Is a Vizsla a Good First Dog?
One of the things that people most want when forming a family is to have a pet. A pet is considered as another member of the family since, like us, they have feelings and emotions that allow them to live with us as another person.
There are many types of pets of different species. Some people adopt dogs, cats, birds, snakes, rodents, etc. However, dogs are the most common among a large number of families in the world.
Dog breeds are very varied, but one of the most interesting is the Vizsla. It is an animal that possesses a high level of physical activity and outstanding abilities during hunting. They are very energetic dogs that need to exercise on a daily basis. In addition, they are very affectionate and friendly to all people, especially their owners and members of their human family.
One of the doubts that most arise in many first-time canine owners is whether the breed they will choose is a good option as a first dog. This question is very important since not all people or families are ready to take care of certain breeds of dogs. We know that each canine has different physical and emotional characteristics as well as varied needs.
Is a Vizsla a Good First Dog?
If it is your first time acquiring a dog, you will surely be busy researching different breeds to choose the one that best suits your lifestyle. As you know, there are many breeds of canines, and each one has certain characteristics that allow them to be differentiated from each other.
If you are reading this, it is because you are surely interested in the Vizsla dog. Many people wonder if this breed of canines is ideal for first-time owners. As we have said previously, they are animals with a high level of physical activity that may require more attention than other types of breed.
Actually, a Vizsla is not highly recommended as your first dog for a person or family. A canine of this type requires special attention due to its personality and character. Also, we must not forget that the best place for a Vizsla is with those people or families who can offer an active lifestyle.
Therefore, if you are not willing to exercise daily with your pet, do not even think about acquiring a Vizsla as your first dog.
Now, if you really want a Vizsla as your first dog regardless of what has been mentioned above and you are willing to modify your lifestyle a bit, it is best to research and learn everything about this canine before buying or adopting it. Knowing each physical and emotional aspect of this breed will help you control the situation despite not having any experience.
What should know about this breed are:
Vizsla: Size
Not all first-time dog owners are ready to acquire a large canine. That is the case with the Vizsla. It is considered a medium-large breed dog that can measure between 51 cm and 66 cm and weigh between 18 kg and 27 kg.
A Vizsla may not be a good option if you live in a small house or apartment in the city. It would be best if you had a spacious home with a backyard so your Vizsla can move freely.
Large dogs can be difficult for certain families to deal with, but a Vizsla can be easily trained, so their obedience stands out.
Vizsla: Physical Activity
It is one of the most important aspects to consider about this breed of dog. Vizslas are animals that are characterized by their abilities during hunting. In addition, they are canines that present a high level of physical activity, so they will require daily exercise. They love to run, walk, play, exercise, or do any other physical activity.
For that reason, if you belong to a family with an active and energetic lifestyle, then you will have no problem acquiring a Vizsla as your first dog as it will adapt easily. You have to keep in mind that they should always be exercising, so make sure you provide your pet with a varied routine of physical activities so that it does not get boring.
This breed of dog needs at least 1 hour of exercise a day, although two hours are recommended in certain situations. You have to know that a Vizsla puppy will always require more exercise time than an adult one.
Vizsla: Training
As we have said before, Vizslas are easy to train. That is because they are highly intelligent dogs willing to please their owners or members of their human family. They love to learn new skills, especially when a loved one trains them.
Therefore, as a first-time owner, you shouldn’t have much trouble training your canine. Teach it commands so it will obey you. That way, your experience caring for your first dog will be enjoyable.
When it comes to training, it is important to apply positive reinforcement. Perhaps being new to caring for a dog, you don’t know that verbal scolding or physical punishment is a bad option, especially for Vizslas.
Vizsla: Personality and Behavior
When buying or adopting a Vizsla as a first dog, it is important that you know this canine’s personality. This breed is characterized by being affectionate and friendly with its owners and members of its human family.
However, Vizslas love to make new friends, including strange people or other animals, be it dogs, cats, etc. Keep in mind that you should provide your canine with socialization training from puppyhood, especially when it is close to children and other animals. When a Vizsla sees a smaller animal, its hunting dog instinct can arise and cause it to chase the other.
These canines are very attached to their owners. If you are not a person who likes to receive a lot of love, then think twice before bringing home a Vizsla. This dog will follow you to every room in your house as they love to be with their loved ones all the time.
One of the most outstanding characteristics that many people see as a disadvantage is separation anxiety. These canines hate loneliness as they can feel sad and anxious, which can affect their health. A Vizsla is not made to be part of a family where each member is constantly busy working.
In addition, if they are left home alone, they will not only feel sad but will also develop destructive behavior to try to release all the energy they have accumulated. That is mainly because they are active dogs that cannot be confined inside a house for long.
Vizsla: Feeding
Feeding is an aspect that no dog owner should overlook. In this case, if you don’t have any canine care experience, then it is important that you research the right foods for them.
Feeding a Vizsla is important as it is a dog that loses energy daily by exercising. That is why it is important to compensate for the loss of energy with high-quality food based on a balanced diet rich in nutrients and vitamins. This diet will not only provide this animal with a lot of energy but will also keep it healthy.
Some recommended foods are:
- Meats (chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, veal, and fish).
- Vegetables.
- Fruits.
- Eggs.
Vizsla: Care
We have already mentioned the physical activity that we have to provide to these canines. As for their grooming, you will not have any problem since they are short-haired animals that do not need to be brushed frequently.
Generally, once a week is sufficient. They should not be bathed often either, as you should only do it when necessary. What you should take into account in terms of hygiene are the cleaning of their ears and their nail trimming.
Vizslas do not tend to get sick frequently, but they can develop inherited diseases such as hip dysplasia, etc. The most advisable thing is to regularly take it to the vet to ensure that your pet is always in the best health condition.
As you can see, caring for a Vizsla can be handled by any dog owner, whether experienced or not.
Conclusion
A Vizsla as your first dog can be good for certain people and not so much for others. Everything will depend on the characteristics and lifestyles of those people or families.
A Vizsla has certain aspects of care that can be difficult to handle for families with no experience in caring for dogs. It is for that reason that research about each characteristic and quality of this canine will be vital when it comes to raising it.
If you really want a Vizsla because you like its breed, then do not hesitate to research everything related to it so that when you bring it home, you can provide the best possible quality of life to live happily with it.
Family Dog Expert Author
Hi there! I’m Stuart, a devoted dog lover and family dog expert with over a decade of experience working with our furry companions. My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. When I’m not writing for SirDoggie, you’ll find me hiking, playing with my beautiful dog, or studying music.