ABOUT VIZSLAS

Origin myths and stories about earlier times abound, but we know that American Vizslas got their official start in 1950 when Sari and her two pups arrived to the Tallman family in Kansas City. In the following years, they imported Rex and Sari's first American litter arrived in 1952. The Vizsla Club of America grew out of the Magyar Vizsla Club and worked to have the breed AKC recognized in 1960.  Highly determined, often opinionated, and deeply dedicated Vizsla owners across the country have worked since that time to keep Vizslas close to the breed standard in all aspects. A vizsla should be a "...natural hunter endowed with a good nose and above-average ability to take training. Lively, gentle-mannered, demonstrably affectionate and sensitive though fearless with a well developed protective instinct." 

Vizslas are amazing dogs, but they're definitely not for everyone. We highly recommend meeting as many Vizslas as you can before you bring one home. Temperament is strongly correlated with genetics, so if the parents and grandparents have personality traits you love, you're likely to enjoy them in your puppy.  

For Vizslas in our home, we look for intelligence aligned with the desire to work with and for you; for drive to work balanced with solid temperament and an off-switch; for a structure that will stand the test of time and a few antics along the way. 

You can learn more about what an ideal Vizsla is by reading the AKC Vizsla Standard. While no dog is perfect, preservationist breeders are always considering the degree to which their dogs come close to this ideal in structure, temperament, and working ability.

We recommend the following books on puppy raising and living with your dog:
Before You Get Your Puppy and After You Get Your Puppy by Ian Dunbar. Available as free PDF downloads or audiobooks from his website.  These books are easy to follow, highly practical, and will make your puppy raising experience much smoother!
The Other End of The Leash by Patricia McConnell. This book revolutionized the way we interact with our dogs by helping us better see ourselves in relation to them.

These are a few excellent breed-specific books:
The Vizsla by Bernard C. Boggs - out of print but available from used book sellers
Versitile Vizsla by Marion I. Coffman - out of print but available from used book sellers

The Vizsla Club of America has a curated list of additional books that may be helpful.