Owning dogs, especially taking care of the vizsla, is a specialty of people. Historians believe dogs were first domesticated sometime between twelve thousand and 25,000 years ago—and that all canines evolved from the wolf. Since those days, people have selectively bred more than 400 breeds, varying in size from 4-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the distinction of tallest dog. But the most preferred pooches are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The vizsla is another favorite choice among canine owners. Many owners are uninformed, however, of many common vizsla care tips.
Typical cost of care for your vizsla
The yearly cost of raising the vizsla—to include everything from meals, veterinary care, toys and license—can vary between four hundred twenty and seven hundred eighty dollars. This is not even including capital expenses for sterilization surgery, collar and leash, carrier and a doggie crate. Note: Be sure you have obtained all the necessary supplies before you get your vizsla home for the 1st time.
Typical vizsla Care
vizsla Feeding Plan
- vizsla puppies between eight and twelve weeks need four bowls of food in a twenty-four hour period.
- vizsla puppies 3 to 6 months old should be fed 3 meals in a twenty-four hour period.
- Feed pups 6 months old to 1 year two meals in a 24 hour period.
- By the time your vizsla hits his first birthday, one feeding every 24 hours is enough.
- Some adult vizslas, however, eat two smaller helpings. It is your job to learn your vizsla’s eating habits.
Top-quality dry dogfood provides a well-balanced diet to adult vizslas and may be mixed with canned food, water, or broth. Your vizsla may love cottage cheese, cooked egg, fruits and vegetables, but these dishes should be less than ten pct of his daily allowance. vizsla pups should probably be fed premium-quality, brand-name puppy food. Try to cut down on “table food”, though, because it can cause mineral and vitamin deficiencies, tooth and bone issues, and may result in very picky eating habits and obesity. Give clean, potable water only, and be sure to clean water and food bowls very often.
vizsla Care Tips: Make sure to give your vizsla some daily physical activity
vizslas need some daily physical activity in order to stay in shape, recharge their minds, and maintain good health. Daily exercise also really helps vizslas avoid boredom, which can lead to destructive behavior. Some outside playtime would cure many of your vizsla’s desires to chew, dig, chase, retrieve and herd. Activity needs can depend on your vizsla’s age and his or her level of health—but 10 minutes outside and just a couple of walks down the street every day probably isn’t enough. If your vizsla is a 6 to eighteen month adolescent, his requirements will be greater.
vizsla Grooming
Frequent brushing will help reduce shedding and keep your vizsla clean. Inspect for ticks and fleas daily during the summer or other warm weather. Most vizslas don’t need a bath more than a few times a year. Prior to the bath, cut out or comb any mats from the vizsla’s hair. Carefully rinse all soap out of the coat, or dirt will stick to the soap.
Handling Your vizsla
Puppies, as opposed to adults, are clearly the easiest to handle. To carry your vizsla puppy, take one of your hands and put it under the dog’s chest, either with your forearm or your other hand supporting the back legs and rear. Don’t ever attempt to grab or lift your puppy by the front legs, nape or tail. When you need to pick up a bigger, adult vizsla, lift from underneath, bracing his chest with 1 of your arms and rump with your other.
vizsla housing
Your vizsla needs a cozy quiet spot to be able to sleep away from all breezes and off the floor. You may want to buy a doggie bed, or think about making one out of a wood box. Place a clean blanket or pillow inside the bed for cushion. Wash your vizsla’s bed covering frequently. If the vizsla will be outdoors much, make certain he has plenty of cool water and covering in hot weather, and a warm, dry, covered shelter when it’s cold.
vizsla Licensing and Identification
Be sure you follow the community’s licensing regulations. Be certain you affix the license to your vizsla’s collar. This, along with an ID tag or tattoo, will most likely help you recover your vizsla should she become lost.
Info on vizsla Behavior
Training vizslas
Well-mannered, companion vizslas can be a blessing to have. But untrained, your vizsla could be a big pain. Training your vizsla on the fundamentals—”Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, and “Leave it”—strengthens your relationship with both the vizsla and your neighbors. If you’re the owner of a pup, start training him on the right behavior quickly! Use a treat as incentive and recognition. Puppies should commence obedience classes when they have been adequately immunized. Call your local SPCA or humane society for information on obedience schools. It is best to keep your vizsla on a leash while in public, even while a puppy. Just be certain your vizsla will come back to you when you tell him to. An aggressive or disobedient vizsla shouldn’t be allowed to play with children.
vizsla Health
vizslas should see the vet for a full exam, vaccinations and heartworm examination every year, and ASAP if he is injured or ill.
Your vizsla’s Dental Health
While many of us might simply dislike our vizsla’s bad breath, it’s important to be aware of what it may represent. Bad breath usually indicates that your vizsla should have a dental exam. Plaque caused by bacteria brings a foul odor that can only be cured with professional treatment. After you give your vizsla a cleaning done by a professional, the mouth can be kept up by feeding a special diet focused on dental health, eliminating table food, and regular brushing. Your vet can provide you with more advice on eradicating dental problems and stinky breath. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your vizsla’s teeth. Use a child’s soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched over your finger. Some vizslas develop periodontal disease, which is also known as an infection between the tooth and the gum. This painful affliction can lead to loss of your vizsla’s teeth and spread infection throughout the body. Veterinarians will sometimes brush her teeth at a routine checkup.
Breeds with Halitosis (bad breath)
Although halitosis brought on by dental disease may not be that serious if caught early enough, sometimes bad breath may indicate more serious, long-term issues. Intestinal or liver diseases sometimes also cause halitosis, and a pleasant, even sweet smell may often be indicative of diabetes. Kidney disease is a possibility when your vizsla’s breath smells like ammonia or urine. If ever you find your vizsla has bad breath and other signs of disease, like loss of appetite, nausea, loss of weight, moodiness, including depression, increasing drinking or urination, schedule an examination with your dog’s doctor.
Fleas and Ticks in vizslas
Daily inspections of your vizsla for ticks and fleas during the warm seasons are critical. Remove and find fleas with a flea comb. There are numerous new techniques of flea and tick mitigation. Get advice from your veterinarian about his or her options.
Heartworm problems in vizslas
Your vizsla is at risk of heartworms if he is exposed to mosquitoes often. The insect transports heartworms from dog to dog. Heartworm infections are potentially fatal. It is extremely critical to make sure your vizsla has a blood test for heartworms annually in the spring. It is recommended that you give your vizsla a monthly pill in the warm, wet time of the year to help protect her from heartworms. Your vizsla should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. There are some areas, usually the areas with milder climates, where the vets advise worm pills be given year round.
Toxins and Medications
Do not ever give your vizsla medicine that hasn’t been prescribed by a vet. For example, are you aware that one ibuprofen tablet causes ulcers in some dogs Make sure your vizsla is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. If you suspect your doggie has ingested a poisonous substance, contact the doctor or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24-hour animal poison help.
vizsla Sterilization Operations
It is recommended that female vizslas be spayed—which is the extraction of the ovaries and uterus—and males neutered—removal of the testes—by six months of age. You can significantly reduce your female vizsla’s chance of breast cancer by spaying before maturity. The possibility of an infected uterus, which is another serious affliction that impacts older females, can also be removed by spaying while young. Neutering males eliminates the risk of prostate and testicular diseases, certain types of aggressions and some hernias.
vizsla Innoculations
- vizsla puppies should be innoculated with a combo vaccine (called the “5-in-one”) at 2, three and four months old, and again once every year. This immunization immunizes your vizsla puppy from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. The vizsla puppy’s innoculation program cannot be completed prior to four months old.
- If your vizsla has not been innoculated and is older than 4 months, he will need to be given two innoculations immediately, two to 3 weeks apart. After that you must innoculate annualy.
- vizsla puppy immunization and socialization should go hand in hand. Most vets advise that new owners bring their vizsla puppies to socialization classes, beginning at eight to 9 weeks of age. They should have received their first immunizations by this point.
Since rules vary around the country, call your community vet to get information about rabies innoculation. For instance, in New York City, the regulation requires any pets older than 3 months must be vaccinated for rabies. After the original shot, she must have another vaccination the next year, and then every three years after that. There are several immunizations, many of which are appropriate for your vizsla. Others, however, are not. Your veterinarian can give you his advice. By the way, if your vizsla gets ill because he is not innoculated, do not give the immunization until the dog has made a full recovery.
Worms in vizslas
vizslas are often exposed to worms and possible infestation—in all areas, both rural and urban. Microscopic eggs created by roundworms are transmitted through an infected dog’s feces. Most pups, even from healthy mothers in good homes, carry hookworms or roundworms. An accurate, early detection is the key to effective treatment. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed medicine will be effective against your vizsla’s worms. A dewormer that eradicates roundworms, for example, can’t kill tapeworms. Your doctor can best define the culprit—and assign the right medication.
vizsla: Miscellaneous Care Tips
vizsla Supply Checklist
- High-quality dog food and treats designed for vizslas and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water dish
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Brush and comb for grooming, including flea comb
- Collar with license and identification tag
- Quality leash
- Carrier (for pups)
- Crate for training
- Box or dog bed with comforter or towel
- Dog toothbrush
The no-no list
Do not feed your vizsla the following:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate
- Grapes and raisins
- Moldy or spoiled food of any kind
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Poultry bones
- Salt or salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems and unripe fruit
- Dough
Final Thoughts
Keep your vizsla on a leash whenever you are outside, unless you are in a fenced-in, secured place. And please, when your vizsla defecates on your neighbor’s lawn, clean it up! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about vizslas
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