The Vizsla is an attractive dog having many great qualities. But what about shedding? Does Vizsla shed? Does its shedding become a problem for the owners? We shall find out!
Like all dogs, vizslas also shed to some extent. But a Vizsla doesn’t shed heavily and that’s great news for people with allergies!
You may have heard Vizlsas called as ‘velcro dogs’ It is because they love to stay close to their owners. They do not enjoy being apart from their human family. And get bored and anxious for being alone for long periods.
The Vizsla is one of the cleanest dogs in the world! Because of biology and their behavior. They have a short, clean coat with no undercoat. With very little odor and self-cleaning ability, what more could you want? We’ll further learn below
History Of Vizslas
Dating back to 1357, it was the first time we heard about these dogs. They were companions for generals and barons back then.
The dogs were also trained to fiercely guard the land-owning aristocrats. Hence, they still have the hunting ability left in them.
Vizslas is one of the toughest breeds. They survived the Turkish Occupation (1526-1692). As well as The Hungarian Revolution (1848), and WWI and WWII.
The fame of English and German Shorthaired Pointers in the 1800s did great damage. It brought the Vizslas on the verge of extinction.
Vizsla is most bred in Hungary. But they are also bred in Austria, Romania Serbia, Slovakia, and. Vizsla is in the pointer group of dogs called the FCI group.
There are two types of Vizsla and both are sporting dogs and become great companions. These are:
- The Hungarian
- The Magyar
1) Vizslas And Their Traits:
We believe Vizsla is a perfectly fit dog – not too large not too small. Their medium-sized sleek body makes them a perfect choice for keeping as a pet. This is one of their appealing trait making them the right choice to become pets.
Vizslas have the hunting character in their genes. Like most dogs, their exceptional sense of smell makes them perfect for hunting.
They are extremely loving and sensitive dogs. But, not to forget they are quite protective of their owners as well. These lean dogs with defined muscles make them look like they are lightly built. But don’t underestimate how strong they are!
If you are not sure if it’s a Vizsla or a Weimaraner due to a similar body appearance. You should know that Vizsla’s nose always has a reddish color.
A black-brown or pink nose is an identification that it’s not a Vizsla. Also, the color of their nails matches the coat as well.
2) Vizsla And Its Coat:
Vizslas are one of those breeds that has a single coat. Although they have a short-medium-sized coat. But not an undercoat around like other breeds; which sheds often. Hence, Vizsla shed moderately low.
They will shed a little and release dander that has minor risks to aggravate your allergies.
But, the lack of an undercoat saves the day! The low amount of shedding in Vizslas doesn’t cause people to have a severe allergy. So, if you aren’t too sensitive, you can keep one.
Naturally, all Vizslas are redheads. It means they have a red coat, sometimes called “rust”. So now, if you spot such a dog around, you who that is!
There are multiple shades of Vizslas coat. But the American Kennel Club (AKC) will disqualify some shades. So, if you’re planning to take your Vizsla to any dog show or a competition, you need to keep this in mind.
How can we not talk about the self-cleaning coat quality that Vizlas have? Vizslas can clean themselves and sometimes they don’t need a bath at all.
Dogs do love to play in the mud. Sometimes they get up getting stinky. For this, cleaning them with a wet cloth or short bath is effective.
However, Vizslas don’t do well in cold weather. The reason is their short, single-coat. It doesn’t allow their body to bear freezing temperatures. If you wish to dress up a dog with cute sweaters, then this may be the breed for you.
To sum up, Vizslas coats don’t require a lot of maintenance, but that doesn’t mean you should leave them as they are. Taking a Vizsla to the groomer is comparatively cheaper than other dog breeds.
3) Are Vizslas Hypoallergenic:
Vizslas aren’t hypoallergenic like most dogs. But if a breeder tells you that his dogs are, then you should look somewhere else.
Every dog can shed. However, some may shed less than others. The Vizsla belongs to the low shedding breed.
The Vizsla will shed so little hair that you may not even notice the hair on the floor. If you are allergic to fur, then Vizsla is the best option to keep a pet. This breed won’t aggravate your fur allergy.
4) Does Vizsla Shed:
The simple answer is yes; they do but in extremely low amounts. Fortunately, the hair shedding is so little that you can barely notice them. If you do, you can quickly clean it up.
Vizslas are one of a kind, Why? Because, unlike most dogs, they can lick off their fur, just like cats do.
If you’ve seen a cat’s tongue, you’ll see little spikes that help them clean their fur. Surprisingly, Vizsla also has a rough tongue like sandpaper. So, it helps them do the same job.
However, one difference between both of them is that, unlike cats, Vizslas won’t get hairballs. The short and lesser hair makes it easy for them to lick and digest.
You might wonder what happens to the ingested hair, does it make them sick? No, it gets excreted when your pup goes to the toilet. If you ever clean their poop, look carefully and you will see fine hairs of any vizsla.
In reality, there isn’t too much shedding in Vizslas that will become problematic. So, there isn’t much to swallow and hardly on the floor.
5) How Much Do Vizslas Shed:
It is safe to call Vizslas one of the cleanest breeds in the world. This because of the minimal amount of hair they shed. You should expect a normal amount of shedding if you decide to keep a dog in your house.
You can find hair where they sit, on the brush when you brush them. And, sometimes on the floor, that is barely noticeable. But not as much as other breeds like the Labs or the Golden retrievers.
Our question was “does Vizsla shed”? Yes, they do, lightly but regularly. You shouldn’t get scared after thinking if your house will have fur all around, it won’t.
Because Vizsla doesn’t possess such shedding qualities. A swift sweep regularly and your house will become hair-free.
6) Vizsla Shedding Pattern:
Above we learned that how much do Vizslas shed. But, is there any specified season of shedding? No, they don’t.
Even though they shed extremely low, their hair doesn’t shed in a specific season. But this can increase or decrease depending on the weather.
Almost every breed sheds in specific seasons, but Vizlsas shed all year long. However, puppies shed lightly and adults shed more throughout the year.
Nevertheless, the shedding can increase during summer and springtime. Their hair will more likely fall which they have grown during the winter. As summers come along and you may find some dog hair around your house.
Vizslas may shed because of medical issues. But it will be very obvious to a new owner that there is something wrong as they will not normally shed.
So, sweeping the hair off your clothes, floor and sofas will not become much of a hassle. Because they shedding far less than all breeds. This quality makes them perfect for anyone who is a cleanliness freak!
3 Reasons Behind Excessive Shedding In Vizslas
Vizslas shed very little. But if they do excessively then there are some underlying reasons behind it.
1) Poor Quality Diet:
If your pooch isn’t getting a good quality diet, they may shed more than they should. There are plenty of food options available that will help your dog get rid of excessive shedding.
2) Pregnancy:
Pregnancy and nursing cause a female Vizsla to shed a little more. But as soon as she stops feeding her litter, her coat will become healthy again
3) External And Internal Parasites:
Internal and external parasites also cause shedding. They leave the hair and skin itchy.
If your dog scratches a lot always in one spot, you get it checked out as some parasites aren’t visible by naked eye.
Do All Vizslas Shed The Same Amount Of Hair?
Yes, all Vizslas shed the same, normal amount of hair. Pups shed a little less than the adults. But, it’ll surprise you to watch your pup shedding within a matter of days.
There is no variation in Vizsla’s fur, so they shed equally. All the pups and adult dogs lose hair equally. But, if your pooch is unwell the process can speed up. We have discussed the reasons for excessive shedding above.
Keep a close look at your dog’s shedding pattern. If you spot and bald areas, take him to the vet immediately. As bald patches and excessive shedding isn’t a good sign in Vizslas.
1) How To Maintain Healthy Coat In Vizslas?
Just like humans need a high-nutrient diet for healthy skin, animals need it too. Ensure that you incorporate high-quality dog food and a few healthy treats.
Whatever you decide to add must have an ample amount of fatty acids. Omega 3 and Omega 6 are essential components to maintain a healthy coat in Vizslas.
Eggs are also beneficial for your pooch. It will also keep your pet’s coat in top-notch condition. Raw eggs will do just fine for your pooch. It is more beneficial because cooking eliminates some of the nutrients.
Some seafood like fish is also a good option. As it is rich in fatty acids it will keep the coat healthy.
2) Grooming Tips For Vizslas:
When it comes to brushing the hair, dogs aren’t different from humans. Just like it is essential to brush our hair for healthy growth. Dogs need it too.
You can give your Vizsla a good brushing after every few days. It will not only keep hair away; your house will also appear cleaner.
A brush with soft bristles is a good tool to keep their fur silky and smooth. It will help in removing the dead hair and remove hair locks. And, their fur will look healthier.
Running a damp cloth all over the dog’s body is also a great trick. It easily helps in getting rid of loose hair. You can also use this trick to clean your sofas as well.
With all the DIY’s for your Viszla, there is seldom a need to take them to the groomer.
The dog’s eyebrows and lashes are the only part that requires preciseness. Some people can master this art at home too.
A nail clipper, a soft brush, and scissors – these are the grooming equipment you need. Apart from these, a good quality doggy shampoo is the only requirement.
Never use your shampoo on your pooch’s body. It can irritate their skin and can cause infection as well.
Does Vizsla Shed? – Final Thoughts:
All in all, Vizslas are for hunting and spending a nomadic way of life. Eating raw food and living in the wild is okay for them. They can adapt to it easily.
In the wild, if they didn’t live close to their owner, they died of cold. As these dogs don’t have an undercoat to protect them. So, living in the city if you get one, they will love to stay close to you.
Apart from all the cute traits Vizslas are pretty low-maintenance too. From minimal shedding to no excessive cleaning requirements. What’s not to like in this breed?
Plus, if you are allergic to fur, Viszla is the perfect pet for you. They will stick by you and not cause you problems as well.