Pros and Cons of Owning a Vizsla Weimaraner Mix (2024)

From minimal shedding to loyalty and undying devotion, there are plenty of reasons to love the Vizsla Weimaraner mix or simply, Vizmaraner. If you are looking for a large dog that will make your life much more fulfilling, this breed fits the bill. He is an excellent family pet who is easy to train and groom. However, like other breeds, he comes with challenges of his own. Before you bring one home, you might want to know both sides of the coin. This way, you will be adequately prepared to properly take care of your pup. In this guide, we have outlined the pros and cons of owning a Vizmaraner.

About the Breed

As the name suggests, the Vizmaraner is a mixbetween a Vizsla and a Weimaraner. Both breeds have a long history of huntinggame. The former originated from Hungary and dates as far back as the 10^thcentury. It is a medium-sized strong dog with excellent protective instinctsand was developed to hunt small game. The Weimaraner, on the other hand, islarger and was used by early Weimaraners to hunt big game such as bear, boar,and deer in the 19^th century. When you bring the two breeds together,you will end up with a typical hunting dog with a high energy level.

The Vizsla weighs 45-65 lb and stalls at aheight of 21-24 inches while the Weimaraner weights 55-88 lb and stands at aheight of 22-28 inches. From this data, it is evident that both breeds areclose in terms of weight and height.Both also have short, dense coats and long, thin snout which istransferred to the hybrid. Like the German shepherd, the Vizmaraner cannotstand up completely. He has long, wide ears and blue/brown eyes (with a fewhaving yellow, amber, and gray eyes as well).

Pros

To begin things on a positive note, here arethe pros of owning a Vismaraner.

1. Friendliness

All dogs are affectionate and loyal but theVizmaraner takes things to a whole new level. Whether you are training in thesun all day or going on a winter excursion trip, don’t be surprised if hedoesn’t leave your side. The Vizsla is referred to as a Velcro Dog because hecan be affectionate and clingy towards his owners. Your hybrid dog doesn’t mindsitting on your lap after a long day running around playing with water. If youhave young kids, they will make for great playful companions for your pooch. Aslong as he is trained to socialize at a young age, a Vizmaraner can coexistpeacefully with other animals and strangers.

2. Trainability

The Vizmaraner is a highly intelligent dogthat responds very well to training. He is famous for picking new skillsquicker than his counterparts. This is a great dog for people who don’t likerepeating instructions over and over again. He likes to please you and enjoys anew challenge. Whether you are crate-training him, teaching him a new task, orbreaking a bad habit, this dog will make the process fast and smooth. Positivereinforcement works great during training as does plenty of exercise.

3. Minimal grooming

As mentioned before, the Vizsla andWeimaraner mix feature a sleek dense coat with short hair. Since both parentsare minimal shedders, expect your dog to be the same. Like many other caninesout there, proper grooming is required to really keep the coat tidy. Some petowners claim that their Vizmaraners shed heavily during certain seasons, so itmight be a great idea to keep that in mind. Be sure to brush him daily or a fewtimes a week. In addition, invest in a quality vacuum to keep up with any loosehairs on your floors and surfaces. As for bathing, don’t go crazy as you mightdry out their skin.

4. A perfect companion for athletes and hunters

Athletes looking for perfect companions willfind a Vizmaraner a great fit. They will stick by your side until you are done.This also applies to hunters. They can walk for miles, keep a low profile,point at prey and even help you take it down. If you consider yourself an avidathlete or a hunter, having this dog will make your life much more fun.

5. Good health

When it comes to health, all dog breeds arecandidates of one or another complication. However, some are predisposed to certainailments by genetics. Vizmaraners are generally healthy dogs that can live upto the age of 10-15 years with very few problems. Some of the diseases they arelikely to suffer from include epilepsy, lymphoma, hip dysplasia, andprogressive retinal atrophy. As usual, be sure to take him to the vet for occasionalallergy tests, thyroid tests, heart testing, blood tests, hip and elbow X-rays,and eye examinations.

Cons

And now to the not-so-great side of owning aVizmaraner:

1. Exercise requirements

Thanks to both his parents who are athletichunters, a Vizmaraner demands a lot in the way of exercise. If you can’t affordto walk him for a minimum of two hours daily, you are better off with anotherbreed altogether. Pet parents who are busy often pay a dog walker to do theneedful. This dog has a super high amount of energy that needs to be let out.When walking off the leash, expect him to bounce off walls, jump fences, andrun around for long periods of time. Having a large secured yard is perfect forhim. If you live in an apartment, walk him around the neighborhood or the park.Without enough exercise, this hybrid breed will let go of the steam indestructive ways.

2. Separation anxiety

While being affectionate and clingy, a Vizmaraner suffers from separation anxiety greatly. When left alone for long periods of time, he tends to get bored and destructive. If you work for long shifts, you might want to assign a dog walker or another family member to keep him company. Don’t worry, if you have another animal at home, your dog will be content with your absence. Please note that this dog also loves his own company, especially if your household is busy and noisy. Don’t be alarmed when he retreats to a corner during family dinners and gatherings.

3. Stubborn

Although intelligent, a Vizmaraner has alsobeen known to be quite stubborn. The trainer needs to be firm, strong, andconsistent otherwise the dog might take advantage of them. If you tend to givein easily during training, let someone else take over training your dog.

Final Thoughts

A Vizmaraner is a beautiful dog with a fiercely loyal character. On the flip side, he needs plenty of exercise to function well, can be stubborn, and suffers from separation anxiety. If you can put up with these things, you will end up with a dog that will put a smile on your face and heart.

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