Vizsla Shedding (All You Need to Know)

Vizslas (or Hungarian Pointers) are medium-sized, all-round hunting dogs that originate from Hungary. They’re often described as being energetic, versatile and affectionate too, so it’s easy to see how they’ve become such popular companions in the United States over the years.

And thankfully, they don’t shed much either!

Vizslas have short, smooth, single coats that are easy to groom and shed a low-to-moderate amount. You may notice an uptick in shedding during spring, but overall it’s not very noticeable and brushing with a bristle brush is generally enough to keep it under control.

Let’s take a closer look at how much Vizslas molt and what they’re like to groom, so you have a better idea of what to expect before adopting!

How Much Do Vizslas Shed?

Vizslas are a low-to-moderate shedding breed.

Meaning, they’re not the lowest shedding dog you could adopt, but they don’t molt as much as the Wirehaired Vizsla or other similar dogs, such as the Weimaraner and Dalmatian for example.

Overall, they have a similar coat and shed about the same amount as a German Shorthaired Pointer.

For the most part, how much a dog sheds depends on the breed and how fast their hair grows, stops growing and is replaced by new hair, which is dictated by the hair growth cycle.

But there are some other factors that contribute the amount the shed compared to other dogs and that affect how noticeable the molting is.

For example, they don’t have an undercoat. Which means that they don’t “blow coat” (shed heavily) as much as some dogs during seasons like spring and fall. You may notice an uptick in the amount of fur on the floor a couple times per year, but nothing like a German Shepherd Dog, which is a thick, double-coated breed.

Also, because their hair is so short, when it does fall out, it’s not very noticeable in comparison to a dog with a longer coat. Although the fur is typically red, rust or golden in color, so it may stand out depending on the type of floors and upholstery you have in your home.

In some cases, excessive shedding can be caused by an underlying health problem or due to poor nutrition. So if you are concerned, it may be worth contacting your vet.

In most cases, however, a healthy Vizsla will shed at least some hair throughout the year. And one of the main ways to get it under control is with proper grooming.

So let’s take a look at what they’re like to groom.

Grooming Your Vizsla

Brushing and grooming a Vizsla is very simple.

Given they have short, smooth single coats, it really only takes a quick brush each week with a bristle brush or rubber brush to keep their coat in good order.

A single coat simple means they have one outer layer of fur instead of having both an outer coat and undercoat. This makes them easier to groom and means they shed less.

This also means they’re not as well suited to the cold weather as dogs with an undercoat though. So you may need to invest in a dog coat if you live in a cold climate, to keep him warm.

That said, some breeders sell Vizslas with an undercoat. Which isn’t part of the breed standard but if that’s what you have, you’ll need more than just a bristle brush to remove the old, dead undercoat fur. Such as a deshedding tool or metal comb.

In any case, brushing isn’t difficult and once a week should do it. Although you may want to step this up to a few times per week during shedding season. But overall they are a very low maintenance dog.

Another reason Vizslas are such low maintenance dogs is because they self-clean (kind of like a cat) and their coat doesn’t have as much of a dog odor as some dogs. So they really only need the occasional bath, like once every few months or so. And when you do bathe him, use a good quality dog shampoo to avoid drying out his coat, as a dry coat can lead to excessive shedding.

How Do You Stop Vizslas From Shedding?

You can’t stop your Vizsla from shedding. All dogs with hair molt their hair to some extent, this is very normal. The best thing you can do is to accept it and learn how to manage it.

Aside from regular brushing, one of the best ways to do this is through proper nutrition. Making sure your Vizsla has access to high quality dog food can help him to develop a healthier coat with stronger hairs. And there are some great options that include things like Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which are good for his skin.

Your vet should be able to help you determine what is right for your dog. And even though you might pay a little extra for the “good stuff” this can potentially save you some time down the road when it comes to brushing and vacuuming.

You might be surprised at just how much time you could save when it comes to vacuuming, too. Because shorter hairs tend to needle their way into carpet, which can make vacuuming time consuming. So the less dog hair that ends up on your floors, the better.

There’s no easy fix for shedding, but by making sure his diet is optimal and by sticking to a proper brushing routine, you can manage the shedding to the point it is hardly noticeable.

Related Questions

Are Vizslas Suitable for Allergy Sufferers?

Vizslas are not considered to be a hypoallergenic dog by the American Kennel Club, so there are more suitable breeds for people who suffer from dog related allergies.

Shorthaired Vizsla vs Wirehaired Vizsla

There are many similarities between the Shorthaired Vizsla (known simply as Vizsla) and the Wirehaired Vizsla. But there are some differences in their coat and how much they shed. Basically, Shorthaired Vizslas have a shorter coat and shed less than Wirehaired Vizslas. And the wirehaired varieties take a bit more effort to groom than shorthairs.

Do Vizslas Drool Much or Smell Bad?

Vizslas are not heavy droolers, and they generally don’t smell bad unless they’ve rolled in something stinky. They’re actually a very clean dog, to the point they are known for being fastidious and even cat-like in the way they clean themselves.

What Are Some Lower Shedding Dogs?

There are lots of low shedding dogs to choose from, so it really depends on your personal preference as to which breed you prefer. But if you’re looking for a low shedding dog that is just as easy to groom, Boston Terriers fit that description.