15 Things to Know Before Getting a Wirehaired Vizsla

One of Hungary's most popular dogs, the Wirehaired Vizsla, is a hunting dog. They are related to the Vizsla breed, but they got their name from the dense, wiry coats they have. This, coupled with the Golden Rust coat color, creates a lovely dog with an equally impressive personality. The German Wirehaired Pointer's dense coat was used to create this new breed in the 1930s, giving rise to the Wirehaired Vizsla dog breed we know and love today. To better understand how to live with this dog, we need to know its unique characteristics. Here’s the list of things to consider before getting one!

1. The Wirehaired Vizsla has excellent hunting skills and many other talents.

Tracking and retrieving skills are among the Wirehaired Vizsla's many strengths. It is a breed for work in the woods, on the water, and in the fields. It is true that the Wirehair and the Vizsla share ancestry, but the two breeds are distinct and have their registration systems.

This is a canine athlete with the potential to excel in a wide range of sports. Not only can you see him out in the field working to hunt, but you can also see him competing in agility or obedience rings, doing dock diving or tracking, or bringing joy to others as a therapy dog.

When in good health, Wirehaired Vizslas do well in all types of weather and terrain. As a breed, Wirehaired Vizslas have a wide range of talents.

If you've got an active family who can give the Wirehaired Vizsla the training, exercise, and attention it needs to be an excellent family dog, you can't go wrong with this breed.

2. It has similar physical characteristics to the Shorthaired Vizsla.

The body of the Wirehaired Vizsla is graceful, slim, robust, and well-proportioned. Typically, the length of its muzzle is less than its entire head. This dog's skull is modestly broad and curved. The chest of the Wirehaired Vizsla is also wide and deep.

There is a brown or amber tint to this dog's oval eyes. Despite its short, floppy ears and medium-length neck, it has a well-balanced build.

Although this canine's coat is wiry, dense, and dull, it has a thick undercoat that repels water. When a Wirehaired Vizsla puppy is just a few weeks old, its fur is typically golden yellow, but its ears are darker.

3. The Wirehaired Vizsla is a very active and energetic breed.

The Wirehaired Vizsla is known for its high level of physical activity and for being an extremely active breed. These dogs must be regularly exercised to maintain their physical and mental well-being. A strong sense of smell enables them to carry out hunting activities more effectively and efficiently.

It is essential for Wirehaired Vizslas' health and well-being that they engage in some form of exercise. Wired vizslas benefit significantly from regular exercise to avoid becoming bored and acting out. A walk in the fresh air would end your wirehaired vizsla's instinctual urges to chase, fetch, chew, dig, and herd.

Although the amount of time spent exercising your wirehaired vizsla depends on her health and age, a daily walk around the block is probably not enough. If your Wirehaired Vizsla is between the ages of six and eighteen months, her needs are likely to be higher.

On the other hand, Wirehaired Vizslas are considered sporting dogs. Even though Wirehaired Vizslas can be trained to settle down indoors, they still need to be able to run and play outside. These dogs are prone to boredom and can cause damage to your home by chewing and tearing things apart.

4. The Wirehaired Vizsla is cheerful, loving, and friendly.

This dog is a joy to be around, whether with its family, friends, or even strangers. It also gets along well with other animals. When it comes to socializing with a new person, especially when they are still young puppies, they must undergo a short but necessary adaptation process.

5. This breed is prone to suffering from separation anxiety.

Because these dogs are unable to be left alone for extended periods, they suffer from a condition known as separation anxiety, which is very important for you to keep in mind. Because of this, wirehaired vizslas should only be purchased by households or individuals prepared to devote a significant amount of time to their care.

Because a puppy of this breed's emotional maturity has not yet reached its full potential, the effects of being alone on them can be amplified to a much greater degree. This can make the situation significantly more difficult for the puppy.

6. The Wirehaired Vizsla requires daily exercise.

A Wirehaired Vizsla puppy's training time is longer than that of an adult Wirehaired Vizsla. Adult Wirehaired Vizslas typically need two 30-minute workouts daily, five days a week. On the other hand, Wirehaired Vizsla puppies require at least two hours of daily training.

Puppies need more exercise than adult Wirehaired Vizslas because their muscles haven't fully developed. You must, however, be careful not to overwork your Vizsla, as this could be detrimental to its physical well-being.

Your dog can be offered games, walks, agility training, and other activities. To keep your puppy from becoming bored, you should do a variety of physical activities throughout the day.

7. The Wirehaired Vizsla's diet must be based on natural and healthy foods.

Because of their increased physical activity, Wirehaired Vizsla puppies need more food than adult Wirehaired Vizslas. As a result, your puppy will need to eat more to make up for the extra energy he will expend.

The best action is to feed your dog a diet rich in protein-rich foods. Meats, vegetables, fruits, and eggs are a few options.

Your puppy should not be overfed to avoid any health issues, especially obesity, the most common disorder in any breed of dog and is also a leading contributor to death.

For grown wirehaired vizslas, high-quality dry dog food provides a well-rounded diet that can be supplemented with broth, canned food, or plain water. Fresh water should always be available to your dog.

In most cases, two well-portioned meals are served daily. However, you should speak with your veterinarian about the type of diet and the amount. For example, wirehaired vizslas have a lot of energy and need a diet higher in nutrients. To avoid overeating, you must still be aware of dog treats and other extra food.

8. The Wirehaired Vizsla needs to be trained early.

Puppy training is best because they are more receptive. Wirehaired Vizslas are intelligent and love to please their masters. They're trained mentally and physically. They thrive on mental stimulation, so daily training to keep their minds sharp is the best way to give it to them.

Train your wirehaired vizsla the day you bring it home. If you wait until it's six months old to train it, it’ll be more stubborn. Instead of formal training, you can start home training and socializing your puppy until vaccinations are complete.

The Wirehaired Vizsla's temperament depends on training. These dogs love to play and are happy. When they can, they run, jump, and play. Some may find their energy too much. If trained, they can be calm and relaxed indoors. An experienced dog owner should have no trouble teaching them good manners.

9. The Wirehaired Vizsla is pretty easy to maintain.

A few times a week is the recommended frequency for brushing this dog's fur. However, an additional session may be required depending on the amount of physical activity. Because these dogs don't get filthy, you should only bathe them if it's necessary.

Your dog's ears are prone to getting dirty, and if they aren't cleaned regularly, they can lead to health issues in the future. Dogs generally dislike being bathed, even less so when their coats are dried with a dryer after they have been wet.

A dog's nails should be trimmed regularly to promote good hygiene and a smoother gait.

If you cannot perform any of these tasks, you should have your Wirehaired Vizsla puppy seen by a veterinarian or specialist. You can also take advantage of the veterinarian's services to have your pet checked for any potential health issues.

10. These dogs are excellent family companions.

The Wirehaired Vizsla can be a good family dog if socialized and trained correctly. Also, he may get along with many other dogs and even cats if raised with them in the same household.

As a result of its easygoing nature, the Wirehaired Vizsla makes an excellent family dog. He's supposed to be calm, gentle, and loyal at home. When it comes to his family, he's usually outgoing and friendly, but there's always one person he's most fond of. A stranger may notice his reserved demeanor, but those with malicious intent will quickly learn of his fierce loyalty to his family and the things they cherish.

In the end, wirehaired vizslas make great pets for someone willing to give them the attention and care they need. They thrive in a home where they can be loved, played with, and cared for by a large group of people.

11. The Wirehaired Vizsla responds best to positive reinforcement.

This dog has a sensitive nature and will respond most favorably to both firm and fair handling, along with an abundance of positive reinforcement. The use of harsh discipline is counterproductive and has the potential to destroy what should be an eager-to-learn and self-confident dog.

Give him a lot of compliments and affection, and try not to raise your voice or act angry around him. You will find that he is quick to learn new things and has an excellent memory.

12. The Wirehaired Vizsla is a generally healthy breed with a potential life span of 12 to 14 years.

You ought to be aware that he suffers from a few health problems. It is possible for any dog, just as it is possible for any human to inherit a particular illness, to develop genetic health problems.

Hip dysplasia, eye disease, and cancer are some of the health issues that have been observed in Wirehaired Vizslas.

13. Wirehaired Vizsla shed a little.

The Wirehaired Vizsla is characterized by a double coat about an inch in length and is dense and wiry. The hair on the lower legs, belly, and chest is shorter, softer, and thinner than the hair on the rest of the body. The breed does not shed much. It is not normal for you to find yourself wearing the coat of your wirehaired vizsla or having to wipe hair off your hand after petting him.

Brushing your wirehaired vizsla will help reduce the amount of hair it sheds and keep it clean. Inspect your pet for fleas and ticks daily during the summer and other times of the year when the weather is warm.

Before bathing the Wirehaired Vizsla, remove any mats from its hair by combing or trimming them. If soap is left on the coat after it has been rinsed, then the dirt will cling to it.

14. These dogs need a comfy place to rest.

To ensure that your Wirehaired Vizsla has a restful night's sleep, provide a sheltered, draft-free, warm, and quiet environment that is elevated off the ground. You ought to consider getting a dog bed for your pet or making one out of a wooden box, either of which would be a good idea.

To make the bed feel cozier, a blanket, sheet, or pillow that has been recently washed should be tucked into the corner. Be sure to give the bedding a thorough cleaning regularly.

If the Wirehaired Vizsla is going to be spending a lot of time outside during the hot weather, you need to make sure he has access to plenty of shade and cool water. You need to ensure he has access to a protected space that is kept dry and warm during the winter months.

15. Wirehaired Vizslas are usually fine around other dogs.

A socialization and entertainment outlet for a wirehaired vizsla can be found in the company of other furry friends. This can help keep him mentally stimulated and give him something else he can play with, which is especially helpful if you are going to be busy or will be gone from the house while he is playing.

Although wirehaired vizslas behave well around cats generally, they may have a little more energy than a cat would prefer their companion to have. But because they are bred to be hunting dogs, it is essential to exercise caution when a Wirehaired Vizsla is present near any small animals that are kept as pets, such as hamsters, guinea pigs, or even rabbits.

These animals might not be considered pets, but if they are allowed to roam free outside of their enclosures, your dog might try to interact with them and play with them.

This is the one when it comes to a dog that is loyal, even-tempered, gentle, and can accompany you on all of your outdoor adventures. A Wirehaired Vizsla is an energetic dog that enjoys running and swimming. However, they exude serene and loving energy as well.

Doing your research before making a purchase is critical. This breed of dog is highly active, so you'll need to be prepared to spend a lot of time playing and exercising it. Dogs of this type require a lot of activities, mental stimulation, and interaction with other dogs and people, so they're best suited to households with children who are always on the go.

So, is this the dog for you?