Vizsla: Breed Guide, Info, Pictures, Care & More!

Vizslas are rust-colored, large-sized gun dogs who are perfectly compatible with active, outdoor lifestyles. If you’re looking for a companion with as much energy as you, you might have met your match. These dogs are bursting with peppiness.

Breed Overview

If you have heard of the Vizsla and want to know the breed in great detail, you came to the right place. We’re going to discuss how to buy a puppy and all you can expect from your furry friend as they grow up.

Vizsla Characteristics

Vizsla Puppies

Vizslas can be quite rare, so you might have to start your search months in advance if you are set on getting one. If you don’t live around a breeder, this could very likely cause a trip out of state. Make sure to do your research and get on any waiting list as needed.

Luckily, since Vizslas are both rare and have distinct appearances, puppy mill situations aren’t as likely. However, you should still double-check the authenticity of your selected breeder before purchasing. All puppies should be clean, fully weaned, and vetted before coming home.

Vizslas are rather active dogs so make sure you have lots of space for them to run around. They will likely get on better with families who have older children.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Vizsla

The Vizsla will impress you every day with their affectionate nature and smarts. They are incredibly loving dogs, taking a laid-back approach to life. Even though they are physically driven animals who need plenty of exercise, they still love snuggling up to their humans for scratches and cuddles.

If you’re looking for an attentive, highly trainable dog—the Vizsla should be a top candidate during your search. This breed is very bonded to their people, so they listen intently to those they love. This is perfect for training, as they are very motivated to do what makes their owners happy.

Plus, they have an extreme thirst for knowledge. Vizslas love learning new concepts and seeing new places. Typically a friend to all, the Vizsla is a terrific companion for outings. They get along well with people and creatures alike, being gentle and amiable in social settings.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Vizslas can make very good companions for families. These dogs are very kid-friendly. Because they have such happy-go-lucky, heightened energy, they match children’s temperament easily, making them fantastic playmates.

These dogs are also well known for being calm, cool, and collected. Their gentleness makes them very patient with even small children. However, with kids under six, they might knock them down due to their size. Use your own judgment here.

If you are an outdoorsy person, these dogs will happily accompany you wherever you go. They have a deep-seated wanderlust and are always down for a new adventure with their best buds. Even if you just take a trip to the backyard for a frisbee toss, they will be all about feeling their paws on the grass.

These dogs can be protective but are not inherently aggressive. So, while they watch out for family members, they quickly assess a situation but are slow to overreact to potential threats. Their judgment is usually very sound, and they listen to commands well.

Since they have such a high demand for physical exercise and they grow to such a large size, this breed is likely not the best option for seniors.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Vizslas are usually highly compatible with other dogs. They thrive on companionship and love having another canine comrade around to share it with. You will find that these dogs are quite easy-going and friendly with dogs of any size, but they might be competitive with attention.

Vizslas can do very well coexisting—and maybe even befriending—feline roommates when raised alongside cats. However, if you get an adult Vizsla, be sure to check cat friendliness before bringing them home. Since this breed has hunting roots, they might have a high prey drive.

Due to the Vizslas size and prey drive potential, they should never be unsupervised around smaller pets or livestock.

Things to Know When Owning a Vizsla

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The impressively athletic Vizsla needs a diet that matches their energy levels. You should consider buying high-quality dog food—and there are so many selections on the market.

We always recommend checking with your veterinarian before you decide on a diet plan. However, there are ever-growing options available to pet owners that you can consider.

The most popular diet choices are dry kibble or wet food—but you also have options like raw, homemade, and moist dog food diets. There are tons of recipe ideas floating around to create a healthy, home-cooked meal for your pup.

Try to steer clear of recipes with fillers and artificial additives. These ingredients could trigger allergies in your Vizsla.

Exercise 🐕

Your Vizsla will need plenty of exercise to keep them healthy. Being an active breed, they love a lifestyle of adventure. If you’re a person who enjoys running, hiking, hunting, or exploring, they will always be your best pal.

Your Vizsla needs at least 80 minutes of exercise per day. This is quite extensive, so this breed won’t be for every dog owner—and that’s okay!

Because of their physical requirements, they aren’t good candidates for all-day crating. Vizslas do best with plenty of yard space, land, or frequent outings. With pent-up energy, they might develop destructive tendencies.

Vizslas benefit just as much from mental exercise as from physical exercise, so it’s best to give them puzzles and such as well.

Training 🎾

Vizslas make incredible candidates for training—both with basic commands and intricate concepts. As previously used for hunting, they were developed to take direction from their owners.

Highly skilled and incredibly agile, Vizslas will impress you with their intelligence and stamina. Your Vizsla will also pick up on basic commands and simple concepts shockingly quickly.

Many juvenile Vizslas might have an issue with pulling when they are learning to walk on a leash. This is because they have a very terrific sense of smell and get distracted by new scents lingering around. With patience and repetition, your Vizsla will be mannerly on the leash in no time.

Grooming ✂️

This breed has a pretty easy grooming regimen, requiring very little to stay nice and tidy. Vizslas are moderate to low shedders, so daily brushing will suffice to keep their coats shiny and fresh.

You should follow the general canine recommended guidelines, bathing this breed once every four to six weeks. These dogs aren’t necessarily prone to allergies, but it’s always best to use a natural shampoo that soothes your pup’s skin instead of those with harmful chemicals or fragrances.

It’s best to start teeth brushing as early as possible, removing any plaque buildup to prevent dental disease later in life. You can also follow up bath times with nail trims as needed since they can get quite long—ouch.

Health and Conditions 🏥

In your pup’s first year of life, they will become very familiar with their veterinarian. They will need to get routine checkups, vaccinations, and—in most cases—a spay or neuter surgery. Your pup will grow most in their first year of life, requiring monitoring.

If you think your dog is developing any strange symptoms, you should get them to your vet right away. These visits can eliminate potential health risks to keep your Vizsla living its best life.

While Vizsla’s are very hardy dogs with good health, some genetic issues might plague the breed. The best way to get ahead of any issues is to make sure your dog gets proper vetting.

Here are some potential issues you might see in the Vizsla breed:

Male vs. Female

Vizslas have some attributes that differ between genders. Males are usually five to ten pounds heavier than females with athletic bodies and blockier heads. Females are usually sleeker and leaner than their male counterparts.

Males tend to be slower to mature than females. Males can stay puppy-like well past the two-year mark while females are well-rounded by then.

Both genders are a pleasure to train, but females might be more receptive initially. Females are also more likely to be responsive to changes in vocal tones. Both genders do much better with positive reinforcement training versus harsh punishments.

No matter what gender you choose, the Vizsla is sure to make a loving companion for the proper household.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Vizsla

1. Vizsla translates to “tracker”.

The stunning Vizsla actually has a name that translates to the breed’s sole purpose, which is tracking. These dogs are masters in their field of work.

2. Vizsla puppies are born with blue eyes.

The hazy blue color of the Vizsla puppy is captivating against their rust coats. However, as they age, this lovely shade changes from blue to a golden brown.

3. Vizslas run at speeds up to 40 miles per hour.

Being one of the fastest dogs globally, Vizslas can run speeds up to 40 miles per hour—compared to that of a human who can only run roughly eight miles per hour.

Final Thoughts

If you think the physical traits and characteristics match up to what you’re looking for in a dog, it might be time to find a breeder. Since Vizslas are such a rare breed, it might be a little challenging to find a puppy. If you need to travel or get on a waitlist, it’s best to know as soon as possible.

So, the big question is—is it time to find your very own Vizsla to add to the family?

• You may also want to read: Male vs Female Vizslas: What Are the Differences?

Featured Image Credit: Barna Tanko, Shutterstock