Hello , I am new to this site and I’m looking for some advice from owners of Vizslas . We are a family of 5 with children aged 8,11 and 14yrs . We are a busy active family who enjoy the outdoors . A friend has suggested a Vizsla could be a good breed for our first dog . We have researched and it does sound like a good family dog for first time owners but I would like to hear from owners rather than just reading info on the internet . My main concern is how little time it suggests that they can be left alone for . I work 3 days a week and my husband is full time . I would get a dog walker to come in at lunchtime so essentially once the dog is old enough it would be left for roughly 3 and half hours . Is this too long ? We also have a cat . Can this breed get along / live alongside cats ? Many thanks for any help/ suggestions .

You won't be able to use a dog walker with a young puppy, not till the puppy is 12+ months old and can be exercised that long.  Plus not all dogs are suitable for going out with a dog walker, and dog walkers can be a bad idea for many dogs - especially during adolescence. 

There was a time once, when if you didn't have time for a dog, you didn't have a dog.  Unfortunately today's society believes they should be able to have it all - dogs, kids, and work full time.  Inevitably it's the dog who suffers.  (Ok, I know you work 3 days a week, but that is still full time on those 3 days, presumably...).

Not for nothing are Vizslas called 'velcro dogs'...

Which type of Vizsla ? Wirehaired or smooth. There is a definite difference in character & temperament between dogs with different coat types.

Being a HPR all Vizslas are quite high drive & need lots of quality training from day one

Thank you for your feedback It’s a smooth haired vizsla we are considering .

The short haired Vizslas are high maintenance. A client of mine considered one but opted for a Labrador as their 1st dog and they have said since they are very glad because learning everything with a Lab is far easier than a Vizzie. They need a LOT of mental stimulation and not a breed to be shut into a crate all day and let out for a good walk day in day out.
Until they are a year old exercise needs to be restricted.
I would suggest gundog training on top of general obedience classes would pay dividends as well.
The wires are imo more laid back and less highly strung. As a 1st time dog i wouldn't consider nor recommend a Vizsla

Many thanks . I think we may rethink what the  best breed for our family could be since we have no previous experience. The breeder that we visited was really helpful but something is stopping me from committing to it . Maybe it’s the breed or maybe it’s just not the right time yet . I think it’s hard to find a family where someone is at home all day so I think we need to have a dog which isn’t so “Velcro “ like . I’m sure we can still have a dog but it’s finding the right one for us .

Dont forget any dog regardless of breed  when young will need someone around for house training for a good.few months not getting basic training and  company . Also pups need 3 or 4 meals a day for.the for few months . It isn't really so much about the velcro breeds   all dogs need a lot of attention especially in the.first year so ues it's hard when no one is available ..although some beeds are more independent of us than others .

As adults I leave mine for up to 4 hours when needed
As.for the cat most breeds are fine with cats if brought up with them . It is a matter of training the dog not.the cat . But being aware those with higher prey drive may need more training and not to assume anyone e else's cats are safe around  the dog.ive had different breeds and always had cats but still keep a weather eye out for any attempt.at chasing

That should have said  not forgetting training and company

Why can you not have a dog walker with a youngster? They don't have to walk them miles many come in to let pup out or play with them which I think OP was meaning.

Yes, a dog walker doesn't need to actually walk the dogs.  It can be a bit of a catch-all term.  There are pet sitters too who will often include short visits in their available services.  I do occasionally; this weekend I've got one booked in for a lunchtime walk, and then I'm going back for an hour's play and company at home in the evening.

All that said; if you are working full time as well as your husband, on the days you are both out, I'd reconsider getting a young pup.  They need company and they need time to adjust to being alone for extended periods, as they aren't built for that for quite a while.  If you could find a pet sitter who could stay for several hours it might work, or even a good daycare to look after pup while you're both out could work well.  It would have to be a good one though, one that knows the importance of rest as well as play for growing bones, one that will continue what steps you've put in place to act as an aid to your training rather than a break from it.

Home from home daycare is the only option as the warehouse ones aren't suitable for young pups.
I do puppy visits and they are 1/2hr as baby pups will be tired upon me leaving and do a number during the day for them. They do add up in monetary value but it makes it easier for the pup as they will get suitable time to rest

As others have said Vislas are big high maintenence dogs. In my experience  they are not as biddable as some other Gundogs. Of course I am biased,lol, but perhaps a Springer Spaniel or Lab would be a better choice, especially as this is your first dog. They are tough breeds and when adult can go all day. A Springer would be easier for the kids to take for walks and are renowned for their great temperaments, intelligence and high energy.

I dont think 3 1/2 hours, 3 days a week absence is a problem. Get the timing right before you leave so that pup has been playing and running about after being fed  and is ready to sleep..so he will have poo'd and be tired out when you go. He will sleep for a couple of hours at least anyway. I recommend a  crate so pup and your house is safe while you are out. Get one that will fit him as an adult. Always feed him in it so he associates it with lovely grub. Have a cosy bed inside (vet bedding inside a cardboard box to begin with) and newspaper on the rest and a heavy bowl with fresh water . Leave the door open (except for work time nap) when youre home.  Get into a routine so that he is always fed, played with/walked and then crated at the same time EVERY day, whether you are working or not. He will learn to nap at that time. Though on non working days you can let him out when he wakes up. But you have to be consistant.

Most of us have to go out occaisonally without our dogs...shopping, hairdresser, evenings out, hospital appointments. :-)

Thank you Jackie , that’s a lot of really useful information you have given me ! I appreciate the time you have taken to write that down . It’s helpful to hear from owners rather than just reading from a book / internet . I will look into a Springer Spaniel . On the dog walker note , I did think it was possible for someone to pop in and see the puppy and take for a short walk rather than waiting until it was a year or more . My mum has offered to help out too . Hopefully we can make it work but we aren’t rushing into it . Friends who have dogs have told me how great it is to have one but they are very tying . Day trips need to be planned and dog sitters organised etc ! Thanks for all the replies .

I would not recommend a working springer spaniel unless you specifically want to work the dog and are prepared to put a lot of time into training outdoors.

Do read this article which Pippa Mattinson of the Gundog Club wrote, after seeing the huge number of springers ending up in rescue from pet homes: https://totallygundogs.com/the-trouble-with-springers-part-four/

Thanks onetwothreefour !! What a lot to think about . Definitely won’t be getting a working Springer spaniel . I keep reading and reading about all sorts of breeds - they each have have positives and negatives to consider . I will keep searching and speaking to people to come up with a breed that will suit us .

I just said this on another thread, but it would be worth going to Discover Dogs in a couple of months - where you can meet representatives of all the breeds and talk to their owners:  https://www.discoverdogs.org.uk

Unfortunately London is a long way from us ( North of Scotland ) but it certainly looks like a great place to go and learn about dogs . Thank you

Is Birmingham any better ? .I know it's still a long way but discover dogs is at crufts in March @ nec

You're welcome Pamster. Its so good to see those new to dog ownership taking so much care and doing so much research, I'm sure whatever breed you choose you will be great owners.
My very first pedigree dog happened to be a working bred Springer puppy from parents that worked in the field but lived in the home and had calm temperaments. Many working Springers are kennelled, and most sporting dogs of any breed that are kennelled and only let out for daily exersise will be much more lively and hard to train and control. Mine was delightful, easy to train and at age 5 accepted and adored our newborn baby. Perhaps I was lucky, I had minimal experience then but I kept her busy with agility in the garden, learning tricks and playing games...hide the bone and find it..all sorts of fun things.
Whatever you choose make sure that both parents have been tested for all that particular breeds' hereditary problems and have excellent results.
Get the best insurance you can afford, the breeder should supply 6 weeks free insurance anyway.
There is a Championship Dog Show in Edinburgh 23/24 August ( I think you said you were in Scotland) and many excellent examples of the majority of different breeds will be there. Most exhibitors will be happy to chat about their breeds when they're not preparing a dog for a class.