Breeds
Vizsla: Temperament, Size, Lifespan & Care
A Vizsla is an affectionate, athletic, people-focused sporting dog, the kind the AKC calls a Velcro dog. Vizslas want to be at your side all day and need a great deal of daily exercise, so they suit active owners who are home a lot. The short coat is easy to keep. Here is what the AKC and VCA Animal Hospitals say about the breed.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 14, 20264 min read3 sources
Vizsla temperament and personality
The AKC describes Vizslas as affectionate, energetic sporting dogs that bond closely with their families, and calls them Velcro dogs that can develop social anxiety or unwanted behaviors if left alone for long periods. VCA calls the breed energetic and attentive, sociable with strangers, sometimes protective and occasionally overly excitable.
In daily life that means a dog that follows you from room to room, wants to touch you when it lies down and finds long absences hard. For owners who work from home or can take the dog along, that devotion is the breed's best feature.
How big do Vizslas get?
The AKC says Vizslas stand 21 to 24 inches tall and weigh 44 to 60 pounds. VCA lists 21 to 24 inches and 45 to 65 pounds. Neither source gives separate ranges for males and females, so treat these as figures for the breed as a whole.
Vizslas are lean, muscular dogs. VCA notes they tend to stay at a good weight, but adults may need fewer calories if they start to gain. Ask your vet to check body condition as your dog's activity changes with age.
Vizsla lifespan and common health issues
VCA gives a lifespan of 10 to 14 years. Its page does not list specific conditions, so ask your vet and breeder directly about the problems the national breed club tracks in Vizslas, such as hip dysplasia, eye disease and epilepsy.
Ask a breeder for hip evaluations and eye exams on both parents. Ask your vet about joint care for a very active dog. A first seizure, sudden lameness or a swollen belly with retching needs a vet promptly.
Exercise needs
The AKC says Vizslas need substantial daily physical activity and mental stimulation and do well with dog sports and outdoor activities. VCA recommends a long walk or jog every day plus vigorous games, says hunting is the breed's favorite activity, and says a well-fenced yard is essential.
Plan for an hour or two of hard exercise a day once the dog is grown: running, retrieving, swimming, hiking and field work. The short single coat gives little warmth, so a dog coat helps on cold days.
Vizsla grooming and shedding
The sleek coat is about as easy as it gets. The AKC says it needs occasional brushing and baths only when the dog is dirty, and VCA recommends weekly brushing and rates shedding as average.
The AKC adds regular nail trims, ear checks and dental care. A rubber curry dog brush or hound glove takes a few minutes. Check the paws after runs on rough ground.
Check the paws after long runs.
Training a Vizsla
The AKC says Vizslas are intelligent and eager to please and fairly easy to train, with consistent, positive methods from puppyhood. VCA says they learn quickly but are easily distracted, and that obedience training is essential for control and mental exercise.
The AKC notes a strong prey drive makes early training and socialization important. Work on recall on a long line, teach a solid settle and practice short absences from puppyhood so the dog learns to cope alone.
Are Vizslas good with kids and other pets?
VCA says Vizslas are gentle and playful with children and good with other dogs and pets. The AKC says they can be excellent family dogs for active households when properly trained, socialized and supervised.
The AKC notes their prey drive may make them a poor fit for homes with small pets such as rabbits or birds. Most live happily with other dogs, and many with cats they are raised with.
What a Vizsla needs at home
A Vizsla needs a securely fenced yard, a crate, a soft, padded bed and blankets, and a dog coat for cold weather. Fetch toys, a long training line, puzzle feeders and durable chews help with energy and time alone.
For care, keep a rubber curry brush, nail grinder, ear cleaner and dog toothbrush. A well-fitted harness and leash cover walks. If you work long hours, plan for a dog walker or daycare, and ask your vet about a feeding plan for an active dog.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
How long do Vizslas live?
VCA gives a lifespan of 10 to 14 years. Hip and eye screening of the parents, lots of exercise and a lean body help a Vizsla stay healthy and active.
Why are Vizslas called Velcro dogs?
The AKC uses the term because Vizslas bond so closely with their families and want to be at their side. They can struggle with anxiety if left alone for long periods.
How big do Vizslas get?
The AKC lists males at 22 to 24 inches and 55 to 60 pounds, and females at 21 to 23 inches and 44 to 55 pounds. VCA gives a broader 45 to 65 pounds.
Are Vizslas good family dogs?
For active families, yes. VCA says they are gentle and playful with children, and the AKC says they make excellent family dogs when trained, socialized and supervised.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
