The Best Vizsla Books [For New & Experienced Owners]

By: Rachel

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Are you a new vizsla owner looking for the best vizsla books to help you raise your dog? Perhaps you need tips on the best vizsla training books to train your pup to be a well mannered dog?

Caring for and training a new vizsla puppy can be overwhelming, especially when there are so many different methods and opinions out there! So in this review guide we share the best books for the Hungarian vizsla breed to get you started.

Whether you are a first time dog owner, experienced dog owner but first time vizsla owner or an experienced vizsla owner looking for expert tips to train your vizsla to hunt, we share the best vizsla book options for learning about, raising and training vizslas here.

The Best Vizsla Books 2025 Summary

Below is a quick summary of all the vizsla books we review in the sections below.

Click on the title to check the price (and availability) or read on for all our vizsla book reviews.

BookTitleAuthorBest ForPrice
Versatile Vizsla Marion CoffmanVersatile VizslaMarion CoffmanFirst Time OwnersCHECK
Vizsla Complete Owners Guide Margaret DavisVizsla: The Complete Owners GuideMargaret DavisFirst Time OwnersCHECK
The vizsla Bernard BoggsThe VizslaBernard BoggsFuture And First Time OwnersCHECK
Raised by vizslas Michel Berner Raised By VizslasMichel BernerFuture and First Time OwnersCHECK
Before and after getting your puppy Ian DunbarBefore And After Getting Your PuppyIan DunbarPuppy TrainingCHECK
Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy Steve Mann Easy Peasy Puppy SqueezySteve MannPuppy TrainingCHECK
Getting Started Clicker Training For Dogs Karen Pryor Getting Started: Clicker Training For DogsKaren PryorClicker TrainingCHECK
Juvenile Delinquent Dogs Sue BrownJuvenile Delinquent DogsSue BrownBehavior TrainingCHECK
101 Dog Tricks Kyra Sundance 101 Dog TricksKyra SundanceTrick TrainingCHECK
How to help gun dogs train themselves Joan BaileyHow To Help Gun Dogs Train ThemselvesJoan BaileyGundog TrainingCHECK
Training with Mo Martha GreenleeTraining With MoMartha GreenleeGundog TrainingCHECK
Best way to train your gun dog Bill Tarrant Best Way To Train Your Gun Dog: The Delmar Smith MethodBill TarrantGundog TrainingCHECK

How To Choose A Hungarian Vizsla Book

The best book for you will depend on the stage you are at in your vizsla dog ownership journey.

If you are a first time dog owner, there is a lot to learn! Not only about caring for your puppy, but understanding the vizsla breed and how to train a vizsla dog too.

On the other hand if you are an experienced dog owner, but first time vizsla owner, a book that helps help you understand the breed will be more useful.

Finally, if you want to learn how to train your vizsla to hunt, we have some great vizsla hunting training books for you too.

To help you choose the right Hungarian vizsla book, the books reviewed below are grouped into the following categories.

  • Books for future or first time vizsla owners
  • The best training books for vizslas
  • Bird dog training books

Note there is some cross over between the categories and it likely more than one book may be suitable for you.

Some of the recommended books are no longer in print and are hard to find new, but are often available second hand.

We have included a link to sites where you may find a copy.

Hungarian vizsla sitting alongside vizsla training book, Versatile Vizsla by Marion Coffman.

Best Vizsla Books For First Time Owners

If you are a new vizsla puppy owner, these guides are great to get started. They give you an overview of the breed, vizsla history, plus basic care and training tips.

I also recommend you consider the books in the next section which focus on puppy training – which is essential for vizslas.

1. Versatile Vizsla

Best Introduction For New Vizsla Owners

Versatile Vizsla Marion Coffman

Key Information

  • Author: Marion Coffman
  • Published: 2019
  • Options: Hardcover or Paperback

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If you are a first time vizsla owner, the Versatile Vizsla by Marion Coffman is a great place for an overview of the breed.

Marion has bred, raised and trained vizslas for over 30 years and shares all her knowledge about the vizsla breed in this book.

I own this book and often refer back to it when dealing with different issues such as nail trimming, health issues or when looking for different vizsla facts.

This guide covers everything from:

  • A short history of the vizsla breed
  • An explanation of the Hungarian vizsla standard
  • Tips for choosing a puppy
  • How to care for and train your vizsla
  • Growth and development
  • Competing with your vizsla
  • Breeding overview

Note a common complaint about the book is that the images are black and white, but the content is excellent and some of the pictures of vizsla dogs date back to the 1940s and 1950s.

It is quite high level, so it is best paired with one of the more in-depth vizsla training books below if you are a new dog owner.

>> Click here to check the price on Amazon

2. Vizsla: The Complete Owners Guide

Best Overview For New Dog Owners

Vizsla Complete Owners Guide Margaret Davis

Key Information

  • Author: Margaret Davis
  • Published: 2022
  • Options: Paperback or Kindle

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If you are a first time dog owner and have chosen a vizsla puppy, this book is a good place to start.

Vizsla: The Complete Owners Guide is written by experienced dog trainer and behaviorist Margaret Davis. The book was republished in 2022 and is a full color guide to raising and training the vizsla.

The guide covers tips on finding reputable breeders plus:

  • Toilet training
  • Basic obedience training
  • Socialisation
  • Grooming and nutrition
  • Advanced obedience training
  • Basic Gundog training
  • Common behavioural problems

The book draws on the experience of vizsla breeders and long time owners and is one of the few books that entirely focuses on training the vizsla breed.

>> Click here to check the price on Amazon

3. The Vizsla

Best For New Vizsla Breeders

The vizsla Bernard Boggs

Key Information

  • Author: Bernard C. Boggs
  • Published: 2000
  • Options: Hardcover

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This book by Bernard Boggs is considered one of the original and best books about Hungarian Vizslas.

This is an all encompassing book about how to raise, care for, train and compete with your vizsla.

It includes a history of the breed, plenty of vizsla facts, as well as an explanation of the vizsla standard in addition to chapters on how to raise your vizsla.

The book also includes a listing of champions and National Winners for the interested vizsla owner and breeder.

The revised year 2000 edition is significantly expanded with photographs, but note this edition is difficult to find as it is out of print.

>> Click here to check the price on Amazon

4. Raised By Vizslas

Best For Future Vizsla Owners

Raised by vizslas Michel Berner

Key Information

  • Author: Michel Berner
  • Published: 2022
  • Options: Paperback, Kindle

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This independently published book by Michel Berner is not so much a how to guide as a book on living with vizslas.

Michel Berner has over 5 decades of experience with vizslas and shares her thoughts and tips on living with the breed in this book.

If you are curious about the Hungarian vizsla breed or have recently brought a vizsla puppy home and want to have some insider knowledge about the breed and their idiosyncrasies, Berner’s insights are a great read.

>> Click here to check the price on Amazon

The Best Vizsla Training Books

While the books above are excellent for giving you a vizsla specific introduction, you will also need to learn how to train your vizsla.

So below I have listed some of the best vizsla training book options by world renowned dog trainers who use positive training methods well matched for the vizsla temperament.

5. Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy

Best Vizsla Puppy Guide For First Time Owners

Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy Steve Mann

Key Information

  • Author: Steve Mann
  • Published: 2019
  • Options: Paperback, Kindle, Audiobok

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For first time puppy owners, this book by Steve Mann is an excellent introduction to training a vizsla puppy.

Steve Mann is a professional dog trainer and behaviorist with over 30 years experience.

His kind, fun and positive approach to training is just what vizsla puppies need.

With a focus on treat based learning, this book breaks down each training component into simple steps with supporting images to demonstrate the method.

Read this guide before bringing your puppy home to give your pup the best start to positive training from day one.

>> Click here to check the price on Amazon

6. Before And After Getting Your Puppy

Best Guide To Positive Dog Training

Before and after getting your puppy Ian Dunbar

Key Information

  • Author: Dr Ian Dunbar
  • Published: 2004
  • Options: Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook

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Dr Ian Dunbar revolutionized dog training in the 1970s with his positive approach to puppy training.

And while this book is almost 20 years old, it is still one of the best puppy training guides for vizslas.

With clear steps and photos to guide you, this book leads you through important developmental puppy milestones:

  • Getting YOU prepared for your puppy
  • House training
  • Chew toy training
  • Socialization
  • Bite inhibition
  • Ongoing training plan

This book provides a clear structure for the first few months training your puppy using a kind and positive approach, rewarding your pup for doing the right thing instead of focusing on what is wrong.

>> Click here to check the price on Amazon

7. Getting Started: Clicker Training For Dogs

Best Introduction To Clicker Training

Getting Started Clicker Training For Dogs Karen Pryor

Key Information

  • Author: Karen Pryor
  • Published: 2012
  • Options: Hardcover, Paperback and Kindle

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Clicker training is a popular training technique used by vizsla owners.

If you want to learn how to use clicker training to train your vizsla, this guide by Karen Pryor is a great choice.

Karen Pryor is a behavioral biologist with an international reputation in behavioral psychology. She is one of the founders and first authorities on clicker training and is author of many behaviour guides for dogs.

With an easy to read introduction to the science behind clicker training and why it works, the book then includes practical tips for building a clicker training system with your dog.

The book has detailed explanations and photographs demonstrating each stage of the process.

You will likely need additional texts to continue on your clicker training journey, but this book is the perfect introduction to this positive training method.

>> Click here to check the price on Amazon

8. Juvenile Delinquent Dogs

Best For Behavior Training

Juvenile Delinquent Dogs Sue Brown

Key features

  • Author: Sue Brown
  • Published: 2012
  • Options: Paperback, Kindle

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If you have an juvenile dog and struggle with behavior like jumping, stealing food, no recall, barking or pulling on the leash, then this guide by Sue Brown can help.

Juvenile Delinquent Dogs contains practical steps to communicate better with your dog and resolve behavior issues using a unique problem solving model and worksheet.

It contains detailed instructions for 24 of the most common dog behavior issues and includes access to an online community where you will find additional videos and supporting content.

If you are struggling to train your vizsla or have particular pain points you want to resolve, this guide will help you.

>> Click here to check the price on Amazon

9. 101 Dog Tricks

Best Introduction To Dog Trick Training

101 Dog Tricks Kyra Sundance

Key Information

  • Author: Kyra Sundance
  • Published: 2007
  • Options: Paperback, Kindle

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Ready to teach your vizsla tricks? This guide by Kyra Sundance is an international bestseller and is the perfect choice for trick training with your vizsla.

101 Dog Tricks includes all types of tricks from simple and easy ones to teach your new puppy to fun and difficult ones like retrieving a soda from the fridge!

Each trick includes a difficulty rating, step by step instructions, troubleshooting tips and color photos of each step.

Vizslas need to be mentally stimulated and teaching tricks is a great way to exercise your dog’s brain and give them a job.

>> Click here to check the price on Amazon

The Best Vizsla Book For Hunting Training

If you want to learn the basics of gundog training and hunting, here are a few books to get you started.

Note that several of these books are no longer in print and can be hard to find – but are worth buying if you can find them.

10. How To Help Gun Dogs Train Themselves

Best For New Vizsla Puppy Owners

How to help gun dogs train themselves Joan Bailey

Key Information

  • Author: Joan Bailey
  • Published: 2008
  • Options: Paperback

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In this easy to read guide, Joan Bailey provides a step by step format to help new gun dog owners train their dogs over the first 12 months of their life to avoid making mistakes that may ruin their hunting potential.

Joan Bailey was a field judge of hunting dogs for 26 years and editor of The Gun Dog Supreme for 25 years.

From socialisation to exposure and conditioning, the guide includes concise information and photographs to help you raise the perfect bird dog.

It focuses on the first 12 months of your puppy’s life and is a great guide if you are a first time bird dog owner looking to raise a vizsla ready for hunting.

>> Click here to check the price on Amazon

11. Training With Mo

Best For Experienced Gundog Owners

Training with Mo Martha Greenlee

Key Information

  • Author: Martha Greenlee
  • Published: 2010
  • Options: Paperback

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Training with Mo: How Maurice Lindley Trains Pointing Dogs is oft listed as a top Hungarian vizsla training book by owners of bird dogs.

Maurice (Mo) Lindley is a professional pointing dog trainer based in South Carolina with over 30 years experience.

His training method focuses on touch and body language instead of vocal commands.

This manual works through all aspects of gun dog training from puppy to mature dog phases and includes problem solving for common issues.

The book is out of print and can be difficult to find, but is worth seeking out if you want to teach your vizsla dog to hunt.

>> Click here to check the price on Amazon

12. Best Way To Train Your Gun Dog: The Delmar Smith Method

Classic Gun Dog Training Guide

Best way to train your gun dog Bill Tarrant

Key Information

  • Author: Bill Tarrant
  • Published: 1977
  • Options: Hardcover

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An oldie but a goodie, this book by Bill Tarrant is still one of the top recommended books for learning how to train your vizsla to hunt.

Bill Tarrant steps you through the Delmar Smith method, with supporting photographs and troubleshooting tips.

Simple to read and straight forward to apply, this is a book gun dog owners keep for life and re-read over time.

It is one of the few books that focus on the pointing dog breeds and while some advice may be considered outdated, much of the guide is still as relevant today as it was 40 years ago.

>> Click here to check the price on Amazon

Which Is The Best Vizsla Book For Me?

If you are a future vizsla owner and want to know more about the breed, Versatile Vizsla by Marion Coffman is a great introduction to the breed.

For new vizsla owners, in addition to Versatile Vizsla, Steve Mann's Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy will get you started with basic training.

For new puppy owners looking to train their vizsla in gun dog skills, How To Help Gun Dogs Train Themselves by Joan Bailey is a great start.

And if you are bringing your vizsla home to a family with older kids, 101 Dog Tricks by Kyra Sundance is a fun way to get your kids involved in training your vizsla.

And for a laugh hop over to see our unofficial Vizsla Dictionary.

More Vizsla Gear Guides

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Rachel

Rachel is the founder of It's a Vizsla. She is a Hungarian Vizsla owner and general dog enthusiast! She loves to research and share practical tips to help other vizsla owners care for their dogs.