Wirehaired Vizsla or wirehaired Pointer?
Discussion
We’ve been 10 years without a dog (where does the time go?!) and it’s now time to have a puppy in our lives.
The above breeds are on our final (ish) shortlist and any advice or info from others with experience of these breeds would be appreciated.
For context, we live in the country, large old house, me & wife & 8 yr old boy, wife works from outbuilding/office, I work from my study but do go out daily (dog to sometimes come with me for company), we do have a garden Airbnb cottage so strangers will always be around, we have previously owned a Standard Poodle, Lab and Dalmatian. Being dog people without a dog but having lots of space - we have also hosted for friends Labs, GSD, Staffie, Miniature Dachshund smooth&wired, Lurcher, King Charles Spaniel, Collie, Labradoodle, Springer & probably others!
In order to keep hair to a minimum, we’ve decided on a wirehaired breed and it really has to be a working or utility breed for our lifestyle. Not that there will be any working, just very outdoors living.
One slight concern with the Pointer is that we do have few range chickens and a tortoise………
Any advice gratefully received!
The above breeds are on our final (ish) shortlist and any advice or info from others with experience of these breeds would be appreciated.
For context, we live in the country, large old house, me & wife & 8 yr old boy, wife works from outbuilding/office, I work from my study but do go out daily (dog to sometimes come with me for company), we do have a garden Airbnb cottage so strangers will always be around, we have previously owned a Standard Poodle, Lab and Dalmatian. Being dog people without a dog but having lots of space - we have also hosted for friends Labs, GSD, Staffie, Miniature Dachshund smooth&wired, Lurcher, King Charles Spaniel, Collie, Labradoodle, Springer & probably others!
In order to keep hair to a minimum, we’ve decided on a wirehaired breed and it really has to be a working or utility breed for our lifestyle. Not that there will be any working, just very outdoors living.
One slight concern with the Pointer is that we do have few range chickens and a tortoise………
Any advice gratefully received!
The pointer will most likely point at the chickens and tortoise and when he/she realises they aren’t going anywhere get bored and come back inside
Viszla is a Hungarian pointer so both very similar builds/breeds.
I’ve been told German pointers are a bit more independent.
I only have experience with Viszla’ and the two currently in the family are chalk and cheese.
One being very obedient, clever and independent. The slightly older one is a typical Velcro dog. Very trainable but still very disobedient when he wants to be
I’d be happy with either breed.
ETA - the vizslas have never caught any animals they find in the garden. They will happily point and stalk them but will run off if a bird turns around and happens to approach them
Viszla is a Hungarian pointer so both very similar builds/breeds.
I’ve been told German pointers are a bit more independent.
I only have experience with Viszla’ and the two currently in the family are chalk and cheese.
One being very obedient, clever and independent. The slightly older one is a typical Velcro dog. Very trainable but still very disobedient when he wants to be
I’d be happy with either breed.
ETA - the vizslas have never caught any animals they find in the garden. They will happily point and stalk them but will run off if a bird turns around and happens to approach them
We've had a Vizsla (not wire haired) for over 12 years, overall she's been affectionate well behaved trouble free and remarkably healthy, bit bonkers but then every dog is, a bit on the thick side...compared to our spaniels its very obvious how thick the Viz is.
One thing, normal haired Vizslas feel the cold, they have no undercoat and are literally bare skin underbelly, don't know if that might influence your decision, i'm obviously ignorant of what would be different about the coat of the wire haired.
Our Viz's bestest doggy mates were a pair of pointers who sadly moved away, she and those pointers would go tearing around like three lunatics, the pointer type dogs seem to recognise others of their ilk or maybe their doggy play is of a similar boisterous nature, she's still playful now at 13.
One thing, normal haired Vizslas feel the cold, they have no undercoat and are literally bare skin underbelly, don't know if that might influence your decision, i'm obviously ignorant of what would be different about the coat of the wire haired.
Our Viz's bestest doggy mates were a pair of pointers who sadly moved away, she and those pointers would go tearing around like three lunatics, the pointer type dogs seem to recognise others of their ilk or maybe their doggy play is of a similar boisterous nature, she's still playful now at 13.
Not wirehaired, but what about a cross of the two?!?
https://www.hoperescue.org.uk/dogs-for-adoption
(Nutmeg)
https://www.hoperescue.org.uk/dogs-for-adoption
(Nutmeg)
They are gorgeous!
However, I really want a puppy 8-10 weeks old and from a breeder that has already started training. I like very well trained dogs and in our situation, that’s critical.
Some people have great success training slightly older rescues dogs of course, but I don’t want to take that chance.
My wife’s Lab was a young rescue and brilliant though she was - her bloody recall was atrocious! 😂
We need a dog that will be good in the office with my wife working, clients visiting, client site visits with me, Airbnb guests coming and going etc and I just think that’s going to be a lot easier with a young pup.
However, I really want a puppy 8-10 weeks old and from a breeder that has already started training. I like very well trained dogs and in our situation, that’s critical.
Some people have great success training slightly older rescues dogs of course, but I don’t want to take that chance.
My wife’s Lab was a young rescue and brilliant though she was - her bloody recall was atrocious! 😂
We need a dog that will be good in the office with my wife working, clients visiting, client site visits with me, Airbnb guests coming and going etc and I just think that’s going to be a lot easier with a young pup.
We've got a French Pointer - Braque d'Auvergne - and he's a very soft natured dog.
As he's only 2, he's still a bit bouncy but he's good to train and responds well to being worked and excercised, especially his brain.
Once you've got through the "I'm not listening to you as I need to go and chase that bird in the hedge" phase with well directed calls, whistle and duck call they really come into their own and will do anything to please.
Although it takes a while to get any pointer to do what you want as they're quite head strong (Or maybe it's just because he's French lol) Once they know the rules it should be fine though. Just depends how much training you want to put in.
As he's only 2, he's still a bit bouncy but he's good to train and responds well to being worked and excercised, especially his brain.
Once you've got through the "I'm not listening to you as I need to go and chase that bird in the hedge" phase with well directed calls, whistle and duck call they really come into their own and will do anything to please.
Although it takes a while to get any pointer to do what you want as they're quite head strong (Or maybe it's just because he's French lol) Once they know the rules it should be fine though. Just depends how much training you want to put in.
They are gorgeous looking breeds but either would be far too much dog for me and I've got a brace of spaniels
I think the consensus in the gun dog community is these are for very experienced handlers looking for a challenge after success with the easier breeds.
In addition, the best working lines are on the continent where these dogs do the traditional role which is hunitng pointing and retrieving over ground where game is much sparser than the UK (where we release game). They are required to cover a much wider area than a spaniel and consequently can be independent minded, even more athletic and have high prey drive. They are quite slow maturing.
It's lovely to see unusual breeds about when shooting but I've never seen any HPR type as well trained as half the labs I see (and only about 10% of the labs are really good). I've seen some decent Lab x HPR crosses but they were very big.
If you are committed (and I word advisedly) to these breeds then you need to do some very careful research about the trainability and temperament of the lines you are investigating. If you know anyone who breeds them or trains them for working that will be a good start. You'll need to put in an enormous amount of hard work in and you'll need a very big slice of luck as their breed characteristics seem to put them on the edge of difficulty.
Put simply if you do your homework and put the work in you'd be unlucky to have a terrible labrador. If you do the same with an HPR you need have have a big slice of luck to have a good one.
I think the consensus in the gun dog community is these are for very experienced handlers looking for a challenge after success with the easier breeds.
In addition, the best working lines are on the continent where these dogs do the traditional role which is hunitng pointing and retrieving over ground where game is much sparser than the UK (where we release game). They are required to cover a much wider area than a spaniel and consequently can be independent minded, even more athletic and have high prey drive. They are quite slow maturing.
It's lovely to see unusual breeds about when shooting but I've never seen any HPR type as well trained as half the labs I see (and only about 10% of the labs are really good). I've seen some decent Lab x HPR crosses but they were very big.
If you are committed (and I word advisedly) to these breeds then you need to do some very careful research about the trainability and temperament of the lines you are investigating. If you know anyone who breeds them or trains them for working that will be a good start. You'll need to put in an enormous amount of hard work in and you'll need a very big slice of luck as their breed characteristics seem to put them on the edge of difficulty.
Put simply if you do your homework and put the work in you'd be unlucky to have a terrible labrador. If you do the same with an HPR you need have have a big slice of luck to have a good one.
We have 2 WHV's. One we had from a Pup (Oscar) and one we got as a rescue from Hungary at 1yr old (Mouse).
They don't really ever grow up and the term Velcro Dog is extremely apt for them. They love human company and want to be with you all the time (even when you go to the loo). As a pup they go through the most awful 'Baby Shark' phase and around 18 months go through a completely stubborn phase where they are testing the boundaries.
However they are brilliant family pets. They do have a strong prey instinct though so best to get a pup to go alongside your chickens so they are socialised properly together.
So if you can work around the velcro part then I'd whole heartedly recommend the breed, although I am biased in this regard !
Oscar looks like this
And sometimes like this
And Mouse is a proper cutie
But sometimes very derpy
Apologies for spamming with pictures !
They don't really ever grow up and the term Velcro Dog is extremely apt for them. They love human company and want to be with you all the time (even when you go to the loo). As a pup they go through the most awful 'Baby Shark' phase and around 18 months go through a completely stubborn phase where they are testing the boundaries.
However they are brilliant family pets. They do have a strong prey instinct though so best to get a pup to go alongside your chickens so they are socialised properly together.
So if you can work around the velcro part then I'd whole heartedly recommend the breed, although I am biased in this regard !
Oscar looks like this
And sometimes like this
And Mouse is a proper cutie
But sometimes very derpy
Apologies for spamming with pictures !
Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area said:
You say that you’ve looked after a Springer - have you considered owning one? People will tell you they’re mad but it’s not true in my experience of owning two of them. They’re also great with people of any age and don’t shed hair as a rule.
We both like these, my wife probably more than me. We’ve looked after 6 different Springers and they seem to fall into three different camps - soft & pretty calm, soft & ‘cat-like’ bonkers and mostly soft but with occasional aggressive for no obvious reason episodes…..I suspect this is just a breeding issue as both of these dogs went on to develop dementia type issues and were ultimately put to sleep.My wife would definitely be happy with a couple of springers but I think I’d prefer bigger dogs again.
Dal3D said:
We've got a French Pointer - Braque d'Auvergne - and he's a very soft natured dog.
As he's only 2, he's still a bit bouncy but he's good to train and responds well to being worked and excercised, especially his brain.
Once you've got through the "I'm not listening to you as I need to go and chase that bird in the hedge" phase with well directed calls, whistle and duck call they really come into their own and will do anything to please.
Although it takes a while to get any pointer to do what you want as they're quite head strong (Or maybe it's just because he's French lol) Once they know the rules it should be fine though. Just depends how much training you want to put in.
Interesting, thanks! As he's only 2, he's still a bit bouncy but he's good to train and responds well to being worked and excercised, especially his brain.
Once you've got through the "I'm not listening to you as I need to go and chase that bird in the hedge" phase with well directed calls, whistle and duck call they really come into their own and will do anything to please.
Although it takes a while to get any pointer to do what you want as they're quite head strong (Or maybe it's just because he's French lol) Once they know the rules it should be fine though. Just depends how much training you want to put in.
I’d thought of English Pointers too as a friend had a pair. I didn’t know about the French variety. I imagine they are quite rare here?!
yellowtang said:
Interesting, thanks!
I’d thought of English Pointers too as a friend had a pair. I didn’t know about the French variety. I imagine they are quite rare here?!
Yes, very. OH is French and saw them at Discover Dogs at crufts and fell in love. We then went to France in 2021 and collected ours from a world champion breeder near Cognac.I’d thought of English Pointers too as a friend had a pair. I didn’t know about the French variety. I imagine they are quite rare here?!
Snoopy then went to the Discover Dogs at Crufts last year as a breed representative! Breeder was chuffed one of his dogs made it to crufts even though not competing lol (on import register only with Kennel Club just now)
He'll be representing again this year as he loves it getting all the attention!
yellowtang said:
Juice - thank you for the great post! My wife is now absolutely sold 
Unfortunately my wife’s friend breeds the smooth haired Vizsla and I’m rather set on a wirehaired dog.
Another point to mention, we will add a 2nd dog 1-2 years later.
Join this group, you'll know first-hand about any litters coming upUnfortunately my wife’s friend breeds the smooth haired Vizsla and I’m rather set on a wirehaired dog.
Another point to mention, we will add a 2nd dog 1-2 years later.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/HWVsocialgroup
Good luck in your search (whichever breed you choose !)
We have a 2yo German Wire Haired Pointer. Looking back, this was a big leap into the unknown, as we had no experience with this breed or similar (only terriers / labs previously) and I can't say that he isn't a handful at times.
Thankfully we live very rural, so plenty of fields to run about in (and animals to chase) and looking back, I wish I had spent much more time training him, rather than just exercising him. They are highly intelligent dogs, but they are also incredibly prey driven. In my experience their prey drive overides all other commands / treats so can be potentially dangerous.
He can cover ground like nothing, literally crossing fields in a matter of seconds. Clearly bred, to cover a large expanse of ground and varying terrain - it is impressive to watch him do his thing naturally.
Apart from the above, he is my absolute best mate. We go hiking in the lake district, wild camping, and trail running. And after a heart stopping chase of a deer / fox, can't wait to throw himself up side down on the sofa. They are utterly bonkers and also incredibly affectionate.
Best of luck to whichever you choose, but give them your all as they deserve it!
Thankfully we live very rural, so plenty of fields to run about in (and animals to chase) and looking back, I wish I had spent much more time training him, rather than just exercising him. They are highly intelligent dogs, but they are also incredibly prey driven. In my experience their prey drive overides all other commands / treats so can be potentially dangerous.
He can cover ground like nothing, literally crossing fields in a matter of seconds. Clearly bred, to cover a large expanse of ground and varying terrain - it is impressive to watch him do his thing naturally.
Apart from the above, he is my absolute best mate. We go hiking in the lake district, wild camping, and trail running. And after a heart stopping chase of a deer / fox, can't wait to throw himself up side down on the sofa. They are utterly bonkers and also incredibly affectionate.
Best of luck to whichever you choose, but give them your all as they deserve it!
juice said:
Join this group, you'll know first-hand about any litters coming up
https://www.facebook.com/groups/HWVsocialgroup
Good luck in your search (whichever breed you choose !)
Thank you - my wife has requested to join. https://www.facebook.com/groups/HWVsocialgroup
Good luck in your search (whichever breed you choose !)
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