Vizsla

• Bathing: You can give your Vizsla a bath once a month, as long as they don’t take a romp in anything too dirty.  
• Brushing: Have a curry dog brush on hand to brush your dog every week. Vizslas do shed, but since their coat is short, their shedding is nothing heavy.  
• Ear care: Check their ears for debris every day. If there’s redness, swelling, or an odor, your pup may have an ear infection that needs meds. Talk to your vet about how to clean your dog’s ears if they’re prone to infections.  
• Dental care: Help keep your pup’s teeth in shape by brushing them daily with a dog toothpaste. It’s a good idea to start when your Vizsla’s a puppy so they get used to the experience. Get a pro dental cleaning at your vet once a year. 
• Nail care: Trim your dog’s nails once a month. If nails get too long, walking can be painful. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you can hear your Vizsla’s nails tapping on hard surfaces. 

These very good dogs need solid, consistent training lessons with a dedicated pet parent. It’s best to start when they’re puppies—ideally at 7–8 weeks old—but you can start training later if you adopt a Vizsla when they’re already an adult.  

Begin with basic obedience training—like sit, stay, and come, and work on skills such as how to walk nicely on a leash.  

Keep your pup’s social calendar full with scent work, agility training, or tracking classes, a noncompetitive activity where your dog can use their nose to trace scents.  

Always use positive reinforcement—praise, special training treats, and favorite dog toys—to teach your pup how to be on their very best behavior. Don’t hesitate to tap in a certified dog trainer for help, if needed.  

Regular socialization with other dogs and people, as well as introducing them to new places (think public parks, dog parks, and hiking trails), will help your pup acclimate to polite society. These social interactions give your dog a chance to explore new and exciting environments, all of which they’ll probably come to love.  

Puppy school is also a great opportunity for your Vizsla puppy to meet new friends and get comfortable in new situations. (Just make sure they’re fully vaccinated first and on preventions to protect from infectious diseases.)  

There’s no one-size-fits-all nutrition plan for your Vizsla, but every dog needs a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards. Choose a diet for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior).  

Because Vizsla dogs are so active, they might benefit from a high-protein food like Purina Pro Plan Sport Performance Dog Food. But chat with your vet first—they can give you a professional recommendation for the ideal food.  

Most dogs do well with two meals per day, but Vizsla puppies may need extra helpings of kibble to keep their energy up—talk to your vet about what their diet should look like. Of course, you want to avoid overfeeding so they don’t gain excess weight.  

Remember that treat calories count, too. And while they’re important for motivating your Vizsla during training, know when to say when. Treats should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories.  

Just like a very active pet parent who can’t get enough SoulCycle, the Vizsla is very strict about their exercise routine—they need to move.   

They’ll want at least three walks a day, for a minimum of 30 minutes each; you’ll also need to make time for outdoor games. It’s ideal if they have somewhere to go to play fetch off-leash (either your fenced yard, the dog park, or another enclosed outdoor space).   

They’ll also enjoy hikes or jogging with you, though if your pup is younger than 2 years old, limit long-distance running to avoid injuring their growing bones. Your vet can help you plan a Vizsla-friendly exercise routine. 

A Vizsla can thrive in lots of spaces—even in an apartment—as long as they have access to outdoor space.  

So, if you have a large fenced yard, that’s great! But they’ll also do fine in a city with easy access to a dog park (or any outdoor area where they’ll have the freedom to be their fun, wild selves).  

If you have a family, the Vizsla will probably adore your kids; just supervise them together to make sure no one accidentally knocks into anyone during playtime (the Vizsla can forget they’re bigger than a toddler!), and ensure everyone is properly socialized to be on their best behavior.  

Your doting dog will need just as much attention as everyone else in the family. While Vizslas can be a good option for a first-time pet parent, they do need someone who is ready to fully commit to their new best friend.    

These canine kiddos are escape artists, so you’ll need to make sure your fenced backyard is secure. Or, if you take them to the dog park or another outdoor area, keep them on a leash or make sure the area is escape-proof.   

Doggy daycare can also be a great spot for these pups to let out some energy and make new friends.