Gun dogs are those bred and kept for the purpose of hunting. A hunting dog can come from numerous breeds, but most of them fit into one of three categories — retrievers, pointers and flushers. If you are looking to acquire a pup for this purpose, there are four kinds of gun dogs for sale that you will likely find.
Retrievers
This category includes Golden and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, as well as a variety of Labradors. As the name clearly suggests, these breeds excel in retrieving game shot by hunters and can be taught to deliver it directly to their owner’s hand, if preferred. Retrievers are exceptional at being trained to bring back the birds in their mouth in a very gentle manner without biting too hard or causing any further damage. They are also used to flush fowl from a low perch to get them into the air.Vizslas
Hungarian Vizslas are versatile hunting dogs that carry attributes from all three categories, making them one of the most popular breeds for the sport. Vizslas are ideal hunting dogs, and they also happen to be great family dogs. The Hungarian Vizsla hunting dog has roots that go as far back as the 10th century. These dogs would run alongside their masters, Magyar hunters, as they traveled by horseback. Unlike other hunting dog breeds, were kept as companion dogs of the Hungarian aristocracy. Hunting is in their bloodline, and Vizslas continue to be the perfect gun dogs for several reasons. Vizslas are great hunters because of their speed and relatively small size that allows them to trail and retrieve prey in tight spaces. The Vizsla is a well-known Pointer dog in the Sporting group. Although medium sized dogs, they are the smallest breed in the all-round pointer-retriever groups. This is advantageous because the Vizsla can retrieve fowl and game in smaller places than larger hunting breeds. They also have pointer characteristics that aid in tracking prey, such as their long tails and noses. Vizslas signal their prey's location with the signature pointer pose — raising one leg and pointing their tail and nose in their prey's direction. Vizslas are natural hunters that can be trained to be all three types of gun dogs: pointers, flushers and retrievers. They are also competent swimmers and quiet, patient hunters, only barking when necessary. Vizslas can retrieve prey in water and on land. They also have excellent noses and superior tracking abilities. A Vizsla can track birds like ducks and pheasants, stalk deer, find rabbits, and flush out various vermin. They are also known for being completely silent while stalking prey. As a trained gun dog, a Vizsla will freeze when it detects game, assume the pointer position, stay motionless as the hunter shoots, and eagerly retrieve the prey. Vizslas are also built for running. They are lean, with short hair, strong muscles, and a well-defined musculature. They have high energy and stamina, and can chase prey for hours. They need plenty of exercise and attention, and want to be close to their owners.Pointers
Pointers can include breeds such as German Shorthair and Longhair Pointers, Canadian Pointers, and English Pointers. They were bred with keen instincts and can be used to encircle a hunting space to locate fowl. They are easily identified by the way they instantly freeze upon locating a target, and extend their long and lean bodies forward, with their noses pointing towards the game. When looking for quality gun dogs for sale, you might consider this breed if you want to start the training at a very young age. They are considered versatile hunting dogs and exhibit hunting qualities at just a few months old.Spaniels
The extensive list of breeds in this group includes English Springer Spaniel, the French Spaniel, and the American Cocker Spaniel. While they, too, can point, they excel at flushing fowl aggressively from their perches into the air. As with Retrievers, Spaniels are extremely good at bringing game back to the hunter with a soft jaw to ensure an undamaged carcass. Many of the hunting qualities of each of these four types of canines can often overlap, making their distinctions rather subtle at times. When choosing between various gun dogs, personal preference can play a large part into which category you are drawn towards and which will be the best fit for you and your particular hunting style.Are Vizslas the Right Fit for You?
Every breed has characteristics that can predict compatibility with an individual’s or a family’s lifestyle. Vizslas have various characteristics that make them great hunting dogs, but there's more to consider when choosing the right companion for your situation. As avid runners, Vizslas have a lot of energy, meaning owners need to spend a significant amount of time exercising them. Vizslas love to run and are beautiful to watch, so an ideal home has a large fenced yard. A jog on a leash or a long session of catch in a dog park could be an excellent substitute as long as you can deliver the activity in daily doses. Originally bred as an active field dog, the Vizsla should have at least an hour of vigorous exercise each day. Similarly, Vizslas become attached to their owners and want to be a part of their daily lives. A Vizsla will need lots of attention and may exhibit separation anxiety when left alone. Training can help to combat this issue. The Vizsla really needs to be part of family life and not left isolated in the yard or kennel. However, these dogs will often shadow you from room to room instead of relaxing quietly, content in knowing you’re nearby. This trait appeals very much to some, but others may not appreciate a dog always underfoot. Another factor to consider is that Vizslas mature at a slower rate than other breeds, reaching adulthood at the late age of three years. While they respond well to training, a longer development period means Vizslas undergo more behavioral changes than other dogs and are prone to distraction. Maintaining their good habits requires consistent work during development. Nonetheless, these dogs are very intelligent and trainable, but they can be distracted by scents, sounds and movement during training. In situations like this, remember that this breed’s gentle temperament responds to kind, consistent direction, not a heavy-handed approach. These beautiful dogs do best in households that can give them the exercise and companionship they require. In addition, puppy classes and early exposure to other environments, pets and humans can help greatly to foster a calm, confident dog. Before adding a Vizsla to your family, ask yourself if you have the time, patience and space needed to give it the exercise it needs.Facts About Vizslas
Owning a dog comes with many wonderful benefits, including companionship, peacefulness and happiness. It also comes with great responsibility as you are the sole person to care, love, feed and maintain your dog. You have probably already done a little research on different dog breeds, and if you have determined that a Vizsla is right for you, here are a few facts about this great dog to help you ensure you're making the perfect choice:- The Vizsla breed originated in Hungary and is often known as a good and trusted hunting dog.
- Vizlas are a medium-sized dog with short hair that is considered very robust.
- Their coat is often a solid color, typically a golden-rust that comes in slight variations.
- Most Vizsla dogs prefer to be kept indoors as it does not have an undercoat to keep it warm. Since the Vizsla does not have a woolly undercoat it should not be kept outside for long periods of time because it is especially susceptible to the cold.
- The lack of an undercoat also means that the Vizsla does not cause severe allergies to humans as many dog breeds can.
- A typical Vizsla dog has lots of energy, but is also gentle, loyal and extremely affectionate.
- They rarely bark, only when necessary or as a warning when provoked.
- The Vizsla takes to training very well and should be trained gently as they can become sullen rather quickly with a hard trainer.
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Bin looking for a good pointer that will also be good around my small kids (3 and 1) Thanks for your review. I will seriously be looking into getting a Vizsla.
I have a 3.75 year old female Vizsla who is a great dog and constant companion. I live on some acreage with my own shooting range and am surrounded be an additional several hundred acres. My girl is in her element when we walk through the woods or when I’m shooting (she wears her own ear protection). She’s easily trainable and adapts quickly to routines, so much so that if I do not adhere to our routines, she reminds me. She wants to be near me ALL the time, but does well being left alone for several hours as long as I lead up to separation with our specific routine. My property isn’t fenced but she’s learned the boundaries and has never left. I don’t contain her unless we are in a public area, wherein she usually becomes the center of attention, which she loves. Great dog! Great breed!