Vizslas are highly energetic dogs with good temperaments and excellent social skills. They are intelligent and good with kids, and if you decide to add one to your family, you will likely see how attached they get. It’s no wonder that most people refer to them as Velcro dogs! But do they make good hunting dogs?
The good news is that Vizslas make great hunting dogs. Their natural build and instincts mean they are ideal hunting partners. This article explores everything that you need to know about this breed, their temperament, and why they make a good companion for a hunter.
Vizsla Hunting Skills and Abilities
Vizslas have a strong prey drive. This means that they have an innate desire to chase and capture prey. This, coupled with their abilities and instincts, makes them great hunting companions.
Other characteristics that make the Vizsla a good choice as a hunting dog include the following.
Keen Sense of Smell
Vizslas have a highly developed sense of smell. This makes them excellent companions during a hunt because they can pick up on a prey’s scent fast.
Tracking Skills
Vizslas can diligently track the scents of wounded or elusive game trying to escape. This, coupled with a keen sense of smell, significantly increases their chances of catching prey.
Pointing Instinct
Vizslas have a natural pointing instinct. Once they have located prey, they freeze in a characteristic pose indicating the direction of the prey. This enables human hunters to quickly locate and approach the game without alerting it.
Retrieving Abilities
Vizslas have soft mouths and gentle handling abilities that enable them to retrieve and deliver prey to their human companions without causing any damage.
Stamina and Endurance
Vizslas have plenty of energy and endurance, enabling them to keep up with their human companions over long distances and varying terrains. They can also keep up with prey during a chase, which significantly increases their chances of success during a hunt.
Trainability and Versatility
To be an effective hunter, it is necessary to train your dog to hone their innate abilities. Luckily, Vizslas are highly intelligent, which makes them trainable.
Training includes helping them sharpen their already excellent hunting skills. Remember, the Vizsla has a hunting background that dates back more than a millennium. They have a built-in desire to explore their surroundings that is driven by their exceptional sense of smell.
Consider the following techniques when training them.
Positive Reinforcement Training
Vizslas require reward-based training techniques that involve treats, praise, and playtime to help foster good behavior. During training, consider using rewards to reinforce proper hunting behaviors, such as pointing, retrieving, and staying on track, to better refine their skills.
Retrieval Training
This includes employing dummy or scent-retrieving exercises during training to help refine their retrieving skills and teach them how to follow different commands, such as fetch. The good thing about this kind of training is that you will build on their naturally occurring retrieval skills.
Scent Work and Tracking Training
This includes introducing Vizslas to scent trails or hidden objects and encouraging them to follow and locate the scent source through positive reinforcement. This kind of training improves their focus and concentration on top of improving already existing abilities.
Clicker Training
Clicker training introduces distinct clicking sounds that accompany a dog’s desired behavior. This is especially good for Vizslas because it enables them to further develop their behaviors, such as steady pointing and controlled retrieval.
Once training is complete, Vizslas can comfortably adapt to different hunting scenarios and game types. Whether you are hunting birds in the uplands or small game like rabbits, Vizslas can adjust hunting styles and techniques due to their athleticism, agility, and quick thinking. Their ability to handle different terrains also makes hunting easier for them.
Ultimately, proper training for Vizslas doesn’t just make them better hunting companions, but it also enables them to fully utilize their potential and live healthy lives.
Factors to Consider Before Owning a Vizsla
Clearly, the Vizsla is a great hunting breed and will likely fit in well in most hunting parties. However, your dog won’t just be around for your hunting excursions. They’re going to be a major part of your life.
Therefore, you want a dog that can hunt but is also well-adjusted enough to fit into your day-to-day schedule. As such, there are things you need to provide for your Vizsla before you bring them home. These include the following.
Size and Space
Vizslas require sufficient space to move around comfortably. While it is possible to provide them with regular exercise even when living in an apartment, it is important to consider having them in a place where they can access a yard or another open space for exercise.
Time and Attention
Vizslas are highly affectionate dogs with no issues spending most of their time with family members. Therefore, they are prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. This could lead to destructive behaviors.
This means they are not suited for families frequently away from home for long periods. They also don’t do well with owners with limited time to dedicate to their dog’s needs.
Therefore, before owning a Vizsla, check your schedule, and determine whether you can provide the necessary companionship and attention they need.
Hunting Instincts
It’s highly likely that your Vizsla will chase small animals around, including birds or your neighbor’s cats.
Remember, they are bred for hunting and have a strong prey drive. Therefore, make sure that their surroundings won’t pose such a challenge and if it does, that you can provide appropriate outlets for their hunting instincts.
In Conclusion
Vizslas are highly intelligent dogs with a high prey drive that makes them excellent hunting companions. They have great characteristics, such as a keen sense of smell and retrieving abilities, that help them adapt to different hunting scenarios and game types.
Despite these good qualities, it is important that you socialize your dog early to foster good behavior and train them patiently and consistently to make a good hunting partner out of them.
Featured Image Credit: martine552, Pixabay
