Vizsla's

[JLOOMIS]

Are Vizsla's good for both upland birds and water fowl?

[whacker1]

Some Vizzla's don't like water.  Definitely known for more of an upland dog.

Some of them are also really stupid around vehicles.

Questions worth asking a breeder.

[jackelope]

I would think they would have a bit of a hard time with cold water and/or cold weather.

They are VERY full of energy!! VERY full of it....and need lots and lots of excersize.

[JLOOMIS]

What about weimeraners?

[carpsniperg2]

they are more of a upland bird dog. like said high energy a very good breed when worked with a lot.

[whacker1]

more energy and typically a larger dog.

I looked at both before settling on a lab.  Lab's  & Golden's seem to be the most versatile - still lots of energy

[jackelope]

If you want a duck dog and an upland dog all  in one and assume you don't want a lab you ought to look at a German Wirehaired Pointer  or Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

 

[whacker1]

What Jack said and to add - German Short hair's are fun too.  pointers typically have a lot of energy.  Really all hunting dogs that I have been exposed to have lots of energy.

[carpsniperg2]

more energy and typically a larger dog.

I looked at both before settling on a lab.  Lab's  & Golden's seem to be the most versatile - still lots of energy

 

[adam.WI]

more energy and typically a larger dog.

I looked at both before settling on a lab.  Lab's  & Golden's seem to be the most versatile - still lots of energy

I would think some of the versatile breeds would be better suited. I have hunted over labs for 15 years and they can work but don't compare to pointers for upland.
For waterfowl look at the thicker and/or longer coated versatile breeds.

[andersonjk4]

I have a female Vizsla and a male german shorthair.  My vizsla is a great upland bird dog.  She has an amazing nose and works very thoroughly.  My shorthair is a true versatile bird dog.  He is great for upland birds and will retrieve ducks and geese out of the water with the best of them.  When the water gets cold I make sure he has his neoprene vest on before he goes in the water, but with the vest he does just fine.  As far as Vizslas or Weims being waterfowl dogs I think it would all depend on the particular dog.  My vizsla likes to swim in the summer when the weather is hot, but she only goes in the water in the winter when she has to. 

[JLOOMIS]

After doing some research my wife really wants me to get a vizsla because we've read they don't have a "dog smell" as far as in the house goes.  Kind of a clean freak. Thanks for all the input guys

[andersonjk4]

Great choice!  Vizslas are great hunters and excellent as house pets.  To keep them odor free you still have to give them baths regularly (especially after hunting trips). 

[JLOOMIS]

Anderson,since you have one, are these dogs really odor free with regular bathing of course?

[andersonjk4]

I wouldn't call any dog odor free.  I would say that they are a lot less stinky than most dogs just because they are shorthaired.  I wouldn't say that my Vizsla is any more odorless than my german shorthair.  Our two dogs are in the house a lot and our house doesnt smell like dog.  We constantly ask friends and family if you can smell dogs when you walk into our house and they always say no, so either we have really nice friends and family or our house is really odor free.  I think smell on a dog has a lot to do with the hygeine of their surroundings.  For instance they spend a lot of time on their dog bed both in the house and outside in the dog house.  If you don't wash or change out their dog beds every couple weeks the beds begin to stink and that stink in turn gets on the dogs.  If you keep their surrounding clean and bath them weekly or bi-weekly then you shouldn't have odor issues.     

[JLOOMIS]

okay thanks for the input

[Viszla]

Viszla'a are the great!!  You won't find a better family and hunting dog out there.  As far as duck hunting, mine will retreive but he gets cold quick.  He's better for puddle jumping rather than sitting in a duck blind all day.  As long as you keep them moving they will stay warm and hunt all day.  As far as odors go, as mentioned, just give them a bath every other week or so and you shouldn't have any problem.  VERY high energy, hopefully you have a big yard.  Shoot me a PM if you want some info on breeders.  Being that these dogs are not real common, it is hard to find a good one and there are some bad ones around.  I know a good breeder who should be having pups pretty soon.

[andersonjk4]

Last night I decided to give my Shorthair and my Vizsla the sniff test side by side.  They both got baths about a week and a half ago and I will admit that the Vizsla did have a little less doggy odor.  Although  be careful when doing the sniff test if you are bending over and sniffing their backs.  Vizsla got all excited and raised up as I was going down for a sniff and smashed her back bone right into my nose.  I think that will be the end of my sniff testing. 

[JLOOMIS]

Thanks for the sniff test results anderson. And vizsla, I will definitely PM you when were ready to get one.