Growing up Vizsla in SF Bay Area

Uploaded by juditzsemberovszky19 on Dec 27, 2011

Family of Hungarian Vizslas growing up in Bay Area. Days of their life

 Great You Tube Video.

Junior Hunter Naturally

Belle and her dad Bailey last year 

"Dear Rod, I can't thank you enough for the vote of confidence you gave me to work my own dog. Flat out didn't think I was capable. And now, I want to do more. Our Belle has turned on her "lights" about birds, and she may never have known the pleasure of the experience, had it not been for your "try it, you may like it."

The greatest pleasure, besides pride in her efforts, is watching her natural ability out in the field, Coupled with the grace and style that Vizslas possess. Well it was a wonderful day, out in the field. Thanks again for your quiet support. One more pass for her Junior hunter title, and she is on her way.

I encourage anyone out there, to just try it. It may or may not be for you, but your dog will thank you all the way home." - Julie

RBD note:  Julie has owned and bred Vizslas since the early 70's.  Belle will be her first Junior Hunter.  Bailey and I are proud of both of them.  Belle has had NO formal training.  It truly is all natural ability.  She was a joy to watch.

Bailey Senior Hunt pass, Belle Junior Hunt pass

The Biology of White Markings

"AKG, from my (admittedly somewhat limited) understanding of dog coat genetics, the white marks frequently seen on Vizsla chests and toes is not something being thrown in from pointers, and is not necessarily hereditary. The presence of these marks is due to incomplete migration of melanocytes during development. This is why you can have pups born with white marks on the chest, even though the dam, sire, and previous generations won't have had the white marks.

Biology time (I'm a molecular biologist--bear with me)! Melanocytes, which are cells that produce pigment (such as the baguette/golden rust/whatever you want color of our Vs), migrate from the neural crest during embryonic development. The neural crest is basically a precursor to the spinal cord. The cells have to migrate the farthest to reach places like the chest or the toes (those aren't formed yet, but the tissue that will become those structures is). Sometimes during development there is a delay--maybe the mom got a tiny cold, something that wasn't even symptomatic. Maybe something stressed her and her developing pups. Maybe one developing pup was in a weird, less-than-ideal spot in the womb, while the others were unaffected. Or there could be some other reason that scientists and breeders have not yet elucidated. But for whatever reason, the migration might be delayed, resulting in some areas of the developing dog that lack melanocytes, and thus lack pigmentation in their fur that grows from that area. At a certain point in development, if the tissue lacks melanocytes, it will lack them forever, so if migration was delayed and the cells never got there...boom. White. This is why you often see those white spots on the chest and/or toes. Whether or not the rate of melanocyte migration is hereditary remains to be seen. 

Chloe has a bit of white on her chest

For now, these marks are considered incidental, which is why a small amount is permissible on the chest and/or toes in the conformation ring. The marks have no influence on other qualities of the dog, such as sound body structure, trainability, eagerness, temperament, and/or hunting ability, and so they would not be a limiting factor in the field."

Generously allowed to be posted to RBD by a fellow member of the Hungarian Vizlsa Forum who goes by Redrover.  Thanks.

In This Corner... Intact Male Vizslas

In this corner, 
1 year - 4 months old, 
weighing in at 61 pounds,
 24" to top of the shoulders.....
Intact male Hungarian Pointer.............TOBI













    In this corner, 
4 years - 2 months old, 
weighing in at 60 pounds,
 23.5 inches to top of shoulders....
intact male Hungarian Pointer........BAILEY





Bailey and Tobi have been going on walks in the hills now for six months from time to time.  Tobi's owners are first time dog people and are really great with their dog.

About a month ago, on our walks, I started noticing Tobi starting to "test" Bailey.  It was the little things an intact male will do to test his new "doghood".  I told the owners that one day the two dogs would have to work it out.   This type of behavior repeated itself over maybe five walks.

Two weeks ago, on a walk in the hills with Chloe and another female Vizsla, it was the day.  I could almost tell from the start that it would be this morning that the testosterone would kick in and things would be settled.  I mentioned this to Tobi's owner as the walk began.

After a great 90 minute walk in the Sunol Regional Park it was "put up or shut up" time between Bailey and Tobi.

I'll let Tobi's owner explain: ( I had asked her to put it in her words)

" In regards to Tobi and Bailey “working it out”…

I had noticed the challenge brewing over the past few walks, so even though you’re never totally prepared, I was sort of waiting for it to happen. I know that Tobi had been challenging Bailey…waiving the stick in front of him and trying to assert his strength. To be honest, I was still worried, but having walked with you and Bailey countless times gave me confidence that Bailey would show Tobi (still the puppy) his place and then back off; not “go in for the kill” so to speak. That is why I did not feel the need to step in. You and I may differ slightly on our opinion of this, but I probably would’ve reacted differently had it been a dog and/or owner that I don’t know. I don’t think I would have been comfortable, or felt the need, to let Tobi work it out with a strange dog. That being said, it was over rather quickly and Bailey backed off as soon as Tobi whimpered…and then they went on their way. Do I trust that all dogs would back off? Unfortunately, no. So I would still be somewhat protective of my dog in an unknown situation."

Just walked with Tobi, Chloe and Bailey last night.  First time since.  The boys were fine.  NO posturing or testing.  Just a pack of Hungarian Pointers enjoying the hills on an off-leash walk.

Ain't nature great!