A Vizsla, is an upland game dog, or a "bird dog". They are used primarily to hunt upland game birds such as pheasant, partridge, grouse, woodcock, and quail. The Vizsla locates the game by running back and forth across a field in a crisscross pattern, using the wind and their naturally strong sense of smell to sniff out a bird. When a Vizsla catches the scent of a bird, they go on "point", which essentially means they freeze in a rigid position, often in mid-step (thus the raised paw), and point their nose in the direction of the game. A good hunting dog stays on point until the hunter flushes the game, shoots it, and gives the command to retrieve. It is the Vizslas job to locate the bird, and then retrieve it after it has been shot.
When you watch a Vizsla in the field, it is like watching a work of art in action. They are breathtakingly beautiful and athletic, moving back and forth across the field, carefully sniffing the air, suddenly stopping and freezing on point. They are tireless in their pursuit of the scent, and will spend hours out in the field and by your side.
