How to groom a Vizsla?
How to groom a Vizsla? (Expert Guide)
Vizsla breed is famous for their self-cleaning. This breed is known for its low maintenance.
You might be thinking do Vizsla need grooming at all? Or what are the pros and cons of grooming a Vizsla?
Grooming a Vizsla is necessary to maintain the coat and nails of the dog in ideal condition. But the effort required is quite less than the other breeds.
As a Vizsla owner, you have to brush his coat, clip his nails, give him occasional baths, and check their teeth and ears.
In this article, I have covered everything that you need to know as a Vizsla owner. I have also mentioned the best gear you should use for short-haired and wire-haired Vizslas.
How much grooming does a Vizsla need?
It entirely depends upon other factors like:
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Where do you take Vizsla outdoors
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What Vizsla loves to do on a walk
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The type of coat your Vizsla have
Shorthaired Vizslas have smooth, flat coats and they don’t have peculiar doggy smell. So, these are considered as low maintenance. But regular brushing and nail trimming is essential for them.
Wirehaired Vizslas need more frequent grooming. They need continuous brushing to keep their coat looking good.
Moreover, if your walks are muddy or your Vizsla likes to roll in poo and smelly puddles, you will be bathing them more frequently.
So now, we have established the need for grooming. Let’s have a look at the equipment we should have.
Equipment needed
To ensure you are ready to groom your Vizsla at home, you should have the following gear.
Suitable place
Consider a suitable place for grooming your Vizsla. If you have reluctant dogs or squirmy puppies it can be dangerous to wash them on the table.
When bathing a Vizsla, I would recommend to wash him in the shower or bath. They get cold easily due to their thin coat and lack of undercoat.
Vizsla brushes
The best brush for a shorthaired Vizsla is a soft, rubber brush. You can also choose a horse brush.
The best brush for a wirehaired Vizsla is a shedding comb or slick brush. There should be a stripping tool that strips the dead hair from their coat.
Nail clippers
Nail clippers are essential for keeping the nails of Vizsla short. The best option is to use manual nail clippers. You can also use an electric nail clipper like Dremel.
Dog shampoo
The best shampoo for Vizslas is soap-free and hypoallergenic shampoo. Because Vizslas have very sensitive skin and they have no undercoat. They are more prone to skin allergies.
How to groom a Vizsla?
After gathering all the necessary equipment, it’s time to groom a Vizsla. You should begin grooming right after you have brought a new puppy at home.
Brushing
Many people think Vizslas are hypoallergenic and they don’t shed, but this can’t be further from the truth.
Vizslas shed throughout the year. Heavy shedding occurs between Spring and Autumn. That’s the reason they need a regular quick brush daily to keep their coat in a healthy condition.
Use a rubber brush and lightly brush in the direction of the hair. Work your way gently from neck to tail. Regular brushing removes all the dead hair.
If there is a lot of hair sitting on the top of the coat, run it with a damp cloth down.
Frequency: Weekly
Right tool (shorthaired): Rubber curry mitt or brush
Right tool wirehaired): shedding comb and stripping knife
Trim nails
Vizsla nails are dark brown and fast-growing. They cannot be easily worn down. Many Vizslas do not like having their nails clipped.
It would be difficult to trim their nails if you had not trained them to trim nails early in their life. So, handle them with plenty of treats and trim all four sides of the nails.
If your Vizslas’ nails are too long, you have to trim the nails every week. After you have achieved the desired size, maintain it every two to four weeks.
Clean their ears
If your Vizsla does not like to swim, clean their ear every month. A quick wipe with dog ear wipes is the easiest way to clean.
If your dog often swims in lakes, rivers, or ponds you have to dry and clean your dog’s ear after swimming.
The gorgeous floppy ears of Vizslas can prevent the inside ears from drying out properly. This can lead to nasty ear infections.
Bathe occasionally
Vizslas do not need to be bathed very often. Thanks to their short, thin, and smooth coat. They do not tend to get anything in their coat easily. Even dirt drops off easily.
You also do not want to strip their coats of the natural oils so, a bath after three months is sufficient.
You will need to bathe them if they often roll in smelly poo or puddles. To bathe them, use a nonslip mat in the bath and shower.
Also, give them a quick brush before washing. Wet their coat and apply a hypoallergenic shampoo. Be careful to avoid ears, nose, eyes, and mouth.
Rinse well with fresh warm water and towel dry your pet. You can also use a hair dryer to dry them.
Tip: Always use warm water while washing Vizsla. It’s because they do not have an undercoat and can get cold easily.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Are Vizslas hypoallergenic?
No, Vizslas are not hypoallergenic. They shed all year round and need regular brushing to maintain their coat.
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How often should I bathe my Vizsla?
Vizslas do not need frequent baths. A bath every three months is usually sufficient unless they are unusually dirty. In this case, a bath may be necessary.
How can I make nail trimming easier for my Vizsla?
To make nailing easier, start training your Vizsla early so he gets used to it. Use treats and cut back little by little. When nails reaches the desired length, trim them every 2-4 weeks to avoid discomfort.
Conclusion
Grooming for Vizslas is essential to maintain their coat and overall health, although it is relatively low compared to some other breeds.
Regular brushing, nail trimming, occasional baths, and ear cleaning are key factors in Vizsla care.
Short-haired Vizslas require less attention than their long-haired counterparts. Having the right tools, including the right grooming area, the right brushes, clippers, and dog shampoo, is very important.
Start grooming your Vizsla early and be patient and gentle, especially when trimming the nails. Remember that Vizslas do not need frequent bathing, but proper care and attention will keep them healthy and happy.
