It’s no secret that the Dachshund Vizsla is a mixed breed, a cross between the Dachshund and the Vizsla. Both parents were originally bred to be hunters, but the Vizsla has features that made it superior in that department.

The first thing that you get to notice when you meet the Dachshund Vizsla is its eccentric nature. Then again that’s what makes it popular among families, and especially kids.

If you’re still seated on the fence trying to figure out whether this breed will suit your lifestyle, read on below to find out more.

Breed Overview

The Dachshund Vizsla is the ideal type of dog if you’re looking for a fun pooch that loves to play with kids for hours. This dog doesn’t suit any family that’s not looking for a high-energy breed, as they thrive in active households.

Its eccentric nature is really what sets it apart from other breeds, and this mix possesses both of its parents’ unique personalities rolled into one.

Dachshund Vizsla Mix Puppies

The Dachshund Vizsla mix’s level of activity can be a pro for kids looking for a play companion, but not suitable if you’re looking for a laid-back pooch. Also, they need physical exercise regularly, or they may develop behavioral issues. Stimulating their minds is also just as important, as they could easily get bored and even destructive.

This breed has a strong prey drive, seeing as the parents were originally bred for hunting. We know all dogs have a superior sense of smell, but in the case of the Dachshund Vizsla, it’s really heightened. That’s why the pups love spending time outdoors. Those evening or morning walks are a great opportunity to learn more about their new world.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Dachshund Vizsla Mix

The Dachshund Vizsla is known to be somewhat stubborn, but owners are often ready to overlook that flaw given their friendly and outgoing nature. Our recommendation to you is to start socialization from an early age. If you don’t, they may grow up assuming that strangers are not to be trusted. The socialization regime is also important as it molds them into beings that know how to behave when guests are around.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

The Dachshund Vizsla Mix is not as large as the Vizsla. Families with young children are often wary of getting Vizslas, due to their size, but that shouldn’t be an issue with the Dachshund Vizsla.

Even though it’s a musculature breed, it’s still one with a small build. And again, their energetic spirit makes them the perfect fit for young kids who love furry companions. Just make sure to supervise your pooch while around young children.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽 

This will hinge on how socialized your Dachshund Vizsla is. If you did a great job at training them from an early age, you won’t have to worry about them potentially making a meal out of your pet rabbit or bird.

But if you fail to socialize and train them, their prey drive will kick in the minute they lay their eyes on the animal. They are intelligent beings that were initially bred to hunt, and even with training, they should ideally be kept away from small pets.

Things to Know When Owning a Dachshund Vizsla Mix

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Seeing as the Dachshund Vizsla pups are more energetic compared to the average pup, they need more calories. Serving them large portions at once is not advisable, as it could lead to bloat, so we usually recommend serving two or three meals per day.

As they mature, you have to reduce the frequency at which you serve the meals. This is important because their bodies’ metabolic rate won’t be as high as it once was. Adolescents will typically have three meals per day, while adults should have two.

It’s important to ensure all those meals have the requisite amounts of protein, vitamins, carbohydrates, and minerals. Without all these vital ingredients, your Dachshund Vizsla will struggle to maintain strong bones, joints, and more importantly, its muscular stature.

If you’re not so sure about what you should be feeding your Dachshund Vizsla to guarantee that they are hitting all their daily nutrient values, reach out to an experienced vet or breeder. The portions that you’ll be serving your pooch will mostly depend on his/her stage of growth, level of activity, and size.

Training & Exercise 🐕

If you want your Dachshund Vizsla to give you an easier time while training, try to forge strong bonds with them during their exercise periods. The bonds will be instrumental when they are ready to be part of your training regime because they’ll be eager to please you.

When it comes to any type of training, you have to be ready to practice patience. They’ll respond positively to a firm and loving hand, but to drive the point home, you have to be consistent. If you’re to train them five times a week, do not miss even a single day. And the same applies to the commands that you’ll be giving. Inconsistencies usually lead to setbacks, and that can be detrimental to training.

Grooming ✂️

The Dachshund Vizsla Mix is not the kind of breed that demands a lot of grooming. Nonetheless, you still have to groom it fairly regularly.

We like to bathe them once every couple of months and brush them at least once a week to reduce shedding, especially during spring. These are things that can be done at home, but if you prefer to leave it to the professionals, there are plenty of experts who will do it for you.

Just don’t bathe them too often, as that will strip all the natural oils from their skins. Those oils are meant to prevent their coats from drying and the skin from becoming itchy.

Health & Conditions 🏥

Healthwise, the Dachshund Vizsla is fairly robust. However, that doesn’t mean that it won’t inherit issues that have been known to affect their parents or other common dog health issues. We inadvertently mentioned one while talking about their diet and nutrition, which is obesity.

You have to be strict with their diet if you don’t want them to develop diabetes or any other diseases associated with obesity. This breed is also known to be susceptible to joint and back problems since it usually has an elongated spine from its Dachshund heritage.

They also seem to be prone to ear infections, probably because their ears are so long. To prevent infections, you have to make sure that those ears stay clean and dry.

Male vs. Female

There are very few noticeable differences between males and females with the Dachshund Vizsla Mix. Some owners have reported that the males usually come across as being more affectionate compared to their female counterparts, but we don’t think that’s a guaranteed trait, given that all dogs have different personalities.

Also, many of the temperament differences in males and females will be mitigated by spaying and neutering.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Dachshund Vizsla Mix

1. The Dachshund Vizsla Mix Is Physically Similar to the Dachshund

Pups usually take on the body shape of the parent who’s contributing the dominant gene. And in the case of the Dachshund Vizsla Mix, it seems like the dominant gene typically comes from the Dachshund parents rather than the Vizsla side.

2. The Vizsla Is the First Quintuple Champion

Over the years, dogs have been part of various sports. Some breeds are common in these sports because they typically have an athletic build. The Vizsla is one such breed. According to our history books, it was the first breed to win five different competitions.

3. The Vizsla Is a Hungarian Breed

The Magyar people were the first Vizsla breeders. Magyar were hunters and needed to breed a dog that was well-equipped to hunt game.

The name literally translates to “pointer”, and we were first introduced to the breed in 1950. This was when a government employee smuggled it into the country from Hungary where they were sent on a diplomatic mission. It took 10 years for it to be recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Final Thoughts

The Dachshund Vizsla Mix is an energetic breed and mostly thrives among people with active lifestyles. It’s intelligent and independent, and that can sometimes be an issue, especially during training. Once socialized, it’s great with kids and pets.

As long as you keep this breed active and serve it a healthy diet, you won’t have to worry about obesity. That being said, you have to schedule vet checkups regularly, as they can be susceptible to joint and bone diseases.

The average lifespan of a Dachshund Vizsla Mix is 12 to 15 years. But if you take really good care of yours, it might live to celebrate its 16^th or even 17^th birthday. Of course, they won’t be as active as they once were, but they’ll still light up the room.

• See also: Boxer Vizsla Mix: Care Guide, Pictures, Temperament, & More

Featured Image Credit to: (L) Khalid Elkady, Unsplash | (R) Cole Wyland, Unsplash