As a newer hybrid dog breed, the Vizsla Labrador mix isn’t well known despite being a descendant of two of the most popular dogs in the world. This mixed breed is dedicated to their family, whether they’re intended for working, hunting, or just being a beloved companion. They do best with active and experienced owners, and this guide will tell you why.

Breed Overview

A mix of the ever-popular Labrador Retriever and the versatile Hungarian Vizsla, the Vizsla Labrador is also commonly called the “Vizslador” or “Labrala.” Their loving nature, work ethic, and hunting skills are all highly prized, and this hybrid breed makes an excellent pet and hunting companion.

Vizsla Labrador Mix Puppies

Despite their Labrador blood, the Vizsla Labrador isn’t one of the easiest mixed breeds to find. They aren’t as popular as some other Labrador mixes, which can make them expensive and incredibly difficult to find in shelters or if you’re looking for a breeder. Their cost depends on the breeder and the demand for the dog in your area.

You might pay between $800 and $2,500 for a puppy, depending on the breeder. For puppies bred from champion breed lines, you might have to pay much more. If you’re a first-time dog owner, remember that the cost of your new puppy won’t cover the supplies that you’ll need to raise them correctly, so you’ll need to plan your budget accordingly. Keep an eye on local shelters too; if you’re lucky, you might find a Vizsla Labrador mix in need of a home there.

Be prepared to spend time searching for a reputable breeder. It’s best to choose someone experienced in breeding both Vizslas and Labradors to ensure that they know the common health issues to screen for. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the health of the parent dogs and the puppies, as well as their temperament and expected adult size.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Vizsla Labrador Mix

Since they don’t have a breed standard, determining the temperament of the Vizsla Labrador mix entails considering the behavior of the parent breeds. When it comes to personality, the Vizsla and the Labrador only have a few differences.

They are both friendly and intelligent, with a fondness for family activities. Although they’re not guard dogs and will likely make friends with everyone, they will also protect their own when they feel the need.

Together, the Labrador Retriever and the Vizsla create a breed with a friendly countenance and playful disposition. The mix is intelligent and versatile, with a willingness to work in obedience and search and rescue and as service animals. Most of all, they adore their family and are happy being regular family pets, hunting companions, or working animals.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Part of what makes these dogs wonderful family pets is their loyalty. While the Labrador Retriever is adored for their friendly goofiness, the Vizsla is a well-known “Velcro” dog.¹ This trait makes them a highly affectionate dog, though they can be prone to separation anxiety.

In turn, the Vizsla Labrador mix is sociable and benevolent. Socialized and well-trained, they get along with children and are playful. You can leave them on their own, but make sure you put in the work to ensure that they’re used to being left alone, and never leave them unattended for long.

Above all else, these dogs need a family that has a large yard to play in and is just as active as they are.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

When it comes to other pets, be sure to consider the Vizsla Labrador’s natural hunting instincts. They will get along with other dogs and can be taught to live with cats and other small pets, provided that they meet them at a young age. Without socialization, though, your Vizsla Labrador mix will be prone to chasing smaller animals both inside and outside the home.

It’s always a good idea to supervise your dog’s interactions with smaller pets, just in case. For cats, make sure they have a place somewhere high up to get out of the way if they feel the need to escape.

Things to Know When Owning a Vizsla Labrador Mix

Mixed breeds are often hardier than their pedigree parents, but this doesn’t mean you can slack off in regard to their care. The Vizsla Labrador enjoys interacting with their loved ones above all else and will reward your care with good behavior and affection.

Food & Diet Requirements

The Vizsla Labrador mix is not a small dog and is incredibly active. They will eat more than sedate or smaller breeds, and you’ll need to feed them between 3 and 4 cups of food a day. Their diet needs to be tailored to their age, size, and activity level.

Both commercial and homemade food is suitable, provided that it’s high-quality and meets all their nutritional requirements. If you plan to make homemade dog food, make sure you ask your veterinarian how to adjust the recipe to suit your dog’s needs.

Make sure your Vizsla Labrador mix doesn’t eat too much, though. You need to carefully balance their meals with snacks and treats used for good behavior and make sure they stay active. Also, remember to break their meals into smaller portions throughout the day to prevent the development of issues like bloat.

Exercise

Along with their innate hunting talents, the Vizsla Labrador mix is an active breed. Their parents, the Vizsla and the Labrador, are not fond of lounging around and can become restless when they’re not exercised enough. While this energy serves this mixed breed well during sports like hunting, it can be a challenge to deal with if you’re not an active person.

The puppies need at least 1 hour of exercise a day. Two long walks a day or taking them along on runs are great ways to give them physical activity. You should also keep them mentally active by providing puzzles for them to solve and teaching them obedience. They can excel at obedience, agility, and other sports competitions.

Training

Hunting dogs are always fiercely fond of their owners but are not the easiest of dogs to live with without training. The Vizsla Labrador mix inherits the intelligence and curiosity of both the Vizsla and the Labrador, and they are strong dogs too. They’ll push the boundaries and figure out their own way of completing tasks if they’re not given the proper guidance.

You need to teach your puppy obedience and socialization from a young age. This will aid you in house training and helping them grow into well-behaved adults. Fortunately, these dogs are eager to please and are glad to work, especially if they know how happy their success makes you.

Grooming

Neither the Vizsla nor the Labrador is considered hypoallergenic, and despite their short coats, both shed. The Vizsla Labrador mix is a short-haired breed, but their coat can vary in thickness. While the Vizsla has a sleek, single coat, the Labrador has a dense double coat that serves as insulation in the water that they were bred to retrieve prey from.

You won’t need to groom your hybrid puppy every day, but the number of times that you’ll need to brush them a week will vary depending on their coat type. Thicker fur will require multiple grooming sessions every week, while single coats might only require a quick grooming session once or twice.

Both parent breeds are susceptible to ear infections, so don’t forget to check and clean your puppy’s ears regularly. You’ll also need to regularly trim their claws and brush their teeth.

Health and Conditions

As two relatively long-lived breeds, the Vizsla and the Labrador Retriever are generally healthy. The mixed puppies benefit from this natural hardiness, and a dependable breeder will make sure the parents and the puppies are screened for health issues before breeding them or letting them go to their new homes.

The Vizsla Labrador mix isn’t a pedigree breed, so there’s no way of knowing which health issues are common to them. That said, they can inherit several issues from their parents, with the most typical issues being hip and elbow dysplasia, eye problems, epilepsy, and cancer. Labradors are also known for developing bloat, so you should make sure your hybrid puppy doesn’t eat too fast or exercise immediately after a meal.

Male vs. Female

The choice between a male or a female Vizsla Labrador can be a challenging one. You have to consider the temperaments of both sexes and the behavior that you prefer in a dog. Females are generally considered to be naturally aloof, but many dog owners also believe them to be easier to train due to their earlier maturity. In comparison, males are more prone to distraction but are also more affectionate and willing to cuddle.

Both male and female Vizslas and Labradors are known for their friendliness and intelligence, and their offspring are the same way. While sex can play a part in the Vizsla Labrador’s temperament, it also relies on your puppy’s personality.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Vizsla Labrador Mix

1. The Vizsla Labrador Mix Almost Didn’t Exist

There’s no way of knowing when the Vizsla Labrador mix was first bred, as designer breeds did not become more recognized by dog lovers until the late 20th century. Like many other mixed breeds, however, the Vizsla Labrador mix almost didn’t come about at all.

Although the Labrador has always been one of the most popular breeds and quickly gained favor as a companion, the Vizsla has had a much shakier history. The breed suffered greatly during the occupation of Hungary by Turkish troops, the Hungarian Revolution, and both world wars. By the end of World War I, the Vizsla had almost been wiped out completely.

The Vizsla survived through breeding efforts in Austria, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia. By the time that they made it to the U.S.A. in 1950, their population was steadily increasing, and the breed was formally recognized by the AKC in 1960.

2. They Are Born Hunters

Both the Vizsla and the Labrador Retriever were first bred to work with hunters. They had different roles to play but both excelled at their tasks. The Labrador was mostly focused on water retrieval and often joined fishermen on their boats to haul in fish, while the Vizsla was primarily land based and trained to work with falcons.

Hunting instincts and the ability to work closely with humans are traits that are passed down to the Vizsla Labrador mix. Regardless of which parent your puppy takes after the most, they are skilled hunters and will excel in the field and water.

3. They Are Adept Swimmers

Bred for retrieving game animals from the water, Labradors are keen swimmers with a love for getting wet. In comparison, the Vizsla was intended for land-based hunts, but their versatility also sees them leaping into water to retrieve prey. Your Vizsla Labrador mix shares this fondness for water, so after being introduced to swimming, your happy pup may be unwilling to leave any water deep enough for them to paddle in.

Final Thoughts

There have been many hunting dogs bred over the centuries, but perhaps none is quite as popular as the Labrador Retriever. Their friendliness and goofy nature have won them the hearts of dog lovers the world over, and they are frequently mixed with other breeds to share their most beloved traits. The Vizsla might be less popular, but they share the same versatility, intelligence, and adoring personality traits that make them such hard workers.

Overall, the Vizsla Labrador mix is a relatively new breed that inherits the personality and skills of their parent breeds. They are friendly, loyal, and unafraid of showing their worth by excelling at anything that you ask of them. Paired with an experienced family, well-trained, and socialized, these dogs will be treasured companions for many people.

Featured Image Credit: Jared Cook, Shutterstock

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