Thinking of getting a HWV - feedback? Questions

Hi,

I've got a 3 year old male slovakian rough haired pointer called Grey. I'm mulling over the idea of getting a female HWV. I'd like something steadier than a slovak to compliment him. Have made some enquiries and have found a couple of good breeders. Unlike slovaks there might be a waiting list for the good breeders. I had initally started looking for a rehome/rescue adult one, but thankfully for the breed, they rarely turn up in rescue.

Anyone got any feedback or suggestions?

Lou

I know someone who has one from a breeder called Ragnolds. They have a good website and the breeder knows about weimeramers too.
Grace is a stunning wirehaired vizla and if I ever ger one It will be from there as, like you I cannot find one in rescue.

Hi Lou

I think the two breeds would compliment each other very well with similar activity levels, etc.

However, it is worth considering that knowing what Slovaks are like, having two breeds with a similar disposition isn't always recommended. From my perspective with Bo being the way she is (very excitable, tons of energy) at this point it time it would be a massive mistake to add a dog of a very similar breed to the household. I could imagine them tearing through the house, causing trouble on walks by engaging with each other and ignoring me, etc. Yes these things could be rectified with training but you know as well as I do it takes time and a lot of work.

All that said, I don't know what stage you are at now with Grey. Maybe he isn't as much of a pain in the bum as Bo is now.

I love HWV's but haven't been around enough of them to really get a proper idea of what they are like. They are supposed to be calmer than their smooth haired cousins (this appears to be true just based on observation). I don't know if I'd call most of the dogs in the HPR group as 'steady' though. If you are looking for an overall 'easier' dog than Grey, then looking away from the HPR group might be an idea.

Some of the retrievers, pastoral, working and terrier breeds all come to mind as being 'well matched' & a bit easier dogs overall than the Slovak.

Thanks guys! Grey has really settled down loads in last 6 months (you'll be glad to hear that Labradork!) I've been speaking to Leiborschy HWVs and they seem out of the HPRs to be the best of the lot suited to pet homes. Much more connected to their owners and ranging less. I agree that I don't want to upset the apple cart in terms of undoing all the work I've done with Grey, so will be thinking very carefully. But I think a steadier HPR might fit well. Grey isn't very active at home and hasn't been destructive. I had thought of taking on a rescue 4 year old ex breeding bitch slovak from a breeder who is shutting down, but I don't think it fair to ask such a large amount of money for a dog that will need to be taught how to live in doors and is 4 years old. To be honest I'm surprised asking any money at all given they are rehomes. It's heartbreaking to see dogs treated as money making machines like this. But that's another story.

Is it the kennels that also breeds GSP's and GWP's which is closing down? Related to spectacles...?

I've been around quite alot of HV's and HWV's lately (seem to be very popular with HPR folk) and, although beautiful dogs, they wouldnt be for me. I find them to be far too clingy, very sensitive, very whiney and whingey and I dont think I could cope with one. The wiry ones do tend to be a bit more 'sensible' than the smooth ones who seem to be very giddy and silly. I'm also not a fan of how much the coat texture differs.

Cwsscwn, based in South Yorks, are very good breeders of HWV's.

PM'd you...

Hi Leanne,

yes, that's the one. Down to 8 dogs from 18 last week. There is a young slovak pup there who was returned following health issues and was being re-advertised for sale along with his mum.

I think the same re some standard Vizzies in terms of perhaps not suitable to mix in with Grey. I also think I've seen some poor Weims around too. Very skittish. Bumped into a young 6 month old weim last night who was being walked and was cowering with tail tucked. But doesn't get to do any offlead exercise and was bought for his looks not for temperament.

I don't think I'll mind the coat variation as I have a far too hairy slovak anyway, and am used to it.

Yep not for me either, my little sister has one - noisey in the house but quiet in the field, being sensitive is not always a good thing at all IMO and he's either totally mad or fast asleep nothing inbetween vizslas are not always the easiest dogs.

Leanne I will send you a pm in a second.

Are you mad?!

I think HWV are a great breed in all seriousness, I've just ended up with freakier end of the scale! They are very sensitive so early socialisation is an absolute must as they can be a little nervous. Training is very easy in comparison to other HPRs due to their sensitive nature, Oscar is very steady and doesn't range too far from me. I know that if he gets wind of something he'll point it rather than give chase. Temperament wise they LOVE their family and if Oscar had his way he'd be permanently attatched to my side. Left with Isla he copes ok, alone he doesn't cope well at all but that may well be partly because he's never been left alone much.

Health wise the main issues are itchy skin and ear infections, there may be a possibility that a genetic brain disorder known in smooth Vizslas (can't remember the name of it!) is beginning to appear in the odd Wire. Testing wise I'd always make sure the hips have been scored, thankfully most breeders do test so the BMS is coming down.

Coat wise I'd recommend avoiding breeders like Csswyn (sp) as they breed purely for the show ring and their dogs have the incorrect light coloured soft coat. As lovely as the lighter dogs look the coat is incorrect and will not protect the dog from the weather which was, afterall, the whole point of creating the breed. I would personally go for a kennel that works and shows to ensure the dog are still fit for function.

Any questions just ask, I owe you a favour after my Slovak incident!

Yep

Being truthful some gundog trainers (expirenced with the breed and other breeds) see them as hard dogs to train - if they don't want to do something they won't (though they are all slightly different so can't really say but thats what others have said). Tho I can't really speak for the wires.

No it's not they only have WHV(well they have a single dog of another breed, but only breed HWV) They are not a kennels as such as all the dogs live in the house BTW-a dog bred by them won the first CC for the breed in the UK & they are very "sensible"dogs with lovely temperaments.

BTW I know them personally

Leiborschy ?????? I don't think so

They are talking about another breeder, nothing to do with HWV's. ;-)

LOLOL Having reread the posts I see where the confusion arose

I know of a Cwsscwn dog which does work so some at least are going to working homes. I know what you mean about the lighter, softer coat though because his is exactly like this. Gonegos seems to be a name which crops up regularly in working circles and they appear to have a more correct coat.

Phew! Glad there is no confusion over what the thread was on about!

To be honest, I'm pretty lazy with training. I don't really expect my dog to be able to do anything in particular. As long as he's happy and stimulated enough we're good. We get out into good places, have a go at finding stuff and run some recalls. But essentially I wouldn't be worried about it not 'working' for me. As long as it is a nice dog, gets on with other dogs, and comes back, we're more or less done!

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I have a Cwsscwn dog and she does have the darker more wirey coat but we've seen a picture of her brother and he's like a different breed! Really light and shaggy...
Anyway, Sika is a great dog to own, but very much agree with the sensitive/clingy part, she is certainly that and she does tend towards itchy skin if we're not careful.
I disagree that they are hard to train, once you have figured out what makes the dog tick and HOW to teach your dog any particular thing (as with any dog I'd think) they are easy to train, they love to please. Sika never goes too far away from us, loves kids, people and isn't bothered about other dogs on walks but plays happily if she's told she can. She doesn't tolerate nonsense from other dogs but isn't nasty, just keeps them in their place if they are pushing their luck. She will walk all day if we want her to or sleep happily in the house. I think we will most likely have another wire at some point, not sure which kennels, I have spoken to Rose at Miadsc and she is lovely. Lieborschy are another kennel I have looked at. Gonegos too. Have a look at the HWV society website

There are a few HWV in Working Trials, one is in ticket and another two are on their way, Starshot kennels. I prefer them to the smooths, they appear on the surface to be less sensitive than them.

I haven't competed but I do obedience training with Sika and I'd say she has got real potential, if I had more time to bring her on! She learns quickly when I suss out the best way to teach her something and really enjoys the training process and LOVES getting things 'right' I have done a bit of gundog training with her too which she enjoys as well. Good all rounders.