In March of 2008, my husband and I made a trip to visit Marie and David Brumbaugh, for the purpose of looking at a Vizsla puppy available for purchase. This trip was made after almost a year of research across several breeds and two trips to Florida dog shows.
My family had owned doberman pinschers and was seeking specifically to transition to a similar breed. Our wish list included intelligence, trainability, short-easy-care-coat, good recall (comes when called) and we liked the velcro-trait of the doberman. We did not want a dog that was yappy or noisy, shed everywhere or was cumbersome to bath, that drooled or had genetic problems such as the nasal issues you see in dogs with snubbed or pushed in noses or with diseases that lead to costly expenses or death. But, of all the things we were looking for, temperament was the number one issue for us as we wanted a dog that we could integrate into our active family but was also sweet and stable enough to be around the small children we hoped to have during our next dog's lifetime.
I believed that it was important to do your research on the breed/breeders before going to look at puppies, because once you see any puppy, it is hard to make a rational decision. Prior to beginning our research for a puppy, my husband and I attempted to adopt two pound dogs with somewhat disastrous results both times, the adult Doberman male we took home snapped at my husband and I if we hugged him too close and a beagle we adopted ran for the hills any time he could wiggle out the door. We tried training and love with both, but in the end found great alternate homes for both of these dogs. While re-homing a dog is the responsible thing to do - it was an experience we never wanted to repeat. This led us to really look at the temperament and trainability of the next dog we invited into our home.
After reading all the warnings about the high-energy and anxiety-issues found in Weimaraners and Vizslas, I was still attracted to the breeds and went to a dog show to talk with reputable breeders. As soon as I saw and interacted with the dogs at the shows, I realized that well-bred and well-socialized dogs don't have all of the problems you read about. Badly-bred, poorly-socialized dogs owned by irresponsible owners are the problem, not the breed itself. I also went to a weim rescue which had both show dogs and rescued dogs; I could see side-by-side well-bred dogs vs. poor physical specimens and relatively relaxed dogs vs. those with anxiety issues.
For our family, temperament was a deciding factor. We are also active. I like to walk, run and bike in our neighborhood. Even well-bred Vizslas are high-energy sporting dogs that need exercise and play/work. I choose the Vizsla over the Weimaraner breed, primarily because of its more manageable size.
I was looking for a dog big enough to allow me to feel safe walking our neighborhood or on the beach in the early morning or evening, but not so big that I would be uncomfortable inviting them onto the couch with me and so that I could pick-up or carry the dog if I ever had to. Our last Doberman female was small (about 55 lbs) and we found it a fabulous size. Our female Vizsla is about 46-47 lbs.
Another concern for us in choosing a breed was that we are both professionals and work full days, so we needed a dog that would be able to be at home alone for 8 hours without being emotionally upset. Our Upfront Vizsla is crate-trained and is well-adjusted to her people leaving for every day.
I did extensive research about the breed and talked with dozens of breeders across the country. Joy Lyons who is a legend in Vizlsa breeding recommended that I contact the Brumbaughs. Overall, I was surprised at how friendly and informative that both weim and Vizsla breeders. Most want to see their dogs go to owners who understand the breed and are "a good fit" for their dogs. When we arrived at Marie and Dave's house, after weeks of trading information and emails, we found exactly what we were looking for. My husband, who had been somewhat reluctant to get another dog, now calls Polly (Upfront PA Polaris), "the perfect dog" for our family. While I might be biased, I have seldom met a dog with a sweeter temperament. I describe Vizslas as a doberman-beagle mix. They have the beauty, power and intelligence of a doberman, with the merriment of the beagle. You can joy in her eyes almost all the time, if not evidenced by her thumping tail. It might sound strange to say this but owning Polly has added a great deal of "joy" to our home.
One of the things that impressed me was that Marie and Dave told us when we went to take Polly home that if there was ever any issue or any problem with our care for her, that they would take her back unconditionally. They truly care that their dogs find good and secure homes, and after owning a Vizsla, I know why. These are incredibly sensitive and sweet-natured dogs and you wouldn't want to see them in any home where they weren't well-loved.
When I walk Polly on the beach, we are frequently stopped during our walks on the beach by people who ask us, "What kind of dog is that?" or "Is that a Vizsla?" because it is a rare and beautifully-colored breed.
In talking about all the positive characteristics of the breed, I always caution that this is not a breed for everyone. It is for owners who want an intelligent dog, a sporting breed and who understands that smart dogs, much like smart people, can get bored very easily and can be very destructive, very noisy and very clingly, if they do not get attention and a lot of exercise. While they are dogs and not humans, the impact of their intelligence cannot be overlooked in understanding why this breed needs affection and activity. In terms of exercise, we walk or run Polly for at least an hour 3-4 times per week and including at least one outing where she can run and play until she exhausts herself. As a result, we have a dog that is very obedient and pretty much a couch potato during the week. Vizslas like napping!
While we can't take full credit for Polly's training, Vizslas are people-pleasing dogs and are highly trainable and obedient if they have been consistently trained. In the year-plus we have owned Polly, we haven't had a single "accident" in the house, despite leaving her crated on occasions for 10-12 hours on a few occasions. Please note that we purchased Polly as a one-year old, so this doesn't take into account the puppy stage, but even so, it shows that if you properly house train a Vizsla, you shouldn't have the issues you can find in some of the smaller, yappy breeds.
Vizslas are also quiet and extremely clean dogs. Polly doesn't bark very much at all, although she will "woof" at us to communicate if she really wants to go out or play. They shed, but not at all like longer-haired breeds and even as much as our dobermans. Our dog washes her paws like a cat when she comes in the house and will pick any weed-seeds off herself that she brings back from our walk.
Two of the best things that I have experienced owning a Vizsla is seeing their natural pointing and retrieval instincts come out, even as a house dogs. Polly points both birds and squirrels in our backyard, freezing like a statue and looking slowly back at me as if to say, "Now its up to you Mom!". She likes to play fetch and brings her toys to me to play, but will also try to trade/bargain them with me if she wants her dog food or to go outside. I am not making this up, my husband has a Ph.D. and recognizes this same "trading" behavior. They are very smart dogs.
While I have shared a bit about our experience with the Vizsla breed and encourage every prospective owner to visit people with well-bred dogs, at a dog show or even at a breeder's home prior to deciding to get a puppy. It is important that you look at the temperament, behavior and size of the adult dogs and parents if you can. We visited with Haley (Valley Hunter's What the Haley) and could see she was a sweetie. My husband had never seen a Vizsla before meeting the Brumbaugh's adult dogs (Haley and Chad).
I will also tell you that if you can imagine the most-detailed Type-A inquisition about a breed, it was what Marie Brumbaugh had to put up with in talking with me. I think that I had about 10 questions on my first email to her. Both she and Dave were extremely gracious in answering all or our questions about the breed and their dogs temperament. Since purchasing Polly, Marie and Dave have become a part of our family. Marie has always been there to graciously and patiently answer all of my questions about even the smallest issues, from vaccinations to calls about coat-care, bee-stings, and training. Marie has also encouraged me to put Polly in conformation, agility and hunting events, and I have enjoyed learning more about participating in all of these activities - and Upfront Vizslas are bred to do it all.
Lastly, I will tell you that I personally believe that the work of reputable breeders like Marie and Dave, in limiting breeding to pairings aimed at improving the breed and keeping the hunting genes in the Vizsla breed has made a big difference in the temperament of the Vizsla. I just think it makes for a much more stable and highly trainable dog. When Polly trots and runs, I can also see the physical beauty and symmetry of her breeding and conformation.
In closing, I will warn that if you do not like "doggie kisses" or a dog that will trails you from room to room as you move about the house, then the Vizsla is not the breed for your family. The best way that I have heard it described is that they are an "intensely affectionate" dog. They demand affection, but they also return it. If tested, the chemical makeup of Vizslas might come back 90% pure love and 10% dog.
If you have any questions about the Vizsla breed or my experience owning an Upfront-bred Vizsla, feel free to email or call me - because I think I asked every question a prospective owner could possible ask and got the answers in my Upfront Vizsla.
- Carol Saviak, 6-15-2009, Polly's Blog !