Breeds / Medium
Vizsla puppies
Affectionate, energetic and gentle, the Vizsla is a lean, light footed hunting companion that forms strong attachments and loves being part of family activities.
The facts
- Size class Medium
- Country of origin Hungary
- Adult weight 20 to 27.2 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 44 to 60 lb
- Adult height 53 to 61 cm
- Energy level Very high
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short smooth
- Shedding Moderate
- Typical lifespan 12 to 14 years
- Good with children Reliably good
- Good with other dogs Usually good
About the Vizsla
The Vizsla is a Hungarian pointer, bred by Magyar landowners to find, point and retrieve game and to do all of it within gun range of a handler on foot. This is a lean, golden rust dog with a short coat, no undercoat, and a self coloured nose and eye rims, moving with a light, ground covering trot. The temperament is famously attached: they want to be in the room with their people, lean on them for contact, and struggle when they are left alone for long stretches.
Exercise is the whole question with this breed. They need to run hard off lead on a regular basis as well as taking walks, plus training and scent work to tire the head. Grooming is minimal, an occasional rubber brush over the coat and attention to the nails and ears. They suit a runner, a hiker or an active family, and they do not suit a long working day in an empty house. Feed the mind as well as the legs, or you end up with a very fit and very destructive dog.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Vizsla puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. This is a very high energy breed. The mistake owners make is trying to tire them out physically. Training, scentwork and puzzles will do more than distance ever will. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
- Autoimmune thyroiditis, with a thyroid evaluation recommended by the national breed club
- Eye disease, with an ophthalmologist evaluation recommended by the national breed club
Your Vizsla puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Vizsla.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 20 to 27.2 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 27.2 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other medium breeds
American Cocker Spaniel
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Aussiedoodle
Australian Cattle Dog
More on the Vizsla
Previous: Turkish Kangal Dog · Next: Volpino Italiano
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Vizsla breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/vizsla/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.