Longevity
Life expectancy
Its usual life expectancy is between 12 and 14 years. A suitable diet, regular activity and preventive monitoring help preserve its quality of life.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Its athletic build and dense undercoat ensure good endurance at work and provide useful protection against bad weather and injuries. Its overall robustness does not rule out the digestive, ocular, skin, joint or neurological risks reported in the breed.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Particular attention must be paid to acute digestive signs, the eyes, the skin, the hips, and any unusual neurological episode. Any sudden change in the general condition warrants a veterinary consultation.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus: serious digestive emergency whose risk requires splitting meals and avoiding intense exertion around their distribution.
Cataract: clouding of the lens likely to progressively impair vision.
Entropion: inward rolling of the eyelid that can irritate the cornea.
Demodectic mange: skin condition linked to the proliferation of Demodex, requiring a veterinary diagnosis.
Hip dysplasia: abnormal development of the coxofemoral joint that can cause pain and osteoarthritis.
Epilepsy: neurological disorder that can cause recurrent seizures and requires veterinary follow-up.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Its harsh coat, doubled with an undercoat, protects it well from cold and bad weather, which was the objective of its creation; heat, on the other hand, requires caution during exertion. It must have shelter, fresh water and exertion adapted to weather conditions.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
Its high energy level helps maintain a lean physique, but portions must remain adapted to its weight, age and activity. It is advisable to regularly monitor its body condition and to avoid intense exercise around meals due to the risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Have the hips, eyes and skin regularly checked by the veterinarian.
- Seek urgent veterinary care in case of a swollen abdomen, agitation or unproductive attempts to vomit.
- Inspect and clean the ears after outings.
- Adapt exercise to the weather and the dog's physical condition.
Vaccination
Wirehaired Vizsla vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Wirehaired Vizsla need? Like all dogs, Wirehaired Vizslas should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Wirehaired Vizsla vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Wirehaired Vizsla booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Wirehaired Vizsla need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Wirehaired Vizsla
Regular veterinary monitoring is recommended, with attention paid to the hips, eyes, skin and any history of epilepsy in the lines. The breeder must be able to present the health examinations carried out on the breeding dogs.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
