Vizsla Overview
| OFFICIAL NAME | Vizsla |
| COMMON NAME | Vizsla |
| PET HEIGHT | 21 to 24 inches |
| PET WEIGHT | 45 to 65 pounds |
| LIFESPAN | 10 to 14 years |
| GOOD WITH | cats, children, dogs, families, seniors |
| TEMPERAMENT | friendly, outgoing, playful |
| INTELLIGENCE | medium |
| SHEDDING AMOUNT | infrequent |
| EXERCISE NEEDS | high |
| ENERGY LEVEL | active |
| VOCAL LEVEL | frequent |
| DROOL AMOUNT | low |
| BREED GROUP | sporting |
| BREED SIZE | large (61-100 lbs.) |
| COAT LENGTH | short |
| COLORS | red |
| PATTERNS | sable |
| OTHER TRAITS | apartment-friendly, easy to groom, easy to train, good hiking companion, hot weather tolerant, loves water, strong loyalty tendencies, tendency to chew |
Vizsla (pronounced VEEZH-la or VEESH-la) is not only a talented hunting dog, but also a devoted companion. They become very attached to their owners and are very loving.
Vizslas have a trademark red coat and are built for activity. They can hunt, track, complete agility courses, and simply accompany you on a long jog. Without proper training and socialization, a Vizsla might be too much for a first-time dog owner. They are high-energy—requiring lots of exercise each day—but always graceful.
Hailing from Hungary, these multitasking dogs thrive on human companionship. A Vizsla's worst fear is being separated from her family. So be prepared for her to follow family members from room to room. They crave attention and long to be touching their owners.
There's even an old saying: "If you own a Vizsla, it lives on top of your head."
Appearance
A sleek red coat, sometimes referred to as golden red or russet, is what sets the Vizsla apart. Even their nose and the skin around their eyes are red. They also have long, silky ears and a lean build for their frame.
Female vizslas are medium-sized at 44–55 pounds, while males are larger dogs—weighing up to 65 pounds. They can look intense and razor-focused while they are on the hunt, but back home they share their sensitive, loving side.
Temperament
This breed is nicknamed the "versatile Vizsla" or the "Velcro Vizsla" for their tendency to follow their owner around the house demanding attention and adoration. Solo bathroom trips? Nope, sorry! Some owners might warn you that once you bring a Vizsla home, you might never get another private moment in your life. When at rest, they are likely to be leaning against you or lying on top of your feet.They are also a talkative breed, often whining, moaning, or making other noises to share their opinions. And because they are a hard-working dog, they are happy to be given a job to do as part of the family.
If Vizslas attended high school, they'd be able to hang with the sporty and the nerdy kids all at once. They are very smart dogs—and biddable—but tend to get bored easily, so they need lots of exercise. They run hard and fast, with boundless energy, making them great jogging partners. In fact, the Vizsla Club of America (VCA) says, "Since dogs generally don't run around a yard on their own, you will need to walk, run, jog, or hike each day with your Vizsla."
Vizslas can start their hunting career early and are capable of pointing and retrieving before they turn 1 year old. They can hunt on land or water and are known to stay close to the hunter. Their skilled nose proves very useful and they have an excellent memory. Their keen senses also make them good watchdogs, guide dogs, drug-detection dogs, therapy dogs, and search-and-rescue dogs.
Living Needs
A Vizsla needs to live in an active home with an owner who enjoys the great outdoors. Take her on walks, runs, hikes, or hunting excursions—they also love to swim. This is one dog who won't tolerate a couch-potato lifestyle."They are active and bred to hunt, making wonderful pets in the correct home," says Sierra Combs, owner of Nosam Kennels in Greensburg, Ky., who has worked with the breed for the last seven years. "They are not a breed to buy if you are looking for a lazy dog." They also do well on a farm or at a home with vast acreage—aka, lots of space for running. Vizslas can also do well with apartment living, despite misconceptions, as long as you spend lots of time outdoors. They are ideal companions for city dwellers who go on runs to explore the neighborhood.
Vizslas are people-oriented and would rather spend time with you in your home, as opposed to outside on their own. She does not have an undercoat, so she won't do well in cold temperatures—you'll want to make sure she's wrapped up in a coat for winter walks or runs. Thanks to her short fur, a Vizsla can thrive in warmer climates. But no dog should be left outside for long on hot summer days, and you should always make sure she has access to shade, water, and AC. After all, dogs don't sweat like humans do, so you need to keep them cool.
And while Vizslas love spending time being active with their owners, they aren't lapdogs. They will, however, jump into bed with you—anything to get a little bit closer to you. They will thrive in a home where their human spends most of their time with them during the day to keep them company.
As puppies, Vizslas have boundless energy and are very rambunctious, requiring constant supervision. When they are bored, they will chew, so stock up on toys to keep them engaged. (The VCA recommends two hours of puppy exercise each day.) They are very loving with kids as they get older and end up being a very manageable-sized dog for many families. Rewarding them with affection and treats will teach your puppy to not steal your kids' toys. Vizslas can also be taught to get along with cats and other dogs, but they should not be in a home with pet birds or small animals like rabbits and hamsters.
Care
Thanks to their short, sleek coat, Vizslas are pretty low-maintenance in the grooming department. They do shed, so you'll want to brush them—a rubber grooming brush is best—every so often so you can keep those little red hairs off your best black clothes. You can also wipe them down with a damp cloth to keep them clean; a full bath is only necessary four to five times a year. Even though they are bred for hunting, the Vizsla is a dog who likes to stay clean. They shake off water right away and constantly groom themselves.Exercise is key for Vizslas. They need lots of it, anywhere from 30–60 minutes a day. They enjoy canine sports, therapy work, long walks, runs, and games of fetch. If your Vizsla doesn't get enough activity in their day, they will develop undesirable behaviors. And because they are a retriever breed, they will chew on anything they can get their teeth on. Be sure to provide lots of chew toys that you rotate regularly so your Vizsla doesn't get bored and move on to the furniture.
Positive reinforcement is vital for training your Vizsla dog. "They are soft-natured and do not take well to harsh training," Combs says. Praise your pup while being consistent and kind.
Health
Another attractive feature of the Vizsla is their health: they do not have many health problems, according to the VCA. A few potential health conditions Vizslas may be prone to include epilepsy, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, lymphosarcoma—the third-most common cancer seen in dogs—and progressive retinal atrophy.Reputable Vizsla breeders should conduct all health tests recommended by the OFA. If you're adopting your pup, ask the rescue for all available health information. On average, the dogs live for 12–15 years.
History
Documentation of Vizslas, sometimes known as the Hungarian pointer, can be found in 10th-century art and 14th-century literature. According to the VCA, they are considered one of the world's oldest hunting dogs. Vizslas were bred to go after game birds and hares, sometimes hunting in partnership with falcons. They were developed to both point and retrieve and were a distinct breed by the 19th century, prized for their ability to trace a scent and work with their handler.
Vizslas were used during World War I to deliver messages and came to the the United States in the 1950s after nearly going extinct after World War II, according to the VCA. At that time, the breed looked much different than today with a longer muzzle, bonier skull, and the appearance of a hound.
The Vizsla Club of America formed in 1954 and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1960. Still known for their work ethic and scenting ability today, Vizslas were used for recovery at ground zero after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. They also work as guide dogs, drug-detection canines, and search-and-rescue dogs.
Fun Facts
A Vizsla named Chartay was the first pup—the first of any breed—to successfully be named AKC Quintuple Champion, having won championship titles in five different disciplines.Vizslas are one of the fastest dogs, able to run as fast as 40 mph.
The fact Vizslas don't have an insulating coat makes them great swimmers. But they also have webbed feet—yes, like a duck—to enable them to zip through the water for fun or retrieving prey.