Pinot Noir, the Vizsla "Velcro"
Maria and Pinot
How long has your family lived in Hershey?
We have lived in Hershey for over 25 years. We love living downtown as it is a wonderful place to walk the dogs.
What's your pet's name, age, sex, and breed / type?
Pinot is 4 years old and a female Vizsla. The Vizsla breed originated in Hungary and were bred to hunt. They are part of the Pointer family, which also includes the Weimaraner and German Shorthaired Pointer. They are fast and focused, especially when they are pointing. On the flipside, they are needy for attention, hence their nickname the "Velcro" dog. They love to be close to their people!
When and how did your pet come to join your family?
We decided to get a Vizsla (which is our second one over the years) because I wanted a dog to train to help me in my business as a demo dog for classes. My husband is a hunter, so she was the perfect fit for our family.
Is there a story behind your pet’s name? How did you and your family come up with it?
My family loves wine! My favorite is Pinot Noir, which is a red wine. I couldn't think of a better name for a little red dog.
What's the one trait or behavior that makes your pet stand out from the rest?
Vizslas are becoming more recognized as they are unique, beautiful and have wonderful temperaments. Pinot is extremely high energy and needs daily enrichment and exercise, but she can snuggle hard, too!
Does your pet have any unique talents or tricks?
Pinot is an incredible hunter. She is bold, fearless, and fast. Taking her hunting is an incredible thing to watch and is all natural to the breed.
Tell us about your favorite memory with your pet.
Although puppies can be hard, my favorite memory of Pinot was when she was about 3 months old and I was teaching her to "Place" on her dog bed. One day she went to her place, burrowed under the cushion, and began barking and bouncing around. When she finally did surface, she barked at me like she was saying, "Look, Mom, I did it!"
Where does your pet love to hang out?
Pinot is an old soul and her favorite place to hang out is in our fenced yard, on the back porch just surveying her kingdom. She loves to lay in the sun.
Maria Stouffer and her husband live downtown Hershey and is the owner of Full Potential Dog Training.