Since writing this column I have been getting great responses, my friend Vi is still the best bet when you are looking for a pet. Vi’s Corner is one of Canyon News’ most popular columns and Vi is always placing wonderful pets with equally wonderful families who are looking for an addition to their happy homes. Adopting a pet is still the best way to find one. They may not have registration papers with them, but most mutts as they call them are the happiest, healthiest, smartest and well adjusted dogs.

My friend Patricia Thorpe in New York told me about a breed of dog that I had not heard a lot about. Her friend Sue raises them and loves them. They are called "Vizslas." This is a rare sporting breed but seem to be loving, smart, active and great fun to raise. I found a breeder back East that loves these dogs as much as Sue does. Laurie was ready to talk to me when I had some questions about these dogs, eager to share her infectious love of the breed and her interest in dogs in general. Show me a pet lover and I’ll show you a good person.

The photo is of Laurie, who swears that she’s not a model, along with her beloved pooches: Nouli, Maddy, and Lexi, (Maddy’s mom). Laurie says of these three loves, "Maddy is sheer joy. If you could bundle up joy and put in a brown wrapper – that is Maddy. She has the most severe case of wiggle-butt I have ever seen. She could start an earthquake with her body action when she wags her tail. Nouli, is my first Vizsla. Nouli is my sensitive soul. He is a lover not a fighter. He is so much fun to watch. He is a clown to be sure. Nouli LOVES to jump and excelled through agility to the Master level very quickly. At over 8 years old now, I think he is competing better now than he ever did. He puts up with a lot of estrogen in the house and never complains. It is Nouli that started my passion into the breed. I never planned on breeding Nouli, just wanted to get involved in activities – and boy did we! Lexi – where to start. Her registered name including ‘Bound and Determined’ was for a reason. Lexi is one smart cookie. Where there is a will there is a way. Say no to her and she will get creative and still find a way to get what she wants. She is a great hunting dog. She taught me the concept of ‘trust your dog’ right away."

It didn’t take long for me to figure out that this is not a breed for couch potatoes. They are very active, working dogs that need to be exercised. So for those in tiny apartments or people who are not active, they would not be the breed for you. It didn’t take long to figure out why Laurie was drawn to this breed. Her explanation of them says it all. "Vizslas are considered ‘versatile’ dogs. They do just about anything given their superior intelligence and awesome physical ability. I am very active and try just about any event. My V’s do it all. Their easiness to train and their desire to please you is wonderful. They have a lot of drive. Combine the ‘doer’ in them with the unbelievable ‘snuggler’s’ that they are, and that is my perfect dog. They are the sweetest, kindest, and gentlest soles you can find. They snuggle up with you and your cares of the day somehow disappear. Play hard, snuggle hard."

Light shedders, these dogs are for those who don’t like grooming the long coated canines; though, many of my friends who have long haired dogs say that grooming is a bonding experience. My readers always ask about a breed of dog good for children. I asked Laurie about this breed and she said, "Vizslas can be wonderful family dogs. But I would caution every family to be careful when bringing a puppy into the household. The Breeder needs to have bred well for temperament dogs, and families need to make sure that their children understand and respect a puppy brought into the house. Children need to be taught and supervised on how to treat a dog brought into the house. Also, not all Breeders are diligent, and not all families are with their children either. BUT, with the right research – great!"

My final question to her was, "Why choose a Vizsas?" Her quick and insightful response was, "A lot of people come to the breed from knowing someone that has one. They fall in love and have to have one too. Vizslas are NOT for everyone and I hope they don’t ever become too popular. I try to talk people out of the breed when I interview. 'Are you SURE that this breed is right for you?' 'Do you KNOW how much work they are?' 'Do you understand that you are bringing the equivalent of a human toddler into your house for the next good number of years?' And so on. The ones that ‘stick’ are the ones that have a true understanding and appreciation for the breed. People choose a Vizsla because they want to add another soul to their life – not just a dog. They want that ‘special’ breed that they know isn’t going to be easy, but BOY is it rewarding. They give back much more than can ever be counted."

For those interested in this breed or adopting one of these gorgeous dogs. You can find Laurie by going on her website: http://www.dynatavizslas.com/