Activities For Transylvizsla Hounds
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
The Transylvizsla is a hybrid dog whose lineage can be traced back to the Transylvanian Hound and the Vizsla. Usually, when people hear the term Transylvania, they start to think about vampires, spooky castles, and hotels (at least in more recent years). While the Transylvizsla does have that term as a part of their name, these dogs are the polar opposite the cold, unfeeling, vampire - Transylvizsla's are very warm and affectionate dogs who enjoy the company of others. As an added bonus, you won't wake up in the middle of the night to find one of these dogs towering over you or reeling away from the sun's light when you take them for a walk!
Jump Rope Jamboree
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Any Day
Cheap
Easy
20 - 30 min
Items needed
Jump Rope
Activity description
Have you ever heard someone say that something's so easy "a toddler could do it" before? It's an idiom that's usually meant to convey that a particular task or activity is so easy and accessible to the average person that a small child could do it without any help. Jumping rope is an age-old activity that genuinely is so easy a toddler could do it. Considering the fact that most dogs, including Transylvizslas, have the mental faculties of a toddler, it will be all too easy to play a game of jump rope with a dog of any breed. All you need to do is spend about $5 on a decent jump rope and spend some time practicing each day with your dog.
Step
1
Slow and steady
The first few times you play jump rope with your dog, keep things nice and slow - the rope should never be in motion at such a speed that it becomes a blur during the first few games. The point of moving at such as middling pace is to give your Transylvizsla some time to get used to the game and get warmed up for the more challenging stuff. To start, introduce the rope so that your Transylvizsla can walk over it. Then, raise it from the ground as they jump over it. Slowly turn the rope, stopping at the legs if needed but often, at this point, your pup will know to jump.
Step
2
Challenging stuff
After your Transylvizsla has gotten used to jumping at a slow pace, gradually speed things up. Again, don't whip the rope around or anything like that - keep moving at a moderate pace so that your dog can figure out how high and how soon they need to jump. If the rope ever makes contact with your dog, slow things down and gradually build up speed again.
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Up and Down Stairs
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Sunny Day
Free
Hard
1 hr
Items needed
Hands Free Dog Leash
Water
Activity description
When partaking in this strenuous activity, you and your dog will be running up and down staircases and bleachers for the sake of working out and staying healthy. You'll need to use your best judgment when looking for places to try this activity out; public areas like parks and sports fields tend to make for optimal running grounds. You can also complete this activity with your dog on certain hiking trails - provided that you won't be getting in the way of other people's hikes. It's best to try this activity on a sunny day, where the chances of rain getting in the way are little to none.
Step
1
Limber and loose
In order to complete this activity without injury, the joints of you and your Transylvizsla will need to be limber and loose. Stretching human limbs is very easy and straightforward. Stretching doggy limbs, however, requires a bit of unconventional thinking; you can stretch your dog's legs by holding them and lightly maneuvering them until they're fully extended. As for stretching their vertebrae, you'll need to place your hand on the small of their back and gently push down just a tiny bit while possibly enticing them with a treat or a toy of some sort.
Step
2
Staircase scenarios
We've said "running up and down flights of stairs" a few times while discussing this guide, but you don't need to run to get a good workout - in most scenarios where other people will be around, you likely won't be able to run that well anyway. In most scenarios involving staircases, use your best judgement and decide if you and your dog will have enough room or are physically up to running, or if you two would be better off walking or jogging.
Step
3
Bleacher blitzing
Bleachers are much more challenging than stairs but are also better suited for this activity on days when games aren't taking place. Our best advice here is to take your time when descending down steps, as you'll have much more momentum carrying you forward on the way down than on the way up. Watch your pal for fatigue and never overdo an exercise session.
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Try out Treibball
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Sunny Day
Moderate
Normal
45 - 60 min
Items needed
Plus Sized Balls
Goal Posts
Activity description
The premise of treibball is for dogs to use their agility and sense of balance to nudge gigantic rubber balls into goal posts in order to score points. While the sport sounds a lot like football (and there are a number of similarities between the two sports), it actually has more in common with a game of billiards - dogs have to push a formation of balls into a goal post throughout the course of a single Treiball match. It is definitely a sport to be played on a sunny day so no one ends up slipping on rain-slicked grass. You'll also need about $10 - $20 for each ball you intend to use in the game.
Step
1
Formal Treibball
If played with teams of dogs, points are awarded to whichever team is able to successfully push balls into their goal posts. If played on a smaller scale (just you and your dog,) then the game becomes a time attack; time your Transylvizsla and encourage them to push all of the balls into goal posts as quickly as they possibly can.
Step
2
Informal Treibball
Also known as freestyle Treibball, this version of the activity basically consists of letting your dog play with the balls in whichever manner they see fit. It's a fun way to wrap up a day of intense matches between teams of dogs. You can up the challenge of either freestyle or formal by having your dog push the balls to their destination in order of color or size.
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More Fun Ideas...
Treasure Hunting
This activity will tap into your Transylvizsla's inborn hunting instincts in a way that's safe and animal-friendly. All you need to do is spend some time digging little holes that you can fill with toys and treats for your dog, then call your Transylvizsla to your side and let the games begin.
Hardcore Hide and Seek
In a typical game of Hide and Seek, most people will just run off and crouch behind a nearby table until they're inevitably caught. Hardcore Hide and Seek calls for players to get more creative - using various articles of clothing and foliage to blend into the environment like a chameleon. Your Transylvizsla will have to sniff you out, provided you've done a good enough job disguising yourself.
Double Dutch
Transylvizslas tend to get the hang of jump rope fairly quickly - no doubt a benefit of their rather sporty parent breeds' DNA flowing through them - so playing double dutch with one of these hounds is almost intrinsic to providing one of these dogs with a challenge. You'll likely need a friend to help you swing the ropes, or you could tie the ropes to a tree.
Conclusion
If you're thinking about adopting a dog for the first time, you could do worse than the Transylvizsla. The only real caveat to caring for one of these hounds is their energetic disposition - if you're not prepared to get out there and get active on a regular basis, then you should reconsider adopting one of these puppies into your family. On the other hand, if you've got a sporty spirit and you enjoy the rough and tumble life, the Transylvizsla may turn out to be a great fit for you. Transylvizsla's can also learn to become pretty good guard dogs with enough time, practice, and support - providing their human companions an added sense of security.