Hi everyone! I just joined this site, and I am hoping you guys can help me out with something. I have been wanting to get a new puppy for sometime now. My black lab Bindie is getting older she'll be 10 this summer, and I want to get involved in the more dog activities like agility, obedience trials etc. (which Bindie is too old for) so I want to start looking for a puppy so I can train it to do these activities. So I have been looking up the many different breeds in this world to which would make a good fit and I have found two breeds that have gained my interest and fit the kind of dog I'm looking for. I have been pondering between a English Pointer and a Vizsla. I have never owned either....(I have never even seen a Pointer in person before). I have seen a working with a couple Vizslas at the boarding kennel I work at. I like the temperament of the Vizslas I know, as well as their size. They are big dogs but do not take up a lot of space either. I have read that Pointers are of similar size but a bit bigger. I have been leaning more toward a Pointer but Ive never met on so I don't have a great sense of what they are like.

Anyways, this is my lifestyle and maybe some of you can tell me which breed might be a better match.

First off...I am not a hunter so, my new dog will be just a best friend, but I have been thinking of getting involved in field trials for recreation...just for fun. I know both of these breeds are active athletes...which I'm not I have to admit. I'm not a couch potato...but I aint no marathon runner either. I am moderately active, but I wouldn't mind getting more active and getting in better shape. which one of these breeds would do better with small animals like cats, I have two. I also babysit my 1yr old cousin often, I know both breed can be boisterous, but with proper socialization, training and exercise which dog would be better with an active toddler.

Which of these two breed is easier to train, I have read that pointers can be stubborn and difficult to train especially potty training. I am looking for a even temperament, active energy but not endless never stops constantly high energy. I am looking for a dog that is active enough to go for a long bike ride or run an agility course, but is just as comfortable and willing to sit at home and watch TV. A dog with an off switch would be nice! The kind of dog I want in general is a medium-large size dog(no bigger that 90lbs; no smaller than 30-40lbs) with a short/smooth coat for easy maintenance grooming. One who gets along with the world and everyone in it, gentle/patience with small children, and can be trained to do fun things like agility.

If anyone can tell me which of these breeds or possibly another, would fit what I am looking for better, that would be awesome!

Please and Thank you!