Sometimes called a Golden Vizsla, the Golden Retriever Vizsla Mix is a hybrid canine that combines the Golden Retriever and Vizsla breeds. First bred in the 1960s in the US, this hybrid mixes two high-energy dogs, meaning the Golden Retriever Vizsla Mix will need a lot of exercise each day. The Golden Retriever aspect of the canine also means that your hybrid will need lots of grooming and may shed heavily.
This cross should make a loving family pet that will get along with all family members and be confident around strangers. While training one may be a bit harder than training a pure Retriever, the mix is intelligent and should learn commands quickly.
Breed Overview
The Golden Retriever is a very energetic dog, but not as much as the Vizsla. The Vizsla is always barking, running around, and looking for new adventures. If you get a Vizsla, you’ll need to find trails to walk on to keep it happy and tired. This dog will need a lot of your time and attention. Golden Retrievers love everyone. Vizslas are sometimes called “Velcro dogs” because they follow their owners everywhere. So, you can expect these dogs to be very close to their humans.
Golden Retriever Vizsla Mix Puppies
Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world, while Vizslas have grown in popularity in recent years. However, the popularity of this breed can work against you when looking for a cross because breeders tend to focus their efforts on purebreds.
That said, accidental mating does happen, and some parents may indeed give it a try. You may also find them referred to as just Vizsla mixes, but in these cases, it can be difficult to pinpoint the parent type.
Because they are hybrids, puppies will generally cost less than both parents. These dogs have a very high level of energy, requiring the attention of owners as well, so some find their way to rescues and shelters.
Adoption costs will depend on the location and the rescue itself, but smaller animals may fall into this higher-end bracket for retention.
The dog will have a bright temperament, needing lots of exercise even when young. Good socialization is crucial so that the Golden Retriever temperament comes out and the dog behaves well when meeting new people and other dogs.
Both parent breeds are brilliant, but you may encounter some resistance in training, so you will need to be consistent to ensure the best results.
Golden Retriever Vizsla Mix: Temperament and Intelligence
Mixed breeds or hybrids fall somewhere between the parent breeds but have traits from both. In this respect, there are some crossover areas where the Golden Retriever and Vizsla are very similar, giving a clear idea of what to expect. For example, both parent types are intelligent and excellent pets.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
Both breeds are known to get along with other dogs and can generally be incorporated into households with cats. Neither dog has a strong prey drive, and they aren’t aggressive, so it comes down to how the other animal acts around your dog.
Even though the breed is generally suitable with cats, introductions should be taken slowly. Don’t force the issue because that’s when meetings tend to go wrong. Ensure the cat has somewhere to escape and spend time away from the dog. This is particularly important with energetic breeds like these because their energy can be overwhelming for some cats.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?
Both parent dogs are excellent family dogs. The Golden Retriever is particularly gentle and understanding around young children, although the Vizsla’s enthusiasm and tendency to exaggerate can be dangerous and lead to accidental falls for children.
The long Vizsla ears can be very tempting for young children, who may want to pull them, so you will need to supervise any interactions between very young children and a Vizsla Golden Retriever mix with long ears.
Things to Know When Owning a Golden Retriever Vizsla Mix
The Golden Retriever Vizsla mix is ideal for families, gets along with strangers, and can generally get along with other pets and animals as long as they are properly socialized. They make excellent pets for most families, but not for everyone. Here we look at some characteristics so you can determine if they are the right fit for your home.
Food & Diet Requirements
High-energy dogs need plenty of food to help their bodies recover and keep burning energy. These dogs are also prone to obesity. If you are feeding dry food, expect three bowls per day, preferably divided into two or three meals at regular intervals. If you are feeding your dog canned food, weigh and feed your dog according to the food manufacturer’s instructions.
If your veterinarian recommends a specific diet, you should always follow these guidelines first. If you use treats for training, remember that these also contain calories, which means you will need to reduce the amount of food you give the dog at mealtime. Obesity and weight issues are significant problems in dogs, and once a dog is overweight, it becomes difficult to drop pounds.
Exercise
Both Golden Retrievers and Vizslas have very high energy levels, so you need to give them plenty of time to burn off energy. We suggest taking them for walks at least twice a day, each walk lasting 20 to 30 minutes.
In addition to these walks, your dog needs an open space where they can run around for 30 to 60 minutes a day. If you have a fenced yard, this will work; otherwise, take them to a fenced dog park.
If you can’t meet these exercise needs, your Golden Retriever Vizsla may exhibit destructive boredom behaviors as they try to burn off some energy.
Training
Dog play classes, agility classes, and obedience classes are beneficial for all dogs, especially energetic ones like this. Mental stimulation can help tire out energetic dogs just like physical exercise. Engaging your Golden Retriever Vizsla mix in activities like agility will keep them mentally active.
Both parent breeds are considered intelligent and easy to train, making them excellent dogs for first-time owners. However, if you are a first-time owner, it pays to take a puppy class or training class because it teaches you how to train a dog, not just basic commands.
One area that may need special attention is barking. Vizslas, in particular, tend to bark a lot, especially when excited or nervous. While you can’t train a dog not to bark, you can teach it to calm down on command.
Grooming
The parent breeds offer a mixed bag when it comes to grooming. The Golden Retriever has a lovely long coat that sheds a lot and requires regular brushing. Vizslas have a lightweight coat that is also prone to shedding.
This means that a hybrid will shed, but the amount of grooming required will depend on whether it has a short or long coat. If it has a Retriever coat, brush it daily. If it has a Vizsla coat, brush it once or twice a week.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Golden Retriever Vizsla Mix
They Come from Different Parts of the World
Both breeds are old but come from different parts of the world. The Golden Retriever was bred in Scotland to rescue fallen birds. It has a long coat that can withstand cold, wet Scottish weather, allowing it to rescue birds from bogs and rivers.
The Vizsla, raised in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was used for hunting. Records of the Vizsla date back to the 8th century.
They Are Very Smart
Golden Retrievers are used for search and rescue, as therapy dogs, and as guide dogs. They are chosen because they are highly intelligent and can quickly learn appropriate behavior. Vizslas are also classified as a highly intelligent breed, although they can be a bit stubborn.
The result is a very intelligent mix that also finds merit as a service dog and is easily trained by experienced handlers. This mix is also considered ideal for first-time dog owners willing to learn how to train a dog.
They Can Be Very Demanding
Golden Retrievers are obedient, loving, and dependable dogs that love to spend time with their owners. Vizslas are defined as “Velcro dogs” because they follow their owners everywhere and may demand constant attention.
The Golden Retriever Vizsla Mix will be a demanding dog. Ensure that yours receives plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, and if you are away at work all day, consider getting a dog walker or sitter to provide the dog with some attention during the day.
Male vs. Female
Males will generally be larger and heavier than females. This is true for both parent breeds and most dog breeds, which means you can expect similar traits from a mixed breed.
Regarding personality, some owners say that females tend to have mood swings, while males are more affectionate but require more attention and may have less independence.
Final Thoughts
If you are thinking of adopting or buying a Golden Retriever Vizsla puppy, there is a lot to love about them. They are among the sweetest dogs in the world and get along well with families, but be prepared for lots of canine hair and energy.
They make great family dogs but require plenty of exercise and attention, so make sure you’re prepared for the commitment before bringing one home.
