Click Below to Skip Ahead
Capable, friendly, and loyal—these words describe purebred Beagles and Vizslas best. These dogs are praised for their wits, low grooming needs, and curious, fearless nature. As for the Beagle Vizsla mix, it’s one of the sweetest, most protective, and most faithful crossbreeds out there. It’s quite an energetic dog, too, and requires at least an hour of exercise daily. If you’re ready to commit and put long hours into training, this doggo will be an excellent choice.
Breed Overview
Height:
13–24 inches
Weight:
20–64 pounds
Lifespan:
10–15 years
Colors:
Golden/red rust
Suitable for:
Active families with adult kids and a big yard
Temperament:
Loyal, affectionate, energetic, protective
While every Beagle Vizsla mix is unique, they share similar traits. To train a Vizsla Beagle into an exemplary canine citizen, you’ll have to be patient and instructive and reward it with treats. This four-legged buddy will become an open-hearted, friendly, and welcoming pet with proper socialization.
Beagle Vizsla Mix Characteristics
Beagle Vizsla Mix Breed Puppies
The one thing that all Vizsla Beagle pups have in common is curiosity. They’re always happy to investigate new places, try new things, and flash around the house until they run out of breath. If your pup is a bit calmer and more peaceful, that means its parents are just as centered. Speaking of that, if you’re buying the Beagle Vizsla from a breeder, don’t forget to request its health history.
This way, you can be sure the pup won’t be prone to any serious medical conditions or temperament issues. Or you could go to an animal shelter instead. If you’re lucky, they’ll cover anti-flea/tick treatment, vaccination, and sterilization costs. But it might take a while before you find a Vizsla Beagle mix-breed, as it’s not the most popular dog. Also, make sure that it is, indeed, a Beagle cross because there are quite a few Vizsla mixed breeds out there.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Beagle Vizsla Mix
Beagle Vizslas are highly social, affectionate dogs that like to be a part of a big, loving family. They’re not at all shy but instead quick to adapt to new circumstances, environments, and faces. Separation anxiety can still happen, of course (and we’ll talk about that in more detail in a moment), but for the most part, these canines are always in a good mood. After all, Vizslas aren’t called the “Velcro dogs” for no reason! Beagles are equally cheerful.
With that, these dogs are both curious and intelligent. They catch on quickly and excel at many different games, activities, and tasks. Since the mixed breed is the love child between a pointer and a tracker, it’s always ready to rush head-first into action instead of hanging back and turning to its owner for guidance. If you let a Beagle Vizsla off the leash, it will gladly run ahead and explore the surroundings and then come back for a quick stroll.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?🧑🧑🧒
The short answer is yes, they most definitely are. The Vizsla Beagle mix-breed is full of joy and likes to stay on its feet. That makes it the perfect pet for an active, well-organized family in the market for an energetic, up-for-whatever type of dog. While it does like to spend some time on the carpet or the bed, this canine is not a couch potato. It’s best suited for experienced dog owners that know exactly how to keep their pets excited and stimulated throughout the day.
At times, these furry chaps can be a bit stubborn and headstrong. But the same is true for most intelligent, capable, and energetic dogs. That’s why early socialization is so important. If you adopt the dog while it’s a pup, you’ll be able to “mold” it into a more obedient, eager-to-please pet while retaining its independent, freedom-loving character. It will be an excellent protector, too, and guard the property against intruders.
What About Little Children?
Ideally, you should only adopt a Vizsla Beagle if you have adult kids, as even the friendliest and most tolerant dogs can harm children. Or, if it’s a puppy and your kids don’t have any experience with a pet, they might take it for a fluffy toy and accidentally hurt the poor thing (and potentially provoke it). This breed is especially good with children, thanks to its upbeat, loving, and caring personality.
It rarely shows any signs of aggression or discontent, especially if it’s had enough time to get to know the humans it’s interacting with. So, if you adopt a pup and provide enough supervision, pretty soon, it will create a strong bond with the little ones. And, when the kids grow up, the Vizsla Beagle will become their best friend. But before that happens, supervision is a must!
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?
No, not quite. Just like their parent breeds, Vizsla Beagles have an above-average prey drive and often chase after smaller creatures like bunnies. If you have a rabbit in the house, we wouldn’t recommend adopting this dog. No matter how much effort you put into training, the dog will still follow its instincts and terrorize rabbits, squirrels, and other small mammals. As for cats, they can coexist with a Beagle Vizsla, but only if the pets are raised together.
If not, you’ll have a hard time supervising the doggo. In contrast, this mixed breed gets along with other dogs (with the help of early socialization, of course). Vizsla Beagles are not only curious but also open around fellow canines. And it doesn’t really matter much which parent breed it takes after because both are very good with fellow canines. Instead of competing with them for their spot under the sun, they do their best to find common ground.
Things to Know When Owning a Beagle Vizsla Mix:
Food & Diet Requirements🦴
Premium-quality commercial food is the best diet for this medium-sized dog. See that it includes lots of chicken and beef, as those ingredients will supply the mixed breed with the necessary nutrients. We’re talking about protein, fats, and a little bit of carbs, along with minerals and vitamins. Artificial preservatives are a bad choice for the Beagle Vizsla, as they won’t provide the pet with enough “good” calories for the day.
You could look for a food that’s specifically put together for energetic dogs, but the macronutrient balance (the Big 3) is the most important thing here. Consult with a veterinarian to find the best diet for your pet. Dog owners often over-feed their four-legged friends and give them more treats than recommended. As a result, the pooches become obese, which puts extra pressure on the joints and internal organs.
Exercise 🐕
Vizsla Beagles are well-built, muscular canines with an inquisitive, energetic personality. To keep these dogs both physically and mentally stimulated, you’ll have to exercise/play with them for at least an hour (or, better yet, up to 2 hours). This is the best way to make sure the doggo is in shape, healthy, and in sync with its nature. It can be a long walk around the block or a jog for 30–40 minutes coupled with a short, yet exhausting hike.
These pets are big fans of games like tug-of-far, fetch, and puzzles. Do consider mixing different activities and games so that the dog doesn’t get bored. Also, make sure you’re always there, giving the dog your full attention. Otherwise, if the Vizsla Beagle senses that you’re not that excited to play with it, separation anxiety might kick in. Thankfully, 1–2 hours of exercise is more than enough to keep it happy.
Training 🎾
The key to success here is patience. Be consistent, supportive, and don’t show any signs of disappointment or anger. Know in advance that Beagle Vizslas can be restless and stubborn, and the only way to “beat” that is via patience and positive reinforcement. Be quick to reward the dog for obedience and use words of encouragement to go along with the treats. Watch out for that prey drive, though, as the dog might get distracted if it sees a squirrel running by.
Next, try not to overwhelm the pet with hours of training. The shorter the sessions, the easier it will be for the dog to catch on. Harsh techniques won’t work here. Instead, you’ll drive the dog away and (potentially) hurt its feelings. Start with some basic stuff, then slowly move on to hunting and field trials, agility, obedience training, and tracking.
Grooming✂️
Good news: Vizsla Beagles have thick yet short coats that don’t take forever to groom. As long as you brush the fur once a week and bathe the doggo once in 2–3 months, the coat should stay in perfect shape. Brush the teeth twice a week and make a habit of trimming the nails every 1–2 weeks. If you let the nails grow long, they’ll cause the pet pain and inconvenience on your next training or walk around the park.
Lastly, both Beagles and Vizslas are susceptible to various ear infections. Use regular cotton balls and a vet-approved cleaning solution to keep the ears dirt- and wax-free. A regular visit to a vet should also be on the schedule. The animal doctor will clean the ears thoroughly and give you tips on how to take care of the doggo back home more efficiently.
- See Also: Best Dog Shampoos
Health and Conditions 🏥
Both parent breeds—Vizslas and Beagles—are very healthy. More than that, since they were brought up as hunters, these dogs are rather tough and easily handle a wide range of health issues. That said, they do suffer from various infections (skin and ear) and allergies (the types that make the pet itch). As for the more severe conditions, you should always watch out for signs of hip or elbow dysplasia and PRA. Here’s a closer look:
- Ear and skin infections
- Various allergies
- Dental diseases
- Eye problems
- Obesity
- Dysplasia (hip/elbow)
- Luxating patella
- Hypothyroidism
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Willebrand’s disease
- Epileptic seizures
Male vs. Female
So, should you adopt a boy Vizsla Beagle or a girl? Which pet will be the best choice for you? Well, there aren’t any significant differences in size, appearance, or temperament between the sexes. The males are slightly bigger, of course, and a bit more aggressive, but it’s the dog’s parents that you should check. If they’re strong, capable, and sweet-tempered, their baby will likely be the same.
That’s why earlier we stressed how important it is to get the pup from a reputable breeder that screens the parents for health issues and shares the info with potential buyers. Obviously, if you’re adopting a girl and aren’t planning on spaying it, you should think in advance about what you’re going to do with the puppies. That won’t be an issue with a male Beagle Vizsla dog.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Beagle Vizsla Mix
1. These Dogs Are the Masters of Disguise
The golden rust coat of a Vizsla Beagle is the perfect camouflage for stalking and bringing down prey. Just like Vizslas, their parent breed, these dogs have brown eyes and no markings or spots anywhere on their bodies. Now, some Vizsla Beagles do have a reddish tone, but most dogs are born with golden fur. That’s not the only thing that gives them the upper hand in hunting, though. The roots matter as well. Let’s talk about that next.
2. Beagle Vizslas Excel at Hunting Game
Some folks look for family-friendly, affectionate canine buds; others are in the market for strong, agile sporting dogs. Well, we’re happy to say that with a Vizsla Beagle, you’ll get both! That’s because Beagles and Vizslas are known for their exceptional hunting skills. They can take down rabbits, upland birds, and even waterfowl game. So, that’s exactly why the mixed-breed dog does a great job of tracking and pointing game.
By nature, it is used to following commands, sticking by the hunter’s side, and going deep into a forest to bring down a birdie. The Beagle Vizsla isn’t afraid of a gunshot (which can’t be said about many pets) and has a strong, muscular body that goes great with its hunting instincts and loyal nature. And if you put some effort into it, this dog will become an equally gifted pointer, flusher, and retriever (or a sniffer and SAR K9).
3. They Are Incredibly Fast
Again, going back to the roots, Vizslas and Beagles were bred and brought up for one purpose: hunting. To chase prey during a hunt, they had to be smart, agile, and, of course, fast. Vizslas are among the fastest dog breeds out there. They reach a max speed of 40 mph, which is quite impressive (for a short sprint, of course). Beagles are slightly slower but still up there (20–30 mph, on average). Vizsla Beagles, the crossbreeds, are just as fast and are similarly efficient at stalking game.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it—our in-depth review of the lovely Beagle Vizsla mixed breed. This is a devoted, protective, energetic doggo with a big, witty brain. And, while it can be stubborn at times, with early socialization and training (backed up by positive reinforcement), it is very well possible to turn it into a friendly, inviting pet that sees eye to eye with other dogs and even cats.
On the downside, Vizsla Beagles have a strong prey drive and tend to chase after smaller pets. This habit is difficult to change, which is why bunnies and Vizsla Beagles can’t stay in the same house.
Also, they get attached to their favorite humans very quickly. A big, loving family with grown children (little kids aren’t recommended around them) and an active lifestyle will find these dogs to be the perfect companions. And if you like walking, running, and playing games and want to share all those activities with a furry bud, this mixed breed will be right up your alley!
Related Reads:
- Golden Retriever Vizsla Mix: Care Guide, Pictures, Temperament, & More
- Vizmaraner (Vizsla Weimaraner Mix): Care Guide, Pictures, Temperament & More