The Wirehaired Vizsla is a boisterous hunter on land or in water and is distinguished from his near relative, the Vizsla, by his dense, wiry coat. These cheerful Hungarians are calm and friendly around the house and like sports like swimming and running. Although they are closely related to vizslas, WVs are a distinct breed. The coat type is the main identifying characteristic. In contrast to the sleek Vizsla, the WV has a dense, wiry coat, and its shaggy beard and brows highlight its bright, animated countenance. The WV and smooth-coated Vizsla are both considered medium-sized dog breeds, but the ideal WV will be slightly taller and heavier than the smooth-coated kind. Both breeds have a nose and eyes that subtly complement their coats and a striking red coloration (golden rust).
Wirehaired Vizsla
loyal / gentle / trainable
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.
Height
23-25 inches (male)
21.5-23 inches (female)
Weight
55-65 pounds (male)
45-55 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy
12-14 years
Breed Traits & Characteristics
Shedding Level
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
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
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.
Affectionate With Family
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
What To Expect When Caring For a Wirehaired 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
The Wirehaired Vizsla is a breed that tends to be in good health, and reputable breeders check their breeding stock for diseases like hyperuricosuria (a condition that increases the risk of kidney and bladder stones), elbow and hip dysplasia, subaortic stenosis, glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, and cataracts.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Hip Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Grooming
The Wirehaired Vizsla is considered to be a 'wash and wear' dog because they just need the barest amount of maintenance to stay in good shape. In between baths, wiping them down with a moist cloth is typically sufficient. During the shedding season, using a grooming mitt or shedding knife on their coat will help reduce the amount of hair they lose in your house. Trimming toenails ought to be done every four weeks. Most folks find it most convenient to do this while giving the dog his monthly wash in a tub. To prevent problems later in life, a dental care program should be started at a young age.
Exercise
The high-energy Wirehaired Vizsla requires a lot of exercises. They enjoy spending time with and participating in activities with their loved ones. This makes the breed an excellent choice for a canine companion for people who enjoy going on hikes, riding bicycles, or running. Due to their strong hunting instinct, which will cause them to chase after prey, it is essential that they have space to run around freely, preferably in a secure enclosed environment.
Training
The Wirehaired Vizsla is energetic, content, and willing to please. They are incredibly intelligent and full of activity, but they grow bored soon. Because of this, it can occasionally be challenging to exercise, and you should make an effort to keep workouts brief, interesting, and pleasant. A Wirehaired Vizsla needs structure and boundaries, and they require a gentle but firm and constant hand in the discipline. He has a gentle demeanor, though, so it's best to avoid using harsh language or inflicting bodily harm on him. They form close bonds with their families and may experience separation anxiety if not properly trained.
Nutrition
The Wirehaired Vizsla should thrive on premium dog food, whether it is made commercially or at home under the direction and agreement of your veterinarian. All high-energy sporting breeds require a nutrient-dense diet when they are working. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior). This food differs significantly from the food they will require as puppies, sedentary pets, or at various other stages of life. Because WVs are so focused on food, keep an eye on your dog's calorie intake and weight. Treats can be a valuable training tool, but offering them in excess might lead to obesity. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any worries about your dog's weight or diet, consult your veterinarian. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible.
History
We know much more about how Wirehaired Vizslas were formed in the 1930s since the history of dogs developed in the 20th century has been much better chronicled than that of older breeds. The short explanation is that Hungarian falconers and hunters desired a dog with the same drive and adaptability as their beloved Vizslas, but with a stronger frame and a denser coat, the better to work on difficult terrain and in the chilly weather of northern Hungary. Vizsla and German Wirehaired Pointer hybrids were wisely used to achieve this.