Hi Guys, I'm new on here and just hoping to get some helpful advice from you all. We have recently been researching breeds of dogs as we believe we could offer an active home. We have narrowed down our search to a medium sized gundog of sorts. In particular we are interested in the smooth haired Hungarian Vizsla! Possibly also a springer spaniel, or even a nova scotia duck tolling retriever (already in contact with NSDTR club to get more info) Ideally we are looking to offer a home to a rescue dog, perhaps in the region of 1 – 4 years old. Although we would consider getting a pup next summer when my girlfriend has 7 weeks off as she is a teacher. This would allow the dog to get settled in and suitably trained to allow us to leave him for a few hours at a time. We don’t have any children or other dogs, but are hoping to get a dog that can grow with our family in few years. We live in the outer suburbs of Dundee, North East Scotland, right on the coast but also semi rural. We live in a reasonably sized detached house with a 100m2 back garden entirely contained by a 6 foot fence. We would be able to commit to a 30 minute walk in the morning, a 15 minute walk and a play in the garden over lunch time, and then a long walk of 1 hour plus in the evening, plus any garden visits needed in between. At the weekend we would intend to take the dog away for most of the day as we do a lot of hiking, camping, cycling and visiting local beaches etc. We would also hope to take the dog to agility and flyball classes which are run at the country park just down the road from us. We would anticipate the longest periods the dog being left would be 3 and a half hours in the morning, then 2 and a half hours in the afternoon. We would be willing to travel anywhere within the UK to meet the right dog. We would appreciate your thoughts and advice upon breeds of dog that may suit of lifestyle, and in particular the Vizsla. Any further information you could offer would also be much appreciated. We are visiting the Scottish Kennel Club Show at Ingliston on Sunday so hopefully we will be able to chat to owners and meet their dogs.
Hi & welcome to Dogsey Firstly, well done for researching before getting your first dog and secondly, well done for considering rescues. I don't have a lot of knowledge of vizlas and NSDTRs, but the ones I have known about have been nervous/highly strung (vizla) and unruly (NSDTR). But as I say, I'm only talking about a very, very small sample and their characters could have been far more to do with their upbringing. Springers are generally nutty but lovely and very full of energy. To be honest, whatever breed you are looking at, I wouldn’t consider a dog under 3 years old if I was planning on leaving it 3.5 hours in the morning and 2.5 hours in the afternoon. Young dogs are generally just too full of fun and mischief and they will get bored alone for that length of time, which could well result in destructive behaviour. Even for a 3-4 year old, personally I think if you are planning to leave them for most of the day, I wouldn’t be happy with just 30 minutes before leaving them for 3.5 hours (for a breed like a springer). However, its not all about physical exercise – mental exercise like search games are equally important for a calm and happy dog. Some rescues will refuse to rehome to anyone who works full time, others will consider each situation on their merits, but for the hours you intend leaving them, personally I would’ve said the older the dog the better (provided they have not previously been used to 24 hour company). Also, don’t forget a rescue dog will still need time to settle in too – even if getting an older dog, you should still plan on taking at least 2 weeks off work so that you can build up the time you leave him/her and form a bond with each other. Good luck with your search
Hi there, thanks for your quick reply. we have a week off planned in October to hopefully settle an older rescue dog in, if all falls into place with our plans. i appreciate what you are saying, i also think the most responsible thing would be to get a slightly older rescue dog! hopefully sunday will shed more light as to which breeds may suit us, and vice versa of course!
Just remember on the Sunday front if this is a KC show, most of the springers you will see will be from Show stock, and 99.9% that come in to Rescue would be from Working stock,and you're more likely to find a Springer in rescue than the other breeds Right rescue head on, i would rehome a dog to you, but i too would recommend an older dog, certainly if its your first dog (you don't say), . I would also be asking what led you to the breeds you have chosen. Good luck with your seach
Great advice from Hali. Have you considered an older Labrador? there are plenty of those in rescue so you wouldn't be short of choice in that respect. A smaller bitch ('medium' sized, males tend to be larger), maybe 2-4 years old would fit your needs pretty well. When past the manic puppy stage, Labs just slot into your routine and are very much 'go with the flow' type dogs. Not phased by anything and are always willing, whether that be for a 20 minute stroll around the park or a long hike. They take everything in their stride. I think a breed like Labs or Golden's may be more suitable for your situation then Springers. Springers are generally more intense then Labs, especially the working ones. As someone else mentioned, most Springers in rescues are likely to be working type. People give up on them because they are very intense dogs...intelligent, highly energetic, always looking for something to do. They are a LOT of dog for the average owner. With regard to the other breeds, if you are looking at Tollers, you would have to go down the puppy route. They are a fairly unusual breed and I doubt there are many if any in rescues.
why not try the Breed rescues? Both my shorthaired pointers are from rescues - and that way, you`ll also get advice & backup.
Hi, there is a Scottish spaniel rescue, they have many dogs looking for homes and will match dog to your circumstance. as with other breed specific rescues they will give you lots of info, and would give you honest answers as to whether your lifestyle would suit that specific dog. i have a 2year old springer and a springer pup. both working type. i agree with earlier posts, "nutty and full of energy"....... not for the faint hearted! good luck. Carley ps. loads of great people on here with lots of interesting/tried & tested advice.
The HZ is a fabulous breed to own, and next to my own breed, they are the next breed I know most. they should NOT be nervous, they ARE one of the more sensitive breeds in the Gun dog group... they are peopel dogs, they dont do well left alone for hrs a day.. they love nothing better than being with you as much as possible, and will settle into family life like an old glove. they need to be trained with a firm, but gentle hand.. they DONT take kindly to harsh training ... They are a fabulously child friendly breed, along with all people , they generally get along with other dogs... although I do know a few who are a little iffy with same sex.. 9usually entire) but then that can be said for most dogs... They do molt, (most short haired breeds do) they love to swim, and ramble in the woods.. they will take as much exersice as you can give them, along with then curling up on your sofa for the remainder of the day.. If you have the time to give them, they will give you 100fold back in love and affection. You may also be interested in the Wired haired variety, now some say they are a little easier going than the smooth..but personally, they are about the same, from what I see, just preference on what you like, I have many friends who own /show/bred Vizsla... and I love the breed to bits.. If you are after a rescue, give Vizsla rescue a ring, sadly due to over popularity they are seeing more and more go into rescue, through over population and people buying a breed that think looks nice, but do not take the time to investigate. Here you go, a place to start looking, they will point you in the right direction http://www.hungarianvizslaclub.org.uk/
I have 2 tollers (and an elderly border collie) and work full time. They get a walk on a morning, my partner comes home at lunchtime for lunch and garden break and then walk/training on an evening. With more on a weekend. They manage quite well on this. My youngest was left with my parents during the day until we felt she was reliable to be able to be left unsupervised (for her it was 10 months). On the days when my partner works from home, the dogs sleep for most of the day anyway! I know tollers from different lines may behave differently but certainly my 2 don't have a problem being left most of the day. Your only problem may be getting a puppy at the time you want - they're still a rare breed and are not bred to order, if someone can promise you a puppy for a certain date then turn around and keep on running! Both my tollers have fantastic temperaments too and I won't have any other breed now!
An interesting post. I would agree re the level of training and would honestly say that no gundog needs a harsh method of training. I'm not just talking raising your voice but also be aware of praising often and allowing your dog some freedom, don't set too many boundaries but you will certainly need some. After all, they are bred to (and thrive on) doing what they are instructed by their owner to do and getting it right is the best thing ever for them. It's why I love my springer so much, a great balance of intelligence and desire to please, with energy and fun, thrown in with lots of adoring looks and cuddles. I will say that with any of these breeds, don't just consider the time you will need to leave them, think about the time you will be with them. Having left it on it's own for 3/4 hours, or so twice a day you can't then go out for a meal/pop to the shops in the evening/late afternoon. It's more than do-able but it needs to be considered. HTH and other than this some great posts/advice given so far and good luck with your choice.
Hi Kancell, we have a six month old smooth vizsla. I don't work so he's with me all day, I'm just starting to leave him in his crate for an hour a day but he really doesn't like it if I leave the room. Yes my fault for not leaving him straight away. I know another vizsla owner and she has to take him to doggie day care or her mum's if she's working cos he gets bored easily. They are a lovely breed of dog, very loving and friendly. He has to be told off now and again but learns fast that it's better to have a cuddle and a treat than to be a bad boy! I think he behaves himself because I'm with him so much, he'll curl up and sleep all afternoon as long as we've been for a trot around the park but unless I've put him in his crate he'll wake himself up to follow me from room to room. Talk to other vizsla owners to see what they say about leaving them, maybe an older dog would be alright left but also remember it would depend on how the previous owner trained it. I love my vizsla very much - he's hard work sometimes but I'd have another, well, after I've forgotten the trauma of puppy hood this time around! Good luck.
I breed and show our vizsla and would guarantee thier temperment. Like all breeds it depends on the breeder and how much thought they have put into the proposed mating, and then the time that has been spent socialising the puppies. Hope this helps.
