The Wirehaired Vizsla is a hunting dog from Hungary with excellent tracking and retrieving skills.
It is a close cousin to the Vizsla, but while Vizslas have a smooth, sleek coat, the Wirehaired Vizsla has a dense, wiry coat with an adorable beard and eyebrows!
The Wirehaired Vizsla is also likely to stand slightly taller than a Vizsla and weigh a shade more. Like the Vizsla, the Wirehaired is an active, lively dog but closely bonded with its families and wonderful with children.
In this blog post, we’ll look closer at the Wirehaired Vizsla’s characteristics and see what makes them different from the classic Vizsla, Hungary’s favorite hunting dog.
Other articles you would like: Do Vizslas Shed? Tips For Maintaining A Self-Cleaning Dog and How Much Do Vizsla Puppies Cost?
Table of Contents
Characteristics Of A Wirehaired Vizsla
The Wirehaired Vizsla is a highly affectionate dog that closely bonds to its family. It is also quite friendly with children and neighbors, and you will not have to worry about them going rogue on your visitors.
Like all hunting dogs, they have high prey drives and should be watched around smaller animals. When young, it is best to introduce them to other pets, such as cats or smaller dogs, to get them comfortable in all situations.
Wirehaired Vizslas typically have a calm temperament and are not likely to be excessive barkers. They have a moderate protective streak and will protect the house and home when threatened.
They have high energy levels and need one to two hours of solid exercise daily to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.
Wirehaired Vizslas will make unsuitable dogs for people too busy to provide enough exercise or households with sedentary owners.
A bored Wirehaired Vizsla will likely exhibit many destructive behaviors, such as chewing, digging, or excessive barking.
Appearance Of A Wirehaired Vizsla
The Wirehaired Vizsla has a short, golden rust wiry coat, with a trademark shaggy long beard and eyebrows. The fur around the muzzle and the eyes grow much longer than the rest of the body.
It is good to keep this in check, especially around the eyebrows, to prevent fur from inhibiting sight.
The Wirehaired Vizsla also has a more structured and robust appearance compared to the Vizsla.
The breed has a longer, rounder skull than the muzzle, with medium-sized floppy ears. The color of the nose and the eyes matches that of the coat.
It has a well-structured body with proportional, muscular shoulders. They give off a noble and graceful appearance coupled with excellent running skills.
Temperament Of A Wirehaired Vizsla
Kind and gentle, Wirehaired Vizslas are known to be affectionate to children and make an excellent addition to families.
Remember that children must continually be monitored in the presence of pets, even with a gentle dog like the Wirehaired Vizsla.
This breed is intelligent and can have a stubborn streak, so early training and socialization are crucial. They might also be easily bored, so you’ll have to switch training up with interesting games and exercises to keep them mentally focused.
They require a firm, consistent owner that will take the time to teach them their limits and boundaries.
They might also be prone to separation anxiety since they are closely bonded with their families.
One of the most difficult things about being a pet owner is leaving your furry friend at home when you go to work or run errands. For some dogs, this can be a triggering event that leads to separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety is a condition that causes dogs to experience distress and behavioral problems when they are away from their guardians. Symptoms include whining, panting, pacing, destructiveness, and excessive drooling.
In severe cases, dogs may try to escape from their homes or become self-injurious. The good news is that there are several steps you can take to help your dog feel more comfortable when you’re away from home.
With patience and positive reinforcement, most dogs with separation anxiety can learn to cope with brief periods of alone time.
Training A Wirehaired Vizsla
As mentioned earlier, Wirehaired Vizsla has a gentle and happy temperament, and they are usually eager to learn.
Due to their high intelligence level, the Wirehaired Vizsla is quite easy to train as they love engaging in multiple activities that can stimulate them mentally and physically.
You must note that these dogs respond more to positive reinforcements. Due to their sensitivity, do not train by yelling, being negative, or using punishing tactics, as it can break their spirit and destroy your bond.
Instead, use plenty of praise and enthusiasm, and you will find that they will learn quite fast, making training activities enjoyable for both of you.
Exercise Needs Of Wirehaired Vizslas
Wirehaired Vizslas are typically high-energy dogs and require a lot of movement and some off-leash time. They will do well with about 2 hours of exercise each day of moderate to intense work like a vigorous game of fetch.
Since they are happy with any exercise, there are plenty of activities that you can do with them.
For instance, you could play fetch at the park or backyard. They also suit high-performance activities such as hiking, cycling, or swimming.
Since they are intelligent, having them participate in mentally stimulating activities will be good for them as well. It would be wise to remember that these dogs are natural hunters and are likely to chase squirrels and other animals.
If you have smaller pets like rabbits and cats, you must watch your dog carefully around them and introduce them early.
Wirehaired Vizslas are agile, athletic dogs and would likely enjoy agility training.
Agility training is a great way to spend time with your dog while providing them with much-needed exercise. Not only that, but it can also be a great bonding experience.
You and your dog will build trust and communication as you work together to navigate the obstacles. You may even find that you start to understand each other better.
Agility training can also be a great way to socialize your dog, as it allows them to interact with other dogs and people.
Grooming Needs Of Wirehaired Vizslas
Wirehaired Vizslas have short, wiry coats that need minimal maintenance. You can brush them a few times weekly to remove dead fur and dander and bathe them every few weeks.
However, since active dogs are likely to spend heaps of time outdoors, you can wipe them down with a cloth or doggy wet wipes after a long walk or run out.
Like all dogs, they need their eyes checked and cleaned, and their nails cut every few weeks unless they run loads of miles on rough terrain and file their nails naturally down.
They have floppy ears that need constant cleaning to avoid ear mites and infections. Their teeth must also be cleaned daily with doggy toothpaste and a toothbrush.
When shedding season comes along, you can use a slicker brush or a grooming mitt to remove some of the loose hair and reduce the amount of fur all over your home.
Wirehaired Vizslas will also benefit from an occasional trim to keep their shaggy eyebrows out of their eyes.
If you are not comfortable handling any of this from home, you could take your dog to the groomers and have them professionally cleaned, as they have all the equipment necessary to make sure that the process is done smoothly.
However, this is optional since Wirehaired Vizslas love being around their families and may enjoy getting a bath from one of your household members.
Diet and Nutrition
As it is with all pets, clean, fresh water should always be available for your Wirehaired Vizsla.
Since they are sporting dogs, they will require a lot of nutrient-dense food with meat or plant-based protein as the main ingredient for optimum muscle health.
This can be sourced from manufacturers or prepared from home through your veterinarian’s guidance. Wirehaired Vizslas are known to be gluttons and will eat whatever is in front of them, so it is essential not to overfeed them.
Also, watch out for the number of treats you give them, as treats tend to be higher in calories and can lead to weight gain. You don’t want a chubby pooch!
It’s no secret that obesity is a growing problem in the United States, and our pets are not immune. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, over 25% of dogs in the US are considered overweight or obese.
There are several reasons why dogs may become obese, including lack of exercise and poor diet.
Often, it’s simply due to overeating – we tend to love our furry friends so much that we sometimes give in to those pleadingly sad eyes and give them just one more treat, even though they don’t need it.
Carrying around extra weight can be hard on a dog’s health, causing problems like joint pain, respiratory difficulties, and even diabetes.
Health Of The Wirehaired Vizsla
The Wirehaired Vizsla is a relatively healthy breed with a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
However, like all dogs, they can inherit the genetic problems of their breed, which is why it is crucial only to get your dog from reputable breeders if you intend to purchase.
When meeting with a breeder, have an open conversation about their genetic predispositions, and request health certifications from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or the Canine Health Information Center.
Some of the health issues that the Wirehaired Vizsla is prone to include:
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition that affects the optic nerve, causing vision loss. It can be caused by increased pressure inside the eye, which damages the nerve. Glaucoma is a serious condition that can lead to blindness if left untreated.
While glaucoma is most common in older dogs, it can affect dogs of any age. Symptoms of glaucoma include redness and swelling of the eye, increased tear production, and pain.
If you notice these symptoms, you should take your dog to the vet for an exam.
Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for preventing vision loss from glaucoma.
Several types of treatment are available, including medication, surgery, and laser therapy. With proper treatment, dogs with glaucoma can live long and happy lives.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a condition that can affect dogs of any breed, though it is most commonly seen in larger breeds.
The condition occurs when the hip joint does not form properly, resulting in pain, lameness, and eventually arthritis. While there is no cure for hip dysplasia, there are ways to manage the condition and help your dog live a comfortable life.
Exercise is an important part of managing hip dysplasia, as it helps to keep the muscles around the joint strong and flexible. You should also work with your veterinarian to develop a diet plan that helps to keep your dog at a healthy weight.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a degenerative eye disease caused by the gradual deterioration of the retina, the tissue at the back of the eye responsible for capturing light and converting it into electrical signals sent to the brain.
As the retina deteriorates, dogs lose their ability to see clearly. PRA typically affects both eyes and as the disease progresses, dogs may eventually become completely blind.
There is no cure for PRA, but there are treatment options available that can help improve a dog’s quality of life. If you think your dog might be showing signs of PRA, it’s important to have them evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
The Wirehaired Vizsla Guide
Wirehaired Vizslas are loyal, active dogs that make excellent companion animals. However, they’ll need moderate to high levels of exercise, so they might not suit many owners.
Owners who train their Wirehaired Vizsla will be rewarded with a loving, affectionate pooch that will share many happy years!
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