What it is like owning a Velcro dog

Matt and I never had dogs growing up, but when we married, we decided to make dogs a big part of our lives. For two decades, we were proud Boxer owners, but their health issues and short lives took a toll on us. In 2023, we made the switch to a Vizsla, a Hungarian breed known for bird hunting and unwavering loyalty. They're also famous for being "velcro dogs" – always wanting to be by your side or on your lap.

Sydney the Boxer

We welcomed Frankie (Frances Josephine Rose Carlson) into our home in July 2023 when she was just 8 weeks old, and let me tell you, it was a wild ride! We'd been warned that the Vizsla's puppy phase was like owning a Velociraptor, and they were right! Luckily, we're past that phase now (she's over 1 year old), but thinking back on Frankie's puppy months brings me so much joy – not only because it's over, but also because she was the cutest puppy ever!

The first day we brought Frankie home

When we brought Frankie home at 8 weeks old, she was the most precious puppy imaginable. I remember the first day we got her, she was quite shy and hesitant, but that didn't last long. Unlike our previous Boxers, she adapted to her new environment and kennel surprisingly quickly, although there were moments when she would whine before nodding off. One thing we noticed early on was that she didn't behave like typical puppies. Instead of dozing off after playtime, she would remain wide awake, hardly ever using her pillow for rest. It became clear that she needed scheduled naps because she would become overexcited and then have meltdowns from exhaustion. Establishing a routine of being active for about 2 hours and then having a scheduled nap worked wonders. As a puppy, Frankie also took a liking to snuggling under blankets. I have countless photos of her napping in my lap under the covers, as that was the only way she would settle down. 

Frankie under the covers

Frankie's first weekend up at Porter Lake

One not-so-pleasant memory was Frankie always having tummy problems, particularly with diarrhea. In fact, a late-night bathroom trip with her led to me breaking my leg last year. I'll share more on how I manage the tummy problems today, as even in adulthood, she still deals with this issue. Daily walks are a must for Frankie, given the Vizsla breed's reputation for being highly active. Initially, we neglected the daily walks as she did not take to the leash immediately, but as she matured, they became an essential part of her routine.

1 year old Frankie enjoying the sunshine on Porter Lake

So now that Frankie is a little over a year old, what's she like now? Has she calmed down? Does she require less attention? Have her tummy issues been resolved? Well, the answer to all these questions is no... but let me dive in a little deeper.

I've been dealing with Frankie's digestion issues. As a devoted dog parent, I'm always checking her poop to make sure everything's okay. (Ok, maybe that's a little weird)  Recently, I saw a TikTok suggestion to add water to her dry kibble, and it seems to be working! Frankie seems to love her food even more now, although she has never had any issues with eating before.

Frankie's energy level has remained consistent, but she has become more attentive. Although she still needs daily walks, on days when we can't take her out, we play frisbee in the backyard, which she loves. She's incredibly skilled at catching the frisbee in midair, and it's so entertaining to watch her in action. Additionally, Frankie attends daycare once a week for socialization and to give us a break. She always comes home from daycare completely exhausted!

As Frankie is a hunting breed dog, she's always on high alert. We noticed this when she was a puppy, always needing scheduled naps. Now, on a day-to-day basis, she's constantly on the lookout and notices everything. The tiniest bird chirp and she's right there at the window. If there's a deer (or a fox recently!) in the yard, she goes into a frenzy. While she hasn't started the traditional "point" pose that a pointer dog does yet, we have caught her stalking her prey (and even her best dog friend and cousin Frenchie).

A traditional "point" stance of the Vizsla

Even though she is always on alert and high energy, she does have a specific bedtime, and she will tell you what time that is!  At 8 pm sharp, she'll give you that "why are we still up?" look and paw at you, signaling it's bedtime. She loves her cozy kennel and eagerly runs to it, knowing her nighttime snack is coming soon. Even though she's grown, she still loves cuddling up in her cozy cave bed, and we always "tuck" her in so only her nose peeks out. And despite being double in size, she's still not shy about snuggling up on our laps or chests every night. She's the coziest dog ever, and her bedtime routine is just too adorable!

Frankie and her "cozy cave" bed

Who does she favor more - Dad or Mom? It's a no-brainer... DAD all the way! While she adores both of us, it's clear that Daddy holds a special place in her heart. When it comes to choosing whose lap to snuggle in, Dad's is always the winner. Plus, every night when he walks through the door after work, she's there "talking" to him with whines and barks, as if she's been waiting for him all day. And it's not just for Dad; she's quick to let me know if dinner isn't served promptly enough!

Frankie driving in the side by side with Matt

So that's it! The Vizsla is such a unique breed that many people may not even recognize them at first! But let me tell you, we are completely smitten with this breed (especially with Frankie!). Sure, they might not be the right fit for everyone because of their boundless energy, but we just love the constant motivation to stay active every day and those cozy dog snuggles every single night. We wouldn't trade it for anything else!