Boy vs Girl Vizsla

Ralphie = Boy Vizsla - 3 years old
Lucy = Girl Vizsla - 8 months old

So what's the difference?  What's the same?

Of course they look similar...smooth, silky, short red hair, cute brown nose, piercing amber eyes, and floppy ears.  Both sexes are alert hunter-minded dogs.

Taking into consideration the age difference between Ralphie and Lucy, I feel there are some obvious differences between a male Vizsla and a female Vizsla.

Vizslas are known as velcro dogs and both sexes live up to that reputation to an extent. The male Vizsla, aka Ralphie, is a leaner, clinger velcro Vizsla.  Ralphie will press and rest his heavy head on my shoulder and enjoy his connection with a human.  The female Vizsla, aka Lucy, will live up to velcro image to a point.  She needs to be near and by her humans, for example,  while chewing her bone she will be next to me, touching me, but doing her own thing.  She is not a clinger.

The female V seems more territorial than a male V.  Lucy will prance around my background on guard, very alert to her surroundings.  She will bark at sounds that she feels that I need to be aware of.  Ralphie on the other hand is a bit more laid back.  He's alert and will only bark when he feel it's absolutely needed.  In other words, a female V seems to be a bit more vocal than a male V.

Lucy seems to have more of an attitude, how can I say this, well, like a princess.  Yes, she thinks she's a princess.  She will prance around the dog park like, "hey everybody, I'm here, look at me."  And for some reason she get that type of attention from the humans.  People are attracted to her and her female attitude.   Ralphie, a low-key male, just sort of glides in the dog park, not really looking for attention, just looking for his spot to poop.

Lucy is a kisser.  She just loves to pass out her kisses to humans.  But once she decides she's done, it's over and off she goes to the next person or next activity.  Ralphie is a snuggler.  He just loves to molds up to me, no kisses needed for him.  Ralphie really seems to love hugs.  He will just stand there when I give him big hugs, well Lucy on the other hand, pulls away, not really fond of hugs.

A female V seems to be a nurturer.  Lucy will "clean" Ralphie, pamper him.  She licks his ears, nibbles his ears, licks his face.  Ralphie just lays there and enjoys.  I've never seen Ralphie reciprocate back.  Maybe he thinks this is HER job ... a little chauvinistic if you ask me.  LOL

I truly believe there is truth behind this statement, "The female Vizsla loves you and the male Vizsla is in love with you."

My masculine, laid-back boy...Ralphie

My sweet, persnickety girl, Lucy

Spaying A Vizsla

It was a difficult decision on when I should spay Lucy.  I had Ralphie neutered when he was 6 months old and sometimes wish I would of waited.  There are pros and cons on fixing your pup at different ages.  I was going to wait till she has her first heat before spaying, but I had a few concerns.

I've read about many positive things about spaying your pup at a young age (6 months):  prevents mammary tumors, reduces the risk of certain types of cancer, prevents uterine infection, Ralphie annoying her when in heat, and dog park etiquette.    Plus the timing wasn't right...I'm having out of town guests in my home for my daughter's wedding about the time she would go into heat.  That would not have been a good situation.

Lucy was spayed this past Friday.  She didn't eat or drink water all day.  Poor baby girl was miserable after surgery.  She was moaning even with the pain meds.  But she slept well through the night.  It concerned me that she didn't want to eat the next morning so I tried hand-feeding her...it worked!  She ate her whole breakfast from my hand.  By late morning she snapped back to her 'ol self.  Remarkable!  I actually took them for a nice long walk to help burn the pent up energy.  This morning she acts like she never even had surgery!  It's amazing how animals recover after surgery compared to humans.  But now I really need to watch her so she doesn't open up her stitches.  How do you keep a Vizsla calm all day??!!  I can't take her to the dog park for about a week.  She shouldn't jump and can't swim.  I guess it'll be a lot of long walks but that doesn't help those zooms.   LOL

Most of all, I am thankful all went well with her surgery and she's healthy.

Raphie missing Lucy while she was in surgery all day Friday.

Lucy after surgery.  Poor baby girl not feeling well.

Vizsla Aggression

I remember when Ralphie was a puppy and all the challenges I had as he was growing up.  He tore apart magazines, houseplants, his bedding, even my living room rattan accent chair has been chewed on.  But the one problem I never had with Ralphie was aggression.

Lucy is now 7 months old.  She plays well with Ralphie and the dogs at the dog park.  She's very sweet with humans and loves children.  Yesterday I saw a big problem...Lucy does not like my daughter's pugs.  Her hair stands up on end along her back when she's near Bubba.  Bubba is a 2 year old pug who is quite obnoxious, full of energy, playful.  Lucy growls when Bubba is near, then snaps!  Then Bubba snaps back and there you go, it's a dog fight!

I was so distraught after yesterday's visit at my daughter's house.  I came home and immediately started researching the internet why this is happening.  I read dogs are like humans, we like people but there a few we may dislike.   A dog likes and gets along with most dogs but may NOT like not like a few.  But this isn't the answer for me, as my daughter and I are a big part in our dogs' lives.  We dog-sit for each other and our pups always come with us when visiting each other.  

So why does a dog get aggressive?  This is what I read:

* She may be afraid.
* She may be stressed because her space is being violated.
* She may feel the need to dominate.
* She may be protective of me.
* She may be very curious.
* She may just be over-excited.

After reading this list I honestly don't feel it's a dominance issue, it's more like Lucy is afraid of Bubba's boisterous behavior that stresses her big time creating her aggression.  I also don't know Lucy's previous life.  I know they had a smaller dog, but other than that the previous owner did not disclose any problems.

I have no idea how to resolve this problem other than desensitizing her with small dosages of Bubba. I know I need to stop shrieking and screaming and become more firm and authoritative when this behavior starts.  I'm hoping as she gets older she will outgrow her dislike with the pugs.  I will continue to research this topic, ask my veterinarian and trainers for advice and start implemented their suggestions.  Other than that...Lucy is a very sweet puppy.