If we get a dog, it needs to be:
short hair (low shed and dander for allergies) Check.[/color]
low dog odor Check.[/color]
mid-sized Check.[/color]comfortable with two owners but the potential to adapt to a baby in a few years when we are out of school
Check! V's are great with kids. I am currently 8 months pregnant and not worried in the least. But, as with all dogs, I believe there are certain things you need to do to prep your dog and never leave dog unattended with child. I think when the kid gets old enough to run around, that this will be a perfect play mate for a V![/color]
Are these drooly dogs? Nope.[/color]
I have several concerns about a Vizsla's energy and need to be with family. Are morning walks, a person at home with them available to stop work to take them out, a quick walk at lunch and then again in the evening or free run time enough family time/activity for them? If you can get them out every day, that's great. I would suggest giving your V most of his exercise first thing in the morning (about 45-60 min)..he'll be better behaved during the day and will transition easier into a crate (i.e. he'll just want to sleep) and then a 30 min lunch break would suffice.[/color] Will a Vizsla with this much human time be okay then when we go out to eat or to a movie from time to time? Absolutely. Especially with aforementioned exercise! But you might want to work on gradually increasing time away. Much like how they suggest to work on dogs with separation anxiety. Best to do this when they're a pup immediately after getting them.[/color]
We have a rainy season, since a Vizsla has no undercoat, how do you give them off the leash run/ball chase time and ensure that they still stay warm? My V has no problem running in the rain and snow. But they do make dog coats that a lof V owners in my area use in the winter...sometimes little booties in the snow for snowshoeing too.[/color]
We have a small 8ft high fenced back yard and a tiny front yard but are surrounded by undeveloped open fields, are these good spaces for Vizslas to run? YES! and an 8ft high fence is perfect. Ours is only 6'H but our V has no interest in fence hopping. I would suggest not leaving them outside all day unattended, however. But an open field is perfect for running.[/color] How old do they have to be to be safe in an unfenced area retrieving a ball? I'd say as long as you've properly trained with a recall command and your pup is consistant, that should be fine. [/color] Do we start retrieving training in a dog park with a fence and then gradually move to an open space when we feel they can be trusted to be off leash? There's no reason you can't train on-leash to begin as we did. You can also buy really long leads for this purpose.[/color] I've read that these dogs are not bolters, but want to keep humans in sight. Is this true? This is VERY true of our V. The gate in our yard will blow open from time to time and while he's gone outside the fence, is never far at all and always comes when called. And when we're out on the trail off-lead, he never gets too far ahead of us that he can't see us. He'll always stop and turn around to make sure and wait if he's too far up. Even up in the mountains where there's all sorts of fun smells.[/color]
I am an equestrian, how do I best introduce my potential Vizsla to the barn/horse environment? Not sure on this one as I have no personal experience. But keep in mind since V's are hunters, a lot of them work along side a horse in the field. Our breeder has a horse she takes out in the field and worked the dogs with the horse. It's totally possible and I imagine you'd have to get them out to the barn when they're a pup still.[/color]
If we go rescue vs. puppy, what should I look for in terms of age or personality in the dog? Well. Of course, a puppy is going to be more impressionable and at that point it will do you good to find a responsible breeder who is foremost concerned about breeding for temperament. I would recommend observing sire and/or dam to see if they're friendly around humans, whether or not they're skiddish, etc. It's SO important to properly socialize V's to all sorts of sights, sounds, situations, etc. They do not have the same temperament as a lab, for example, as they're a little bit more "soft." So if you see that the dog is skiddish or otherwise easily spooked at any noise, I'd be cautious. With rescue dogs, at least they will have had some time to adjust in a foster home and I believe rescue groups are great about being honest with the temperaments of their dogs. I would google for a local V club in your area that can help with these questions. Here's a link to our local one:
http://www.rmvc.org/vizslalabgolden.html [/color]
I have a lot of questions, I know, but I think it is better to ask these BEFORE we get a dog rather than after. I've also contacted a local AKC rep to recommend reliable, responsible, breeders in the area.
Thank you!