From their physical traits to their temperamental qualities, Vizslas are extremely intelligent and eager to please, making them loving pets and one of the best hunting dog breeds. Often referred to as ‘Velcro dogs,’ Vizslas have a tendency of always being at their owner’s side and thrive on human companionship.
Vizslas are medium-sized sporting dogs that boast a sleek, muscular build. Their short, smooth coat is a golden rust color that is complemented by their amber eyes and long, close-hanging ears. Vizslas are high energy dogs with vibrant personalities, making them well-suited for outdoor activities. Specifically, their intelligence and eagerness to learn leads them to be good hunting dogs. Their gentle nature allows them to go out and hunt, but still come home and be an exceptional family dog, making them a highly sought out breed.
Owning a Vizsla: Managing Energy Levels
Whether your vizsla is an experienced hunting dog or a loyal family pet, managing their energy levels is going to be important for creating a harmonious living environment. These high energy dogs thrive on both mental and physical stimulation, so they will need daily exercise and attention. If your vizsla is a hunting dog, they may not need help managing energy levels during hunting season with such high activity levels, but in the off season, you’ll have to help ensure they are getting the proper exercise.
These high energy sporting dogs need ample space to run and play. Ideally, they should have access to a yard for exercise as daily exercise is a must. Active dog breeds love (and need) to burn off energy so long walks, runs, or activities such as agility training and fetch can help tire them out.
High intelligence dog breeds like vizslas also require mental stimulation to prevent boredom. Interactive puzzle toys, games, obedience classes, or scent work can help keep them mentally stimulated. In addition, vizslas also crave human companionship and thrive on attention and affection. Regular bonding time with their owners such as cuddling or playing is vital for their emotional well-being.
In addition to their physical, mental, and emotional needs, vizslas also require the best dog food to keep them fueled and healthy. These high energy dogs will need a high protein dog food like Native performance dog food to maintain a healthy weight and stature.
Nutrition: The Best Dog Food for Vizslas
Choosing the right dog food for vizslas, based off their activity level will ensure their nutritional needs are met. Our canine nutritionists at Native have developed an exclusive EnergyFIT (Formula Intensity Technology) System™ that has formulated our performance dog food into six different energy levels. All energy levels are made with similar ingredients that allow you to move your vizsla from one formula to another, providing a smoother digestive transition.
The EnergyFIT System is important for high energy dogs like vizslas, or active dogs that have an “off-season.” For example, during hunting season, the system allows you to feed your vizsla a higher protein level to meet their higher nutritional needs, but during the off-season, they can go down a level or two since they aren’t as active.
Choosing the right Native performance dog food level will always depend on that specific dog’s needs, but our canine nutritionists will often recommend Native Level 3 for vizslas when they are engaged in intense, vigorous activities like pheasant hunting. Native Level 3 is a chicken meal and rice formula with 30% protein and 20% fat. During the “off-season,” with periods of less vigorous activity, you may consider moving your vizsla down to Native Level 2 (26% protein and 16% fat) or Native Level 2.5 (28% protein and 18% fat).
Native’s high performance dog food will fuel vizslas year-round and allow them to easily transition levels without digestive upset. Our dog food is specifically crafted to support high energy, active dogs like vizslas. No matter which breed of dog you own, it’s important to feed your dog the proper balance of nutrients, proteins, and fat levels that matches your canine athlete’s lifestyle. For more information on which Native Level will best fit your dog, or questions about our products, please contact our Inside Sales Team.
