Vice President and Archivist
Laura Wright has been part of Vizsla Canada for more than 25 years, bringing deep knowledge of the breed, extensive experience across multiple dog sports, and a strong commitment to preserving the history and future of the Vizsla in Canada.
Where do you live, and what is your role with Vizsla Canada?
I live just outside Guelph, Ontario.
I am the Vice President of Vizsla Canada and also serve as the club’s archivist. I joined the club in 1999 and have served on the Board of Directors since 2002, with a break from 2008 to 2011 after my daughter was born.
As archivist, I help preserve the club’s records and history, while my role as Vice President involves supporting the President, the Board, and the ongoing work of the national breed club.
How did you first become involved with Vizslas?
I saw my first Vizslas when I was 12 years old and never forgot them.
When I was finally ready to have a dog in my life, it never occurred to me to consider any other breed. My first Vizsla came along in 1997.
Tell us a little about your dogs.
I currently have a Smooth Vizsla named Max. She is our third Vizsla, and we have only ever had one at a time—which probably puts us in the minority!
Interestingly, every Vizsla we have owned has been a little smaller than the one before. Bryn was 24 inches at the withers, Emma was 22 inches, and Max is just 20.5 inches.
Max makes up for her smaller size in many ways, especially with her desire to hunt and run.
What do you love most about the breed?
How can I pick just one thing?
For me, it is a tie between their desire to snuggle, their trainability, and their athleticism. I never tire of watching our current girl run—and run!
What activities have you enjoyed with your Vizslas?
Most of my interests lie in field work, obedience, and tracking.
Emma and I partnered to earn her Field Dog Advanced, Obedience Trial Champion, Tracking Dog Excellent, and Urban Tracking Dog titles.
I have also dabbled in conformation, rally, and scent work.
One of the remarkable things about the Vizsla is the range of activities they can enjoy with their people. Whether it is field work, conformation, obedience, rally, agility, scent work, tracking, therapy work, or simply sharing everyday adventures, the breed’s versatility is one of its greatest strengths.
What is one thing you wish more people knew about Vizslas?
They can be a lot of work as puppies and adolescents!
However, they are incredibly trainable when you learn how to communicate with them in a way that creates genuine buy-in from the dog—and when you are consistent about what you ask of them.
What is your proudest moment with the breed?
I am proud that Emma became the first Vizsla to earn the Urban Tracking Dog title in 2015.
I am also proud that we earned her Field Dog Advanced and Obedience Trial Champion titles without any in-person training help. I had never trained a dog to that level in either sport before and relied entirely on the knowledge I gained through online classes.
Those accomplishments reflected not only Emma’s ability, but also the partnership we developed together.
Why is Vizsla Canada important to you?
Vizsla Canada is important to me because, as the national breed club, it plays an essential role in the stewardship of the breed.
The club helps bring together breeders, owners, competitors, and people who simply love Vizslas. It also provides a national voice on issues that affect the health, preservation, and future of the breed in Canada.
What would you like Vizsla Canada to focus on over the next year?
I would love to see the club produce a regular newsletter.
I am grateful that past president Richard Stoveld created several newsletter issues in recent years. I believe a consistent newsletter could be one of the most effective ways to attract and retain members, particularly because distance often prevents people from participating in club events in person.
The more members we have contributing their ideas and perspectives on breed issues, the better Vizsla Canada can represent Vizsla breeders and owners across the country.
What is one fun fact about you or your dogs?
I live less than a five-minute drive from where Dr. Phil Wright—no relation—once lived.
Dr. Wright was one of Canada’s most prominent early Vizsla breeders and breed pioneers during the 1960s and 1970s. He was the first president of the Vizsla Club of Canada, which was founded in 1963 and is now defunct and unrelated to today’s Vizsla Canada.
He also held Canadian Kennel Club field trials on his property, which is now located within the Guelph city limits.
Laura’s long history with the breed, commitment to preserving club records, and experience developing accomplished working partnerships with her dogs make her an invaluable member of the Vizsla Canada Board.
We are grateful for her continued service to the club and the Canadian Vizsla community.
