Vizsla Lab mix 101 (Vizslador Traits, Buyers & Care guide)

Can’t decide between a Hungarian Vizsla or Labrador Retriever? You cannot go wrong with a Vizsla Lab mix. 

Nicknamed Labrala or Vizslador, the Vizsla Lab mix is a smart, biddable, loyal at heart, and gentle yet bold crossbreed. All this is packaged in a lean, well-muscled, and medium-sized frame with a short glossy coat and kind expressive eyes. This graceful beast has bouts of energy followed by periods of deep torpor.

His prowess best shines with a job to do such as a romp in the park, agility, dock diving, skijoring, or as a gundog in the open country. This is every sportsman’s dream canine friend. 

Vizsladors are eager learners that can be taught to sit, point, retrieve, and more. But they may as well learn to open the fridge on their own. As a potential owner, you should be prepared to nip bad habits (such as jumping up) in the bud early on. Remember, each dog is a reflection of the owner.

A distinct canine, this is a true family dog, a hunting companion with a penchant for retrieval, and a good fit for an active lifestyle. You do not have to be a hunter to enjoy the companionship and pleasures of this Lab mix. But he is impossible to live with if his exercise needs are not met; he requires a great deal of exercise to avoid trouble and stay in shape.

But as with any other hybrid canine, you cannot be sure how this mix will turn out. Even pups of the same can look and act vastly different from each other.

In this practical resource, you will gain a better understanding of the Vizsla X Labrador: From appearance, temperament, finding a pup or dog, care, and more, Scroll on.

Vizsla Lab Mix: Breed Overview

Height 21 to 24 inches
Weight 45 to 75 pounds
Lifespan 10-14 years 
Breed Type Mixed breed
Grooming needs Low
Color Variations Various shades of red (russet gold to dark sandy gold), Black & Chocolate/Brown
Temperament People-oriented, Intelligent, Jumpy, Adaptable, Keen to Please, Devoted, Loyal to death, and Sometimes stubborn
Other names Labrala, Vizslador, Vizsla X Labrador

Sporting breeds like the Labrador and Vizslas have been crossed informally for decades by the hunting community. On that note, the Vizslador may have been in existed well before his recently acquired online attention. 

This dog indeed has an aptitude for hunting and retrieval- they are mostly prewired for this. This stems from parent breeds strong hunting and working heritage. The majority of these attributes are hereditary; an excellent nose; game drive; soft mouth; pointing instincts; intelligence; love for water; close cooperation with owners, etc.

To get a better feel of what this cross has in store, let’s compare the parent breeds.

Vizsla Vs Labrador

Both purebred Labrador Retrievers and Vizsla are classified as sporting breeds by AKC.  

The main difference between these breeds is their energy levels. Vizslas are far more high-strung and energetic compared to Labradors; Over the years, Labs have been bred to be calm and easygoing. The Hungarian Vizsla was bred to be an active hunter capable of covering a lot of ground but maintaining close contact with its handlers. 

  • Labrador Retriever: Bred primarily as a waterfowl retriever, in the 1500s Newfoundland, Labradors also helped fishermen haul their catch ashore. Outside working hours, his main role was one of companionship. They were much more loved by their handlers who found them quite endearing, fun, and easy to live and share tidbits with. Labs have a keen interest in water and are natural swimmers. This should not come as a surprise as their webbed feet and otter tail (the rudder) were built for this.
  • Hungarian Vizsla:  The modern-day Vizsla is believed to have descended from ancient hunting dogs of the Magyar tribe who occupied Central Europe- present-day Hungary. He was developed to point and retrieve small land-dwelling game- squirrels, hairs, etc- in all types of European Terrain including water. They were also trained to flash for hawks and falcons. Incidentally, Vizsla is Hungarian for “Pointing dog.”  Like his early brethren, today’s Vizsla is favored for his superior working abilities, refined sense of smell, great eyesight, and loyalty. Known as Velcro dogs, they form deep attachments with their owners whom they shadow all day; Most of them are not independent enough

Recognition & Registry

The Vizsla Lab mix is not recognized by the major kennel clubs such as AKC, UKC, or FCI. Nonetheless, there are registries dedicated to providing registration and pedigree services for designer dogs, such as:

  • American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC)
  • Dog Registry of America, Inc (DRA)
  • Designer Kennel Club (DKC)
  • Designer Breed Registry (DBR)
  • International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR)

The AKC Canine Partners™ Program allows you to register your mixed dog under AKC.

These registries grant canines, breeders, and owners privileges accorded to purebred canines such as obedience and conformation. Owners and breeders that purchase registration papers can document and record the parentage and ancestry of their charges; adding value and validation to them.

Vizslador’s Appearance & Behavior traits

Height and weight: 

The Vizsla Lab mix is a medium to the medium-large dog. In general, he stands 21 to 24 inches tall at the withers; he is longer than he is tall. It weighs anywhere from 45 to 75 pounds: Depending on height, bone density, diet, and activity level.

He tends to have more substance than the Hungarian Vizsla but is leaner, more light-footed, and more athletic than the Labrador Retriever. Males are often larger than their female counterparts

Like any other crossbreed, however, it is not possible to predict the size a pup will be into adulthood

Appearance: 

The Vizslador is an undeniably handsome dog with his sleek yet well-muscled build. His athleticism shines through his silhouette and graceful strides. Structural soundness and balance are of great importance to any dog as they denote a dog capable of great speed- say the word and he is ready to go. 

With the Labrador X Vizsla moderate is the word; a moderate-sized skull with a moderate dome: moderate stop; moderate snout; moderately long but muscular neck; moderately broad body; moderate rear angulation; ears hanging moderately close to the head are typical of this dog. 

His medium-sized soulful eyes give him a kind, intelligent and curious expression. They can be dark brown, amber, or hazel matching the skin and nose pigmentation. 

This appearance is completed by a strong jaw; chest; compact feet with well-developed pads; a thick medium-length tail that may be carried gaily when moving but not curl over the back. A scissors bite (upper incisors overlapping but just touching the lower incisors) and complete dentition (42 total teeth) are preferred.

Note: Most male dogs should have two descended testicles by two months of age.

Coat & Shedding:

The Vislador’s coat is short, straight, dense, close-lying, and smooth to the touch but with no undercoat. The dog can be wirehaired coat if the Vizsla is wirehaired.

The lack of an undercoat often gives the impression of a non-shedding breed. Although he will not fill your vacuum cleaner with gobs of hair, your Vizsla Labrador will shed year-round; female dogs often shed more when after their heat cycle.

Colors

Various shades of red/yellow ranging from russet gold to dark sandy gold are the most common. Black and chocolate colors are also possible but less frequent. The black coat can only be obtained from a Black Labrador with a dominant black gene.

The color of the eyes, eye rims, lips, skin, nails, and paw pads correspond to the nose colo

Temperament & Personality traits

Think of temperament as predictability of behavior- similar to personality in people. Personality is the hallmark of any dog but unique to each dog. Some charges may be to be shy, nervous, or stubborn while others may be confident and gregarious.

The ideal Vizslador is one with a kind, friendly, people-oriented, playful yet calm, loving, loyal, biddable, affectionate, non-aggressive, and eager-to-please disposition. Most have a reputation for intelligence and determination; they are animated, spunky, and full of energy but also quite sensitive and needy.

Aptly nicknamed “Velcro dogs”, they are known to glue themselves to and shadow their owners all day- they like to be where you are. A Vizsla Lab will rest his paws on your lap, sit on your head, follow you from room to room, be underfoot, lean against you and touch you. He has no sense of boundaries when happy to see you.

He does not cope well when left alone and tends to develop isolation distress and separation; unwelcome habits such as destructive chewing, inappropriate elimination, and nuisance barking may follow. If you work long hours with no one to tend to the dog, this breed is not for you.

Labralas have an abundance of energy and are happiest with a job to do; jogging, a game of fetch, dock diving, and agility training are but a few examples. In between work sessions, they love to gnaw on things, so keep chew toys handy as an alternative to your furniture. Unless you provide them with an outlet, they will invent their games and often engage in mischief.

If looking for a guard dog, don’t buy a Vizslador. While his protective instincts may kick in imminent danger and will let off the occasional deep serious bark if he sees or hears something peculiar, most will warmly welcome anyone.

All dogs are great, but not all dogs are great for apartments, townhouses, or any urban-based setting limited in space. Labralas require room to run, play, and explore. Their ideal home is one with an enclosed yard, run, or large green space.

Labrala: As a family dog

If you are looking for a companion dog, you cannot go wrong with a Vizsla Lab mix; he prefers to be part of the family “pack”. This is a magnificent companion for active and adventurous families. He can be trusted with older children, but are too boisterous and rambunctious for toddlers. As a rule, during dog-and-children playdates, adult supervision is paramount to prevent rough and tumble all-out play. End any roughhousing immediately.

That said, they do not tolerate children who have not been taught kind and gentle play and proper handling. The reality is, a dog is a dog- one can revert to his old feral habits such as biting after a considerable amount of tormenting. Any owner would be naive not to recognize this possibility

Prepare the household for pet care. Demonstrate the proper way to lift a dog; the pup should be picked as a whole unit; one hand under the front legs and the rear end supporting his weight. A pup should not be lifted by the scruff of the neck. Emphasize the importance of rest time and not disturbing the pooch as he sleeps or eats. 

With other household pets:

Though they easily make friends with other household pets, dogs and cats alike, one should not lose sight of the Vizslador’s game drive. Slow and controlled introduction with other animals is required; use caution when allowing your canine friend around rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, and guinea pigs that can easily be mistaken for prey.

Finding a Vizslador

Before buying or adopting a Vizslador dog or puppy dog, you must address several issues first: What function do you want him to perform? Do you want a puppy or a dog? Male or female? How will this new addition affect existing household pets, if any? Are you prepared for the realities and costs of dog ownership? Can your home and lifestyle accommodate an active dog? Have you read all you can about the dog?

A puppy or dog is a huge time and financial responsibility. If you are crunched for time, this may not be the dog for you. Accommodation, feeding, exercise, health care, nutrition, doggie equipment, etc., all cost time and money. Expenses don’t end with the initial purchase.

After all thought and consideration, if you are convinced this is the dog for you, begin the search for your new canine friend. 

By my estimates, the Vizslador community is quite small. Fortunately, I found this Facebook page dedicated to Vizsla Lab mixes. If I was in search of the occasional litter or dog requiring rehoming, this is where I would begin. Engage with the community, let them know you are interested and ask for possible leads and contact the all. Talk to as many breeders and owners before choosing one that appeals to you. Be polite!

A good breeder wants to improve the health/temperament of the breed. If a puppy is not immediately available, it is worth the wait.

You can also check around local or regional shelters to adopt this dog.

Cost

On average, a Vizslador puppy cost about $1200 to $1500. The price can be higher on lower depending on the age of the puppy, location, and other price factors. Breeding, whelping, and raising puppies in proper conditions is a costly affair. You will be hard-pressed to find a cheap, sound, and healthy pup.

Selection

Before committing to any pup/dog, be sure to visit the shelter or breeder’s location. Observe and interact with the puppy or dog. Does he/she appear healthy, friendly, waggy, active, and outgoing: Neither shy nor nervous.

Meet the dam and sire (if he is on the premises). The breeding stock should be of sound health and cleared of hip dysplasia, eye defects, heart, and other hereditary conditions. Certificates are issued for dogs free of these conditions such as OFA for hip dysplasia and CERF for eyes. Obtain all necessary documents before you go. You want to be sure the canine is healthy. Always perform a health evaluation before purchase.

Put your purchase agreement contract in writing and a health guarantee. The breeder should provide you with instructions on care, feeding, and a sample of the current diet, worming, vaccination details, training progress, and so on.

Puppy essentials

Before bringing a pup or dog home, some preparation is in order. 

You must puppy-proof or dog-proof your home and surroundings by implementing several safety measures. Puppy dogs live to chew; they explore their surroundings with their mouth. Keep all toxic plants, electrical cords, shoes, children’s toys, plastic bags, office supplies, auto supplies, cleaning supplies, coins, nails, garden supplies, repair tools, and all your prized belongings out of the pup’s reach. 

Examine the perimeter fence and gates for holes the pooch can escape through. The fence should be at least 6 feet tall to prevent an acrobatic exit.

Swimming pools are potential death traps as there is no way, once has fallen in, a puppy can climb out. If possible fence off the swimming area or use a secure pool cover.

You also need to keep doggie supplies handy. They include; 

  • Weighted, non-spill food, and water bowls- At least one for each
  • Durable chew and play toys- Kong, Nylabone, Gumabone, etc to channel their chewing energy. Nylon chews are the most desirable. Avoid rawhide chews as they can cause stomach upsets and intestinal blockages and stuffed toys that are easily torn up.
  • Adjustable buckle collar, no-pull harness, 4- or 6-foot leash, and a training leash 
  • Identification tag
  • Grooming supplies- Hand mitt, slicker brush, chamois, shampoo, nail clippers/Dremel, non-slip grooming table, etc.
  • A wire or fiberglass crate roomy enough for an adult Vizsla dog to stand up and around without difficulty
  • A sturdy carrier or dog car harness (for travel)
  • Easy to clean beddings and baby gates

Conversely, find out the local town, city, or HOA ordinances and how they apply to your dog; buy a license and keep it on your dog for identification. 

Welcoming a Puppy

For the trip home, put the pup in a comfortable, sturdy carrier. 

Your new addition needs time to adjust to his new residence. It is very fun to show off your new canine friend but limit interaction for a smooth transition. Keep the puppy in sight and place it in a crate when you can’t. Never leave the pooch unattended and don’t let him leave the premises.

The first night will be an eventful one for the puppy; he is going to cry and whimper. This is to be expected as he is away from the warmth and comfort of his mother and littermates. Do not allow him to sleep on your bed as this habit can become hard to break. It takes patience and persistence to get him to sleep throughout the night.

Stay with the diet the pooch is accustomed to. To switch to some other food, each day add small quantities of the new food to the old food. Make the portions progressively larger until the pup is weaned from his old diet over a couple of weeks.

To help the puppy transition into your home: Decide on a name and use it constantly. If you purchase an adolescent or adult dog, you want to retrain the names. This should be fun and involve the whole family. Reserve name-calling for positive experiences only. Avoid using the name for negative reinforcement or punishment as the dog may start to associate the name with negative experiences. 

Introduce the pup to the collar and leash as soon as possible. Have his name and address on an ID tag attached to his collar, as a tattoo or a microchip.

Dog Housing

Another consideration is the sleeping and resting quarters. Each Vizslador should have a sanctuary where no harm shall befall it. This could be indoors in a crate, ex-pen, basket, partitioned alcove close to the family room, heated garage, utility, or basement. Refrain from placing his bed near his feeding and toilet area.

If the dog can tolerate outdoor living, buy or build a dry, warm, snug, draft-free enclosure or kennel with an attached run. The enclosure should be shaded, elevated to prevent flooding, and a rump for easy access. I would not advise kenneling until he is at least 4 months old.

Keep his bedding and surroundings sanitary and parasite free. His excrement should be removed every day without fail. 

Vizslador Care Guide

Caring for the Vizsla Lab mix is not complicated or especially involved. He likes to eat well and requires grooming, exercise, training, socialization, vet care, attention, and so on. The dog also needs to be kept parasite free and kept warm or cool as the weather dictates.

If you live where winters are cold, you will want to get the dog a fleece or other coat. A neoprene dog vest will protect the dog as it runs through all types of ground cover.

Similar to a child, a dog is dependent on you for all his needs. All members of the family must take an active role in ensuring that the pup’s needs are met.

Grooming

The Hungarian Vizsla Labrador mix is relatively low maintenance; he is self-cleaning, possesses little odor, and seems to accumulate tartar at a slower rate. 

But again, grooming is a chore you cannot neglect. This includes routine skin, coat, claw, ear, and dental care.

  • Brushing: Your Vizslador will love daily brushing with a good-quality hair brush. The best kind of brush has tufts of bristles set in a flexible rubber backing (hound mitt). Brush with firm gentle strokes starting from the ears down to the back, sides, chest, leg, and tail in the direction of hair growth. After, use a chamois, yellow duster, or the velvety side of a hound mitt to smooth him up for a nice sheen. As you brush check the dog for parasite infestation, bumps, discharge, foul odor, irritation, or other anomalies.
  • Bathing: The need for routine bathing is minimal; it should only be performed about once a month or on dogs exposed to noxious substances such as grease and mud and those under medication for external parasites. Purchase a mild shampoo or one recommended by your vet
  • Ear Care: Clean your dog’s outer ear canal weekly with cotton balls and an ear cleaner to prevent moisture, wax, and debris buildup. Avoid using cotton buds to probe the canal.
  • Dental Care: Brush his teeth somewhat regularly with a finger brush or doggie brush and flavored doggie toothpaste. This removes food substances from the teeth and prevents tartar buildup. 
  • Paw Care: Keep his claws neat and not overgrown by trimming, filing, or dremeling. Trim the hair between the paw pads and remove any foreign objects such as burrs stuck in there.

Get him accustomed to handling at an early age. Teach him to stay still during grooming. It will pay dividends later on.

Exercise requirements

Vizsladors are athletes of many talents. They need exercise for muscle health, and strength, keeping their weight in check and improving agility and flexibility. 

This mix enjoys a brisk walk, jogging, running, a game of fetch, hiking, a romp in the yard, and the occasional doggie paddle. Dog water sports are especially effective and fun but precautions are in order; the key is a gentle introduction to water; make swimming wholly the dog’s choice, not yours. Avoid deep waters, fast-flowing currents, locks, weirs, and polluted water.

This dog will not be satisfied by the daily leashed walks around the neighborhood or visits to the dog park. Labralas, with exception of puppies whose muscles, bones, and joints are in development, need vigorous exercise, daily if possible.

Unless you provide outlets for them to figure things out and relieve doggie tension, they will invent games and behaviors that are often at odds with you. 

Apart from physical exercises, create challenges, treasure hunts, puzzles, attempt some scent work, practice obedience training, and other fun pursuits to mentally stimulate them.

Bitches in season should not be exercised off-premises as her scent will attract every fertile male dog in the neighborhood forming a choir on your premises.

If they have been properly exercised, Vizsla Labs can chill they are quite good at it. Fail to meet his exercise needs and you will deal with a bored, destructive pet. Each potential owner should plan to devote about 60 minutes of daily exercise.

Feeding & Nutrition

The importance of nutrition in health and proper development cannot be overemphasized. Good nutritional management is the cornerstone of an active, and healthy dog

Each dog’s feeding requirements vary significantly depending on its weight, energy level, and age. As a prudent dog owner, it’s your mission to choose the appropriate diet and feeding cycle for your charge.

The balance or completeness of the dietary component is of primary importance. The diet should provide essential vitamins, proteins, fats, and minerals. The fat content is most important to the dog’s weight and condition. Find food with high-quality animal protein such as chicken, beef, venison, or fish.

For particular food, supplementation is needed from time to time (not exceeding recommended doses). If in doubt, consult your vet

Life stage

Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, senior or geriatric).

  • Puppyhood (birth to about 6 months): A puppy needs the appropriate levels of calcium and phosphorous, protein, vitamins, and calories to ensure proper growth. The diet should be high-quality and nutritionally balanced. With quality food, vitamin and mineral supplementation is generally not required. Pups should be fed in small portions at frequent intervals (about 4 times a day). As your puppy grows, you are going to be constantly adjusting food amounts as they grow.
  • Adolescence (6 months to 18 months): Increase the portion size and offer just 3 meals per day. You must remember to increase the amount of food gradually as he grows.
  • Adulthood (18 months to 7 years): Switch to a maintenance diet offered once or twice a day
  • Senior (7 years to later); A special senior diet will be in order

Food types

  • Commercial diets: Most commercial diets are reasonably priced, easy to find, and convenient to store. With so many products there is something for everyone’s pet. You may want to serve dry food or mix it with water, milk, or broth; perhaps you will choose to combine it with fresh or canned food. Some canned or semi-moist foods contain all meat, but are not complete; others are mixtures of meat and grains fortified with additional nutrients to complete and balance the diet. It is most economical to buy your foods in bulk. In the case of dry foods, you must use new resealable airtight containers or you may attract all manner of vermin. Frozen foods such as minced meat need a separate freezer for storage.
  • Raw diets: Many dog owners and breeders swear by raw diets. While such foods can provide excellent nutrition, it is vital that the food is balanced and prepared properly. A bit of raw egg, cottage cheese, leftover meat, vegetables, gravies, or table scraps can be offered from time to time. Candy, cake, chocolate, soda, poultry bones, fried or spicy foods, and other snacks are for people, not dogs.

Learn to read the food label; stay away from food with ingredients you are not sure about or those with harmful artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors.

Keep a bowl of cool water to aid in digestion and regulate his temperature. Be sure to change the water daily

Daily amount

Feed the manufacturer’s or veterinarian’s recommended daily amount for the size and weight of your pup.

It is wrong to always give the same amount of food at each feeding session with no consideration for the dog’s weight or activity level. As a rule, it has been determined it takes about 30 calories per day for each pound of the dog’s weight. For some dogs, this might be too much or too little

Reduce the quantity of food if he appears to be putting on weight. The dog should have a nice rounded appearance; not pudgy and not thin. You should be able to feel slight corrugations of his ribs through his coat with your fingers. If you can see his ribs, he is too thin. If you cannot feel his ribs, he is well too covered.

Dogs engaged in vigorous activities require a boost in nutrition. Working dogs require a caloric increase of 35 to 45% over the more sedentary canines. Foods for working dogs must be nutritionally dense and highly digestible such as those with a higher fat content that provides more calories per gram than proteins or carbohydrates. Never feed your dog within an hour of vigorous physical activity as doing so could predispose it to bloat.

With a change in diet, the amount should be adjusted accordingly. 

Do not cater to a finicky eater. Leave the food down for 20 minutes, allowing your pup to eat all it wants in that time, then pick up the dish until the next feeding time. Your puppy will quickly learn to eat on schedule if it expects to be satisfied. No dog has ever voluntarily starved himself to death. Food should not be left out for the dog to eat later but he should be allowed to have the water he can. 

A pup’s feces should be firm, with the shape and consistency of a small sausage, indicating that the diet and quantities are correct. A loose formation means that he is having too much food at one time. Reduce the amounts given to correct the balance until he produces the right kind of consistency.

Vizsla Lab mix Training

The Vizslador has the potential to perform in many varied roles. Be sure to develop his abilities through training. Good training is based on mutual respect and understanding canine behavior. 

But since he is quite stubborn, is slower to mature, and is easily distracted by various scents and sounds, training can be a challenge but quite endearing if you are prepared for it. A prudent trainer can remain calm, consistent, positive, and generous with lavish praise and food treats for a job well done. An essential training aid is a pocketful of tasty tidbits, biscuits, or meaty treats. 

Formal training sessions should be short but regular (10 to 15 minutes per day). Train at the same hour each day and for the same length of time each session; as the dog matures you can increase the length of each session. If he seems bored, indifferent, or outright unruly, you have probably exceeded his attention span. Be sure to show an air of confidence and emotional control around the dog and always end sessions on a positive note. Do this and you will be rewarded by leaps and bounds.

Consider joining an approved obedience class. In a good club, you will find that you will be trained first and later learn how to train your dog through live demonstrations.

House training

House training should begin immediately upon arrival. From the start, designate a potty area and train him to use it correctly. Indoors, sheets of newspapers, washable pee pads, artificial grass, or doggy litter pans can be used. These should be placed away from the feeding and sleeping area as he will not urinate or soil where he eats or sleeps. A canine’s instincts is to keep his den clean.

Pups need to go out about 10 times a day as their urinary and digestive systems are not fully developed. Take him to his area first thing when he wakes up, before sleeping, after a meal, before going out, and after an exercise session. Keep your eyes peeled for signs he needs to go out such as circling in place, sniffing a particular area, and so on.

Upon doing his business, heartily praise him. With patience, consistency, and gentle corrections for mistakes, your pup will be housetrained in no time. 

Addressing behavior problems

Do not allow behavior problems to develop. Let your dog learn what is acceptable and unacceptable. Habits such as jumping on people, pulling on a leash, begging at the table, chewing, attention seeking, resource guarding, barking, and inappropriate elimination should be nipped in the bud early on.

Some behaviors such as digging and chewing cannot be stopped entirely but should be redirected to an appropriate digging spot and to chew toys. Hollow chew toys that can be stuffed with tidbits -kongs- are particularly rewarding for the dog while serving his chewing needs well. 

Only correct the dog if you catch him mid-act. For instance, if the Labrala is digging in the wrong spot, reprimand him with a firm “NO” and redirect him to the appropriate digging area. The later correction will serve no useful purpose as the dog is incapable of making the connection.

Basic commands

Teach your Vizsla Labrador 6 simple commands. Each dog should respond to these commands: Heel, Sit, Leave, Down, Stay and Come. Always use the same words, voice tone, and body signals for each command otherwise your puppy will become confused.

Socialization

To make your Vizsla Lab mix a good and confident canine citizen, early and ongoing socialization is of great essence. 2 weeks after the final vaccination shot (around 12 weeks), gradually introduce your pup to various people, animals, sights, and sounds. Take him on car rides; introduce him to strangers, big and small; take him into the city or shopping center.

Exercise extreme care when introducing him to new situations, places, and people. Problems can occur if you do not notice your puppy dog getting nervous or protective. Improper or negative socialization is even worse than no socialization at all.

Health Care

Health care encompasses everything from nutrition, exercise, vaccination, parasite treatment (internal and external), first aid, and regular vet care among others.

  • Vaccination: all dogs need a series of inoculations against common canine infectious diseases. These are DHLPP: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza. Your vet may recommend noncore shots for other maladies such as rabies and kennel cough if they are common in your area. Do not take him out until he has had all shots.
  • Parasites: Treat your pooch for internal and external parasites. Some internal parasites such as roundworms can be inherited from the mother. For external parasites, both the dog and his surroundings should be treated for any infestation.
  • Health monitoring: Keep a watchful eye for minor warning signs of ill health such as Frequent loss of appetite, pronounced increase in his thirst,  severe weight loss, eating feces (coprophagia/baffling), loose stool, disinterest in play are examples of these signs. Contact your vet on suspicion of any ailment
  • It is best practice to take your dog for medical checks once or twice a year. 

This breed is relatively healthy. But like all breeds, he is susceptible to a few problems such as hip dysplasia, eye diseases, and epilepsy among others.

To Wrap up

Getting any dog or pup is a major commitment that should not be taken lightly.

Before adopting or buying a Vizsla Lab mix, educate yourself, and learn all you can about the mix, the parent breeds, care, and all that. Dog trainers, hunting clubs, books, and other related dog publications can provide a wealth of information for all types of dogs. Gather all information you can.

This is only the tip of the iceberg. I could go on and on, however, let me hear what you have to say on the subject. Share your questions and feedback in the comment section below.

There you go, WOOF!

1 thought on “Vizsla Lab mix 101 (Vizslador Traits, Buyers & Care guide)”

  1. Can you recommend a Vizlador breeder in Maryland or neighboring states?
    I previously had a vizsla/choc lab mix and enjoyer her for 14 years.
    Hope to find another.
    Thanks

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