Breed comparison
German Shorthaired Pointer vs Vizsla
German Shorthaired Pointer or Vizsla? Both are lean, short-coated sporting dogs from Europe that excel at hunting, running and agility, and both make people sweat on the exercise question. The short answer: they are close in size and needs, and the real choice is temperament. The Vizsla is the more clingy, sensitive shadow with a thinner coat, while the German Shorthaired Pointer is a little sturdier and rowdier. Both are demanding dogs best suited to runners, hikers and hunters, and both need a household that is active every single day.
Photo: Bonnie van den Born, http://www.bonfoto.nl · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Pleple2000 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
| German Shorthaired Pointer | Vizsla | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | Medium |
| Height | 21–25 in (53–64 cm) | 21–24 in (53–61 cm) |
| Weight | 45–70 lb (20–32 kg) | 44–60 lb (20–27 kg) |
| Life span | 10–12 years | 12–14 years |
| Group | Sporting | Sporting |
| Coat | Short, dense, water-repellent coat | Short, smooth, dense coat with no undercoat |
| Lower-allergen coat | No | No |
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly to strangers | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| Tolerates being alone | ||
| Good for first-time owners | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Barking | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Trait scale 1–5. Shedding, grooming, barking and drooling: 5 = more. Highlighted rows are where the two breeds differ.
The key differences
Size
The two are very close in size. German Shorthaired Pointers stand 21 to 25 in (53 to 64 cm) and weigh 45 to 70 lb (20 to 32 kg), while Vizslas stand 21 to 24 in (53 to 61 cm) and weigh 44 to 60 lb (20 to 27 kg). The GSP can run a little heavier and more rugged. Both are athletic, deep-chested dogs.
Energy and exercise
Both score 5 out of 5 for energy and exercise, and neither suits apartment life (1 out of 5). PetMD says a GSP needs one to two hours of intense daily exercise, and it recommends at least an hour daily for a Vizsla. Without enough outlet, both can turn destructive. Both are happiest running and playing off leash in secure areas.
Coat and grooming
Both have short coats that need little more than a weekly brush, and both score 1 out of 5 for grooming. The GSP sheds a little more (3 versus 2 out of 5). The Vizsla scores lower for cold tolerance (1 versus 2 out of 5), so plan on a coat in winter. Clean and check ears and eyes regularly in either breed.
Temperament and training
Both score 4 out of 5 for trainability, with a sensitive streak that makes reward-based training the best approach. The Vizsla earns its Velcro-dog nickname, scoring 5 out of 5 for affection against 4 for the GSP, though both score just 1 for tolerating time alone. The GSP has the higher prey drive (5 versus 4) and barks a bit more (3 versus 2). PetMD calls the GSP loyal and loving, with an independent streak that can make training harder.
Health and life span
Vizslas typically live 12 to 14 years and GSPs 10 to 12 years. PetMD lists hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and bloat for both breeds. For the GSP it adds elbow dysplasia and a heart defect called subaortic stenosis, and for the Vizsla it adds hypothyroidism, epilepsy and ear infections. Both breeds score 3 out of 5 for health on our meters.
Cost and care
Neither is a low-cost dog. Both need sturdy fencing, long daily exercise, quality chews and toys, and often a trainer or sport class. Bloat is an emergency in deep-chested breeds like these, so know the signs and your nearest emergency vet. Ask your vet about feeding routines that suit a deep-chested dog.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Vizsla if you want a sleek, affectionate shadow that stays glued to you and lives a bit longer on average, and you can offer near-constant company and plenty of exercise. Choose the German Shorthaired Pointer if you want a slightly sturdier, rowdier all-purpose athlete with a little more tolerance for cold. Both are best for active, experienced owners, not first-timers, and neither belongs in a sedentary home or a house empty all day. If you are not sure you can run, hike or train daily for the next decade, consider a calmer breed instead. Meeting adult dogs of each breed before you choose a puppy is time well spent.
German Shorthaired Pointer profile Vizsla profile
Frequently asked questions
Which needs more exercise, a GSP or a Vizsla?
They tie at 5 out of 5 on our meters. Plan on one to two hours of vigorous exercise a day for either breed.
Which is better for first-time owners, a GSP or a Vizsla?
Neither. Both score 2 out of 5 for first-time owners because of their exercise needs and sensitivity to harsh handling.
Which sheds more, a GSP or a Vizsla?
The GSP, slightly, at 3 out of 5 against 2 for the Vizsla. Both are easy to groom with a weekly brush.
