Sporting group
Wirehaired Vizsla
A rugged, bearded Hungarian pointer — gentle at home, tireless in the field.
Wirehaired Vizslas are hardy, versatile gundogs developed from Vizslas and German Wirehaired Pointers. They are affectionate, trainable and a little calmer than the smooth Vizsla, with a coat built for cold and brush.
- Height
- 21.5–25 in55–64 cm
- Weight
- 45–65 lb20–29 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Size
- Medium
- Group
- Sporting
- Origin
- Hungary
Coat: Dense, wiry, weather-resistant coat with a beard and eyebrows. Colours: Golden rust.
At a glance
Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.
Temperament
WHVs are gentle, affectionate and devoted. They are sensitive and people-focused, usually good with children and other dogs.
They have strong hunting drive and need daily exercise and mental work. Like their smooth cousins, they dislike being left alone.
Living with a Wirehaired Vizsla
Exercise
Needs 90 minutes or more of daily exercise, ideally off-lead running and field work.
Grooming
Brush weekly and hand-strip occasionally. Low to moderate shedding.
Training
Eager and sensitive; reward-based training works well. Start socialisation early.
Kids & other pets
Good with children and other dogs. High prey drive with small pets.
Time alone
Prefers company; long hours alone can cause anxiety or destruction.
Home fit
Best suited to a house with secure outdoor space; apartment living is hard on this breed and its neighbours.
Is a Wirehaired Vizsla right for you?
Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a Wirehaired Vizsla matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.
Health
With good breeding and care, a Wirehaired Vizsla typically lives 12–14 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.
Hip and elbow dysplasia
Screened parents reduce the risk of joint disease.
Eyelid problems
Entropion occurs; annual eye exams are recommended.
Hypothyroidism
An underactive thyroid; managed with daily medication.
Ear infections
Floppy ears and water work mean regular ear checks.
Ask a breeder for
- Hip and elbow evaluation
- Eye examination
- Thyroid evaluation
Sources: OFA CHIC breed requirements: Wirehaired Vizsla; Wirehaired Vizsla Club of America. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.
Cost to own
After the first year, expect roughly $1,200–$2,500 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).
- Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
History
In the 1930s Hungarian hunters and breeders crossed Vizslas with German Wirehaired Pointers to create a dog with a denser coat for cold weather and harsh terrain.
The breed was recognised by the FCI in 1966. North American breeders imported dogs from the 1970s, and the AKC recognised the Wirehaired Vizsla in 2014 as a breed separate from the smooth Vizsla.
Did you know?
- The Wirehaired Vizsla was developed in the 1930s for colder, harsher hunting conditions.
- WHVs have a golden-rust coat with a characteristic beard.
- They are one of the newer AKC sporting breeds, recognised in 2014.
Library guides for Wirehaired Vizsla owners
Training
Come (Recall)
High chase drive makes a reliable recall essential.
Exercise & Play
Fetch
A fast way to meet a high exercise need.
Exercise & Play
Dog Road Work
Structured conditioning for high-stamina dogs.
Exercise & Play
Hide and Seek
Brain work that tires busy minds.
Exercise & Play
Tug of War
An energy outlet that also builds impulse control.
Exercise & Play
Dog Walking
Getting daily walks right for a Wirehaired Vizsla.
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
- Wirehaired Vizsla vs Vizsla?
- WHVs are a separate breed with a wiry coat and beard. They are often slightly calmer.
- Are Wirehaired Vizslas good family dogs?
- Yes, for active families. They are affectionate and good with children.
- Do Wirehaired Vizslas shed?
- Lightly to moderately.