may be right for you.



If you don't want to deal with...



Vigorous exercise requirements
Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young or not exercised enough
"Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much
Timidity in some lines, or when not socialized enough
A distractable mind of his own -- tends to ignore calls and commands when an interesting sight or scent catches his attention
Shedding
Slowness to housebreak
Health problems
A Vizsla may not be right for you.

"The AKC Standard calls the Vizsla "lively, gentle-mannered, demonstrably affectionate, and sensitive."

The good-natured Vizsla has also been called a "Velcro" dog because he is so tactile -- he attaches himself to people, preferably in their laps.

Athletic, agile, and light on his feet, the Vizsla is a robust hunting dog who needs vigorous daily exercise and lots of personal attention. Too much confinement and too little companionship can lead to neurotic behaviors such as hyperactivity and destructiveness. Bored Vizslas are notorious chewers.

Most Vizslas get along well with everyone, including strangers and other animals, but they do need a lot of early socialization to build confidence. Some Vizslas are excitable and/or easily startled in new situations.

The Vizsla has the independent spirit of all pointing breeds, but responds to training more willingly than most and is a capable performer in advanced obedience competition.

You may need to control his tendency to mouth your hands -- provide a box filled with toys so he can carry things around in his mouth."

There is more in both profiles as well....she elaborates on the cons a bit. here is the link for both:
http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/rev...imaraners.html
http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/vizslas.html

[Novel]

What Ritz posted is pretty accurate, IMO.

[Kuchi]

Thanks, so they seem similar, just different sizes and color pretty much, well aside from one being a watchdog and one being "soft". I guess the only thing I'm worried about is how much exercise is enough. Currently in nice weather, go on a hike once a week, one day of doggy daycare, a dog walker once a week, plus an hour of walking a day subs one day for an hour run. I'm assuming in the winter I'll have to get a treadmill. But to those who have them, what is enough exercise? I don't want to get either one if I can't fulfill that requirement.

[Novel]

Originally Posted by Kuchi

Thanks, so they seem similar, just different sizes and color pretty much,

You got it.

Originally Posted by Kuchi

well aside from one being a watchdog and one being "soft".

I would count them both as being "soft". Weims can be hard at times, but extremely soft at other times. They do not handle hard corrections and there are definitely some lines that can't handle any correction... case in point, my Jazz.

Originally Posted by Kuchi

I guess the only thing I'm worried about is how much exercise is enough.

Enough... well. The typical sporting dog needs both physical and mental exercise on a daily basis. I run the dogs daily (weather and work schedule permitting) for at least a couple miles. I also rotate them from the house into the yard for some play at least once every couple hours (weather permitting) and they get an untold number of toys, with as many thinking toys as possible. Kongs, stuffed bones, etc.

As far as actually wearing them out... I don't think I've ever worn out any of them. I can wear out Abbie, the Weim in for training, but she came to me overweight with no muscle tone. She tires by the end of our runs and doesn't want to do anymore. Topper has done three competitions in a day (obedience, rally, conformation) for three days in a row, and is still ready to run around the block each night. He's also run numerous field competitions in a day, and it barely takes the edge off.

But, they adjust. They are supposed to be able to be "on" when you need them, and turn "off" when you don't. Spirit, although bred more for the field then any of my others, as she's maturing, is able to do this more and more. Grant, who is also with me, is the same. They're a year old now and they can come in and lay down calmly and chew on their bones until it's time to do something. But... that's just the beginning of maturity. It'll be a few more years before they really get the hang of being "calm" or using "inside" voices and movements.

[Vanilla]

I don't know much about either,but I like both breeds.I think the weim is a little more beautiful tho! Good luck on what you decide!

[very_vizsla]

as you can tell by my name, i own a vizsla. jersey is my first & i absolutely adore the breed. they are easy to care for, get along with any animal (my dog is a cat lover!) & are very people oriented. i've been to a lot of dogs show as a vendor & a participant. weims are very high strung & anxious. it's not a dog that i would consider owning.

[Novel]

I have to disagree...

Vizslas are very high prey drive.. I know many cat killers... just like in Weims. My dogs all get along well with cats, but I think it's environment, as two of my girls have a sire that is a confirmed cat killer.

I do agree that Weims and Vizlas are very people orientated. They should love everyone they meet, once they've been introduced as friends.

Weims can be very high strung, almost always a result of how they've been raised.

Most people I know that have vizslas would be equally comfortable with a Weim, as they are very very similar, just differ in size, a bit in hunting abilty and a bit in personality... but I would own either, just prefer the bit taller, bit more people-connected Weim.

[Flutterby]

I've also had a Vizsla. Though she's the only Vizsla I've had, from what I've heard from other Vizsla owners/fanciers she was pretty typical of the breed. Very similar to Weims, but of course smaller, red instead of grey, much more timid and submissive, a little more energetic, not as focused or intense, a little sweeter.

[DexyDoo]

I have been around both breeds for a long time. Weims are more hyper than Vizslas, but they are both people oriented. They do require a lot of exercise or else very disstructive. However, they are the cutest dogs out there. Here are a few pics for the Weim and Vizsla (Red Dog) lovers...

I'm worn out, thanks for the LONG RUN! Meet Simmi....pooped out on her couch



Aren't I cute, I'm Bella Jade & I'm a big girl at 4 months old!