Vizsla vs Labradoodle: What’s the Difference?
Are you thinking of getting a dog in your home? Some breeds are known to be great companions, and it can be a bit difficult to choose between them.
The Vizsla and Labradoodle are friendly dogs. If you are thinking of getting any of them, you should get to them everything about these dogs. In this article, we will compare the Vizsla and Labradoodle, so you can easily make your choice.
The Vizsla Breed
Vizsla dogs are from Hungary and are considered to be large dogs. They are good with children and love to be around them. The Vizsla is known as a great pointer and retriever. They are very intelligent and you will find it easy to train them.
Vizsla Breed History
Originally from Hungary, the Vizsla goes as far back as the 10th century. They were used as hunting dogs and pointers by the Hungarians. They were, however, isolated for hundreds of years and almost became extinct. The breed survived though and is very much around today.
The Vizslas were also great hunting dogs for the Magyar people. They used them to hunt rabbits and waterfowl. Vizslas are very loyal dogs, and their size makes them appealing to most people. They could work in water, fields, and forests.
They became less popular during World War 1 and World War 2 when they were replaced by the German Shorthaired Pointers and English Pointers. There were only a dozen left in Hungary by then but gradually with these few numbers, they began to increase.
Vizsla Breed Traits
Vizslas have a very short coat and are light build. They have a lean figure and look quite muscular. You can recognize this breed when you see its floppy ears and its reddish nose. Their nose compliments their golden rust-colored coat.
The Hungarian Vizsla have their nails, and eyes matching their coat. It has a very short tail that is always flying through the air. Their face looks more like a hound and they have a deep chest.
Vizsla Breed Temperament
The Vizsla dogs are affectionate and very friendly. They are one of the most intelligent breeds. The Vizsla, however, are very energetic and love to play. They will need a lot of exercise and space to run around, so they don’t destroy things. They hardly get bored and will want to be with you all the time. They seek attention a lot, but they are also very protective.
Vizsla Breed Health
Vizslas are healthy dogs and hardly have health issues. When they eventually do fall ill, it is very serious. They hardly get hip dysplasia, but some people have had Vizslas with this condition. They could have arthritis or lameness as a result of hip dysplasia.
These affectionate dogs also experience epilepsy, but this condition can be treated. They are also susceptible to different types of treatable cancers and also fatal ones.
Vizslas may also develop sebaceous adenitis, an inflammation of the skin, but this only affects young adult dogs. They also get ear infections all the time like other breeds generally.
Vizsla Breed Pet Care
Vizslas need care and attention. However, they are not expensive to care for. Here are some tips to help you with your Vizsla.
Vizsla Breed Feeding
This dog is energetic and can play the whole day. They need to replace the energy they use. You should give Vizslas old rich in energy. You can give them between two to four cups of food every day. Preferably dry dog food. Ration their meals by breaking it down to either three or four meals every day.
Vizsla Breed Exercises
Your Vizsla will need to do regular exercises. You can give them 30 minutes or more of your time to exercise. If you are keeping this dog, you will need a large space for them to play. They will prefer long walks and jogging with you. You can have them play games like field trials, lure coursing, fetch, scent work, and agility games.
Related Reading: Vizsla vs Goldendoodle: What’s the Difference?
Labradoodle
Labradoodles are a diverse breed and very popular. They are friendly dogs and very lovable. They are not violent, and they seem to agree with everyone. They are usually crossbreeds, and you never know which one you will get. They come in three sizes and are appealing. Labradoodles are what you will consider a man’s best friend.
Labradoodle History
This popular breed can be traced down to Australia. They were originally hypoallergenic guide dogs. Labradoodles came as a result of a mix between the Labrador and Poodle.
These dogs will sometimes display the traits of each of their parent breeds, and they all differ. The labradoodle was popular in Australia in 1988 when it was successfully crossbred by an Australian breeder.
When this happened, more breeders continued to pair the Labradors and Poodle to get this breed. They wanted to move them from a hybrid to an official breed.
Labradoodle Traits
The labradoodle can be either miniature, medium, or standard-sized. They are considerably large dogs and can weigh up to 30kg. Their coat hair is usually different from each other. Some have tight curls, some wavy, and you will find some Labradoodle with straight hair.
Their coat hair is medium-length, and they come in different colors. The labradoodle colors are brown, cream, whitish, apricot, black, and brindle color. They have a strong and muscular build.
Labradoodles have floppy ears, but their tail lengths vary. Some have docked tails while others have their long not even hanging down. There are also Labradoodles with upright and curved tails.
Labradoodle Temperament
The labradoodle is fun to be with and a great companion. They bear the traits of the Labrador and Poodle which makes them very interesting. Even if you are allergic to dogs, you won’t have a problem with Labradoodles.
They were bred to be hypoallergenic dogs, and they shed very little hair. If you have kids, you will feel safe having this breed around them. They are very friendly and are great watchdogs. The labradoodle loves being with families and feels the happiest when they are surrounded by them.
Training this dog is easy because it is very intelligent. They easily adapt to your lifestyle and are not destructive. If you choose to stay indoors, they will simply lay close to you, and if you want to play, they are always ready. They are obedient, and their traits will depend on the training you give them as well as their environment.
Labradoodle Health Problems
The labradoodle is quite unpredictable as it relates to their health. They will very much inherit the health issues associated with the Labradors and Poodle. They tend to have hip dysplasia and most times will have eye problems.
The eye disease that affects them most is progressive retinal atrophy which could cause them to become blind. Their floppy ears also make them susceptible to ear infections. Wax and moisture easily build up in their ears causing bacteria. You will need to clean the insides of their eyes regularly and very gently.
They also are known to have Addison’s Disease popular among Labradors and Poodles. This is a condition where the pituitary gland is unable to produce ACTH which is responsible for regulating cortisol.
It can cause your labradoodle to experience constant indigestion. Dogs with this disease will urinate often, be lethargic, thirst more, and have an unusually fast heart rate. You will need to have regular visits with the vet when you have Labradoodles because of their very different traits.
Labradoodle Pet Care
Labradoodles need more attention, and caring for them is moderately expensive. You will need to groom them if you want their coat to look clean all the time. Their grooming varies because not all of these breeds have the same cost. They all have individual requirements.
They have a medium coat, and they will need their hair brushed down at least twice a week. They will also need trimming and clippings, so they look appealing. Their diet is important and it will depend on their size, age, and the amount of energy they use.
Vizsla vs Labradoodle Comparison Chart
Vizsla | Labradoodle | |
Group | Hound | Companion |
Origin: | Hungary | Australia |
Life Span: | 9 – 10 Years | 10 – 14 Years |
Size: | Medium dog | Large dog |
Other Names: | Hungarian Vizsla Hungarian Pointer | Poodle-cross, Doodle |
Colors Available: | Golden-rust color and darker shades | Black, cream, brown,, apricot, whitish, brindle |
Coat: | Short and smooth | Medium, wavy, curly, or straight |
Temperament: | Energetic, independent, affectionate, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Social, Loyal | Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Territorial, Intelligent, Playful, Social |
Conclusion
The Vizsla and Labradoodle are great breeds. They both have the individual traits that make them unique. While the Vizsla is very active and friendly, the labradoodle is a much calmer companion.
They are both great with children and look very appealing. However, the labradoodle will make a better watchdog than the Vizsla. They are courageous and prefer to mark their territory. The Vizsla is playful and will become restless if it is denied activity.
Caring for the Vizsla is more affordable when compared to the labradoodle whose care depends on the breed you end up with. If your dog shows any signs of illness, whether it is a Vizsla or labradoodle, always have your vet look at it.
Family Dog Expert Author
Hi there! I’m Stuart, a devoted dog lover and family dog expert with over a decade of experience working with our furry companions. My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. When I’m not writing for SirDoggie, you’ll find me hiking, playing with my beautiful dog, or studying music.