Vizsla

energetic / affectionate / gentle

Sporting Group >>

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

22-24 inches (male)

21-23 inches (female)

Weight

55-60 pounds (male)

44-55 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy

12-14 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family

Independent Lovey-Dovey
100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

Not Recommended Good With Children
100% 100%

A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
100% 100%

How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

No Shedding Hair Everywhere
60% 60%

How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

Monthly Daily
40% 40%

How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
40% 40%

How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded

Curly

Double

Hairless

Rough

Silky

Smooth

Wavy

Wiry

Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long

Medium

Short

How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
80% 80%

How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
100% 100%

How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
60% 60%

A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
100% 100%

How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

Self-Willed Eager to Please
100% 100%

How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

Couch Potato High Energy
100% 100%

The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

Only To Alert Very Vocal
60% 60%

How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
100% 100%

How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

Independent Lovey-Dovey
100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

Not Recommended Good With Children
100% 100%

A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
100% 100%

How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

No Shedding Hair Everywhere
60% 60%

How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

Monthly Daily
40% 40%

How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
40% 40%

How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded

Curly

Double

Hairless

Rough

Silky

Smooth

Wavy

Wiry

Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long

Medium

Short

How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
80% 80%

How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
100% 100%

How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
60% 60%

A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
100% 100%

How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

Self-Willed Eager to Please
100% 100%

How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

Couch Potato High Energy
100% 100%

The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

Only To Alert Very Vocal
60% 60%

How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
100% 100%

How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

The Vizsla is a multipurpose gundog with a red coat that is ideal for extended days in the field. These tough but graceful athletes have been the pride of Hungarian sportsmen for decades, and their recognition in America is growing every year. The sleek golden-rust coat of the Vizsla makes him immediately recognizable. They are the epitome of a lean, agile hunter’s companion, standing between 21 and 24 inches at the shoulder. A facial expression that is tender and loving when at home and intense when at work is framed by long, silky ears. Vizslas develop strong bonds with their owners and detest being left alone because they are a hunting breed that must cooperate closely with people. Vizslas are multi-talented athletes that excel in a variety of sports and pursuits. They are graceful and enthusiastic trotters with exceptional endurance, making them the perfect running or bicycling partners. ‘If you don’t have the time to foster this breed’s full use of its brain, you’re squandering a good dog,’ a breed expert tells us.

Vizsla-standing-on-a-snow-covered-path-through-the-woods

What To Expect When Caring For a Vizsla

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

In general, Vizslas are a healthy breed. A usual lifespan is between 12 and 15 years. Cancer is a danger in all breeds and mixed breeds. Seasonal allergies, visual diseases such as melanosis or entropion, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and ear infections are also checked for by responsible breeders. Breeders who do their studies ahead of time have a better chance of producing sound, healthy puppies.

Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:

Hip Evaluation
Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Thyroid Evaluation

Grooming

Vizslas have a short, glossy coat with little undercoat, so they don't need much care. They do shed, therefore brushing them with a rubber grooming brush on a regular basis is beneficial. When they get particularly dirty (or roll in something stinky), give them a bath with lukewarm water, a good-quality dog soap, and thorough rinsing. Toe nails should be kept short, either with a clipper or a grinding tool. Ears should be checked on a regular basis for debris, wax buildup, and signs of irritation. A gentle ear-cleaning product used on a regular basis can help prevent issues. Regular cleaning is required to maintain teeth and gums healthy; use a product made for dogs (not human toothpaste).

Exercise

Vizslas were designed to be energetic hunting dogs that require both physical and mental stimulation. Individual dog needs vary, but in general, owners should plan on at least 30 minutes of active exercise per day and some dogs will require more. In addition to leash walks and retrieve activities, most Vizslas want regular opportunity to run hard off-leash. Mental exercise is just as vital as physical activity, so it should be part of their daily regimen. With the restriction that young dogs should not run great distances until they achieve maturity at around 18 to 24 months, Vizslas can be wonderful running or jogging companions. Older Vizslas are usually lively and playful.

Training

Vizslas require constant, constructive training from the time they are puppies. Owners must establish great communication and teach good behavior because they are highly bright, curious, and occasionally manipulative. Untrained Vizslas can be difficult to live with. They can get themselves into a lot of trouble if they don't have a 'work.' Fortunately, they usually enjoy training and thrive on the attention they get. Because this is a sensitive breed, early and ongoing socialization is essential to ensure that the dog has the confidence to participate in a variety of activities. With proper socialization and constant training, these versatile dogs may participate in a variety of activities such as field trials, hunting tests, conformation, obedience, rally, agility, dock diving, barn hunts, lure coursing, scent work, and tracking.

Nutrition

The Vizsla should thrive on high-quality dog food, whether purchased commercially or produced at home with your veterinarian's supervision and consent. Any diet should be tailored to the age of the dog (puppy, adult, or senior). Most Vizslas are good feeders, and individual dogs' caloric demands vary greatly; a young, active dog may require four or five cups of a high-calorie meal per day, while elderly or less active dogs may require less than half that amount. Some dogs are prone to becoming overweight, so keep an eye on your dog's calorie intake and weight level. Treats can be a valuable training aid, but feeding too much can lead to obesity. Discover which human foods are suitable for dogs and which are not. Consult with your

History

The Magyars fled the Russian steppes in the mid-800s and destroyed Western Europe for 50 years. These ruthless marauders rode across the continent, leaving a trail of murder and ruin in their wake. They spread their wings as far west as Paris and as far south as the tip of Italy before landing in what is now Hungary.

Magyar cavalry superiority was based on three qualities: speed, agility, and toughness. As a result, Magyar warriors carefully bred these characteristics into their horses—as well as their canines. It was either keep up or perish in this lightning-fast nation on horseback. The swift red dogs of the Magyars, predecessors of the present Vizsla, kept up.

Hungarian aristocrats and warlords polished these dogs throughout the ages, developing the modern Vizsla. The breed became well-known as a quick, all-purpose hunting dog capable of doing almost anything. That eagerness has earned Vizslas generations of American fans.

The first Vizsla to arrive in America was smuggled out of Communist Hungary in 1950 with the assistance of a U.S. Employee of the State Department. Fifty years later, Chartay, a Vizsla, became the first dog in AKC history to win titles in five separate sports—a quintuple champion. It’s no surprise that the words “versatile” and “Vizsla” are frequently used interchangeably.