Vizsla

Coat & Grooming: The Vizsla coat is short, dense, single-coated, and lays close to the body. They are self-cleaning, so they don’t need much in the way of grooming and maintenance. A weekly brushing session and a couple of nail trimmings per month are more than sufficient to keep them looking bright and beautiful.

Coat length: Short
Grooming: Occasional

Shedding: Since they lack an undercoat, Vizslas are light shedders. They do a great job of self-cleaning with their paws and tongue. If you commit to a weekly brushing session and a general health inspection (ears, eyes, nails, mouth), your Vizsla will require minimal daily maintenance. In general, it is recomended that you trim their nails twice a month, brush their teeth daily, and keep an eye out for any ear, eye, or skin irritation.

Training: Vizslas are very quick to learn and eager to please, but they don’t respond well to harsh training. Be patient, firm, and wield your authority carefully. Since Vizslas are so sensitive, it’s easy to cause permanent damage with forceful techniques. Positive reinforcement, early socialization, and constant praise are much more effective than shouting and punishing. Be firm, but also recognize you are dealing with a sensitive and emotional breed.

Barking: Vizslas tend to bark relatively often. As hunting dogs, their sharp, loud bark was an asset, but your neighbors may not appreciate this fact. With proper socialization and a calm disposition, some Vizslas bark less than others. Don’t expect them to be “quiet dogs” without a huge training effort on your part.

Temperament & Behavior: Vizslas are gentle animals with a rare sensitivity for a dog. They are very aware and will connect with their family very closely. Some people refer to Vizslas as “Velcro dogs” since they bond so tightly with their owners. This dog is a great choice for someone looking for companionship and a loving dog in the home. It does come at a cost, however. Vizslas suffer from separation anxiety, boredom, and loneliness if left alone for too long.

Behavior with kids: These lovable and gentle dogs are great around children. They are very permissive and playful with kids so long as you lay down some ground rules. Never be shy to instruct children on proper dog handling techniques, but rest assured that your Vizsla will generally be a calm and happy dog around the young ones. As with any dog, supervise your dog around children and unfamiliar adults.

Protection: Vizslas are affectionate and easily befriended by strangers. They don’t make very good guard dogs since they are more likely to make friends. Other dogs and even cats can coexist peacefully with your Vizsla.

Life span: On average, Vizslas live to be about 12-14 years old.

Inherited health issues: All breeds of dogs can develop health problems either through inheritance or occurring at an increased frequency within the breed. Overall, the Vizsla has fewer implicated health conditions than many other breeds. These conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Sebaceous adenitis, Entropion and Idiopathic epilepsy.

Preventive care: Even though your Vizsla may appear quite healthy at home, this is no reason to skip routine veterinary visits. Veterinarians have been extensively trained to pick up on some of the subtlest changes that can indicate bigger health problems. Early diagnosis and treatment of most conditions is beneficial for your dog and often for your wallet, too.

Keep your four-legged friend at a healthy body weight by measuring your Vizsla’s meals and avoid giving too many treats or table scraps. Daily tooth brushing will help to prevent excessive tartar and plaque build up, which can lead to more significant dental disease.

Vizslas are very active dogs that have fairly high-energy requirements. However, if they are overfed, they can still become overweight. Feed your Vizsla portion-measured meals and avoid offering too many treats.

Daily Consumption: Average daily consumption for an adult Vizsla is 1.5 - 2.5 cups

Energy Level: Frisky, energetic breed that is always ready for action.

Exercise: Vizslas need a lot of exercise, so it’s up to you to provide enough opportunities to burn off their gas tank. Long walks, hiking up mountains, swimming, fetch– anything goes. The focus should be “how much” and “is this enough” when you look to exercise your dog. Schedule at least 60 minutes per day for Vizsla work-out time. A short walk around the block will not cut it here.

Climate: Since Vizslas earned their keep as a hunting dog, they were built to be strong and resilient animals. Long days of cold, wet weather are no match for this sturdy outdoor companion. If you live in extreme cold climates, it’s worth giving them a jacket on a cold, wet day. Otherwise, they hold up well in most climates and weather conditions.

Living space: Vizslas need some running room at home if you’ll have any chance of getting enough exercise into the day. A big backyard or back lot is ideal. Fences are a must if you want to provide a safe and secure place to play. Never let a Vizsla sleep outside – they suffer from separation anxiety easily.