Are Wirehaired Vizslas Hypoallergenic?
Are Wirehaired Vizslas hypoallergenic dogs? To our sadness, the Wirehaired Vizsla is not hypoallergenic.
However, their coats don’t shed too much, and they don’t get dirty that easily, making them a fairly low-maintenance breed.
Wirehaired Vizslas Quick Facts
Despite the term hypoallergenic breed being used frequently in the dog owner community, purely hypoallergenic dogs don’t exist. All dogs shed dander to an extent, but the scale of shedding varies drastically.
There are many dogs that sit lower on the shedding scale and shed so little they don’t irritate human allergies. We, therefore, refer to these dogs as being hypoallergenic.
For a full explanation, check out our article What Is a Hypoallergenic Dog?
The Wirehaired Vizsla has a double coat:
- Outer coat — a wiry texture, hence the name of the breed!
- Undercoat — dense to ensure protection against things like possible injury or weather.
You’ll also find a thinner and softer coat covering their legs and some of their stomach and chest.
No matter what, your Wirehaired Vizsla will still shed, just like any other dog. However, there are still many techniques you can use to limit this fur fallout.
1. Choose Your Shedding Tool
The Wirehaired Vizsla tends to shed moderately and slightly heavier seasonally. Picking the right shedding tool is important to remove any possible dead hair that may be apparent in your Vizsla’s coat.
Shedding tools come in different formats, such as closely spaced brushes or steel tines that’ll work better for the undercoat.
A grooming mitt or even a shedding knife is best for use during their seasonal shedding. This will help to minimize the amount of hair around your home.
2. Offer Plenty of Fresh Water
Just like humans, it’s vital to keep your dog hydrated and increase their water intake to ensure good health.
If your dog is shedding more than normal, consider how much they’re drinking and whether it’s adequate. Dehydration can affect shedding — hair follicles weaken. As a result, the fur will drop more frequently.
Keep an eye on how much your dog is drinking. Canines require one ounce for every pound of body weight — roughly 44 to 65 ounces (1.35 to 2 quarts) for this particular breed.
3. Use the Right Brush
The Wirehaired Vizsla doesn’t need too much grooming and maintenance, but the correct brush will make all the difference.
A bristle brush would be suitable for this particular breed. These grooming tools are ideal for wire-haired coat types, especially if they have a shorter coat, like the Wirehaired Vizsla. And, as this breed is double-coated, you should also use a comb for the undercoat.
4. Wash Your Vizsla With Specialized Dog Shampoo
Dog shampoo forms an essential part of a shedding-reduction plan. It has the ability to remove any dander that may be present in your dog’s coat.
Note, a doggy-specific shampoo lacks harsh chemicals and won’t irritate your Vizsla’s skin. Human shampoos aren’t gentle enough and can make shedding worse.
What’s more, avoid overbathing. Excessive tub time can lead to skin dryness — and more shedding.
The Wire Fox Terrier is expected to live between 12 and 15 years, making it a brilliant dog for a lifetime. These dogs are very family friendly, they’re very affectionate and are very good with other children. They’re also relatively good with other dogs and come in a great variety of coat colors, such as white, tan, and many more.
Grooming is on the average side, so they would need a little more care than a Vizsla. The Wire Fox Terrier requires a relative amount of exercise and will enjoy a long walk with you as the owner. Another likeness is the highly-trainable trait, although the Fox isn’t the brightest in the canine world.
Bedlingtons are relatively good family dogs and get along well with younger children as well as other canines. So, if you do have other dogs and smaller children, this breed could be a good option for you.
This is an energetic breed, and their curly and crisp coat is iconic to its physique. They also shed very little but do require more frequent grooming
Although they look nothing like the Wirehaired Vizsla, the Bedlington Terrier is classed as a medium-sized dog and is also moderately easy to train, similar to the Vizslas.
Originally used for hunting dogs in Africa, but now they’re more than happy with their family ‘pack.’ The Basenji’s loyal nature makes them very protective of your family. However, they do require plenty of socialization around other dogs
In terms of trainability, they are stubborn, which can make it a challenge, so you’ll need to be persistent. And, the Baseni has a smooth, short coat, which makes grooming a straightforward process.
If you have your heart set on a Wirehaired Vizsla, this may be the perfect alternative. Not only does the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon look remarkably similar to the Vizsla — even down to the cute little beard — they also have the same coat type and are comparable in height and weight.
Pointing Griffons are from the sporting dog group, like the Vizsla, and have similar training and energy levels. This bow-wow is almost like a doggy doppelganger.
Conclusion
Being an allergy sufferer, especially to dogs, can be a proper pain, but this doesn’t have to crush your dreams of owning one.
So, are Wirehaired Vizslas hypoallergenic? Unfortunately not. However, this breed has many traits that are shared across other breeds — with minimal shedding. These alternatives won’t bring your allergies to the surface.
Will Wirehaired Vizslas Need Haircuts?
The short coat will require minimal grooming and bathing, making them fairly low maintenance. A good brush once or twice a week will be a good idea as well as monthly bathing to ensure the coat is kept clean and maintained.
Are Wirehaired Vizslas Good for Allergy Sufferers?
Based on the fact that they are not hypoallergenic, these dogs aren’t the best for your allergies. Although they shed mildly in comparison with other dogs, it’s still too much to be called allergy-friendly.
Can I Leave My Wirehaired Vizsla Alone?
These dogs have a tendency to form strong bonds with their owners and families, so sometimes struggle when they’re left alone. In an ideal world, you should try and leave your Wirehaired Vizsla in good company, as they may suffer from negative behavior as a result of stress when being left alone. This is something to keep in mind.
What Is The Best Hypoallergenic Dog?
The best hypoallergenic dog would probably be the Bichon Frise, which is significantly smaller than the Wirehaired Vizsla. They’re renowned for being one of the best hypoallergenic dogs — their non-shedding coats are also relatively easy to maintain.
Do Wirehaired Vizslas Smell?
Many people don’t like the idea of multiple dogs because some do tend to smell. However, Wirehaired Vizslas are a very clean breed and don’t whiff, making them much more appealing.
Are Wire-Haired Dogs Better for Allergies?
They could be considered better for those suffering from allergies as they don’t tend to shed as much, so are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction.
