There is a saying: dogs are a man’s best friend, and for many suffering a disability, that dog is a Vizsla.
Vizslas are excellent service dogs and exceptional companions for people with disabilities. They are intelligent and easy to train, have an overall gentle disposition that contributes to their popularity as service dogs. known for their energy, loyalty, hard work, and strength, and generally healthy dogs that can live up to 12 to 15 years of age.
With so many other breeds of dogs out there, what makes the Vizsla breed so special, especially as a service dog – and why?
Why choose a Vizsla as a service dog?
Several good reasons make Vizsla the right choice of a service dog.
- As a service dog, it needs to undergo rigorous training, be taught how to behave in different situations, and respond to specific commands in assisting its companions. As one of the more intelligent dogs around, it’s able to do this. Ideally, puppyhood should induce training otherwise, a professional trainer can advise what training your dog would need.
- Vizslas are a breed known for their friendliness and loyalty. Their personalities cause them to bond quickly with their owners and shadow them wherever they go. It’s essential if they are to act as aids to their human counterparts. They are especially ideal for children with autism, as they’ll provide the constant reassurance needed during times of stress and anxiety. (venturing out into public or out into a crowd)
- Vizslas are also built for hard work. Their strength and energy are essential in helping out with your daily routine. They can be trained to carry light weights on their backs, helping those with mobility issues.
- Often people who have a physical disability require a service dog and a therapy dog. Those that train service dogs often recommend Vizslas. The dog’s intelligence and nature make them easy to train, thereby enabling them to provide their human counterparts with additional assistance.
Getting a Vizsla service dog
- The Vizsla is highly energetic and needs lots of different exercises
Even though the Vizsla makes for a good service dog, it is essentially an outdoor animal. He loves to run, play, and explore and needs to do so every day.
If you are not in a position to exercise your dog, ask a family member or friend. If this doesn’t work, try hiring a dog walker to walk your Vizsla.
- Vizslas are loving, gentle, and affectionate
If they’re not out running around or playing fetch, you’ll find them at your feet, looking up lovingly, begging to be petted. They’re a lovable, cuddly breed of dog and make great family pets.
- Vizslas are intelligent dogs
On the dog breed intelligence rankings, the Vizsla breed ranks #25. They love to listen and learn and are very impressionable. Unlike a lot of other highly intelligent dog breeds that are stubborn, they aren’t. They learn quickly and are willing to follow instructions without question.
- Vizslas, because of their intelligence, get easily bored
You need to stimulate your dog’s mental faculties, especially if you’re at home for long periods. If you don’t give your Vizsla enough attention, you’re going to have problems.
When your Vizsla gets bored, he/she may become depressed and possibly destructive towards your furniture.
Play with your Vizsla as much as possible, and consider getting your dog some mentally- stimulating dog toys and puzzles.
Differences between a Vizsla service dog and a Vizsla therapeutic dog
The service dog is trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability whereas, a therapy dog provides affection and comfort in stressful situations.
Privileges that a service dog has that a therapy dog hasn’t
- Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADC), a service animal is a dog that’s trained to do tasks for persons with disabilities. The charges must relate directly to the person’s disability.
- People with disabilities and their service dogs, protected by the ADC, have access to all public places, including restaurants, hotels, stores, and hospitals.
- Pet-friendly hotels cannot charge a guest, accompanied by a service dog, an additional fee.
- Hotels that prohibit pets cannot deny access to a guest with a service dog, nor can they segregate the guest and the service dog to substandard accommodations.
- Under ADC regulations, service dogs must be welcome in all hotels; however, if a service dog causes damage, the guest would be responsible for the breakages and repairs and could then be legally asked to leave the hotel.
Vizslas for the Disabled
A vizsla service dog is an animal trained to help improve health and educational professionals’ patients.
They’re there to help stimulate them both physically and mentally. These service dogs make excellent companions. However, you should be aware that they can be hyperactive because of the energy they have.
There are four main areas that the Vizsla service dog excels in
- Cognitive
The Vizsla can remember things about their patient that most dogs don’t.
- Relational
The very nature and disposition of the vizslas’ breed allow patients to relate to their environment and others. Its support will enable patients to feel comfortable and safe, thereby helping with the healing process.
- Emotional
The function of the service dog within the emotional area is to lend support to the situation. By providing a sense of calm, the animal acts as a vehicle allowing patients to open up about suppressed feelings and emotions and talk about issues or situations they battle with.
- Physical
Often, the rehabilitation of disabled patients requires them to move, get up, or walk. The exercises needed to regain a patient’s lost mobility are enhanced by interacting with a good service dog. The Vizslas’ gentle demeanor and nature are ideal for disability exercises.
Types of Vizsla service dogs
As an autism service dog – Because of the Vizslas’ friendly and gentle nature, they’re perfect service dogs for someone who has autism. They can be trained to recognize and gently interrupt self-harming behaviors or help de-escalate emotional meltdowns.
As a detection dog – Because of the vizslas’ fantastic sense of smell, it’s a breed used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to sniff out bombs.
Following 9/11, Vizslas were among the canine search-and-rescue teams that worked at Ground Zero.
Assisting the deaf – With the vizslas’ intelligence, calm demeanor, and ability to learn things quickly, it is often the dog of choice to help a deaf or hard hearing person. They are trained to alert their handler to different sounds, such as alarm clocks, doorbells, ringing phones, and smoke alarms.
Vizsla service dog training
Typically, when a pet owner wants their Vizsla to become a service dog, he’ll require a professional trainer’s help.
According to the American Kennel Club, it can take between six months and two years to train a service dog.
Depending on your needs and requirements, work with a professional. Adopt an animal that’s taught in that discipline.
Costs involved in training your Vizsla service dog
A well-trained Vizsla service dog doesn’t come cheap. Prices could vary anywhere between $15000 and $60000.
Some agencies and organizations offer this service.
The service dog will require a lot more training for someone who has a physical disability than someone suffering emotional discomfort.
Pros of working through an agency
- Time and energy saved in training the service dog.
- Your needs are met a lot faster than if you teach a service dog yourself.
Cons
- The cost is high
- The service dog may take some time to familiarize itself with the new surroundings as it also has to adapt to new sounds, habits, and other family members.
Training your own Vizsla to be a service dog
Some people choose to prepare their service dog instead of purchasing an already trained dog. This form of training, a few hours a day, can last at least a year.
A puppy from a reputable breeder, who breeds dogs for the service industry, will cost anywhere between $2000 and $4000.
Pros
- The cost is lower.
- Training courses and service dog certificates are available online.
- Training can start whenever you want
Cons
- Time-consuming.
- Training times you set could become inconvenient.
There are pros and cons to each method, with decisions usually based on the owner’s economic situation and need at the time.
Other roles that the Vizsla service dog has excelled in
The Vizsla has also been used successfully in many guide-dog programs.
In the summer of 2000, a Vizsla named Chartay made history by becoming the first dog ever of any breed to earn an incredible five American Kennel Club championship titles in five different disciplines.
Conclusion
Knowing that the Vizsla is incredibly loyal, lovable, and cuddly, highly intelligent, and trainable, it is very to choose it as a service dog.
Resources
https://www.goldenmeadowsretrievers.com/
https://www.rover.com/blog/12-things-might-not-know-vizslas/
