11 Lesser-Known, PAWsome Facts About Vizslas

Sensitive, playful, loyal, high-energy and (very) active! No, this isn’t explaining one of your friends; they’re all words we use every single day when expressing our love for the beloved Vizsla! Just one look into that adorable, sweet face and you’ll find yourself falling in love with the Vizsla, too. Maybe you have a Vizsla already, or maybe you’re considering getting one through us for the very first time. Whatever your relationship to this fantastic pup, you have so much to look forward to with every single experience together. But just how well do you know the Vizsla? Think you know everything? We dug through our treasure trove of knowledge to find some of the most interesting, relatively unknown facts. They’ll inspire you, make you smile, and encourage you to love your new or existing pup even more than before.

Vizslas Are an Ancient Breed

The Vizsla breed itself stretches back to the ancient Austro-Hungarian empire. There, they were bred and kept as valuable hunting companions by local Magyar tribesmen. The Vizsla played a critical role in helping tribes track, take down, and retrieve game. As for just how far back the breed goes, this beautiful dog is mentioned in stories from the 8th and 9th Century. The earliest concrete evidence we have, however, dates back to the early 1800s.

They Adapt Well to Apartment Living

There’s a common misconception that sporting dogs with high-energy personalities don’t make good apartment dogs. Not so for the Vizsla; it does just fine in a smaller home as long as you spend plenty of time outdoors. It’s the perfect companion for city dwellers who love to run and explore the city every single day. Just how much exercise should your Vizsla get? Most experts and trainers agree that 30 to 60 minutes a day is best whenever possible. On days you can’t be present, your Vizsla can visit a doggy daycare to ensure he has just as much fun.

They're Highly Intelligent

Part of the reason Vizslas were originally bred as hunting companions is that they’re really, really smart. Anyone who owns one knows first-hand just how much they love to solve problems, whether it’s opening the dog food bag on the sly or figuring out a brand new dog toy puzzle. All that intelligence does come with one slight caveat: training your Vizsla is even more important from day one. She’ll look to you for guidance, and a lack of training and brain engagement may cause her to act out with undesirable behaviors. Find ways to challenge her brain daily and this won’t be a concern.

Their Coat Type & Color Is Recessive

Vizslas get their gorgeous, deep roan coat color from a single recessive b-allele gene. In this way, they’re a little bit like redheads in humans. If cross-bred with other dogs not within the Vizsla family, offspring often lose the red color, favoring dark browns and golden shades instead. Just because the Vizla carries the recessive gene responsible for that golden-red coat doesn’t mean he can’t have variations. Breeders try their best to achieve a solid, even rust-red coat. But the Vizsla can have slightly lighter or darker coat shades depending on parentage.

They "Velcro" to Affection

Some people call Vizslas “velcro dogs;” there’s a good reason for that. They LOVE affection, snuggles, cuddles, and sleeping near their humans. If you’re looking for a dog who’s always by your side, the Vizsla certainly fits the bill. Here’s one small caveat to that affectionate nature: they’re sensitive, and need lots of attention. If you can’t spend plenty of time with your Vizsla on a daily basis, they may not be the best choice for your home.

The're Fast Runners

The average Vizsla runs at speeds of around 40 miles per hour. That’s significantly faster than most other breeds, including the Golden Retriever. In fact, most experts place the Vizsla at around the 10th fastest in the world. So, what’s faster than a Vizsla? The Greyhound, the Whippet, the Saluki, and the Borzoi all clock in with a faster average speed. Abizian, Pharoah, and Afghan Hounds do, too, as does the Scottish Deerhound.

They're Born With Blue Eyes

One of the most charming appearance factors of brand-new Vizsla puppies is their gorgeous blue eyes. Like most animal babies, Vizslas start with remarkably blue eyes, but the shade is much brighter than other breeds. They hang on to those eyes for a few months, when they eventually morph into a stunning orange-yellow shade instead. Both colors are gorgeous all the same!

They Lack an Insulating Undercoat

Unlike Golden Retrievers and Labradors, Vizslas lack an insulting undercoat. This means they are more prone to catching a chill, especially in the water. But it also means they’re much easier to groom and care for, too. Because the Vizsla lacks that extra layer of insulation, you should take care in winter weather and particularly cold environments. Come in every so often to warm up or give your pup a warm sweater to help him weather the temperatures.

AKC's First Quintuple Champion Was a Vizsla

A Vizsla named Chartay was the first pup to successfully be named AKC Quintuple Champion. She won a total of five different championships during her career, affording her the long-but-suitable name TC/AFC/MACH Legacy’s DeChartay, UDX(5), MH, HOF. Today, Vizslas continue to win awards all across the country. They’re used as bomb-sniffing dogs at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), they make great therapy dogs, and of course, they’re fantastic pets, too.

They’re Exceptionally Clean

Despite being bred for hunting, Vizslas prefer to stay clean. They make this known by immediately shaking off water and debris and constantly grooming themselves. As an owner, you can aid this process by following proper Vizsla grooming protocols, including nail trims and occasional baths.

They Have Webbed Feet for Swimming

Despite lacking an insulating coat, the Vizsla is veritably designed for fast swimming. Webbed feet allow him to channel through the water lightning-fast. Whether he’s retrieving prey or just enjoying a swim at the beach, he’s likely to dive in excitedly multiple times.