Are Vizslas aggressive dogs? Here’s What to Do Next

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Why is my Vizsla aggressive? How to understand aggression in Vizslas

To understand aggression in Vizslas, it is vital to understand the breed. Vizslas are sensitive but serious hunting dogs.

That instinct runs deeper than their need to be a simple companion and can easily cause reactive behavior.

They are also high-energy dogs, meaning they need about two hours of vigorous activity a day. Some Vizsla bloodlines have also inadvertently been bred to be high-strung and nervous, often creating dogs that are reactive or fear aggressive (reactive).

This means the following are all possible reasons for aggression in your Vizsla:

  • Genetics
  • Poor or inadequate socialization (You might like to read: Too Late to Socialize Puppy? (Age Expectations))
  • Pain or an underlying health problem
  • Improper training and discipline
  • A high prey drive
  • And a lack of exercise and stimulation

    • These are not the only possible culprits of Vizsla aggression, but we would be here all day if we discussed all of them. The important thing is to understand that an aggressive dog is one in extreme distress, reacting to a perceived threat.

    To begin to address issues of aggression in your Vizsla, we need to identify which kind of aggression your Vizsla is showing. Remember, they can display more than one.

  • A few Vizslas, primarily adult intact males, may display dominant aggression. This usually happens when they are already an adult with the complete set of sex hormones. They usually take this out on other dogs in the household.
  • Food aggression usually starts at a young age and occurs when the puppy begins to growl, snarl and nip, at anyone coming near his food bowl or chew toy. Sometimes this possessiveness can extend to the owner.
  • Dog aggression happens when the Vizsla begins to show aggression to other dogs, usually new or strange ones.
  • Predator instinct happens when your Vizsla decides to chase smaller animals or moving objects like bicycles.
  • Barrier aggression happens when your dog is barred from reaching its targets, such as another dog by a wall or tight leash, causing leash reactivity. Often, but not always, this aggression goes away when the barrier is removed.

    • If your Vizsla is suffering from one or more of these problems, there’s no point in dwelling too much on reasons. We must move on to discussing solutions.

    If you’d like a comprehensive guide to fear-based or anxiety-based aggression, be sure to read our post on this subject here.

    And if your dog has ever biten for what seemed like no reason, be sure to read our post Dog Bites Without Warning.

    Do: Start training your Vizsla in an environment without any triggers

    If your Vizsla becomes aroused by other dogs or strangers, don’t allow your dog to see them while you have started training.

    Keep your initial training environment completely free of anything that might overwhelm your Vizsla and cause an adverse reaction.

    For example, block off any view of the street where your dog can see strangers or other dogs walk by.

    Do: Reduce your own anxiety by making sure your Vizsla is under complete control

    Your own calmness is as crucial as your dogs. If you are anxious and on edge about your Vizsla’s aggression, this will only make a feedback loop between you and your dog.

    Invest time in making your Vizsla comfortable wearing a muzzle on walks. The muzzle should be breathable and allow your dog to eat treats for good behavior. Also, make sure your dog is secured on a four-to-six-foot leash at all times.

    Knowing you have control over your Vizsla will reduce your own angst over a possible incident and help keep your dog calmer too.

    6 month Vizsla puppy food aggression is solved (for us)

    Vizslas are beautiful hunting dogs that originated from Hungary, taking their name from the mighty Vizsla river that runs through the country. Being a mild-mannered breed, they have also become a family favorite, taking quickly to kids in particular.

    With their pedigree and amazing hunting abilities, some owners would be wondering, are vizslas good guard dogs?

    Vizslas are generally not highly regarded as guard dogs as they are not aggressive enough to confront strangers right away. That said, Vizslas are very observant and will bark at intruders, alerting any family members to take further action rather than attacking them.

    In this post, you will learn more about this wonderful dog breed and their common behavior, and determine if you should use them for guarding your home or otherwise.

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