Vizsla vs. Flat-Coat Retriever Energy Needs?

[EventingMaff]

Hi All,

Some of you may have seen my other post regarding the white mutt from Romania. We’re still in talks with the agency regarding her but I’ve also been in touch with a local woman who has a 1 yr old Vizsla that they are looking to re-home.

Seems like the classic “in over our heads”/“didn’t do enough research” story. A couple with a young child (2ish I’d say?) and full time office jobs got a Vizsla puppy and now are realizing that they can’t meet it’s exercise needs (and adolescence antics) so are looking for a more suitable home.

I’m quite interested in the dog, but my SO is worried about us being able to meet it’s energy requirements. My personal experience with sporting dog ownership is the flat-coat retriever, which I feel we can meet the energy needs of in our current situation (2-3 hours HARD exercise each day until about 3 years and then settles down to 1 hour a day with 1-2x a week being bigger days). My SO is worried by what he reads online that the Vizsla needs even MORE exercise.

Thoughts?? I know every individual is different, but anyone experienced with either/both breeds that could give some anecdotal stories or comparisons?

And just for kicks, the gorgeous girl we’re meeting next week.

[supaflyskye]

I think 3 hours of truly hard exercise a day would be appropriate for a young Visla, but I don’t have a ton of experience w the breed, so take my words w a grain of salt …I just think 3 hours/day of real true exercise should be enough for all but the most high energy working breeds. That’s about how much exercise I’m planning on giving my Ibizan Hound when I get him/her next year, 3 hours a day, maybe 4 some days, as a puppy/young dog and they’re quite a high energy sighthound breed as well. Bare in mind that often exercise requirements on the internet are slightly overblown, at least IME.
Meet the dog. If at all possible see if you can take her on trial for a week so you can get a true feel for her energy, and keep in mind that her energy will most likely be a bit higher settling into a new place, so you will be well prepared for what it’s like longer term.
ETA: just looked at the photo, she’s beautiful. Looks honestly just like my former roommate/coworker’s Rhodesian Ridgeback who looked much more like a Visla w a ridge than a RR. Very pretty though.

[S1969]

That would be more than sufficient for all the Vizslas that I know, and many get less than that. What I would be more interested is the temperament, because sometimes that is the reason people think they are “in over their heads” with a breed - it’s not the breed but the particular dog.

I have Brittanys and they are comparable to Vizslas in many ways; a “softer” sporting dog than a GSP or similar pointing dog, but all need a lot of physical and mental exercise. But the temperaments can vary; a nervous “high strung” sporting dog is a lot more work than one with a stable temperament…they don’t “settle down” and they don’t manage new situations well. Both can be very tiring.

Assuming she’s just a typical Vizsla, you should have no trouble meeting her exercise needs with what you’ve described. I actually know someone that got a dog just like you describe - two kids under 6, one with special needs. They obviously had no idea what they were doign. I think theirs was a male, though…curious if it’s the same one. :no:

[EventingMaff]

S1969 I think you hit the nail on the head about temperment versus exercise – it’s definitely something I’ll be focused on when we meet her in person. I enjoy dogs that love to work and exercise as they’re great running/cycling/hiking companions and they force me to stay active even when I’m having lazy days, but I really don’t like anxious/nervous/overly-excitable dogs that can’t relax after they’ve had their daily work out(s).

I think a week trial would be great, and allow us to get to know her better without her current owners around.

[ilmjumper]

Agree with the temperament vs exercise, IF they’re actually exercising the dog like she needs. If they’re not doing like you’re planning, hours of work, the temperament could be just fine and the dog may just be bouncing off the walls.

Side note regarding this dog possibly needing more work than you planned, when we know our day is going to be short we do the Dog Whisperer trick, doggy saddle bags with water bottles in the pouches. Works wonders!

[EventingMaff]

What brand do you use? I’ve been looking at the Outward Hound quick-release backpack – I love the idea of waterbottle weights for days we have less time! (plus if she’s running with me, she can carry water for both of us :yes:)

[ilmjumper]

I got mine from REI, I think it’s just their brand, like that it has the handle on top and lots of padding (we actually do a lot of hiking and one dog is very thin haired/hairless on his belly) highly recommend trying a few different brands or somewhere you can actually try them on before buying, we had to return a few before we found the right fit.

[ilmjumper]

I take that back, it’s not REI’s brand it’s Ruffwear

http://www.rei.com/product/855788/ruffwear-approach-dog-pack

[scruffy_the_cat]

I think 3 hours hard exercise is fine for a Viszla and agree with the concerns about temperament. This is a breed I’d only want from a reputable breeder. There are a lot of temperamentally difficult Viszlas out there.

[SquishTheBunny]

In my experience flat coats are quieter. However I have met enough viszlas that were not “total nuts” … they kind of grew on me. But yes…I would expect more exercise would be required!

[S1969]

I know a lot of wonderful vizslas…we’ll bred and given appropriate exercise. I always cringe when someone describes an active breed as “crazy” or “temperamental difficult” because even the best dog will turn into a destructive one without appropriate physical and mental stimulation. I think you would be able to tell pretty quickly if the dog was crazy or bored. If you can get any info on the breeder I would do that too. If they are a good one, they will want to help.

[Bicoastal]

For some reason, we have a bunch in this pocket of NoVA. Funny how one breed will kinda catch in a certain community. The ones I know are whiny, environmentally and physically sensitive, and generally high strung. Hard and frantic (vs clear-headed) workers. An instructor made an off-hand comment that she hopes/worries the ones she sees around are having their needs met. If they can stay still for a minute, good snugglers who appreciate jammies and blankies.

[Hannahsmom]

I have friends with Viszlas and they are awesome.she did take up hunting as the dogs love it and they get a lot of exercise

[stb]

Be very careful about checking out temperament. I used to train with an obedience coach who had Viszals and put very advanced obedience titles on all of her dogs. Even she said that temperament was often an issue in the breed and they required skillful management.

[Horsegal984]

From the flat coats I know, the Viszlas are higher strung and need more exercise. However, overall I dont care for the temperament of most of the ones I’ve met, I’d much prefer a flat coat.