Wirehaired Vizsla – A Complete Guide To These Beautiful Dogs

The Wirehaired Vizsla is a wonderful sporting dog from Hungary. They’re known for their obedience and loyalty as well as their big hearts and playful natures. These stunning rust-colored dogs were bred to hunt both fur and feathers and make excellent pointers too – in fact, they’re an ideal hunting companion for many.

Easily recognizable thanks to their wiry coats, shaggy beards, and adorable eyebrows, these hunting dogs are also amazing family pets that get on well with kids and make adoring companions.

So, thinking about adopting a Wirehaired Vizsla into your pack? There are lots of things you need to know about this wonderful breed – and you can find them all out in this guide!

But First, Wirehaired Vizsla vs Vizsla – Are They The Same?

These two beautiful red dogs are very similar to each other. But, they’re two distinctive breeds. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), both dogs are very close relatives but they’re recognized as different breeds.

One main difference between these two dogs is their coat. Wirehaired Vizslas have longer and rougher coats, whereas regular Vizslas have much shorter and sleeker ones. They’re both classified as medium-sized dogs but Wirehaired Vizslas usually stand a little taller and are heavier.

Both of these stunning dogs have rust-colored coats and beautiful colored eyes that compliment them perfectly.

History of The Wirehaired Vizsla

We can trace the origins of the Wirehaired Vizsla (and the regular Viszla) back centuries. In what is now known as Hungary, people were breeding fast, loyal, and intelligent hunting dogs that could navigate the difficult terrain and cold temperatures.

Wirehaired Vizslas (as we know them today) weren’t bred until the 1930s. Hunters wanted a slightly larger dog than the standard Vizsla that was a bit sturdier and wouldn’t be as affected by extreme temperatures. They started to cross Vizslas with German Wirehaired Pointers and the result was pretty impressive!

They inherited the stunning color and loyalty of the Vizsla and the warmer coat and intelligence of the German Wirehaired Pointer. Even though they’ve been around for decades, the national breed club was only set up in 2003 and they were first recognized by the AKC in 2014.

Temperament of The Wirehaired Vizsla

These dogs are upbeat, excitable, hard-working, and devoted family pets. They’re very intelligent and need to get plenty of mental stimulation a day as well as a good run around outdoors. Puzzle toys are an excellent way to keep their brains active and engaged.

When indoors, these pups are usually calm, well-mannered, and friendly. But when out on a hunt, they’re serious and committed to getting the job done.

As well as being lively, Wirehaired Vizslas are also very affectionate and love to spend time with their humans. They’re happy to snuggle up at the end of the day and accompany you wherever you go.

Do Wirehaired Vizslas Get On With Kids?

Yes, Wirehaired Vizslas are usually very friendly with children – especially those they’ve grown up with. It’s really important to socialize this breed well so that they’re used to small humans and how to interact with them.

Although friendly and affectionate, they’re also quite bouncy, so care should be taken when introducing this breed to smaller kids.

Do Wirehaired Vizslas Get On With Other Animals?

The Wirehaired Vizsla likes playing with other dogs and is generally a friendly pup. They need to be socialized and trained well to learn proper doggy manners and they especially get on well with dogs they’ve been raised with.

They may also get along well with cats they’ve grown up with but, as hunting dogs, you shouldn’t trust them around smaller animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits, and hamsters.

Can Wirehaired Vizslas Live In An Apartment?

These pups are active and would prefer to have space to run around in. Ideally, they should live in a house with a backyard, close to fields, ponds, and woods that they can go on walks to. If you do live in an apartment and have your heart set on a Wirehaired Vizsla, you should know that you’ll need to take them out a lot.

They’ll want trips to the dog park and long walks for both mental and physical exercise.

Do Wirehaired Vizslas Bark?

The Wirehaired Vizsla is usually a quiet dog that only barks when they’re trying to alert you to something or they’re provoked.

The Appearance of the Wirehaired Vizsla

The Wirehaired Vizsla is a stunning, medium-sized dog that’s elegant, noble, and very attractive. This dog has a dense wiry coat that forms a cute beard and bushy eyebrows. It also helps them to keep warm in cold weather. According to the AKC’s breed standard, their coat color should be golden rust.

These sporty dogs have athletic and strong bodies that are built for long hunts and exercise. They’re a bit bulkier than the regular Vizsla and they definitely have an air of German Wirehaired Pointer about them.

They usually have light brown eyes that match their beautiful coats and pale noses. This breed has floppy, medium-set ears that hang close to their cheeks.

Height and Weight of a Wirehaired Vizsla

These pups are medium-sized dogs and males are usually a bit bigger than females. You can expect your Wirehaired Vizsla to grow between 21.5 and 25 inches and weigh between 45 and 65 pounds.

Grooming a Wirehaired Vizsla

These dogs are rugged and bred for long days in woods, water, and fields. Such a dog needs an easy-to-maintain coat – which the Wirehaired Vizsla certainly has! They only need to be bathed occasionally (usually when they’ve rolled in something) and wiping them down with a damp cloth is enough in between walks and hunts.

They’re not considered hypoallergenic dogs because they do shed (but not as bad as many other breeds). Brushing them once a week with a grooming mitt should keep most of the loose hairs under control and you may want to increase the frequency during the shedding season.

As with all pups, you need to trim their nails to keep them a comfortable length (if they don’t wear them down themselves). If you’re unsure how to do this, ask a groomer or vet.

Because these pups have long and floppy ears, it’s important to clean them regularly and check for any signs of infection. Always dry your pup’s ears after they’ve been swimming too.

Exercising a Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla

These dogs are very energetic and need around 2 hours of exercise per day. They’re the perfect companion for those who like running, hiking, or going on long walks. They also love to swim and can compete in canine competitions.

Wirehaired Vizslas are an intelligent dog breed and need mental exercise too. Snuffle mats are a great way to keep hunting dogs entertained and hone their natural instincts.

Training a Wirehaired Vizsla

Because these dogs are so devoted, they’re usually eager to please their owners. Which can make training easier. Positive reinforcement is the best method to use with this hunting dog as it helps them to become more confident and loyal and build the bond between you.

Treats can be a really good tool during training. It’s best to replace calorie-rich, shop-bought treats with healthier alternatives such as little pieces of shrimp, broccoli, or edamame.

As well as training, socialization is very important for a Wirehaired Vizsla. They need to be exposed to new sights, sounds, and people from a young age so that they grow in confidence and become well-rounded.

Health of A Wirehaired Vizsla

The Wirehaired Vizsla is a generally healthy breed but, like all pups, it can be prone to a couple of health issues that you should be aware of.

These include:

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Kidney Issues (such as hyperuricosuria)
• Cataracts
• Subaortic Stenosis

Responsible breeders should be regularly testing their breeding stock for health conditions so that they’re not passed on to future generations.

Life Expectancy of a Wirehaired Vizsla

Wirehaired Vizslas have a life expectancy of 12-14 years. Enough exercise, a nutritious diet, and regular checkups can help to make sure they’re as healthy as can be. It’s also important to get a healthy puppy that’s been responsibly bred.

Diet and Nutrition

These dogs need a nutritious diet made up of canine-specific food that’s well-balanced. Pup parents often feed these dogs two meals a day, but if you’re unsure about how much you should be feeding your dog, contact your vet or canine nutritionist. Another option is to feed your pooch fresh dog food. There are loads of great brands and many of them pre-portion the food to make mealtimes a little easier.

90% of your dog’s diet should be dog food at meal times and 10% can be healthy human snacks. Have a look at the BarkingTalk food page for some inspiration for healthy dog snacks and treats.

Adopting a Wirehaired Vizsla Puppy

The Wirehaired Vizsla is still a relatively rare breed in America, so it may not be that easy to find a puppy straight away. Your best bet is to start with a breed club or kennel club as they will recommend reputable breeders with happy and healthy dogs. You could also check with vets and specific rescue groups.

It’s always worth checking in your local shelter too. You might be lucky enough to find a Wirehaired Vizsla or another pup in need of a loving home.

Conclusion – Should You Get a Wirehaired Vizsla?

Are you an active pup parent looking for a fun, friendly, and excitable hunting dog? Maybe one that’s a stunning color and has an adorable beard?

Then the Wirehaired Vizsla could be perfect.

They’re intelligent and sweet-natured dogs that really are a hunter’s best friend and an adorable family pet. But they do need a lot of exercise a day. So, if you’re more of a homebird or don’t have 2 hours per day to spend walking your dog, a different pup (like the Havapoo) might be a better option.