Breed advice - Vizsla vs Flat Coated Retriever

[nat_o]

I'd appreciate some input from those have had experience with vizsla or flat coated retrievers. My family are considering these breeds but are unsure which would suit us best. We live on 2.5acres (1.5 acres fully fenced around our house) with an 8yo and 10yo. We are looking for a kid-friendly dog with an easy to maintain coat and that will alert us to strangers. I have been looking at a few sites so have some idea on traits. I am curious to see what others have experienced with these breeds whether positive or negative. Thanks in advance :) 

[Dogsfevr]

Both breeds are great BUT 2.5 acres doesnt equate to being the right dog .
Both breeds are smart,intelligient & need there brain enriched ,lots of land doesnt tick that box.
Off the 2 i would say Flatties are calmer ,Vizslas are well known as velcro dogs .
Flatties need brushing weekly .
Both breeds will either openly invite strangers into the home & they love people or they may alert .

Both breeds can be a nightmare if not enriched 

Edited January 26, 2023 by Dogsfevr

[Deeds]

For  intelligence and looks and training ability I'd go for the Flat Coated Retriever.  And they are a lot calmer as Dogsfevr said.

 

The Vizsla would be easier to look after as far as grooming and looking for ticks. From my observation of the Vizslas around my way they are highly strung and a lot needier.

 

I've had Curly Coated Retrievers in the past and they were brilliant.

[Amazetl]

I haven’t had personal experience with Flat Coats but they look so beautiful. They can be pretty high energy too, one of the more higher energy of the retrievers but are very kid friendly.

 

Vizslas are very high energy dogs, very needy. They love to run and zoom around and can be highly strung in some lines. They love to work so probably wouldn’t just be able to entertain itself even with a huge yard.

 

They have short hair but need a good brushing to deshed often otherwise a simple pat to them will have you come back with hair all over you hand (easy to brush them though). They are very sweet dogs but kind of silly and crazy. They are great with kids but could knock them over and be a bit too high energy if the kids aren’t into running around and rough housing etc. They aren’t a dog to just lounge around, they will do that and lots of cuddles but after a lot of work and running first. They have same joint issues as most large dogs so can’t go for jogs and really long on leash walks until their joints have closed at about 18 months - 2 years. So it’s a lot to manage in getting their energy out in a safe way before then. 

 

I’d love to get one but I personally think they’d be too high energy on the commitment level to that every day but I’m tempted after knowing some very sweet ones. 

 

I have a Lab and Goldens. In my opinion you can’t really go wrong with a well bred lab. They shed too but have the shorter hair so easier to manage. They can get grass seeds still but they don’t pick up leaves etc in their coat. A show line lab can be crazy fun playing and then laid back at the same time. They don’t need to go all day. Similar with Goldens. 

 

But I’m not suggesting one to you if you would prefer one of the breeds you mentioned, just trying to offer a comparison. 

 

Vizslas are much easier to find than Flatties. As long as the commitment is there and the awareness is there, talk to some breeders and find out from them whether their lines might suit you. Try to steer away from the more highly strung lines and definitely not working lines. 

 

Vizslas aren’t great off leash either just a note if you want to do that sort of thing. 

 

Curly Coats tend to be a little more watch dog material of the retrievers but most dogs will alert you to anything unusual or anyone coming to the house, they just might then want to be their friend too. You can look into the smaller Murray River Retriever if that style of dog suits you too. 

 

 

[Purdie]

On 24/01/2023 at 4:34 PM, nat_o said:

I'd appreciate some input from those have had experience with vizsla or flat coated retrievers. My family are considering these breeds but are unsure which would suit us best. We live on 2.5acres (1.5 acres fully fenced around our house) with an 8yo and 10yo. We are looking for a kid-friendly dog with an easy to maintain coat and that will alert us to strangers. I have been looking at a few sites so have some idea on traits. I am curious to see what others have experienced with these breeds whether positive or negative. Thanks in advance  

Consider a German Shorthaired Pointer.

Agree with others about' cant go far wrong with a  Labrador'

[nat_o]

Thanks everyone for your feedback it is much appreciated. Needless to say we are invested to commit to training, socialisation and stimulation needs of whatever breed we settle upon as we know that will benefit our pup and our sanity. I have heard Viszlas can be clingy, whiny etc so your input has been useful. 

 

We were considering either a Golden labrador or German shorthaired pointer too so I glad some have suggeted these breeds. Though we're a little hesitant with GSP escaping tendencies as we are in a semi rural area with wildlife ie. wallabies, deer, bush turkeys, echindas. 

 

Thanks again 

[Deeds]

I"d go for the Labrador over a GSP.

[Purdie]

31 minutes ago, Deeds said:

I"d go for the Labrador over a GSP.

Yes GSP and Vizsla in particular are very bird fixated and will love chasing birds through the bush.

Look at very intelligent breeds that are easier to train to leave wild life alone.

If you want a breed that is more protective perhaps an Australian cattle dog otherwise the Labrador is a good choice.

Here is  some good information.

https://dogell.com/en/compare-dog-breeds/labrador-retriever-vs-german-shorthaired-pointer-vs-dalmatian

Edited January 27, 2023 by Purdie
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[Dogsfevr]

Gundogs are bird dogs most have a good natural tendency to want to do what there meant to do .
I have Gundogs mine catch & dispatch birds in the backyard its just reality in owning one . I expect it will happen & if there not interested its a bonus.
 

Teaching to leave wildlife in general will be hard work no matter what breed & most likely a better solution is to have a dog yard set up that allows the dog time out from being over stimulated to the outdoors & a safe zone for when it needs it .

Personally i would go English Pointer over a GSP any day of the week .
GSP can also be very velcro,very vocal & destructive.  

Edited January 28, 2023 by Dogsfevr

[Amazetl]

My lab won’t hurt anything, not a fly or an ant or a lizard. My Goldens are much more into birds and my older girl has been successful there. Probably depends on lines as I’m sure there are labs out there who do or is that a lab thing to be gentle to all creatures? 

 

If I were in your situation I would put up a smaller mesh fenced area closer to the house and then a gate out to the bigger area. That way they can stay closer in, you can more easily supervise and then they get to go wild when you take them out to the larger area on the property.