The First Copper Dog: Meet Roper

Roper is a 3 year old Hungarian Vizsla, and the inspiration behind all things Copper Dog. To understand Roper, it’s best to start at the beginning with the Vizsla.

Hungarian Vizsla’s are one of the oldest and most pure line of sporting dog breeds out there. Stemming as far back as mid-800’s, the Vizsla has proven its versatility and drive in the field and home. They made their way into America after being smuggled out of a war-torn Hungary, when the Nazi’s were orders to kill the red-coated dog on site for fear of being found more superior than the German Short Haired pointer.

Vizslas have been nicknamed the “Velcro” dog for their loving and almost suffocating need to be near, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they would make the perfect family dog. Vizslas were made to work, run, and hunt. They thrive on having a job, especially if that job requires them to use their nose and pointing abilities. It is said that you do not teach a Vizsla how to hunt, that comes natural, you teach them how to hunt with you.

And with Roper, he fits the Vizsla bill to a T. Full of life, energy, and a work ethic that rivals any good hunting dog. He truly is versatile in the sportsman world, whether it is upland game hunting, or following a blood trail of a wounded big game animal, he is down for the hunt.

Even though Roper excels at the hunt and gives the best cuddles, he is at his very core, a working dog. Anyone that has ever had the privilege of owning a true working dog, whether it’s for hunting or for the farm, they know they come with some challenges. The biggest challenge when dealing with a working dog is their sense of loyalty. They are almost loyal to a fault, where any outside interaction with people and animals they do not know, they might become reactive.

But, we’ve learned to live and respect how Roper likes to be treated. Just like he has learned to live and respect us as owners. The second biggest challenge is allowing them to have the time to actually work.

With Roper, I know when he hasn’t ran or had enough brain work, because he becomes testy and impatient with commands. Daily runs and play during the off-season of hunting is essential in having a happy dog.

And Roper loves play. Fetch to be exact. Ball, stick, rope, if you can throw it, he wants to get it. And he is extremely persistent in getting people to throw objects (a piece of advice, if you don’t want to throw the toy at least 10 times for Roper, don’t pick it up), so persistent that barely anything will phase him when focusing on the retrieve.

All of his play habits reinforce the kind of will and drive he has when it comes time to work in the field. It might be exhausting for us to keep him good and tired, but come fall, we know we can trust him and his abilities to get the job done.

It would be easy to write a novel on Roper, as any loving dog owner surely feels about their own pup, but some moments deserve their own story. Like Roper’s best hunt this last year, so stay tuned for that.

In the meantime, I’m off to throw a ball for Roper!