Four paws, endless affection, a little bit of attitude, and absolutely no respect for the chain of command. If you have never lived with a Vizsla, let me introduce you to a breed that appears to have been designed by someone who thought ordinary dogs simply weren’t demanding enough: imagine a dog with the elegance of a supermodel, the athletic ability of an Olympic athlete, the emotional sensitivity of a Victorian poet, and the personal space requirements of a toddler who hasn’t yet discovered the meaning of the word “no”. Congratulations. You’ve just met a Vizsla. And in our crew, we have Ruby.
Ruby came into our lives from a breeder in the South Island, as a friend for the rather asocial Mike (if I only knew!) bringing with her that unmistakable Vizsla combination of intelligence, affection, athleticism and a rather impressive sense of self-importance.
As opposed to the dramatic puppy Mike, who didn’t want to come home with me and practically hollered in his finest puppy dialect, “You really botched it up this time!” (which, let’s be honest, I did), puppy Ruby was more like, “Peasant, carry me home!” as she graciously permitted me to haul her off to her royal throne. The moment she laid eyes on Mike, she confidently asserted her role as the top dog, making it abundantly clear that she wasn’t just another fluffball!
She’s beautiful, she’s clever, she’s loving, and she has a personality big enough to require its own postcode. But don’t let that elegant appearance fool you. Behind those beautiful amber eyes is a little ginger mastermind who has apparently appointed herself Head of Household Operations. And nobody seems to have received the memo that she wasn’t actually elected.
The Velcro dog: Personal space is overrated
Vizslas are famously known as Velcro dogs. They don’t simply want to be near their humans. They want to become an extension of their humans.
Sitting down? Ruby is there.
Going to the kitchen? Ruby is there.
Going to the bathroom? Well, apparently that’s a group activity now.
You could be sitting on the sofa with plenty of room around you, but Ruby will somehow manage to occupy the precise space where your body was planning to go. And heaven forbid you close a door. The expression on her face suggests you’ve just committed a serious betrayal of the relationship. How dare you have a private moment when there is a perfectly good Vizsla available for emotional support?
Intelligence is wonderful. Until it starts making decisions.
Ruby is exceptionally smart. Unfortunately, intelligence in a Vizsla doesn’t necessarily mean obedience. Sometimes it means understanding exactly what you’re asking and deciding that your suggestion deserves further consideration.
You say, “Ruby, come here.”
She looks at you.
You know she understands.
She knows you know she understands.
And then she decides whether your request fits into her schedule.
It’s not disobedience, apparently. It’s management. And Ruby considers herself very qualified for management.
The self-appointed police officer
Now, this is where Ruby’s personality really shines. Ruby has apparently taken it upon herself to ensure that everyone behaves appropriately. When I tell the boys off, Ruby feels an overwhelming sense of responsibility to join the proceedings. She doesn’t just observe. Oh no. She gets involved. Apparently, one human telling the boys off isn’t sufficient. The situation requires additional supervision from the ginger department. If one of the boys is being naughty, Ruby is immediately on the scene, ready to offer her own commentary. If I tell someone to behave, Ruby is practically standing beside me with a clipboard, checking whether the instructions have been followed. I’m beginning to suspect she believes she’s my deputy. Or perhaps she believes I’m her deputy and she’s simply allowing me to participate in the management of the crew. Either way, the three boys are living under a rather strict regime. And Ruby is not particularly interested in appeals.
A heart bigger than her ego
For all her bossiness, Ruby has an enormous heart. Vizslas are incredibly affectionate dogs, and Ruby is no exception. She loves deeply, follows closely and has an extraordinary ability to make herself part of absolutely everything. There is something rather special about the way she looks at you, as though you are the most important person in the entire universe. Of course, this affection comes with certain conditions.
You must be available for cuddles.
You must acknowledge her presence.
You must understand that your lap is not exclusively yours.
And you must never, under any circumstances, forget that Ruby is there.
The Vizsla owner’s survival guide
If you’re considering bringing a Vizsla into your life, here are a few things you should probably know:
- You will never be alone again. Privacy becomes a distant memory.
- Exercise is not optional. A Vizsla with unused energy is a hurricane you really, really don’t want to encounter in your path.
- They are incredibly clever. Sometimes clever enough to outsmart you, and occasionally clever enough to make you question your own intelligence.
- They have opinions. Lots of them. And they aren’t afraid to share.
- They are affectionate beyond reason. Expect cuddles, leaning, following and the occasional attempt to climb inside your skin.
- They may appoint themselves household managers. Apparently, Ruby didn’t read the job description before accepting the position.
And then there’s Ruby…
I sometimes wonder what goes through Ruby’s mind. Does she know she’s a dog? Does she believe she’s a human in a beautiful ginger fur coat? Does she think the boys are her employees? Does she consider me her colleague, her assistant or simply the person responsible for opening doors and providing food? I suspect the latter.
What I do know is that Ruby has brought an enormous amount of personality, laughter and love into our crew. The little ginger earned respect simply because she never considered any other possibility. She’s a clever girl with a huge heart, a strong personality and a rather ambitious career plan. Her official title might be family dog, but around here she’s clearly working towards CEO. And judging by the way she supervises the boys, I think the promotion has already happened.
Ruby: Chief Executive Officer, Head of Security, Director of Discipline and General Manager of Everyone Else’s Business.
Salary: Unlimited cuddles.
Working hours: 24/7.
Annual leave: Absolutely not.
And if you disagree with her management decisions?
Well, good luck with that.
After all, she’s a Vizsla.
And Ruby knows best.
Welcome to our little corner of the world, where four dogs, one human and a rather bossy ginger girl remind us every day that life is better, funnier and considerably more chaotic with paws involved. ❤️
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