The Complete Guide to Vizsla Service Dogs and How They are Disrupting the Assistance Dog World

This post is intended to outline the history and unique traits that make Vizsla service dogs the perfect breed for the job.  

What is a Vizsla? A Brief History of the Breed and How They Differ From Other Dogs?

A Vizsla is a Hungarian breed of dog that’s ancestors were bred by the people of the Magyar tribes. The earliest settlements of these people date back to the 4th millennium BC or around the start of the bronze age. They were strong hunters and falconers, so Vizslas were bred to be intelligent, loyal, and hard-working companions. In addition, they are scent hounds, meaning they use their exceptional sense of smell to track down prey. They are also brilliant and take to training very quickly. 

They are a pointer-retriever breed, and due to centuries of working closely with people as bird dogs/gun dogs, they have evolved to sense the emotions of humans. They have been affectionately called “Velcro Vizslas” because of their heightened attachment to their owners. It is not uncommon for Vizslas to suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone for too long.

For centuries the breed has been popular in Hungary and is still one of the most popular. Vizslas are excellent service dogs for people with disabilities or ailments that require assistance from a dog, such as blindness or diabetes. Next, we’ll look closely at how their unique breeding shaped the breed and what makes Vizslas unique.

How Have Their Ancestors shaped Vizslas, And What Makes Them Unique?

The ancestors of the Hungarian Vizsla were bred to be sporting machines. Vizslas today have changed very little. They are lean and muscular, fast, yet medium-sized and lightweight. They have a fantastic sense of smell, are mild-tempered, and are very smart.

Centuries of working closely with people in dynamic situations have given Vizslas impressive intelligence. They pay attention to the eyes and mood of people more than other dog breeds and always want to please their owners.

Because of their lean build and evolutionary history of working with hunters and equestrians, Vizslas have a lot of energy. However, they are bred to have explosive power at a moment’s notice, and as a result, they require 1-2 hours of off-leash exercise every day, or they will become anxious and .hyperactive.

What Is a Service Dog?

Service dogs are a type of assistance dog specifically trained to help individuals with disabilities, such as blindness and muscular dystrophy. In addition, some are qualified for epilepsy and PTSD, and others for autism.

Service dogs can be trained to perform tasks that the person cannot do for themselves, such as picking up dropped objects, opening doors, alerting others to a medical emergency, detecting danger, or navigating.

A service dog is not a pet. Instead, it is an animal specially trained to help people with disabilities or other medical conditions live more independently. Service dogs are highly skilled, well-trained animals that provide specific services for their owners.

In many ways, the role of service dogs today mirrors the role Vizslas have played for centuries.

What Kind of Training Is Required To Work As A Vizsla Service Dog?

The training required for service dogs will depend entirely on the type of disability for which it is being trained. According to Jen Karetnick with the American Kennel Club, in 2016, the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans created “CGC Plus,” a minimum standard for training and behavior for the service dogs their members provide to veterans. Unfortunately, although service animal trainers adhere to an incredibly high standard for dogs they pass through their training, there are no additional regulations or standards that must legally be met for service dog training. Except for some states with laws stating a service animal must be trained by an accredited trainer.

Professional trainers usually train service dogs. Training can take anywhere from 18 months to 2 years and typically costs $20,000-$25,000.

Why You Should Consider a Vizsla Service Dog

Service dogs must be calm in crowded spaces, be willing to please, learn quickly, be dependable, and perform repetitive tasks. The Vizsla has all of those qualities and more.

Several dog breeds make great service dogs, but only some are as equipped as the Vizsla. They have been service dogs, taking care of people, for as long as their history shows.

How to Apply For Your Dog to be a Service Dog

The first step to applying for your dog to be a service dog is to find out if your dog is a good candidate. If you take your dog everywhere, you can start by observing them around other dogs and people. If they are good with other dogs and people, that’s a great sign that they would make a great service animal.

You should also find out if your state has specific training or certification requirements to become a service animal. For example, many states require some certification from an accredited organization before the state will allow the animal into public spaces or on school grounds.

A few states do not require any formal training for service animals. Still, many need to be “individually trained as working animals” before being allowed in public spaces or on school grounds.