NZVizsla

I'm not going to chime in too much, as most of what has been posted has been good advice. I have two Hungarian Vizslas boys and I used to own a Standard Poodle. They're very similar, but the Poodle had a very strong prey drive which could lead to nipping. My boys are perfect for me, and were chosen to be perfect for me, but they require a lot of time and training. Exercise is essential, but you can still have a jerk of a dog if it doesn't feel tired, or doesn't settle on command. A Pointer would be my best suggestion. I hope you get a nice sized, smoochy but confident boy!

StephM, What colour and gender are you after? I too have been a FCR admirer for years.

So sad. Bloat is such a scary thing. Have you thought of painting her?

I'm really sorry to hear this, I enjoyed your Skoota stories. What horrible news.

I'm not a Terrier fan; I will never say never, but it would be very unlikely that I'd ever go out and buy or adopt one; Same goes for Chow Chows and Shar Peis. Just not my kind of dog.

Congrats Emma, this has been a long time coming. Scooter the Papillon! Love it.

Can you contain him within the yard, without using a dog run? Sectioning an area where he can be loose but can't get upset by the people and noises he hears from next door? I'd also consider an outdoor radio, to relax him and muffle strange outdoor noises.

For me, it's two. I've lived with up to five dogs (fostering and petsitting in my home) and whilst I can manage it and get some pleasure from it, it's not what I want. I don't want to live in a kennel. Two Hungarian Vizslas is plenty!

How worrying!

Still thinking of you, your health, and your dogs. I love your positive attitude. I'm sure you have your bad days, but to 'see' someone go through this and not collapse into a million pieces, well, it's very empowering.

Jovi is a brilliant name!! LOVE it. I'm so happy for you.

I could help with some advise and input, as I was/am in a similar situation to Michael. I don't want to discuss my health and disabilities on here, but I am well up to date with the work required to train your own guide dog/assistance dog, and the legal ramifications. If you or Michael would like some input, please e-mail me at: [email protected]

With both my Vizslas the breeders made the decision for me. Both decisions I've been very happy with. Bonding with them was pretty much immediate as neither were impulsive decisions, and it fact I was involved well before they were even conceived. Even then there were no assurances that I'd get a pup. Especially with my youngest as he had to go through an assessment before I could even consider him mine. No dog is perfect, and some turn out to have quite different drives (or lack there-of) that the breeder couldn't possibly have predicted. Personality wise? Huxley is my HEART. He's my best friend and although he can lose confidence here and there, when push comes to shove he's totally on the ball. Sawyer is my piece of sunshine. He's so laid back and accepting of everything, and just doesn't feel the need to worry. Why worry?! I could just sleep is his motto. I used to own a Std. Poodle. Beautiful dog, fantastic breeder, lots of support etc, and I did early level obedience trialling with her, but as much as I wanted to like her I just couldn't at all. I learnt to professionally groom her so I could save on money and build our bond, but nope. She thought I was nice.. pleasant even, but she just didn't enjoy being with me. A young, spritely dog sighing when I'd call her over for a pat or a treat, that's not normal. So after 6 years I re-homed her to a wonderful older couple that just think she's lovely (and she is, just not for me). So don't expect 'The One' or this great blossoming relationship with a new dog, as like with people some work and some don't. Oh and last thoughts.. if either of my Vs were unsuitable for me, in either my opinion or that of their breeders, I'm sure I wouldn't have got them.

how old? breed? current living situation?

I've known both breeds of both extremes. But generally what the breed books and breeders say are right in regards to their temperament. Both very sweet and jovial, and very trainable. With adequate exercise and attention they can fit into a lot of dog loving homes, as opposed to the more 'difficult ones'. So they are pretty special, and pretty versatile. I've never been into owning a Labrador myself, and the publics enjoyment (and frustrations put me off, though truthfully they were never really considered). That said, if the right puppy is picked from either litter, then I'm sure you would be happy with your decision, as they do share a lot of similarities. What face makes you gooey eyed? Don't get too scientific, go with the emotional pull. 5 or so years ago I did consider the Golden Retriever, and whist they can be completely endearing and true sweet hearts, I think I would chose the Labrador as they just seem in my experience to have stronger nerve and more of a gun dog drive. Again, both breeds quite capable of many performance events but I'd choose the Labrador. Flat Coated Retrievers remind me of Peter Pan, the dogs that never want to grow up. I really like them! And I'd be interested to hear their pros and cons, as the cons I've heard are mostly health related, and that some like to bark.. a lot.

Heck no! No more puppies (or dogs) for a very long time.

Ever since I was five I wanted a bright RED, short coated, floppy eared dog. I went to the library and brought some books home, and to my disappointment the closest thing I could find was a mahogany coloured Smooth Haired Dachshund. I wanted a big dog. It wasn't til I was eleven that I got given a dog breed book that was produced in NZ. Sawyer's breeder had a couple of pages in it on the Hungarian Vizsla. I was absolutely gob smacked that my dream dog existed, but was not in a position to get one. Nine years later I got Huxley, and 13 1/2 years later I got Sawyer.

Hi Jed, Still thinking of you. My stomach always gets turned into knots when I go into this thread, as I feel for you so so badly. Sending bunches of love and positivity. Harriet

A lot of people like to label dogs as 'dominant' when they're poorly trained and or socialized. It seems to make them feel better, as if the dog is dominant then that is their excuse for why their dog is how it is. I've heard people say their dog is 'so dominant' due to it jumping up on the kitchen bench and stealing their food. They seemed to think this was an act of the dog showing them who was the boss! Such uninformed thinking. Any dog will take advantage of a situation if it suits them. They're opportunist by nature.

I'd say only pedigree in the SUBURB.

Thank you so much for all the ideas! I can't wait to train..

I did do a search but couldn't come up with anything; no doubt it has been discussed before, so if anyone can pass me the links it'd be very helpful. I've currently got Sawyer working away from me; he's taking himself off to his mat when asked, and is also downing when asked when away from me (tied up as he's not into the distance thing ) I'd now like to teach him the Emergency Down but would like some ideas on how to. When I've called his name and got him in motion and then asked for a down, it's almost too late, as he's either already next to me, or is returning so fast that the 'down' is not heard. However when I've restricted the distance and momentum he gets, it doesn't seem like an emergency down, and it doesn't feel like he's learning to down straight away regardless of how excited/motivated he is to get to me. So ANY advice would be well appreciated! ;)

I have; both with my pedigree dogs and with my mixed breed. I've just never taken it personally - different strokes for different folks I guess. Everyone has their own value for their dog, and their chosen breed/s. I lovingly refer to my mixed breed as 'my mutt'; just how I'd introduce my Vizslas as 'my Vizslas', it's just stating the bleeding obvious! If I were to introduce my mixed breed by her name, I'd do the same with the Vizslas. When breed people refer to mixed breeds as 'mongrels' it can be just that - a term to explain their mixed heritage, or it can be a rude way to de-value your dogs or other peoples' dogs due to their mixed heritage. I grew up with mongels and my first two dogs were mongrels, so I'd never de-value them. However at the same time, I truly do believe and respect the pedigree dog world, and thus feel that all dog ownership should come about from research and through the correct channels; i.e, through a breeder or a rescue.

Awesome news Huski; you must be so so pleased, it's a shame she broke the stay but that is so fixable!

Quick question. I'm about to do some food refusal work with my young one. He's done it before but this time it's with BACON. So should I chop up some bacon to reward him with it? and give it to him from my pouch? or give him some bacon from the original bacon that's on the floor (on a plate )