Wirehaired Vizsla

by Kate Barrington

Published: August 5th, 2015

About Wirehaired Vizsla

Weight

40-65 lb

Lifespan

12-15 years

Group

AKC Sporting

Best Suited For

Families with children, active singles, houses with yards, hunters

Temperament

Energetic, caring, quiet, gentle

Comparable Breeds

Vizsla, German Wirehaired Pointer

Height

21.5-25 inches

Wirehaired Vizsla Basics

Also known as the Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla, this breed is known for its energy, stamina, and its reddish coloration. This breed is sometimes confusing because there is another breed called the Vizsla which has a short, close-lying coat. Both breeds are known for their hunting prowess and their intelligence – they also make good family pets.

Also known as the Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla, this breed is known for its energy, stamina, and its reddish coloration.

Origin

The origin of this breed can be traced back to the 1930s when a hunter named Vasas Josef decided to develop a new breed using his kennel called Csaba Vizsla. With help from the Hungarian Vizsla Klub and kennel owner Gresznarik Lazslo, Josef set about creating a breed that had the same color and major characteristics of the Vizsla but the heavier frame and protective coating of the German Wirehaired Pointer. This breed was developed for its pointing and retrieving skills as well as its ability to excel in the extreme winter conditions found in upland Hungary. The Wirehaired Vizsla was also developed as a family companion.

Pedigree

The Wirehaired Vizsla is a direct descendant of the Vizsla and the German Wirehaired Pointer. The Wirehaired Vizsla was designed to have the color and characteristics of the Vizsla with the heavier frame and protective coating of the German Wirehaired Pointer.

Food/Diet

The Wirehaired Vizsla is a medium-sized dog and should be offered a dog food diet that is formulated for dogs of that size. This breed is also highly active, so you may want to consider an active breed formula to ensure that its daily energy needs are met.

The Wirehaired Vizsla is an intelligent dog that was developed for its pointing and retrieving skills.

Training

The Wirehaired Vizsla is an intelligent dog that was developed for its pointing and retrieving skills. This breed should be started on training and socialization from a young age and they need plenty of daily exercise to prevent the development of problem behaviors. This breed is considered to be of average trainability so you shouldn’t have a problem as long as you maintain a firm and consistent hand in training and use positive reinforcement-based training methods. The Wirehaired Vizsla can be trained for a variety of dog sports including agility, tracking, pointing, retrieving, and obedience.

Weight

The Wirehaired Vizsla is a medium-sized breed with males standing 23 to 25 inches tall and weighing between 45 and 65 pounds. Females stand 21.5 to 23 inches tall and weigh 40 to 55 lbs.

Temperament/Behavior

The Wirehaired Vizsla is a gentle and loving breed, though it can be a little high-strung at times. This breed can be affectionate with family, forming close bonds with its owners, including children. The Wirehaired Vizsla is typically a quiet breed, barking only if provoked, and they do not tend to be aggressive. This breed requires a lot of attention and quality time with family – he is likely to develop problem behaviors if left along for too long, especially if he doesn’t get enough exercise. This breed is good around children but they may not be compatible with household pets due to their hunting instincts.

Common Health Problems

For the most part, the Wirehaired Vizsla is considered a healthy breed. This is partially due to the fact that its history includes outcrossing with several other breeds which helps to reduce the instance of inherited health conditions. Like all dogs, however, the Wirehaired Vizsla is prone to a few minor health conditions including hypothyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease, hip and elbow dysplasia, and ear infections. This breed may also be affected by Addison’s disease, Cushing’s Disease, and epilepsy.

Life Expectancy

The average lifespan of the Wirehaired Vizsla is between 12 and 15 years.

Exercise Requirements

The Wirehaired Vizsla is an active and energetic breed that requires a great deal of mental and physical stimulation. This breed needs a long daily walk and would also benefit from some active playtime during the day or time spent in a fenced yard. These dogs also do well when trained for dog sports like agility or for hunting.

This breed can be affectionate with family, forming close bonds with its owners, including children.

Recognized Clubs

The Wirehaired Vizsla was entered into the AKC’s Foundation Stock Service in 2008 and was approved for competition in 2009. The breed was then moved to the Sporting Group in 2011.

Coat

The most noticeable difference between the Vizsla and the Wirehaired Vizsla is the condition of the coat. The Vizsla has a short, close-lying coat while the Wirehaired Vizsla has a slightly longer, wirier coat. The coat measures between 0.75 and 1.25 inches long and it has a dense undercoat that is water-repellent. This breed typically exhibits pronounced eyebrows and a beard which grows long on either side of the muzzle. Regular brushing and the occasional bath is recommended to keep the coat in good condition.

Puppies

The average litter size for the Wirehaired Vizsla breed is between 5 and 10 puppies. As is true for most dogs, it is recommended that you start Wirehaired Vizsla puppies with training and socialization as early as possible to prevent the development of problem behaviors.

Photo credit: Shakarrigrafie/Shutterstock ; thka/Shutterstock; eriklam/Bigstock

Kate Barrington

Kate Barrington is the loving owner of two cats (Bagel and Munchkin) and a noisy herd of guinea pigs. Having grown up with golden retrievers, Kate has a great deal of experience with dogs but labels herself a lover of all pets. Having received a Bachelor's degree in English, Kate has combined her love for pets and her passion for writing to create her own freelance writing business, specializing in the pet niche.

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Neutering Rottweilers May Shorten Their Lifespan, Study Finds

Increased lifespan is often cited as one of the main benefits of neutering a dog. But is that true? A recently published study found neutered Rottweilers may have a shorter lifespan than their intact counterparts. Neutering is a commonly performed surgical procedure that prevents unwanted puppies, controls the pet population, and eliminates certain health problems in dogs. It offers significant health benefits, such as reduced risk of pyometra and mammary tumors in female dogs. However, in recent years, concerns have been raised about the possible side effects of neutering. A recent study aimed to shed some light on this topic by comparing the lifespans of neutered and intact male and female Rottweilers. Scientists analyzed available clinical records of 3,085 intact and 4,100 neutered Rottweilers from July 1994 to June 2021. These records were collected by VetCompass Australia. The analysis provided surprising results. Scientists discovered that Rottweilers that were neutered before one year of age had a shortened lifespan of one-and-a-half years in males and one year in females when compared to intact Rottweilers. The analysis showed similar results for dogs neutered before the age of four-and-a-half years. “Most other studies have found that neutering dogs increases their longevity but ours is the first that went against that,” said Dr. Caroline Joone, the study’s lead author and senior lecturer at James Cook University in theriogeneology. “It was a bit of a shock when that wasn’t what we found,” Dr. Joone added. “We were fortunate with the data we had because we could determine when a dog was desexed and when they died.” Despite the study’s findings Dr. Joone strongly encourages owners to neuter their four-legged companions to prevent unwanted litters, as well as, serious health issues. “There are serious consequences for not neutering a dog, such as the risk of life-threatening uterus infection known as pyometra, mammary tumors, and unwanted puppies,” Dr. Joone explained. At this time, it’s unclear whether there is an ideal age to neuter a Rottweiler that doesn’t influence their lifespan. The study also highlighted several factors that could affect the lifespan of any dog, including nutrition, exercise, health care, genetic predispositions, and environmental factors. These factors may be reduced by screening for genetic health conditions. Selecting healthy breeding pairs may also help reduce the occurrence of hereditary disorders and support longevity. Let’s not forget that overweight dogs have a shorter life span than lean dogs. “There’s a strong suspicion that the reduced lifespan is more to do with weight issues than the neutering itself, so I would encourage owners to go ahead and neuter their dog but make sure you keep it at a good, healthy weight.”Dr. Joone explained that a balanced diet and regular exercise are essential for maintaining a healthy weight in neutered dogs.Do these findings apply to all neutered dogs or just Rottweilers? Scientists aren’t sure yet but plan to extend their research to other popular breeds, such as golden retrievers and greyhounds, to determine whether these results are widely applicable. The role of weight gain post-neutering and other underlying causes of reduced lifespan in neutered dogs are worth investigating further. Additionally, this study also showed that the time of neutering a dog may affect its lifespan. Dogs are often neutered between six months and one year of age, but mounting evidence has suggested that this may not be the best time to neuter a dog. Based on this analysis, neutering Rottweilers early, especially before the age of one, reduces lifespan, highlighting the importance of determining the optimal neutering age. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Study Finds Pets Didn't Make People Happier During the Pandemic

Would you say that your pet help you feel better during the pandemic? Countless pet parents, myself included, would say they experienced less stress and anxiety during lockdown thanks to their four-legged companions. However, a new study led by researchers from Michigan State University suggests otherwise. Researchers couldn’t find a reliable association between pet ownership and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, even though owners claimed pets improved their lives. The pandemic was extremely stressful for everyone. The research team from Michigan State University theorized that the pandemic created ideal conditions to determine how much happiness and comfort pets actually provide to their families. The study, published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, evaluated 767 people on three separate occasions in May 2020. The researchers used a mixed-method approach, looking at several indicators of well-being. They also asked owners in an open-ended question to think about the role of pets. Unsurprisingly, pet owners reported their pets made them happy. Owners claimed pets help them feel more positive emotions and provide companionship and affection, but also expressed worry about their pet’s well-being and reported their pets interfered with working remotely. But when researchers compared the happiness of pet owners to levels seen in non-pet owners they made a surprising discovery. Shockingly, the data showed no difference in the well-being of pet owners and non-pet owners over time. The research team explained that it did not matter what type of pet people owned, how many pets they had, or how close owners were with their pets. The personalities of the owners weren’t a factor either. “People say pets make them happy, but when we actually measure happiness that doesn’t appear to be the case,” said William Chopik, an associate professor in MSU’s Department of Psychology and co-author of the study, in a university release. “People see friends as lonely or wanting companionship, and they recommend getting a pet. But it’s unlikely to be as transformative as people think,” added Chopik. The research team also explored several other potential reasons as to why there was no difference in the happiness levels of pet owners and non-pet owners. The most likely reason might be that non-pet owners have found ways to fill their lives with activities and interests that make them as happy as owning a pet would. “Staking all of your hope on a pet making you feel better is probably unfair and maybe costly, given other things you could do in your life that could improve your happiness,”  said Chopik. Another study, involving 4,237 people, beginning at the start of the pandemic and ending in December 2021, had similar findings. Although owners grew closer to their pets, especially dogs, during the pandemic, that didn’t stave off stress.In fact, the lowest stress levels were seen in non-pet owners. When you think about it, these results kind of make sense - pet owners had an additional mouth to feed during the lockdown and had limited opportunities to take their dogs out for a walk or play session. The results of these studies are surprising, to say the least. I was positive that I was happier than my poochless friends during the lockdown, but guess that wasn’t the case. After thinking about this a bit more, I realized that maybe we shouldn’t expect so much from our four-legged companions. Yes, there are many benefits to owning a pet, and pets can make us happy, but ultimately happiness depends on ourselves. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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