Vizsla: Your Complete Guide
The vizsla is a gorgeous golden rust-colored dog with boundless energy and an affectionate temperament. This breed may be beautiful and cuddly, but they can be a real handful and are not the right choice for everyone.
In this article, we’ll be sharing everything you need to know about the vizsla so you can decide whether or not this breed is a good fit for you. You’ll learn about the vizsla’s history, coat type, temperament, energy levels, trainability, grooming needs, health risks, and more.
Quick Look at the Vizsla
This chart provides a brief overview of the vizsla breed.
| Weight/Height | Weight: 44-60 pounds
Height: 21-24 inches |
| Coat Type | Short, smooth |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding |  |
| Temperament | Affectionate, clingy, energetic, curious |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
What Is the History of Vizslas?
The vizsla is possibly one of the oldest hunting breeds in existence; in fact, vizsla is the Hungarian word for “pointer.” It is believed to have descended from dogs owned by the Magyar warriors in the 8th century. The Magyar people were marauders who rampaged across the European continent on horseback, and they needed dogs who could keep up.
The Magyar eventually settled in what is now Hungary. As centuries passed, Hungarian nobles refined the Magyar’s dogs. The breed became known as an all-purpose hunting dog that was swift, versatile, and capable.
The vizsla didn’t make it to the U.S. until 1950, and the very first to come here had to be smuggled out of communist Hungary. Today’s vizslas are known as do-it-all dogs; they are used for hunting (they are a pointing breed) and service work and are well-known for their clingy nature as companion animals.
What Do Vizslas Look Like?
Vizslas only come in one standard color: golden rust. By the AKC’s standard, they also should not have any markings; their bodies should be the same color throughout.
However, there are other non-standard color possibilities for vizslas. These include golden, red, red golden, rust, rust golden, and sandy yellow. It’s also possible for a vizsla to have white markings, but again, this doesn’t comply with the AKC’s standard for the breed.
Vizslas have a distinct appearance thanks to their sleek golden rust coats. Their bodies can be muscular and somewhat lanky and their tails are often cropped to one-third of their original length. They have pinkish-brown-colored noses and their eyes tend to match their coats in color. This breed has hanging, V-shaped ears.
What Size Is a Vizsla?
Vizslas are medium to large-sized dogs. Females typically weigh between 44 and 55 pounds and stand 21 to 23 inches tall. Males are slightly larger and weigh between 55 and 60 pounds and stand between 22 and 24 inches tall.
What Is a Vizsla’s Coat Type and Length?
The vizsla has a smooth coat made up of short, straight hairs. They are not double-coated.
What Is a Vizsla’s Temperament?
Vizslas are affectionate dogs who can be rather clingy with their families. Due to their high intelligence and strong desire for attention and praise, they tend to be quick learners. They require a fair bit of mental and physical stimulation to prevent them from getting bored. Being a hunting breed, vizslas have a strong prey drive and love to run.
Are Vizslas Good With Kids?
Vizslas get along well with children. This breed has a lot of energy and loves to play, and kids are great for that. However, we would still recommend the vizsla to families with older children. This is because the breed can be very exuberant and may knock young children over.
As puppies, vizslas are known for being biters, which can scare children off and dampen the bond between the two. Beyond that, vizslas require more care than the average dog. They have an intense amount of energy throughout their lives, and some owners have even said that during their puppy months, vizslas are more work than children!
That’s all to say that it can be incredibly overwhelming to care for both a vizsla and a young child at the same time. Many families don’t have the time or energy for both, which leads to the dog getting neglected. This isn’t fair to the dog, and it can also lead to behavioral issues like destructive tendencies.
Are Vizslas Good With Other Animals?
Bred to hunt, vizslas have a strong prey drive. As such, they may see small pets like rabbits, birds, hamsters, Guinea pigs, ferrets, etc. as game animals. In some cases, socialization and training may make it possible for vizslas to live in harmony with these animals, but in other cases, you’ll need to keep them separated.
Vizslas have been known to live harmoniously with cats, but again, socialization and supervision are a must. As for other dogs, vizslas get along with them just fine. Prey-driven as they are, you can expect vizslas to chase wild animals in the yard — the squirrels will never be safe with a vizsla around.
Are Vizslas Aggressive?
Vizslas are not known for being aggressive. Of course, any dog can become aggressive if they are not properly socialized. Mistreatment and abuse can also lead to aggressive behaviors, which is why you should always use positive reinforcement training with dogs.
In many cases, aggressive behavior has a cause that can be addressed through medicine or behavioral modification. Many aggressive dogs can be rehabilitated.
Do Vizslas Bark?
Vizslas are not known for barking a lot. Instead, they are moderate barkers who will let you know when someone is at the door. Some vizslas can be vocal in other ways, such as whining when they want something.
Vizslas who develop separation anxiety may bark a lot. In general, vizslas have a pretty loud bark. For this reason, they may not be the best choice for people living in apartments with noise restrictions.
Are Vizslas Affectionate?
Vizslas are often called “velcro” dogs because they are so clingy. They adore their owners to an almost excessive degree. Wherever you go, they will follow. They always want to be around you. Some vizslas are also very cuddly and think they are lapdogs.
The only downside to the vizsla’s unbridled affection is that this breed cannot be left alone for long periods of time. They’re so sociable with their families that they are prone to developing separation anxiety. This breed is a great choice if you work from home, but not a great choice if you have a traditional 9 to 5.
Though vizslas are crazy affectionate with their family members, some can be shy when meeting new people. Others are much more open and friendly. This largely depends on the dog as well as how well they are socialized during puppyhood.
Are Vizslas Intelligent?
Vizslas are very intelligent dogs who like having a job to do. They’re quite curious; not only will they like to explore the house and the yard, but they’ll often be interested if you have something new in your hands.
Because this breed is so smart and curious, they can get into trouble quite easily if they haven’t received enough mental and physical stimulation. By trouble, we mean bad habits like counter-surfing or chewing on something they shouldn’t (like your shoes).
Are Vizslas Energetic?
Vizslas are high-energy dogs that need around two hours of exercise per day. Though walks are always a positive experience for dogs, this breed needs to be able to run. Vizslas were created to point and retrieve game, so fetch can be a good way to tire them out.
Many vizslas love to swim so this can be another fun option. Similarly, they’ll be happy to join you for a hike or a jog. You can even bike with a vizsla, just check with your vet to ensure your dog is in good health for this kind of activity.
Biking with dogs can be very dangerous without the right equipment. Make sure to get your dog a sturdy harness that doesn’t chafe. You’ll also need a bike attachment like the Walky Dog or the Bike Tow Leash. You should never hold the leash with your hands.
Sometimes, even after hours of exercise, a vizsla will still get bored and restless. This can often result in unwanted behaviors — they may start looking around the house for something to steal or they may chew on things they aren’t supposed to chew on.
Boredom often means that a vizsla needs mental stimulation. Mental stimulation can be provided via training sessions, puzzle toys, Kongs, or games like hide and seek.
Are Vizslas Easy to Train?
Vizslas are smart dogs who pick up on training quickly. They’re eager to please and they love receiving attention and praise. They are capable of learning complex skills which is part of why they are fantastic hunting dogs. If you’re interested in dog sports, the vizsla will make a wonderful partner for dock diving, agility, flyball, field trials, and obedience.
Though vizslas learn quickly, they can sometimes be challenging to work with. First of all, they can be sensitive. This breed thrives on positive reinforcement, and even raising your voice can make some vizslas shut down.
Second of all, they’re often too smart for their own good. They can learn bad habits as quickly as good ones. Finally, their attachment to their owners predisposes them to separation anxiety. You’ll want to be proactive with your training in order to prevent this issue.
Are Vizslas Good Watchdogs?
Most vizslas will bark to alert you of someone on the property. For this reason, they can make decent watchdogs. Some vizslas even have a protective streak, but they usually are not aggressive and can often be sensitive or fearful – so don’t expect them to do anything more than bark.
Are Vizslas Good Service Dogs?
Vizslas are highly intelligent, capable learners, so they can become service dogs. An internet-famous comedian named Drew Lynch once had a vizsla named Stella as his service dog.
Each dog is an individual, so some vizslas will excel at service work whereas others may be too distracted or too exuberant. Because vizslas have so much energy and require so much mental and physical stimulation, they won’t be the right choice of service dog for everyone.
That said, vizslas with the right temperament can become any kind of service dog, including psychiatric service dogs, hearing assistance dogs, and medical alert dogs to name a few.
Vizslas could be a great choice of emotional support animal. They are very attached, clingy, and often cuddly. This breed will stay by your side and will always be there for you when you need them. Vizslas tend to be friendly with strangers and are good with kids, so they can also become therapy dogs.
How to Care for a Vizsla?
Vizslas are low-maintenance dogs. They can be brushed once a week and bathed as needed. Their nails should be trimmed regularly, teeth brushed daily, and ears checked often for infection.
Do You Need to Groom a Vizsla?
Because vizslas have a short coat with no undercoat, they are relatively easy to groom. Brushing weekly will help reduce hair around the house and keep the coat looking sleek. Bathing can be done as needed.
A vizsla should have their ears checked for debris and cleaned monthly if needed. Their nails should be kept short and their teeth need to be brushed daily. Vizslas do not require professional grooming.
Do Vizslas Shed?
Vizslas are moderate shedders. They shed continually year-round but shed more heavily during spring and fall. This breed is not hypoallergenic, but neither is any other breed. Hypoallergenic dogs are a myth.
The truth is that all dogs release allergens into their environments, and dogs that shed less fur are not necessarily better for someone’s allergies. It all depends on the individual dog and the individual person.
If you’re interested in owning a vizsla but you have allergies, visit your doctor and talk about how you can manage your symptoms.
What Health Problems Do Vizslas Have?
Vizslas are at risk for the following health issues: seasonal allergies, melanosis, entropion, progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, von Willebrand disease, cancers such as lymphoma and lymphosarcoma, and ear infections.
Seeing this list of health risks can be scary, but it’s important to be informed. You can increase your chances of getting a healthy dog by adopting from a reputable breeder who health tests their animals.
Health screening helps breeders ensure that their dogs are not passing any diseases onto their offspring. A reputable breeder will be happy to share the results of health tests with you.
How Long Do Vizslas Live?
The vizsla has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
What Should a Vizsla Eat?
A vizsla should eat the highest quality dog food you can afford. The best dog foods are formulated by a veterinary nutritionist, undergo feeding trials, and meet AAFCO guidelines.
To determine how much food to give a vizsla, you can read the back of the dog food package. Otherwise, you can calculate their caloric needs yourself. There are also online calculators to help with this. Be sure to monitor the dog’s weight and adjust their portion accordingly.
Is a Vizsla the Right Dog for Me?
Vizslas are intelligent, high-energy dogs who are both curious and affectionate. Their boundless energy and clingy attachment style will spell disaster for the wrong family. This breed should not be left alone for long periods, and may not be the best option for someone who works full-time.
The vizsla would be better off with someone who works from home or on a part-time schedule. Because they are so energetic, vizslas would be a great fit for an active owner who wants a dog to hike, jog, bike, or swim with.
They’re also a great option for someone who likes to be involved in various dog sports. Dog sports can be a great way to burn off some of the vizsla’s energy!
Finally, vizslas are a hunting breed, so they’ll be happy with an owner who enjoys hunting and is looking for a pointing breed that can spend hours in the field. Just be sure that you can keep up with the vizsla’s exercise and mental stimulation needs during the off-season!