If you're considering adding a Viszla to your family, adopting from a rescue organization is a great option. Viszlas are highly social dogs that thrive on attention and interaction.
They require regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. A minimum of 30 minutes of exercise per day is recommended.
Viszlas are also highly trainable, but consistency and patience are key. Positive reinforcement training methods work best for this breed.
With the right training and care, Viszlas can make wonderful family pets.
Adopting a Vizsla
Adopting a Vizsla can be a wonderful experience, especially when done through a reputable rescue organization.
Vizslas coming from shelters or other difficult situations may need special care and rehabilitation, but with the right attention, they can make fantastic pets.
As a rule, our rescue Vizslas make wonderful pets and adjust well to their new families.
They are active dogs that often behave like puppies until they are three or more years old, so they require plenty of exercise and attention.
For working couples or families with children, we highly recommend adopting an adult housebroken Vizsla because these dogs settle into the family much more quickly than puppies do.
Before placing a rescue in a forever home, all shots are brought up to date, and all immediate medical needs are addressed.
All dogs are spayed or neutered before adoption to prevent unwanted litters and reduce the risk of certain health issues.
To adopt a Vizsla, you'll need to complete an adoption application to help match the best dog for you and your family.
The adopter signs a contract to ensure the dog's care and well-being under rescue, to agree to follow-up visits, and to arrange obedience training as needed.
The minimum adoption donation requested for one of our rescued Vizslas varies depending on the dog's age, ranging from $225 to $375.
The additional funds from your adoption donation help us cover the costs of gas and extraordinary medical bills, which can be significant.
Vizsla Breed
Vizslas are active dogs that often behave like puppies until they are three or more years old.
They are highly energetic and require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.
Vizslas are a great choice for working couples or families with children, as they settle into the family much more quickly than puppies do.
Recommended read: Bernedoodle Puppies Rescue
History
The Vizsla breed has a rich history that spans over a thousand years. The Magyars, a group of people, collected dogs as they swarmed across Europe before settling in Hungary.
The breed's ancestors were likely included in these collections, and writings from the Middle Ages describe dogs of Vizsla type that were used for falconry. These early dogs were bred to be fast and agile, able to trail mammals over thick ground cover.
By the eighteenth century, the Vizsla breed was well-established and favored by Hungarian barons and warlords. They were highly valued for their hunting abilities and were used to point and retrieve game.
However, by the end of the nineteenth century, the breed had declined significantly in numbers. Only about a dozen remaining dogs were found, which helped to revive the breed.
World War II played a significant role in spreading the Vizsla breed worldwide. Hungarians fleeing Russian occupation took their pointing dogs to other countries, including America, where they quickly gained admirers.
Temperament
The Vizsla's temperament is a unique blend of traits that make them a lovable and entertaining companion. They are highly energetic, always on the lookout for interesting scents.
If you're an active owner who spends a lot of time outdoors, the Vizsla can be a great hiking partner. They thrive on exercise and mental stimulation.
But be warned: if they don't get enough physical and mental activity, they can become frustrated and destructive. This is especially true if they're cooped up indoors for too long.
Some Vizslas can be stubborn, while others may be timid or overly excitable. But most Vizslas are gentle and affectionate, making them a great fit for families with children.
A fresh viewpoint: Adopt Great Pyrenees
Vizsla Breed
Vizslas are active dogs that often behave like puppies until they are three or more years old.
They make wonderful pets and adjust well to their new families, especially if they're adult housebroken dogs.
Vizslas coming from an animal shelter environment may spend several days in quarantine as an extra precaution against contagious illness or temperament problems.
All rescue Vizslas are brought up to date on their shots and have their immediate medical needs addressed before being placed in a forever home.
Rarely are rescue Vizslas puppies, and often they've had no prior training or have been abused and need special care and rehabilitation.
All rescue Vizslas are spayed or neutered before adoption, which helps prevent unwanted litters and certain health issues.
Caring for a Vizsla
Caring for a Vizsla requires a lot of strenuous exercise every day. They need to jog or be allowed to run in a large enclosed area.
Their daily exercise needs are not negotiable, so if you're considering adopting a Vizsla, make sure you can provide the physical activity they require.
Their coat requires little care, except for an occasional brushing to remove dead hair.
Upkeep
Caring for a Vizsla requires a significant amount of strenuous exercise every day.
To meet their energy requirements, Vizslas need to jog or be allowed to run in a large enclosed area daily.
Their exercise needs cannot be met with a short walk or within a small yard.
An occasional brushing to remove dead hair is all their coat requires in terms of care.
Their needs are minimal beyond exercise and coat care.
Health
As a Vizsla owner, it's essential to be aware of the potential health concerns that can affect your furry friend.
Epilepsy is a major concern in Vizslas, and it's crucial to monitor your dog's behavior for any signs of seizures.
CHD, or congestive heart disease, is another minor concern, but it's still important to keep an eye out for any signs of heart problems.
Some Vizslas may also be prone to PRA, or progressive retinal atrophy, which can lead to blindness if left untreated.
Hip dysplasia is occasionally seen in Vizslas, and it's a good idea to have your dog checked for this condition, especially if you're planning to breed them.
Here's a list of potential health issues to be aware of:
- Epilepsy
- CHD (congestive heart disease)
- Lymphosarcoma
- PRA (progressive retinal atrophy)
- Dwarfism
- Tricuspid valve dysplasia
- Persistent right aortic arch
- Hypothyroidism
- vWD (von Willebrand's disease)
To help diagnose and monitor these conditions, your veterinarian may recommend a series of tests, including hip, thyroid, eye, and cardiac exams, as well as tests for vWD.
With proper care and attention, Vizslas can live a long and healthy life, typically ranging from 10 to 14 years.
Contacts
If you're in need of help with a Vizsla, there's a network of volunteer rescue coordinators across the US who can assist you. They're not affiliated with the Vizsla Club of America, but work together to help Vizslas in need.
You can reach out to the VCA National Rescue Coordinator, Laurie Cummings Cahill, at [email protected] for general inquiries. If you need urgent help, you can also contact the Regional Coordinator listed at the top of each regional section.
Each rescue coordinator operates as an individual rescue organization, and they all work together to provide referrals for transport, foster homes, or adoption to another rescue group as needed. They'll help you find the right dog for you, but their primary concern is placing the right dog with the right owner.
Please note that the rescue coordinators follow a "best fit" basis, rather than a first-come, first-served basis, so be patient and prepared to wait for the right match.
Texas
Texas is a popular place to adopt a Vizsla rescue, with many shelters and rescue groups located throughout the state.
The Vizsla is a Hungarian breed that originated in the 10th century and was highly valued by the nobility for its exceptional hunting ability.
In Texas, Vizsla rescues often work with local breeders to identify and rehome Vizslas that have been abandoned or neglected.
Texas has a large population of Vizslas, with many owners rehoming their dogs due to lifestyle changes or other circumstances.
Sources
- donation (jotform.com)
- Rescue — Texas Gulf Coast Vizsla Club (vizslastexasgulfcoast.com)
- Vizsla Dog & Puppy Breed and Adoption Info (petfinder.com)
- Website (newhopevizslarescue.org)
- www.midwestvizslarescue.org (midwestvizslarescue.org)
- Website (buckeyevizslarescue.org)
- Website (atlantavizsla.org)
- Website (tampabayvizslaclub.com)
- Website (cwvc.org)
- Website (vizslaclubofmichigan.org)
- Website (utahvizsla.org)
- Website (2ndchancevizslarescue.org)
- Adoption Information (coloradovizsla.org)
Featured Images: pexels.com