Vizslas are known for being resilient, versatile, and very tough, but does that mean they can live outside? It’s a common question asked by both new and experienced owners… So this article contains the answers you have been looking for.
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Can Vizslas Live Outside?
Despite their resilience, Vizslas should not live or sleep outside. Living outside involves spending time alone which is difficult for such a highly sociable breed. Vizslas also only have a single-layered coat and get cold easily.
As vizslas are strong working dogs, it’s more than reasonable to ask this question. Their impressive hunting and working background lead us to believe they will be more than capable of living outside. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.
But can a Vizsla sleep inside the home at night, and live outside in the day? This is a very common follow-up question, but, if you keep your vizsla’s interests as a priority, the answer remains the same.
To get a real sense for the correct answer, I have spoken to vizsla owners about this topic, and have continued to research on vizsla forum groups and owners clubs.
And they all agreed upon the same consistent reasons which I will now run through.
3 Reasons Why Vizslas Shouldn’t Live Outside
There are three main reasons why a vizsla shouldn’t live outside. Let’s run through them.
1. Vizslas Crave Human Company
Vizslas develop an unparalleled bond with their owners and absolutely hate spending time away from them. This may sound like something they could just “get over” but it will negatively impact them in substantial ways (will cover below).
Inevitably, living outside means spending time alone, unless you were planning on living inside the kennel with your vizsla, which I guess you weren’t!
This close relationship between themselves and the owner is exactly what makes them so good at performing their duties as hunters, pointers, and retrievers.
Vizslas are always alert to where you are and what you are doing. Spending time outside in a kennel when they can’t “access” you, will prove to be very frustrating for them.
2. Vizslas Are Physically Tough But Not So Much Mentally
This isn’t to say vizslas are mentally “weak”, certainly not, but they are a breed known to be very sensitive and irritable.
All working dogs have this sense of being tough, which they are… but there’s a big difference between what a dog can physically withstand and what they can mentally withstand.
This was something that vizsla owners brought up time and time again. They are robust enough to spend a long time outside but it will impact them in many negative ways mentally.
Vizslas will become bored, frustrated, lonely and their temperament will likely change for the worse.
Owners that tried an outside kennel explained their vizsla became much more disobedient, aloof, and sometimes even aggressive after having spent prolonged time outside.
3. Vizslas Have a Single Layered Coat
Vizslas have a gorgeous golden coat, but despite its beauty, the coat is only single-layered and very short.
Although vizslas are known for being resilient and capable of working in very cold weather conditions, it doesn’t mean they can withstand living in constant cold weather conditions.
Even if you were to insulate the kennel, and provide external heating. It will be hard to match what you have inside of your home. And that’s what vizslas need.
With such a short single-layered coat like they have, they can hardly retain any of their own body heat.
Vizslas Are a Companion Breed Too
Vizslas aren’t just working dogs, they are family pets too.
It’s important to remember that a whole bunch of love, affection, and loyalty comes with this breed, not just an enthusiastic worker.
When vizslas aren’t out chasing and retrieving wild game, there is no better place for them than inside the home snuggled up with you on the couch. They don’t give off this vibe, but it’s certainly what they want.
And the chances are, most of you who are considering getting a vizsla are not going to be using them for working purposes anyway. And even if you are, they will still perform better outside if they get to live with the family, inside.
The Best of Both? The Power of The Crate
Is there a best of both option? The use of a crate can help you significantly at keeping your vizsla contained and secure whenever you need to, without needing to live outside.
When introduced correctly from the beginning, the crate can be your vizsla’s favorite place to be, plus they get the benefit of being right there with you inside of your home.
The crate will be there to help you secure or contain your vizsla in moments you need them to be safe. Perhaps this is while you leave the house temporarily, or you want to have them in the crate overnight.
When you think about it, whatever reason you could have had for keeping them outside, it can actually be achieved with the use of a crate inside…
Building a good relationship with the crate is the crucial beginning step. This can be done in the following ways:
● Never use it as a punishment or force him inside
● Allow your vizsla to figure out the crate himself without pressure
● Keep the door open for a long time in the beginning
● Spend ample time with him around the crate and be sure to play with him there
● Throw his toys and treats inside, let him chill there if he wants to
● Continuously move his food bowl closer and closer to his crate
● Reward him when he voluntarily goes to his crate to lay down
● Create as many positive associations as you can between him and his crate
● After chewing habits have been worked through, get him a comfortable blanket to lay on inside
If you build a solid relationship like this between your vizsla and his crate, it will be his favorite place to be, and the ultimate tool you can use whenever you need to (and he won’t mind!).
Of course, however, you shouldn’t leave your vizsla inside his crate for more than a couple of hours at a time, unless he’s a puppy and sleeping there overnight.
Putting your vizsla in his crate throughout the day while you run short errands is fine, but for extended periods of time, he should have the option to go freely in and out.
⭐ Our favorite crate for a vizsla (Amazon)
Can a Pack of Vizslas Live Together Outside?
It’s certainly true that dogs are happier in packs, especially working breeds. They feed off each other’s energy, have a constant friend to play with, and can develop life-long relationships with the pack.
So will having a permanent canine companion make it easier to live outside?
Although it may initially help and take the edge off being completely alone, it won’t be any different in the long run.
The reason is that despite having company in the form of another dog, all dogs eventually wait for their human leader or family to be with them.
Another dog will never replace their human owner.
It certainly beats being alone, but in the end, you will have two frustrated and lonely vizslas instead of one. So, unfortunately, this isn’t the answer either.
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Last Thoughts
Vizslas do not suit living outside. This breed loves their human family and craves having company at all times. Despite being a tough, hard-working breed, when it comes to their living situation, they need to remain inside the home with their family.
I hope this article has thoroughly answered your question. If you feel I have missed something, please use the contact page to inform me, and I will happily add relevant sections.