Hungarian Vizsla

The Vizsla can make a fantastic family dog if their needs are met. Younger family members will need to be big enough to cope with the lively energy their new furry friend brings. Children should be closely supervised around any dog.

Vizslas thrive best with owners who are active and outdoor-loving. But they’ll love to cosy up for a snuggle in the evenings!

Yes! When looked after in the right way, the Vizsla is extremely affectionate.  

They’re often nicknamed Velcro dogs because they enjoy lots of physical contact with their beloved humans. Whether that’s following you around the house, hopping on your lap for some fuss, or just being in touching distance.

Their need for company and affection means that they struggle to cope being home alone for lengthy periods.

Yes, yes, yes!  If you want to live with a Vizsla, you’ll have to find time for their daily play sessions.

This breed needs to show their natural behaviours. This could be done through play, especially with games that involve them sniffing out and retrieving toys.

Because they love to chase and fetch toys, children will have great fun playing with them under supervision. Hiding food or toys in the house or garden is another way to make a Vizsla happy and get the children involved, too.

Vizslas aren’t the quietest of breeds. They make great watchdogs and will let you know when someone knocks on your door, or if an intruder is lurking. 

They’re emotional and express themselves with their voice. Barking in excitement, frustration and stress comes naturally to them.

They also use a range of different whines… which owners can find either endearing or annoying!
Giving them what they need to thrive will mean they don’t feel the need to use their voices as often.

The Vizsla is traditionally a working breed and needs a purpose in life. This includes exercising their bodies and minds daily.

A happy, healthy Vizsla is a lovely dog! But a bored, frustrated, isolated Vizsla is no fun to live with.

Excessive barking, digging, destructive behaviour, jumping up, and mouthing are all signs that they need ways to use up their physical and mental energy.

These dogs need to feel like they’re part of a team. Because of their sensitive personalities, they can become anxious if they’re not treated in a kind, fair and effective way.

Their working roots mean that they’re closely connected to their immediate family. This can sometimes mean they’re reserved with strangers.

In short, time! You’ll need to give them two good, off-lead walks a day, daily play sessions with scent and retrieve games, snuggles, and quality time with you.

They need a house with a garden and access to open countryside. 

A family with older children who can help entertain them would be great for this breed! But if you work full time and need a dog who copes well with being home alone, a Vizsla is not for you.

Vizslas were born to run and hunt for hours at a time. As pets, they need plenty of exercise. 

You need to allow time for two walks a day of at least 45 minutes to an hour. Flat, boring expanses of grass are not enough for this bouncy breed. They need rural countryside and/or woodland to explore.

Teaching them a solid recall (coming back when called) is essential, otherwise they’ll be off following their nose and chasing exciting smells.

Their brains need as much exercise as their bodies. Playing games that involve seeking and finding their food or toys is great fun for all the family. Retrieving games are important, too, as a way to express their natural behaviours.

All puppies need to learn how to be around people, pets, and other dogs, in a calm and polite way (known as socialisation). They also need help to feel calm, comfortable, and confident in everyday situations like travelling, the sound of traffic, and being in busy places (known as habituation). This is essential to prevent tricky behavioural problems in the future, and you'll be off to a great start with your ongoing training.

Vizslas are very bright and love to please! They’re sensitive dogs, though, so kind, fair, and effective training is essential.
As a hunting breed, you’ll need to teach them good recall skills (coming back when called) so they can enjoy much needed off-lead exercise.

Teaching them properly about the world, people, and other animals helps with basic training. You may find adolescence challenging (like with humans!). But hang in there, your hard work will pay off as they get older. 

Vizslas are a busy breed and easily distracted, so training sessions should be short and fun to keep them interested.

Vizslas have a single layered coat.  This means that they don’t shed as much as other breeds. 

A grooming mitt helps to keep their coat sleek and smooth. Using it once a week will also help you identify any lumps, cuts or parasites that need addressing. 

You may need to shower or bathe them more frequently than other breeds! Vizslas really love the great outdoors and the chance to take a dip in water.

Until more recently, Vizslas were thought to be a relatively healthy breed, but a few issues have started to show.

A good breeder will health test their Vizslas for the following conditions:

- cancer, especially hemangiosarcoma and lymphoma
- epilepsy
- conditions which affect the immune system immune mediated disease
- vizsla inflammatory polymyopathy, a disease affecting the muscles
- hip dysplasia, which affects the joints
- glaucoma, an eye condition

If you buy a puppy from a reputable breeder and provide what they need, your new four-legged friend should live a long and happy life.