The Vizsla is a beautiful dog with a long and proud history that goes back a thousand years. Still, it’s a breed that flies under the radar for some people. Those in the know are already aware of this amazing, friendly, athletic companion.
They are currently in the top 30 as far as breed popularity according to the AKC. Higher than Pugs, Weimaraners, Border Collies and Chihuahuas as a reference. So it’s a dog you will find a very strong following for. This wonderful exercise partner is certainly a trending breed.
We researched and spoke to breeders to get an idea of costs for a well bred Vizsla puppy:
How much do Vizsla puppies cost? A realistic price range for this dog between $1500 to $2200 for a well bred dog, but there are quite a few things that can influence this price. You want to place a premium on a happy, healthy puppy that is raised in a great environment. Vizsla puppies that need to fly to your location will add to this cost, starting at $300 and up depending on specifics.
What Impacts Cost Differences In Vizslas?
There are several things that can impact the price of your Vizsla. The two biggest factors being breeder quality and supply of puppies.
The quality of the breeder is the biggest component when it comes to the price of your Vizsla. Unprofessional or less-than-professional breeders will often charge less for a pup, but this doesn’t mean that they are necessarily the best option. If a breeder isn’t charging much for the dog, they probably don’t have much time or money invested in the animal. That’s not a good thing, because it makes the breeder look as if they don’t particularly care about their dogs.
A reputable breeder has a lot of health screenings done for their puppies and parents. They’ll provide a good home with quality care, love and attention.
The other biggest contributor to cost is the old rule of “supply and demand.” Vizslas are more common in certain areas than others, and this rarity (or lack thereof) will affect the price. Any time the supply is low and the demand is high; the price will likewise be high. If supply is high and demand is low, you’ll get a lower price.
Within the US or even outside, understand that you can often arrange for a puppy from another state or country. There are breeders who will work with you and even help arrange for a Flight Nanny to bring a puppy to you. This makes it tougher to visit the breeders location, but it can be worked out if everything else is a good fit.
Finding Quality Vizsla Breeders
Before buying from any specific breeder, you should always get a good idea of how well they take care of their animals. If a breeder tried to get you to buy the pup sight-unseen, that is a red flag to indicate that the breeder has something to hide.
Always ask to visit the breeder and view their kennels. Any breeder that won’t allow you to do this is not worth your time, and may even be trying to scam you. Worse, they may be operating what some people call a “puppy mill.” This is a type of breeder that cares only about the money. Dogs from these kinds of breeders tend to be unhealthy, poorly socialized, and not vaccinated.
A previous study shows that the Vizsla is relatively sensitive to a disease called parvovirus (source). It is one of the most common causes of puppy mortality, and it is something that you never, ever want to see. Parvo is almost always fatal, and it does not kill quickly. Buying an unvaccinated pup can result in your being forced to watch your puppy die slowly, and there will be nothing that you can do about the problem. This is the number one reason to vet your breeder thoroughly.
Here are a few things to look for when checking out a Vizsla breeder:
- Pups should be well-fed and active
- Any stool in the kennel should be solid rather than runny. Any fecal discoloration is also a red flag
- Kennels and other living areas should be clean
- There should be fresh bedding in the kennel
- Look for any scars on the dogs that you see. Vizslas aren’t normally prone to fighting, so scars are not a good sign at all.
- The health of the mother will give you an indication of how well the breeder has taken care of her. You should not be able to see the vertebrae of the spine
- Check the vaccination records. Every good breeder keeps them and should be able to provide you with them.
- Pre-registration for puppies is available from most kennel clubs, and a responsible breeder will probably have made use of this program.
Tips For Working With A Breeder
Many breeders will ask for a deposit before reserving a specific pup for you. Although this might sound suspicious to some people, it is perfectly normal. Still, make sure that you get a signed receipt for any money that changes hands. It would also be a good idea to take a picture of you and the breeder standing next to one another, holding the signed receipt in front of your body so that it is plainly visible.
You should also be understanding if your breeder tells you that the dog still needs another round of shots. Pups are usually given their first round of vaccinations at 6-8 weeks. Since most pups are sold at that age, you will probably be responsible for providing the second round of shots at 10-12 weeks of age. Again, perfectly normal.
Adopting Or Re-Homing Options:
For those who want a Vizsla without the high price, there are several options. Even high-end breeds like this one are sometimes abandoned, and that is a situation in which you can acquire a fine dog and do a good deed at the same time.
Of course, you should be aware that rescue cases will often have some psychological issues. Vizslas are not known for aggression, but an abused dog might be another story. Most abused dogs will either become timid or vicious (or sometimes a mix of the two). For this breed, the timid behavior is probably more likely. If you opt for a rescue dog, it is important to understand that these dogs will require a little more patience than others.
Re-homing is another option, and it’s a little less fraught with problems than rescue options. Dogs like these are obviously unwanted for some reason, but they are much less likely to have been abused. Re-homing is sometimes free, but there is usually a “re-homing” fee. However, you can bet that this fee will be a lot less than the price of a purebred Vizsla pup.
Related Questions
Is it possible to import a Vizsla puppy?
Yes, but importing a dog from another country tends add to the cost. Live animals require special shipping accommodations. They can travel with a flight nanny or you can fly out to get them. All of this adds up to more shipping costs. Some breeders choose to import their dogs from older breeders in Hungary to ensure breed purity. However, there were a lot of diplomatic hoops and regulations associated with the process.
You can also fly puppies within the US if you find a breeder that’s a bit beyond comfortable driving distance. Again costs will be incurred for the flight and someone to accompany the puppy. Figure $300.00 plus for this.
What kind of deposit do Vizsla breeders usually require?
Anywhere from $250.00 to $1000.00 is what we have seen. This factor will vary greatly among breeders, but you can expect to pay more than usual since this is an expensive breed. Just make sure that you get a clear answer from your breeder when you ask about this.
Conclusion
Although this is a fairly expensive breed, many would agree that a Vizsla is well worth the money. They are affectionate, highly intelligent, very clean, and very capable of earning their keep as working dogs. As we have also shown, you don’t have to be rich to enjoy the benefits of this fine breed.
We hope that you will remember this rule above all: What you get out of a dog is entirely dependent on what you put into the dog. If you train them well and teach them to be obedient and lovable, they will be exactly that. If you don’t train them at all, they will be like wild dogs and will be very difficult to manage. Either way, the responsibility is yours.
You’ll find answers to your other Vizsla questions and some you haven’t thought of, HERE.
