If you watch the television with your kids on Saturday mornings, you probably know who Clifford, the Big Red Dog is. He is the giant dog owned by a ten-year old named Emily Elizabeth. Before Scholastic Publishing clarified Clifford’s breed, everyone thought that he was a vizsla, probably because of his color. Emily Elizabeth got him as a puppy and belongs to a litter of vizsla puppies raised by their mother.
The vizsla is a breed of dog that originates from Hungary. The vizsla is Hungary’s national dog. It is a medium-sized sporting dog usually used to hunt upland game and fowl. They have robust builds but they appear to have lean and well-defined muscles. Vizsla puppies have short, smooth, and dense coats; the color is usually reddish-brown but their color is also described as russet gold or dark sandy gold. Because they lack an undercoat, they can be susceptible to cold and must not be kept outside. They do not require frequent bathing because they are self-cleaning dogs. Instead of bathing, you can use dry shampoo instead. Mix one part baking soda and one part baby powder and apply to the dog’s coat.
Vizsla puppies are extremely affectionate, loyal, and highly energetic. They are sometimes referred to as Velcro dogs because of their extreme attachment and close bond to their owners. Some vizslas would sleep on the bed or close to the bed of the owners. They do not bark often, only doing so if provoked or when they need to. They will cry when they want something or if they feel neglected. Vizsla puppies need proper exercise and attention. As sporting dogs bred to do hunting, they need to channel their energies properly or they can become unruly, high-strung, and destructive. These dogs can stay inside a house with a yard with a fence. Some breeders and dog experts do not recommend apartment living for vizslas because they are active dogs and they need ample space to move around.
Vizsla puppies are easy to train due to their intelligent nature. In training, you must be firm but not harsh. Because of they are gentle dogs, they do not respond well to harsh training methods. Positive reinforcement is an effective training method with vizslas. As soon as you get your vizsla puppy, you must do potty training and crate training immediately so it can be housebroken as soon as possible. Obedience training should commence when the vizsla puppy is a bit older. Training sessions should be done for a few minutes every day. You should establish a routine and schedule that you and your puppy can follow every day for several months and you must not deviate from the schedule, or else the dog will get confused. Aside from daily training sessions, you must socialize your vizsla puppy, especially if you have other pets in the house. Expose your puppy to other family members, neighbors, and strangers. Introduce it to different sights, sounds, and smells. Remember that as a hunter, vizslas view small animals as prey.
Vizsla Training…
