Shedding can be one of the more frustrating aspects of dog ownership. So it is no surprise that one of the most common questions asked by people interested in the Hungarian vizsla breed is do vizslas shed?
There is a common misconception that Hungarian vizslas don’t shed so in this guide we set the record straight.
Not only do we answer the question do vizsla shed, we also share how much they shed, the common reasons vizslas shed hair and how to manage vizsla shedding at home.
This article is based on research and personal experience as a Vizsla owner. I’m not a qualified dog trainer, Vet or dog behaviourist.
Do Vizslas Shed?
Yes, Hungarian vizslas shed hair. They lightly shed year round in addition to seasonal shedding in Fall and Spring.
Do vizslas shed a lot? Typically no. Unlike longer haired dog breeds they are classified by the American Kennel Club as a low to moderate shedding breed.
The Magyar vizsla dog breed has a single short, dense russet gold coat with no undercoat. They are considered a low maintenance dog with little grooming required and need very little brushing.
Do Wirehaired Vizsla Shed?
Yes, wirehaired vizslas shed their wiry coat. They are also considered a low to moderate shedder.
The main difference compared to the shorthaired vizsla is that the Hungarian wirehaired vizslas have an undercoat and need to be groomed more regularly.
They also need to be stripped a couple of times a year to maintain their trademark wire haired coat.
How Much Do Vizslas Shed?
Vizslas are classified as low to moderate shedders (they are not hypoallergenic) and their low maintenance coat is one of the pros of owning a vizsla.
However, how much your vizsla sheds will depend on their age, health, the climate they live in and their environment.
The good news is that their short coat means the shed hair is less noticeable on clothes and furniture than it is with longer haired dogs like labs or German shepherds.
The lack of an undercoat also means there is less hair to lose compared to other breeds.
In addition to normal shedding, most vizslas also seasonally “blow their coat” twice a year in Fall and Spring to prepare for the new weather.
When this occurs, the moulting is noticeable and more regular grooming is required.
But whether or not you notice the build up of hair in your home will depend on how often you groom your vizsla, and how much time they spend outdoors.
When Do Vizsla Shed?
Adult vizslas shed their coat year round in addition to a seasonal shedding twice a year.
You will know when they are experiencing seasonal shedding as their hair will be EVERYWHERE! On your clothes, on your couch, on the floor and in their (and your) bed.
When they blow their coat in Fall and Spring, the old coat hair drops off and their new coat is usually darker and glossy.
This seasonal coat renewal usually takes between 2-4 weeks.
Vizsla puppies don’t tend to shed much at all, until they shed their puppy hair at around 6-12 months of age.
From this time onwards puppies will start to shed more and you will notice more hair shed around the home.
There are other factors that influence the amount and timing of vizsla shedding including:
- Stress and anxiety
- Poor diet
- Health or skin conditions
We cover these more exceptional circumstances in the following sections.
How To Manage Vizsla Shedding
So now we know vizslas shed, what is the best way to manage vizsla shedding?
There are 3 key components to maintaining their coat and reducing the impact of hair shedding in the home:
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Brushing regularly
- Daily exercise
Let’s take a look at each of these individually.
Healthy Diet
A healthy balanced diet is a key factor in maintaining a shiny color and healthy, glossy coat for your vizsla and preventing excessive shedding issues.
There is no single “best” diet for your dog and for every vizsla owner who swears by a raw diet there is another who has reared healthy happy dogs on a high quality kibble.
So the most important thing is to feed your dog a high quality dog food and monitor your dog for allergic responses.
As they age or if they suffer from a dull coat, you can give fish oil supplements or omega 3 fatty acids, or add meal toppers like raw eggs, salmon or sardines.
Brush Regularly
Regular brushing is the best way to prevent excess hair being dropped in the home.
During the year a weekly brush outside with a rubber curry brush is all that is needed to stimulate the hair follicles and loosen and remove any dead hair.
When they are moulting more, increase the frequency of brushing to every other day for a few weeks.
As vizslas have a short coat, the most effective brushes to remove their hair are rubber curry brushes or mitts, similar to those used on horses.
If they are shedding heavily, finish by rubbing a damp cloth over them to remove the dead hair that tends to sit on top of their coat.
Daily Exercise
Regular exercise is not only important to keep vizslas busy, it is also a good way to ensure shed hair is dropped outside and not inside!
Long time vizsla owners who regularly take their vizslas swimming, hunting or on off leash walks seem to have less issues with hair dropped in the home.
This is most likely due to the hair being naturally removed by grasses, bushes and the water as the vizslas run or swim.
Vizsla Grooming Equipment
There is very little equipment needed to groom your vizsla. All you will need is:
- A rubber curry brush or mitt
- Soft horse brush (optional)
- Damp cloth
See our Complete Guide To Vizsla Grooming for more information on how to groom a vizsla or our detailed vizsla brush reviews to help you choose.
Why Is My Vizsla Shedding So Much?
So we have established that vizslas shed regularly and also shed seasonally.
But what if your vizsla is shedding a lot outside of these two normal situations?
There are three primary reasons for excessive shedding:
- Environment
- Diet
- Health issues
Environmental Reasons For Shedding
Vizslas are sensitive dogs and a change in environment or a stressful event like visiting the vet can cause excessive shedding.
If your dog suffers separation anxiety and is stressed about being left alone for long periods of time it can result in more shedding than normal.
Other environmental situations that may cause anxiety and excessive shedding include a trip to the groomer, a new baby in the home, moving house or introducing a cat or new puppy to the home.
While it isn’t possible to remove every stressful event for your pup, it is good to be aware of the impact these events can have on their coat.
Dietary Reasons For Shedding
Food allergies or unbalanced raw diets are a common cause of skin issues and can cause excessive shedding too.
If your vizsla is shedding more than normal, or their coat is very dull it may be a sign they are experiencing food sensitivities.
When combined with other symptoms of food sensitivity, like diarrhoea, hives or general itchiness too, it is a good idea to look at their diet to determine if they are allergic or sensitive to any ingredients.
Common vizsla food allergies include grains, dairy and chicken.
Health Reasons For Excessive Shedding
If your vizsla shedding is more than normal, and it is combined with spots of baldness or excessive itchiness, your dog may have an infection or parasite of some kind.
Fungal and bacterial skin infections are not uncommon. Parasites like fleas, lice and mites can also cause hair to shed.
If you are concerned by the amount of shedding, or it is accompanied by hair loss or excessive scratching, you should visit your vet for a medical assessment.
How To Get Rid Of Hungarian Vizsla Hair
Unlike long dog hair, vizsla hair is short and thick and can be very difficult to remove from chairs, clothes and rugs.
Many vizsla owners simply give up trying to remove vizsla hair from the home, but if you want to get rid of it, here are our top tips for vizsla hair removal.
How To Remove Vizsla Hair From Furniture
If vacuuming does not remove the vizsla hair from your car, couch or chairs a good method is thick rubber gloves (like those used for washing the dishes).
Put the gloves on and rub the cushion in a firm, smooth motion. This will lift the hairs up off the fabric, move them into a pile and allow you to remove them more easily.
How To Remove Vizsla Hair From Carpets And Rugs
A rubber bristled broom like this one is an essential tool for removing vizsla hairs from carpets and rugs.
The firm rubber bristles lift the hair off the carpet pile much more effectively than a vacuum.
How To Remove Hair From Clothing
If you haven’t given up dealing with the vizsla glitter that is permanently attached to every piece of clothing, the most useful tool to try and remove hair from clothing is a lint roller.
Simply roll it along your jumper or pants and it will collect the vizsla hairs on the roller.
Hungarian Vizsla Shedding FAQS
Do Vizslas Shed As Much As Labs?
No vizslas do not shed as much as Labradors. Vizslas have a single short coat of hair compared to the longer coat and undercoat of labs. While vizslas do shed, the quantity is less and it is also less noticeable as their hair is much shorter than Labrador hair.
When Do Vizslas Shed Their Puppy Coat?
Vizsla puppies shed their coat between 6-12 months, or during their first season for females. Their adult coat tends to be darker and denser than their puppy coat.
How Often Do Vizslas Need To Be Groomed?
Vizslas should be brushed once a week, and more frequently when they seasonally shed in Fall and Spring.
Are Vizsla Low Shedding Dogs?
Vizslas are low to moderate shedding dogs. While they shed like other dog breeds, their hair is often less noticeable in the home as it is very short.
What Time Of Year Do Vizsla Dogs Shed Their Coat?
Hungarian vizslas shed all through the year, with a more noticeable shedding with the change of seasons in Fall and Spring.
More Vizsla Care Guides
If you enjoyed this guide to vizsla shedding, you may like:
- Vizsla Nail Trimming Guide
- Hungarian Vizsla Grooming Essentials
- Are Vizslas Hypoallergenic?
- The best vizsla brushes
Or, browse all the vizsla care guides here.
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