There’s a reason why the Vizsla is sometimes referred to as “Velcro Vizsla” – they just want to be with you so much. This is definitely a people-centric breed, so be prepared for some serious bonding time if you decide to add a Vizsla to your family. And you should! This breed is friendly and fun, plus they have plenty of smarts when it comes to learning new things. Also, their coat is a lovely shade of golden rust that’s a cinch to take care of. So really, as long as you give them an hour of quality exercise time everyday (and plenty of love), you’ll have an ideal companion on your hands.
Is a Vizsla the right kind of dog for you? There are a lot of things to consider when adding a dog to your life, so we’ve covered just about everything you’ll need to know in this in-depth breed profile.
Breed Characteristics
Key
- Low
- Medium
- High
- Origin: Hungary
- Size:
- Weight: 46-65 pounds
- Activity level:
- Barking/howling level:
- Good with dogs: yes
- Good with kids: yes
- Good with cats:
- Grooming level:
- Training level:
Vizsla Appearance
The beautiful golden, rust, or golden rust color of the Vizsla is truly what makes it stand apart. That shiny, sleek coif gives them a dignified look that is only helped by their soft, floppy ears and long, whip-like tail. Lightly-built and medium-sized, these pups usually have eyes that are light-colored, or some shade of brown.
Vizsla Personality
Talented, lovable, and always affectionate, these pups have plenty to offer when it comes to personality. They are known to become very attached to their family, so it’s important that people who have Vizslas have a plethora of time to spend with their pups. If they aren’t given enough attention, this is a breed that will become destructive (which may include chewing your favorite shoes), and unhappy.
Vizslas enjoy playing with kids and are gentle with them, however, because of their super-strong prey drive, they usually aren’t the best fit for households with cats.
Ideal Environment for a Vizsla
Since this is a breed that requires a lot of exercise, apartment living usually isn’t the best fit (unless their person is very outdoorsy and committed, and will be able to give them sufficient exercise). The best fit for them? A home with a nice big yard where they can run around. That’ll help them get all of their energy out, and then have plenty of time to follow their favorite humans around.
Ideal Human for a Vizsla
The ideal person for a Vizsla is someone who is looking for a new best friend. This isn’t a breed that you can leave at home regularly, or skimp on their exercise – they’re going to need some time and effort from you, so you should make sure you’re ready for the commitment.
These pups are excellent for people who live an active lifestyle and are looking for companions for their next trek. A Vizsla will happily follow you wherever you go, whether that’s for a hike, a hunting trip, or some other sporty adventure.
Vizsla Dog Training
These dogs are extremely bright, so training them is not only a great idea, but it’s also a fun, stimulating activity for them to participate in. They need to be able to get their energy out through both physical and mental exercise, otherwise they’ll begin to act out and become destructive – with chewing being a favorite go-to for this breed. Training is also essential for Vizslas since they’re so high-energy, and can be difficult to control if they don’t have boundaries and expectations established.
A couple of thing to remember when training this breed: Be careful when you have them off-leash, as they’re apt to follow that prey drive and take off after something small and frisky. Also, Vizslas can be on the sensitive side, so it’s best to treat them kindly during training exercises and encourage them with plenty of treats and praise.
It’s also essential to socialize this breed early on by introducing them to a variety of situations, people, animals, and locations. By showing them the world around them, and making them feel comfortable and safe with you as they explore it, they’ll gain the confidence to be the well-adjusted, well-behaved pup you know that they can be. Above all this breed really just wants to please their loved ones, and their smarts and charm mean that any effort you put into training them will be well worth it.
Vizsla Grooming
Vizslas are a cinch to groom since their hair is short and sleek and doesn’t require much maintenance. The best thing to do is brush them with a rubber curry brush, and only give them a bath occasionally (if they’re truly dirty).
You should also keep their nails trimmed so they don’t click on the floor, and brush their teeth a few times a week to keep them in tip-top shape.
Vizsla Health
Vizslas are generally a healthy breed, probably due to the fact that they aren’t overbred as much as other, more popular breeds are. However they do have some common health issues including hip dysplasia, cancer, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, and various eye disorders.
Vizslas generally live from 10 to 14 years, and with the proper exercise, food, and regular trips to the vet, your pup will have a good chance at a long and happy life.
Vizsla Breed History
The Vizsla was originally developed as a Hungarian hunting dog, bred to point and retrieve when working with hunters. They were also trained to stay close by their humans and never wander too far away – which has obviously stuck, considering they’re considered “Velcro” when it comes to wanting to be with their families.
Getting a Vizsla
Vizsla breeders
It’s always a good idea to meet the parents of your puppy, and to see how the litter interacts with each other. A good, trustworthy breeder should have records of the parents’ lineage, too and should be able to tell you more about the specific litter.
The American Kennel Club website is a great place to start your search for a reputable breeder. Make sure you wise up on puppy mills and internet scams—following some simple steps can help avoid further funding of this terrible practice, and help you end up with a pet whose breeding and early-life experience will more reliably result in a well-adjusted dog.
Adopting a Vizsla
Due to the Vizsla’s need for regular exercise and attention throughout the day, these pups aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, and some do turn up in shelters or rescues. However, if you have the right home and lifestyle for this breed, they can be an amazing dog to rescue and add to your family.
Plus, a surrendered dog will often already be well trained and simply in need of a new, loving home. You can find rescue centers local to you with a quick internet search. A Vizsla can make for a wonderful friend and they’re sure to be a source of joy, with plenty of laughs and perhaps a little bit of mischief along the way.
So whether you’re planning on adopting or finding a breeder to find a puppy, prepare yourself, your home and your heart to welcome a dog with plenty of personality and energy
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