Hungarian Vizsla temperament and training

The Hungarian Vizsla is a medium sized dog of Hungarian origins, which is traditionally used as a hunting dog, and belongs to the Pointer dog grouping. While they might sound like a rather exotic breed, the Vizsla is becoming more and more popular within the UK, and they have a lot of positive traits to recommend them as pets for active people and families with children.

They have a distinctive short red coat, medium build and noble appearance, and can fairly be called a very attractive looking dog that is totally fit for the purpose of long, active days on a hunt.

If you are considering buying a Hungarian Vizsla or wish to find out more about the breed, read on for some basic details on the temperament of the Hungarian Vizsla, and their training requirements.

Working Hungarian Vizslas

The Vizsla makes an excellent working dog for hunting, thanks to their superior scenting abilities, dedication to the task at hand, and ability to work well with people. They are obedient and intelligent, but also very tenacious and fearless when a chase is underway. They work equally well alone and in pairs, or as part of a pack or group of working dogs.

Vizslas and canine sport

Hungarian Vizslas are also becoming more and more widely recognised as good sporting dogs for canine games and activities, such as flyball, agility, obedience and heelwork. Again, their ability to work closely with their handlers, not lose their heads under pressure and respond to commands while also concentrating on the task at hand makes them versatile all-rounders with plenty of potential!

Hungarian Vizsla temperament

The Vizsla is an energetic dog that likes to spend lots of time outside, running around and scenting. They do have strong hunting instincts, so it is important to teach and reinforce the recall command with these dogs, in order to protect wild animals and smaller prey. They are not only excellent at hunting and seeking out prey, toys and people, but they are also great retrievers, and can perform either task with ease.

They are kind natured, and very loyal to their handlers, sticking closely by their sides and needing lots of love and affection to be happy. They are also rather soulful dogs with sensitive natures who will soon pick up on the mood of their handler or family, and do not respond well to fraught atmospheres or bad tempers.

Vizslas and families

The Vizsla is by nature a kindly and gentle dog, and one that does not tend to be rough or pushy with little people. They very much love their immediate family, and get on well with children, enjoying playing games with them and generally being close to them. They do not have a tendency to try to dominate children or place themselves at the top of the pack, and it is important that any children within the household are kind to the dog as well, and taught to allow them their own space.

Vizslas are laid back in temperament, and do not have a tendency to be snappy or aggressive, making them a good match for families with younger children or those that are learning about dogs.

Vizslas and other dogs

The Vizsla is used to working alongside of other dogs, and they are generally good-natured and friendly with others, provided that they are socialised properly when they are young. They do not tend to be aggressive or get into fights over dominance with other dogs, but they are by no means at the bottom of the dog pile either!

The Vizsla also likes living with other dogs, and will generally form a strong bond with any other dogs that are present within the home, treating them as part of their pack and family.

Training a Hungarian Vizsla

The Hungarian Vizsla is one of the breeds of dog that takes very well to training and possesses all of the best traits of a companion or working dog; intelligence, loyalty, an instinct for what is being asked of them, and a great willingness to please.

Positive reinforcement training is vital for the Vizsla, and they will not thrive under a negative reinforcement regime or with harsh treatment. They are sensitive souls who are never happier than when they are working with their handler, and they try really hard to please in all situations.

The Vizsla tends to pick up basic training commands when very young, and has the aptitude to retain a wide range of training commands when introduced over time. They are more than capable of following chain commands and complex commands, and tend to have excellent recall and fast responses to commands even when on the fly, which is part of what makes them such good working dogs, and so well suited to canine sports.

The Vizsla also requires plenty of exercise, and safe off the lead play. If you like to go for a long walk every day and interact with your dog playing ball or other games off the lead, a Vizsla will be very happy with you.