If you’re an outdoor kind of person who loves to lead an active lifestyle and want a dog that can keep up with your pace while giving you love and devotion, then you could consider a Vizsla.
Vizsla is the regal dog breed from Hungary. These dogs were bred to accompany nobles on their hunts – the reason that earned the Vizslas the reputation as Hungarian Pointer breed. They were prized for their excellent sense of smell and could quickly find waterfowl and other game.
Male Vizslas weigh around 20-29 kilos or 45 to 60 lb. They measure about 24 inches at the withers. Females weigh between 18 to 25 kg (39 to 55 lb.) and measure around 22 inches at withers. Typical coat colors in the breed are golden, golden-rust, and red-golden.
Have you seen a Vizsla in action? You will be impressed by its long powerful and graceful strides! Naturally, this is a breed that loves to be given a job – they were bred to hunt, work on farms, and in water and forests.
So, if you’re planning on buying or adopting a Vizsla, be prepared to give your pet plenty of exercise. As long as its exercise and dietary needs are met, this great dog will shower you with love, affection, and loyalty. It is no wonder that many Vizsla owners end up buying one or two more Vizslas – such is their affectionate personality.
Buying a Vizla is not cheap. Most purebred Vizsla breeders sell their puppies at an average price of $1000. Also, these costs may not cover the shipping and medical costs that your breeder might incur while your pup is still with them. Adopting a Vizsla is cheaper than buying but finding one in an animal shelter may take some time and patience.
Let us summarize the cost of owning a Vizsla:
Let us check out these costs in detail.
How Much Does a Vizsla Puppy Cost?
The price of your purebred puppy can depend on various factors. Mainly it will vary based on the breeder. Purebred Vizslas that are sold on a spay/neuter contract (non-show dog or breeding dogs) can start from $800.
If you find a Vizsla puppy in a pet shop, then the cost will be cheaper than that charged by a reputed Vizsla breeder. Pet shop dogs cost around $500 but they could end up with health issues or several behavioral problems too.
Many reputed breeders of the Vizsla breed can be found on the breed’s official club website here. Expect to pay almost $1000 on average for the puppy obtained from these breeders. This is because they have third or fourth-generation pedigree dogs or pups born to Title Champion owners.
Breeders also show you certifications for health checks to rule out eye issues, joint problems, and inheritable conditions. Some breeders also offer to take back your puppy within a year should it develop a health problem. This can raise the cost of your pet significantly.
In general, expect to pay between $500 and $1800 for a purebred Vizsla. If your breeder is located away from you, factor in the shipping costs.
You could consider adopting a Vizsla. This is definitely cheaper than buying.
| The minimum cost of a Vizsla puppy | $500 at pet shops |
| The max cost of a Vizsla pup from a breeder | $1800 |
| Average cost | $1000 |
| Adopting a Vizsla | $400 (may or may not cover vaccinations, spaying/neutering, etc). |
Cost of Basic Supplies for Vizslas
Just as when you bring a baby home it needs some supplies and essential items, so will your little puppy! Here is a list of basics to keep on hand to welcome your doggy home:
Crate, bed, and kennel
These items will help you provide your Viz with a comfortable and secure area to rest and have some ‘downtime’. Select a space to keep the kennel/crate in. Line it with a comfortable lining pad or bed. Add in some toys and your pet will be comfortable for hours. The basic cost of these items can come to $100.
Bowls
We definitely recommend the non-tip, non-skid stainless steel variety of bowls here. These will help you feed and water your Viz. Clean the bowls daily in hot water. The cost of bowls is around $25 including a rubber mat to place underneath.
Toys and chews
Vizslas can be aggressive chewers in their teething phase and they might end up chewing your favorite slippers. To prevent this, please provide your pet with plenty of dental chews and toys. Toys also stimulate your pet mentally and physically. The cost could come to about $30-$50.
Cleaners and deodorizers
Be prepared to clean up messes as your pet learns how to hold its bladder. Invest in some dog training/potty training pads and also some cleaners and deodorizers to restore your carpets! The cost will be about $20-$40.
ID tags and collars
A collar, leash, and tags will help you once you start taking your pet outside for its walks and exercise. Invest in sturdy ones made of high-quality nylon. Look for collars and leashes having reflective lining and double stitching. These cost around $30.
Basic grooming kit
The basic dog grooming kit can cost around $50 and includes a shampoo, a brush or comb, a dry shampoo, some wipes, and nail clippers. You must also keep your Vizsla’s teeth clean with a brush and vet-recommended toothpaste.
Here is a table showing these costs:
| Item | Cost |
| Collar-leash set | $15-$20 |
| Food-water bowls | $8-$25 |
| Baby gates to limit your pet’s entry in parts of your house | $40 |
| Treat dispenser toys | $10 |
| Bed and blankets | From $25 |
| Sturdy crate | $50 |
| Mats for containing food mess | $10 |
| Kong toys and chews toys | $10 to $40 |
| Grooming tools – brush, comb, dental supplies, shampoo, nail clippers, etc. | $50 |
| Poop bags | $10 |
| Potty pads for indoor training | $10 |
Dog Training Costs for Vizsla Breed
Training a Vizsla is the most important thing you can do in the first year that your puppy comes home. Without training, these dogs could develop behavioral problems. There are many options before you as far as training your pet is concerned.
Puppy training – private in-home training
This option can cost around $40 to $120 per hour depending on where you live. The private trainer will come to your home, neighborhood dog park or the beach, or anywhere else you may be having issues with your pup. They design a personalized training program that focuses on correcting those issues along with owner education.
You can also choose from training programs for basic obedience, simple commands, aggression training, etc. Specific behavioral issues like training for aggression or fear can cost almost $2000 per package.
Group classes
Your Vizsla puppy’s socialization is an important factor in its upbringing. It will help you have an obedient and well-behaved pet that does not lunge upon or bark at other dogs. Group classes conducted over a period of 8-16 weeks can also help your pet become more confident. These packages can cost anywhere between $50 to $400 depending on where you enroll your pet. Places like PetSmart and PetCo have affordable group classes starting from $20 per class.
Board and train
As the name indicates, this includes boarding your Vizsla pup for a week or two with an experienced dog trainer. The expert will potty train your puppy and also teach basic obedience commands, and correct behavioral issues like destructive chewing, etc. The last few days of the program are focused on educating the owner so you can continue your pet’s training at home. These can cost around $500 to $2000 per week.
Training at home
You can also choose the cheapest option of training your Viz at home. Simply pick up some dog training books, tips online, or through YouTube videos. Just make sure that you are consistent with the training to see results.
The following table shows these costs:
| Group training (cost per class) | $20 to $80 per class |
| Private obedience school (cost per session) | $45.00 to $120 |
| Dog boot camp | weekly about $500 to $2000 |
| Minimum online training program price | $99.00 |
| YouTube videos | $0.00 |
| Minimum puppy basic training cost (total) | $500.00 |
| Maximum puppy basic training cost with boarding (total) | $2000.00 |
Dog Food Costs for Vizslas
It is best to feed your puppy Vizsla the same food it was eating at the breeder’s place. This is necessary to prevent stressing its digestive system. As your puppy grows, you can change its diet as advised by your vet.
Puppies need 3-4 meals every few hours to meet their high energy needs. An adult dog can do with 1-2 nutritious meals. Also, the portion sizes will depend on your pet’s age, activity levels, and also it’s specific needs.
A healthy adult Vizsla weighs around 45-65 lb. will need around 2 cups of dog food per day. Divide this into 2 meals. You can also feed nutritious treats to your pet. If you feed wet or canned food, then feed around 50 ounces of food per day – again you can divide this into 2 meals.
Since most kibble or dry dog food costs an average of $2 per pound, and 4 cups of dog food are contained in one pound of dog food, it could cost you between $15 and $25 to feed your pet each month. However, some dog foods cost more – almost $3 to $5 per pound. This can increase your dog food cost to almost $50 to $75 per month. Based on this, you can expect to pay almost $600 on dog food alone.
Here is a table showing approximate costs for feeding a Vizsla on a monthly basis:
| Item | Monthly quantity of food | Cost per month |
| Premium dry food | 15 to $20 lb. | $20-$50 |
| Premium wet food | 18.75 lb. | $100 |
| Freeze-dried food | 20lb. | $200 |
| Raw food | 40 lb. | $75-$100 |
| Dog treats | $20-$50 |
Dog Food Cost Comparison – Which is the Best Dog Food for Vizslas?
It is better to spend on premium dog food for your Vizsla because that will keep it healthy and could prevent expensive vet bills.
Many Vizsla owners feed a raw diet to their dogs. The raw or BARF diet has many benefits such as healthier coats, better dental health, etc. However, it is best to check with your vet whether BARF is right for your buddy.
For the sake of convenience, many pet owners also prefer feeding commercial dog food to their Vizslas. These days, you get many excellent commercial dog foods.
Whatever food you select, make sure you learn to read their labels. Ensure that the first ingredient listed on it is real meat. Avoid foods containing fillers like corn, soy, etc. as they tend to only increase the weight of the food and provide no real nutrition to your pet.
Look for foods that contain a healthy balance of proteins, antioxidants, and healthy fats like omegas. It is best to go for natural or organic foods as they have minimum preservatives. Sure, these may be expensive but they will keep your dog healthy and happy.
Here are some of the best dog foods for Vizslas
| Name | Features | Cost per lb. |
| Taste of The Wild | Contains 32% protein, free from grain, corn, wheat, etc. Made in the USA | $1.96/lb. |
| IAMS Large Breed Dog Food | Made with farm-raised chicken, supports healthy digestion, bone health, and joint health | $1.10/lb. |
| Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein | Free from by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, and preservatives, contains omegas, real chicken, and is rich in antioxidants | $2.50/lb. |
| Wellness CORE | Natural dog food with real premium ingredients supports lean body mass and healthy skin and coat | $2.69/lb. |
Medical Costs for Vizslas
While unexpected medical bills will remain the major expense that causes a dent in a pet owner’s savings, it is also important to consider the expected costs. These mainly include vaccination costs in the first year as well as spaying/neutering costs.
Your Vizsla puppy will need several vaccines in its first year and booster shots in the coming years to protect it from deadly canine diseases. These include immunizations for diseases like distemper, parvovirus, and influenza. These diseases are deadly and that makes it extremely important to vaccinate your pet against them. Your pup will also need non-core or non-compulsory vaccines for diseases like rabies, Lyme disease, etc.
Here is a table showing the age of the puppy along with vaccination costs:
| Age of puppy | Core vaccination/ preventive treatment | Non-core vaccination | Cost** |
| 6-8 weeks | Parvo, distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis) | Distemper vaccine alone costs (first year) $20-$30. The total cost of vaccination is between $75 and $100 | |
| 10-12 weeks | Parvo, distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis) rabies and leptospirosis | Distemper + measles combo and Giardia | Rabies vaccine in the first year $15 to $25
Distemper – $20 to $30- total between $75 and $100 |
| 12-16 weeks | Parvo, distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), leptospirosis | total between $75 and $100 | |
| 26-52 weeks | Boosters for the above, rabies | Lyme if present in your region | total between $75 and $100. Lyme disease vaccine costs between $20-$40 |
| Every 6 months | Bordetella, parainfluenza | $20-$50 | |
| Every 3 years | Rabies | Influenza | $20-$50 |
Other Medical Costs
Vizslas, like any dog, could also need routine medical exams from time to time. Most vets charge around $40 to $75 per visit for routine checkups. If your pet needs other tests or diagnostic procedures, then here are some of the approximate costs:
- Fecal test – $20 to $55
- Blood test – $50 to $1500
- Heartworm test – $35 to $75
- Allergy test – $200 for a skin test and $300 for a blood test
Spaying and neutering is another major expense in the first year for most dog owners. If you do not plan to show or breed your Vizsla then it is sensible to get it ‘fixed’. Spaying surgery costs around $400 and neutering about $200 – depending on your vet.
Parasite prevention is another expense to account for. The common parasites that could affect Vizslas are worms such as tapeworm, roundworm, etc. The cost of deworming is between $8 and $55 for three-month protection.
You must also protect your Vizsla from fleas and ticks. These meds could cost almost $200 per year for prevention but remember that this is a lot cheaper than the treatment for health issues caused by these external parasites.
Common Health Issues in Vizslas
Generally, Vizslas are healthy dogs but some common issues seen frequently in the breed are:
Hypothyroidism
This is generally caused due to immune-mediated disease. Symptoms of hypothyroidism in dogs include unexplained weight gain, obesity, and lethargy. The cost of treating it can be in the range of $900 in the first year and later about $500 each year.
PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy
This is an inherited disease that a Vizsla can acquire from both parents. Good breeders test their dogs for this condition and prevent breeding affected dogs. Sadly, there is no treatment and the affected dogs end up becoming blind.
Epilepsy
Vizslas with epileptic seizures have reduced lifespan and also need lifelong medication. There is no cure for the condition. Expensive drugs can cost almost $500 to $5000 a year to prevent seizures.
Should You Buy Pet Insurance for Your Vizsla?
Should you get pet insurance for a Vizsla? The answer, in most cases, is yes. It is estimated that 1 out of 3 dogs will need emergency care or some other costly medical treatment.
Pet insurance can cover unexpected veterinary costs and most importantly, it can give you peace of mind.
When you buy the right plan after properly doing your homework, and as long as your pet is not too old or with any medical issues, then you save thousands of dollars. Many plans even cover routine care, diagnostics, and preventive treatments. Some even cover hospitalizations and other unexpected medical costs.
Many insurance companies let you go to any vet of your choice. However, some may require that you only visit in-network doctors.
The average monthly premium for pet insurance comes to around $40 for dogs. You can also find plans that are a lot cheaper. However, make sure you study these in detail before signing up. Not all plans offer the benefits you’d expect so it is important that you are informed about it.
Here are some pet insurance companies and their pros and cons:
| Name | Pros | Cons | Plans |
| Figo | 100% reimbursement option, short wait periods for accident coverage | No dental coverage | Starting from $20 a month |
| Farmer’s Pet Insurance | Received excellent rating by Better Business Bureau. Has 24 x 7 claims reporting. | Some users have paid higher premium rates | Starting at $16/month |
| Embrace Pet Insurance | Short waiting periods for accident coverage, optional wellness plans, 24×7 tele pet helpline | Hidden fees | Basic coverage starts at $14 a month. |
| ASPCA | Has no waiting period for special conditions | Limited choice in deductible | $42 per month |
| Lemonade | Lowest prices, optional wellness plans | No coverage for alternative therapies | Very basic plan from $10 a month |
Additional Costs of Owning a Vizsla
Pets can be expensive and a Vizsla even more so. Here are some other costs to factor in when planning a budget for your furry friend:
Travel and dog boarding
If you travel frequently, you’d have to make some arrangements for your pet. Have someone watch your dog or board it at the pet hostel. Most dog kennels charge between $50 and $75 per night. Pet sitters also charge around $45 to $75 per day depending on the services included.
Should you travel with your pet, the cost of airfare comes to almost $250 one-way.
Microchipping and registration
Microchipping is a one-time expense of about $50. Your vet can do it for you. It involves placing a small chip in your pet’s body just under its skin. This is useful in case your Vizsla is lost. Registering a dog can cost around $35.
Pet fees for rental units
It is common for pet fees to range from $100 to $400 but they vary greatly from state to state. Some landlords may even charge $25 to $50 extra per pet in their monthly rents.
If you own your home, there could be expenses such as damages or the costs incurred on home improvements. For example, securing your yard can cost you around $500-$1000 depending on the size.
Key Takeaways – How Much Does a Vizsla Cost?
As can be seen, owning a Vizsla is not just a time commitment, it is also a financial one. Here is a summary of all the costs you might incur over your pet’s lifetime of 12-15 years.
Initial cost
The price of a purebred Vizsla puppy from a reputed breeder is around $1000. Some breeders are even known to charge up to $1800 for their dogs. Adopting costs are lower – around $400.
The cost of basic supplies for your pet – including crate, toys, grooming tools, bed, etc. comes to around $200. Vaccinations with spaying and neutering can come to almost $500.
Dog training, on average can cost around $200-$500 unless you plan to train your pet on your own. Add to this the cost of food and treats, and other miscellaneous expenses.
This brings the first-year cost of Vizsla ownership to around $2500 – including your pet’s purchase price.
Annual expenses after the first year
For most Vizsla owners, it is common to spend between $200 and $700 per year on dog food and treats. Add to this pet insurance – of around $350-$500 per year. Flea and tick prevention can cost up to $200 per year.
Routine medical costs come to around $100. This brings the annual cost of Vizsla ownership to $1500 per year.
If you’re a busy dog parent, then dog walking services can cost nearly $200 per month. If you travel, add another couple of hundred to two hundred bucks. This can bring the annual expenses up by $4000!
Lifetime expense
The lifetime expenses of owning a Vizsla is unpredictable but could be $28,800 to $36,000. These costs will vary based on your style of dog parenting and also the area you live in.
We hope this guide helps you plan a monthly and an annual budget for your pet.
