Last Updated on January, 2025
Have you always wanted to own a sporting dog? They are expensive. What if I told you that you could own an inexpensive one with the same affection and loyalty as a golden retriever?
That’s right! The Vizsla is a multi-purpose athletic canine that can be your life companion.
The Vizsla is a pointer dog; therefore, they are slightly affordable compared to retrievers and some hunting dog breeds.
Nevertheless, the cost of owning a dog doesn’t mean just its initial purchase price but the expenditure that goes into maintaining it. Therefore, this article will cover everything you need to know about how much a Vizsla cost to their annual expenses.
Quick Summary
The average cost of a Vizsla dog is around $500, but can range from $700 to $1000 for a well-trained dog.
Vizsla puppies can range in price from $300 to $2500, depending on the bloodline and breeder. The average cost for a Vizsla puppy is $1000.
The yearly cost of raising a Vizsla includes premium dog food ($120-$400), vet visits ($120-$270), and other health costs. Vizslas are healthy eaters but can be prone to obesity, so monitoring their food intake is important.
Table of Contents
How Much Does a Vizsla Cost?
Although the Vizsla is not as pricey as the other hunting dog breeds, that doesn’t mean they are cheap. Due to issues with demand versus supply, they can be expensive depending on the location and availability.
Vizsla Dog
A Vizsla dog is the most affordable option in contrast to a puppy. Depending on where you get the dog, they can cost less than $500.
On the other hand, the price difference is not a lot between a puppy and a well-trained Vizsla, as they sell for $700 to $1000 depending on age and other factors.
However, as a hunting dog, it is advisable to get a puppy if you are a first-time dog owner.
Vizsla Puppy
Great, you know the price an adult Vizsla cost, but how much does a Vizsla puppy retail for? What is the average Vizsla puppy price?
A Vizla puppy can sell for an average price of $1000. The Vizsla price varies on the dog’s bloodline and where you buy them. A Vizsla puppy might cost as low as $300 if adopted or through a backyard breeder but also as high as $2500 if it is from a show-quality bloodline.
Overall this is an inexpensive breed in terms of gun dogs.
Factors That Will Affect the Cost of a Vizsla
Like any other dog, there are a variety of factors that contribute to the vizsla price range. Here are the main factors listed below:
Bloodline: One of the most crucial factors determining a Vizsla’s cost is the bloodline. If the Vizsla puppy’s parents are from a champion bloodline or are show-quality dogs, the price of the pup will be double of a regular one.
You might be looking at a Vizsla price of $2000 or above for excellent show-quality dogs.
Breed type: In the case of the Vizsla, the breed has two types based on their coat. Depending on the appeal and demand, one might be more expensive.
As usual, purebreds are more expensive than mixed. However, for vizslas, some mixed breeds might be costly as they might be popular working dogs.
Health: The healthier the dog, the higher the price. Since vet bills are high, most reputable breeders only sell healthy dogs. If a dog looks healthy but is sold for a low price, get the medical reports before purchasing.
Age: Even for hunting dogs, a puppy is more appealing than an adult dog. Usually, puppies cost more, but a well-trained dog can also cost the same price. Training costs can be expensive; therefore, already-trained dogs are more desirable to some.
Demand vs. Supply: There are not many Vizsla breeders available. It can also depend on the location you live.
Since Vizslas are popular working dogs in some states, they might sell for even $400 if there is an abundance of breeders. However, in regions with few kennels that cater to pointer dogs, the price can reach over $1200 if the demand cannot meet the supply.
About the Vizsla Dog Breed
The Vizsla breed, whose history dates back thousands of years, has become a top sporting dog and an adoring family member in many households.
The Vizsla is a breed of dog recognized for its natural hunting ability. Even as puppies, they are energetic physically and mentally.
They love to spend time with their owner indoors as much as they do outside. As athletic dogs, they can serve as your trekking companion or hunting partner.
Despite being hunting dogs, they are wonderful cuddlers. They are always eager for a chance to cuddle up next to their owner at home.
Size and Appearance
Vizslas are considered medium sized dogs with heights ranging from 22-24 inches for males and 21-23 inches for females Vizslas. Although they are medium sized, Vizslas are deep chested dogs with a tall appearance.
The Vizsla is generally a short-coated purebred sporting dog. The coat is a lovely shade of golden rust and robust but light in build. Some Vizslas can have slight variations in coat length and smoothness depending on their genes.
Their weight varies depending on their gender. Males tend to be heavier, weighing 55 to 60 pounds, while the average female weighs about 44 to 55 pounds.
Life Span
The lifespan of a Vizsla is generally 12 to 14 years. It might vary slightly for crossbreed offsprings of the Vizsla. However, the average lifespan will be 12 years, even for crossbreeds.
Temperament
Although they are hunting dogs, like other breeds, a vizsla can be sweet and affectionate. Vizslas enjoy being around people and enjoy head pats more than anything else.
Their barking can become an issue, though, if not well trained, and they do have a reputation for being rather noisy.
Vizslas are affectionate dogs that build close ties with their owners.
Even though they might be fairly independent dogs, Vizslas might be vulnerable to separation anxiety if ignored for a long period.
It would be best to leave them alone for brief amounts of time.
With proper training, you can help them become comfortable being on their own for at least 4-8 hours.
Types of dog breeds
The purebred Vizsla has four different coat types: wirehaired, smooth, wirehaired long hair, and smooth long hair. The American kennel club recognizes only two of these as distinct breeds. These are the: short haired Vizsla and wirehaired Vizsla.
Short Haired Vizsla
This is the typical Hungarian Vizsla with a short coat. The dog can have either smooth hair or wired hair for this type but is still classified as a short haired Vizsla.
Long Wirehaired Vizsla
This dog breed has a genetic change in the RSPO2 gene which results in the formation of wiredhair, which can be inherited.
These puppies are born with a smooth coat that develops into their wiredhair after six weeks of age. Some puppies do not experience this hair transition, and their coats continue to be smooth.
Mixed breeds
- Vizsla X Beagle
Compared to other Vizsla crossbreeds, the Beagle Vizsla crossbreed is quite uncommon. They are also known as Veagles.
These canine companions have features of both parents that consist of short hair and big, floppy ears.
Both the parent breeds are social, perceptive, and affectionate, so it stands to reason that your Vizsla Beagle cross will have the same temperament.
A Beagle Vizsla mix is likely to have a strong prey drive and hunting instincts due to the hunting genetics on both sides.
As expected, they have high energy levels and require at least an hour of exercise each day.
- Vizsla X Labrador
The Vizsla Labrador mix is arguably the most popular of the Hungarian Vizsla mixes.
Both purebred dogs have floppy ears, short coats, and modest stature. Both Labradors and Vizslas are friendly and loving dogs.
Due to their shared hunting and retrieving ancestry, a Vizsla and Lab mix is likely to be a loving, enthusiastic dog with a strong prey drive. Due to the contrasting coat colors of the parent breed, this mix can come in various colors, from dark to light brown or cream.
- Vizsla X Weimaraner
This is a mix of two hunting dogs who are similar in many ways. They are called Vizmaraner or Weisla.
This mixed breed often has a solid dark brown coat, though this is not always the case.
They are both clingy breeds that are also empathetic, devoted, affectionate, and intellectual.
Compared to purebred Vizsla, they are more trainable since Weislas strongly desires to please their owners.
Just like the other sporting dog mixes, they have a strong prey drive and lots of energy because of their hunting ancestors. These canines also require at least an hour of daily exercise.
Health and Trainability
Usually, before selling a dog, reputable breeders will do health tests on their canines for epilepsy, ear infections, hip dysplasia, and eye disorders, as well as entropion and seasonal allergies.
Reputable breeders are usually meticulous and do their research in advance to have the highest chance of producing a good litter.
Vizslas require mental and physical exercise because they were intended to be energetic hunting dogs. As a dog owner, you should aim to give your canines at least 30 minutes to an hour of exercise every day, according to the dog’s age.
Training should be a regular component of their regimen because mental exercise is just as vital as physical exercise.
With the restriction that puppies shouldn’t run long distances until they reach adulthood at around 24 months, vizslas can make great running or jogging partners.
The Vizsla breed requires constant training from the time they are puppies. Due to their high level of intelligence, curiosity, and occasionally manipulative nature, owners must create strong relationships and impart appropriate behavior.
Where to Buy a Vizsla Dog?
Where do I find Vizsla puppies? That is the problem most people need help with. There are two options in general, buying a Vizsla puppy from a breeder or adopting homeless pets.
If you do select a breeder, make sure they adhere to the Code of Ethics for breeding and are a member of the VCA/AKC, which is highly advised, according to the Vizsla Club of America.
Owning a Vizsla can be a long process, depending on your location. You should be aware that there can be a wait time of several months to a year, whether it’s puppies or adult dogs.
Most breeders will ask for an application that includes information about the prospective home and the owner’s background.
Rescue Puppy
Since good quality Vizslas can be expensive, one way to buy one is through animal shelters. The best part about owning a vizsla puppy from a local shelter is that they will already be vaccinated and trained during their time there.
Additionally, suppose you prefer to adopt an adult dog. In that case, a rescue is the best place as you will also contribute to reducing pet overpopulation in shelters by adopting an abandoned animal.
If you want more details on available rescues and adoption fees, consult with the AKC or Vizslas Club of America. They will provide more information about each local shelter in your region.
Reputable Breeders
Reputable breeders frequently keep a list of prospective homes and invest a lot of effort in researching breeding options.
Unfortunately, it can be challenging to find a reputable breeder. Some breeders can sell you an unhealthy dog with many health problems if you are not careful.
Puppy mills: Typically, pet shops are given puppies from mills to be sold. Many puppies are treated as breeding stock at puppy mills. They might have serious mental and health problems as a result of genetic problems and not being properly socialized at a young age.
The tragedy is compounded by the fact that most pet shops do not fully screen customers or sellers. Therefore the chance of getting an unhealthy dog is quite high.
Show/ professional breeders: Professional breeders are the most reputable breeders you can find. They make sure that all of the dogs pass the health tests needed to produce healthy Vizsla puppies.
For the Viszla breed, you should search for a Vizsla breeder who has already done hip, elbow, and eye tests.
When it comes to breeding Vizslas, a reputable breeder will sometimes only breed them once or twice a year, especially show breeders who want to make excellent show dogs.
On the other hand, some breeders have numerous litters a year since it might be the main source of income.
Due to the demand sometimes being higher than the supply, the prices can reach above $1500 if the dog’s bloodline is from show dog parents.
Backyard breeders: Some backyard breeders will only produce one litter because they want to expand their canine family and keep one of their puppies for themselves and give the rest to their friends or family members.
In some cases, the parents and Vizsla puppies are likely taken care of very well with health tests and early training done properly.
Sadly, not all backyard breeders are the same. Some might be less ethical and breed their dogs without high-quality care just for profit.
These backyard breeders are comparable to puppy mill operators on a lesser scale. In these cases, dogs with health problems are more likely to be sold or abused and seen only as a source of cash.
Online Websites
Many sites are used to find Vizslas online, such as Petfinder or even Craigslist. However, you need to be cautious of the breeder and make sure they can produce all the necessary documentation before you buy the dog.
Buying your pet online can be hit or miss situation. Since there can be genuine sellers as well as scammers, it is crucial you perform a background check of your own on the potential breeders and not transfer money without meeting the dog.
Steps to Adopt Vizsla puppies
These are the steps to adopt a Vizsla puppy according to the Vizsla Club of America:
Step 1: For an application form and information on that organization’s application procedure, please get in touch with the local shelter that is closest to you through the VCA website.
Step 2: Each potential owner must fill out an adoption application to assist in finding the right dog for them and their family.
Step 3: A contract is signed by the adopter guaranteeing the dog’s care and welfare while in rescue, as well as their consent to any necessary follow-up visits and obedience training.
Step 4: Please anticipate paying moderate adoption fees to cover medical expenses such as immunizations, spaying or neutering costs, and a health exam by a qualified vet. This might amount to $200 to $500. Each rescue group sets its own prices depending on the vet bills.
Registration
Before registering your Vizsla puppy, here are a few things your breeder needs to provide:
- Before a sale, a reputable breeder will provide a formal contract for review.
- Upon sale, they need to deliver AKC registration documents, a written contract that has been signed, and a certificate of good health.
During registration:
- Fill in the application form provided by the American Kennel Club and hand over the documentation you received from your breeder.
- Pay the necessary registration fees which can cost $40 to $65 depending on the type of registration you have chosen.
After registration:
- You will get your authentic AKC certificate once you register your dog. This certificate will specify all your dog’s information.
- You’ll get access to services such as grooming and training throughout all phases of your dog’s development.
Cost of Raising a Vizsla Dog
Now you know how much a vizsla cost, but do you know the yearly cost of raising them? Every dog’s needs are different.
As medium sized dogs with short fur, you can expect to cut expenses related to grooming, but what about medical expenses and training?
Let’s find out…
Meals
The Vizsla should be given premium dog food, whether it is made commercially or at home. However, please do so under the guidance and consent of your vet.
The Vizsla breed are healthy eaters, and individual caloric requirements can vary significantly. A young, athletic dog may need four or five cups of a high-calorie diet on a daily basis. But senior dogs may only require less than half that amount.
Watch your dog’s calorie intake and weight level because they might be prone to obesity. Treats can be a valuable training tool, but offering them in excess should be avoided.
Vizslas are fairly large dogs, with huge ones weighing more than 55 pounds. Since a Vizsla puppy needs an intake of at least 170 pounds of dry food during their first year of life, the cost of dog food can be between $120 and $250 depending on the brand you buy.
Adult dogs consume more food, close to 260 pounds, annually. The actual costs of dog food products can be $140 to $400. Additionally, you might have to spend extra on dog treats when rewarding them or to aid with obedience training.
Health and Vet Visitation
The three exams recommended by the American Kennel Club for the Vizsla breed are hip evaluation for hip dysplasia, ophthalmologist, and thyroid evaluation.
Make sure to take your Vizsla for yearly vet visits to check for underlying health problems. The cost of yearly medical expenses ranges from $120 to $270, according to your location.
This includes the main three exams, short and other tests.
You can choose to neuter your pet if you do not want your Vizsla producing litter.
Vets often charge between $150 and $500 for this operation on a Vizsla. According to your region, cheaper clinics may do for less than $100.
Vizslas might need a fecal examination if they spend a lot of time outdoors. This is an additional $50. If your canine is exposed to other animals/dogs or has issues with their stool, this test is highly recommended.
Grooming
One benefit of owning a Vizsla is that they don’t require extensive grooming because they have a short coat with no undercoat. They shed occasionally, so be sure to give them a brush with a good grooming brush.
During bath time, bathe them in lukewarm water with a good dog soap which you can get for $20, and thoroughly rinse a few times if they are very filthy. The toenails should be kept short.
You can buy a clipper and other accessories online. They will cost around $20, depending on the kit.
Regularly check your Vizsla’s ears for debris or wax buildup. A good quality ear cleaning product will help prevent issues. These can cost between $10 to $35 on sites like Amazon.
Generally, Vizslas only need a little maintenance and can be groomed at home by their owner. You can easily get a brushing kit online for even $5 or $10.
If you are not a confident groomer, you can take them four to six times in the first year. Grooming costs can be $40 to $55 for each session.
Even for low-maintenance breeds, taking the dog to a professional groomer once in a while will help their health and overall well-being.
Training
Untrained vizslas can cause trouble in a variety of inventive ways, making them difficult to live with. As mentioned before, this dog breed can have balking issues if not properly socialized.
They often enjoy training and when given attention. A Vizsla can be sensitive, so it’s crucial to provide early socialization to give the dog the self-assurance to take part in any activity.
There are endless activities you may enjoy with these adaptable canines, including field trials, hunting tests, conformation, obedience, rally, agility, barn hunts, scent work, and tracking, with proper socialization and constant training.
The price of training a Vizsla depends on the type you require. Group classes are less expensive than private training, which can cost thousands of dollars.
On average, dog training can cost $30 to $50 per class with the total training expenses adding up to $1,500 to $2,000 in the first year. Private training can cost $109 to $120, depending on where you reside and how much training you want.
For example in regions like the midwest private lessons can cost $100 and $200 per hour.
Basic training is highly recommended for your new dog if you are a first-time dog owner, This will be $140 per hour, depending on the dog trainer.
In my opinion, to save money, go for an online dog training program that is an effective and easy task.
Overall Annual Expenses
Although you now know the main expenditure there can be unexpected costs that you will need to prepare for, especially the initial cost for items you will need to spend in the first year of your Vizsla’s life.
One additional cost you need to consider is pet insurance. The average price leading companies usually charge is $42 per month for pet insurance.
Even for the same canine or location, your pet insurance can differ based on the provider. You should anticipate your monthly charge to be more like $90 than $25 if you reside in an area where medical bills are high or if your dog is prone to accidents.
Some of these additional costs are one-time-only payments such as microchipping and getting a dog license.
Depending on your region, a dog license often costs between $10 to $20.
Since owning an unlicensed dog may be prohibited in some states, it is strongly advised to license your Vizsla.
With the help of a microchip, your dog can be explicitly identified and added to databases used for medical and emergency purposes. The typical cost to get microchipped is $25 to $50.
Other monthly expenses you will have to pay for are dog walkers/sitters and travel expenses.
If you cannot take your dog for a walk during the day, you should hire a reputable dog walker with plenty of experience to take your dog for a daily 30-minute walk.
The Vizsla breed is very energetic and requires daily activity outdoors. These are typically affordable, depending on where you are. A 30-minute walk typically costs between $15 to $30. You can use apps to look for dog walkers nearby and verify the cost.
But you must beware that if you require a dog walker five days a week if living in an apartment, those charges can add up very quickly. Therefore, it is advisable not to own a Vizsla if you don’t live in a landed home with a yard.
Lastly, when it comes to traveling, you can entrust a dog boarding facility with the care of your Vizsla if you have lengthy trip plans. Depending on the area, it might be $20 to $80 per day.
You should reserve dog boarding services in advance at particularly popular times of the year, as you are likely to receive significantly better rates.
Asking any friends or family members if they would be prepared to host your dog is a wonderful idea if you are on a low budget. Inform them that your Vizsla will require daily exercise.
Overall, the annual cost of having a Vizsla does decrease after the first year and ranges from $720 to $2,300, with an average cost of $1,400.
Other Dog Breeds Pricing Guides:
FAQs
Conclusion
Great job! If you have made it this far, you are officially an expert in Vizsla price and ownership expenses. Even though they are gun dogs, Vizslas are really sweet and protective canines that make perfect companions for equally energetic people.
On the downside, a vizsla is not a good pet for apartment life. They need to be in houses with large lands to roam free and get daily exercise. Although dog walkers seem feasible, they can become a financial burden since these canines are very active.
Nevertheless, a Vizsla is an inexpensive option not just because of its selling price of $1000 but because the grooming costs are much lower than other dogs.
The yearly costs might be at least $2000 in the first few years due to dog training and vet bills, but after that, taking care of them is a breeze.
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