You won’t find a faster friend than a Vizsla. Wired for speed and with boundless energy, a Vizsla is an athletic, high energy dog that wants to constantly be on the go. But they’re not about the independent life: whatever they’re doing, they want to be right by your side. Known as ‘Velcro’ dogs, these gentle, friendly, affectionate dogs bond closely with their humans. With their long, floppy ears and loving face, you’ll find it hard to resist giving them the attention they thrive on.
Vizsla Facts
Built for long days in the field, Vizslas are medium-sized sporting dogs known for their speed and grace. Their lean, athletic bodies are coated in distinctive reddish brown fur and their face is framed by adorable floppy ears.
- Breed Group: Sporting
- Height: Female: 53-58cm, Male: 55-60cm
- Weight: Female: 20-25kg, Male: 25-27kg
- Life Span: 12-14 years
- Coat: Smooth, short
- Colour: Golden rust
What Does a Vizsla Look Like?
You’ll know a Vizla when you see one - there’s no mistaking that sleek golden-rust coat. Long legs and a muscular, lean body lets you know this is a hunting dog, built for speed. Vizslas have long, thin silky ears that droop around their face. Medium round eyes give them a look of intelligence and alertness. These beautiful dogs have a short, smooth coat that’s easy to care for.
Vizsla
Vizsla Temperament: Go, Go, Go
Vizslas are a dog of extremes. They’re extremely high energy and always want to be on the move - if it ends in ‘ing’ they want to be doing it. But on the other end of the scale, they’re extremely bonded to their humans and are known to be ‘Velcro’ dogs. These medium-sized dogs are gentle, friendly and playful and they’re happiest when they’re being active with you.
That’s why Vizslas make great family pets, especially if you’re an outdoor adventures type of family. Vizslas are great with children of all ages, including babies, and they’ll live happily with other dogs. Although they have a high prey drive, they can be trained to live with cats. Keep your kitty safe until your Vizsla is well socialised though.
Bred to be a hunting dog, Vizslas are highly intelligent, curious dogs who learn quickly, making them easily trainable. But (and it’s a big but) untrained Vizslas are hard to live with. Their intelligence helps them find lots of different ways to get into trouble if they’re not kept busy, physically and mentally. Consistent, positive training will form a daily part of life with a Vizsla, starting from puppyhood.
Keeping Vizslas Healthy: 5 Issues to Watch Out For
With a long expected life span (12-14 years) and a history as a working dog, Vizslas are generally healthy dogs although there are a few things to keep an eye on.
Ear Infections
Seasonal allergies can cause ear infections. These are usually painful and cause a Vizsla to scratch their ears or experience ear discharge. Although medications can help treat ear infections, surgery might be needed if they’re chronic.
Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies (also called atopy) can affect Vizslas. It’s when allergens like pollen, mould or dust cause skin itching and ear infections. Seasonal allergies can be easy to spot as your Vizsla is likely to scratch or shake their skin as they try to get rid of the itchiness. Atopy can be treated by medication and medicated shampoos.
Eye Problems
Vizslas are prone to a range of eye problems. However, all of them are hereditary and responsible breeders screen for them to ensure your puppy won’t develop them. These problems include ocular melanosis, which can cause glaucoma. Although it doesn’t have a cure, medications can help. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is another hereditary eye condition. It can lead to blindness. There’s no treatment currently for PRA but most blind dogs adjust well and continue to live long, happy lives. Finally, there’s entropion which causes the eyelids to roll in so that their eyelashes irritate their eyes. It’s surgically treated.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is another inherited condition that causes a Vizsla to have seizures. It’s managed with medication.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is fairly common in dogs. It’s when their thyroid is underactive, causing a Vizsla’s body functions to slow down. Signs include lethargy, weight gain and coat or skin changes. It’s treated by thyroid hormone replacement medication.
Caring for Your Vizsla Dog
With their short, smooth coat, a Vizsla's grooming needs are low. Instead, you’ll spend most of your time trying to wear them out and teaching them new tricks.
Grooming
‘Easy care’ best sums up a Vizsla’s short, sleek coat. Although they do shed, it’s very much on the low side. They’ll need a weekly brush to keep their coat clean and healthy - a grooming glove can be a good choice to help get any old hair out. Bathing can be kept for when they get super dirty or roll in something disgusting. Lukewarm water, top quality dog shampoo and thorough rinsing is all they need to keep them smelling sweet.
During their weekly groom, take a look inside those long floppy ears. They can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which can lead to ear infections. Gently wipe out any dirt or built-up wax, either with a cleanser or a damp cloth / cotton wool.
Clip or grind their nails every month and brush their teeth daily to avoid plaque building up, which can lead to tooth decay.
Nutrition
Vizslas are known to be good eaters who will happily eat quality premium dog food. Choose food that matches their life stage: puppy, adult or senior. Treats will form a big part of your daily training as they’re used for positive reinforcement (you reward good behaviour with things like praise, toys, playtime and treats). Keep an eye on how many treats your Vizsla is getting every day as those calories can add up.
Exercise
Born to be active hunting dogs, Vizslas need physical and mental exercise - and lots of it. Think one, two or three 30-minute walks a day, plus playtime. As well as on-leash walks and endless games of fetch, Vizslas need the opportunity to run off-leash regularly. Just make sure they’re in a secure, fully fenced area - you’ll struggle to catch these speedy dogs if they take off after a cat or other critter! Vizslas really need daily access to outdoor space so they can run to their heart’s content. This means they best suit homes with a garden or with a park nearby.
Vizslas make great jogging, biking and running companions but only once they reach maturity at about 18-24 months. Younger dogs who run long distances are at risk of injury to their developing bones. Mental stimulation is just as important for a Vizsla as physical so make sure you stock up on toys for indoor entertainment, like slow feeders and puzzle toys.
Training Your Vizsla
Hunting dogs they may be, but Vizslas are also sensitive dogs who respond well to consistent, positive training. With their high intelligence and curiosity, most Vizslas love training, especially because they get all your attention (they’re not called Velcro dogs for nothing!).
Vizslas need to be trained from puppyhood with daily training sessions being part of your lives together. Their smarts means they have little respect for boundaries and will constantly hunt out new and inventive things to do. Always keep them busy with jobs like running with you, fetching a ball and getting to grips with new tricks.
Early and ongoing socialisation is key to a Vizsla’s happiness, as it helps to build their confidence around other dogs and people. Daily walks are a good opportunity for a Vizsla to meet and sniff new pups and people. Puppy school is also a good idea, as they’ll learn to play nicely with other dogs.