Breed comparison
Vizsla vs Weimaraner
Vizsla or Weimaraner? Both are lean, short-coated gundogs that need serious daily exercise and a lot of company, and both look stunning on a trail run. The short answer: the Vizsla is the smaller, warmer and more openly friendly dog, while the Weimaraner is larger, more vocal, more watchful and has a stronger prey drive. Neither is a first-time owner's dog, and neither does well in a small home or a house that is empty all day. Your choice mostly comes down to size, temperament and how much barking you can accept.
Photo: Pleple2000 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Rufus46 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
| Vizsla | Weimaraner | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Medium | Large |
| Height | 21–24 in (53–61 cm) | 23–27 in (58–69 cm) |
| Weight | 44–60 lb (20–27 kg) | 55–90 lb (25–41 kg) |
| Life span | 12–14 years | 10–13 years |
| Group | Sporting | Sporting |
| Coat | Short, smooth, dense coat with no undercoat | Short, smooth, sleek coat (a longhaired variety also exists) |
| 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 Weimaraner is the bigger dog, at 23 to 27 in (58 to 69 cm) and 55 to 90 lb (25 to 41 kg). The Vizsla stands 21 to 24 in (53 to 61 cm) and weighs 44 to 60 lb (20 to 27 kg). PetMD lists Weimaraner males at 70 to 90 lb and females at 55 to 75 lb. A big male Weimaraner is a lot of dog to hold on a leash.
Energy and exercise
Both score 5 out of 5 for energy and exercise, and both score 1 for apartment living. PetMD says Weimaraners need at least two hours of physical activity a day and a large fenced yard. For Vizslas it recommends at least an hour a day, and quotes the Vizsla Club of America asking for at least seven hours a week. Both need mental work as well as running.
Coat and grooming
Both have short, sleek coats that score 1 out of 5 for grooming and 2 for shedding. PetMD recommends a weekly brush for each, a bath about monthly for the Weimaraner and occasional baths for the Vizsla. Neither coat protects well from the cold (1 out of 5 for the Vizsla, 2 for the Weimaraner), so plan on a coat in winter. Clean eyes and ears regularly.
Temperament and training
Both score 4 out of 5 for trainability and 5 for affection, but the Vizsla is the friendlier dog on our meters (4 out of 5 for kids, other dogs and strangers, against 3 for the Weimaraner). PetMD calls the Vizsla a Velcro dog. It describes the Weimaraner as loyal, inquisitive and vocal, and warns that it may see small pets as prey. The Weimaraner barks more (3 versus 2), has the stronger prey drive (5 versus 4) and is the better watchdog (4 versus 3).
Health and life span
Vizslas typically live 12 to 14 years and Weimaraners 10 to 13, and both score 3 out of 5 for health. PetMD lists hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and bloat for both breeds. For the Vizsla it adds progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy and ear infections, and for the Weimaraner it adds entropion, an inward-rolling eyelid. Bloat is an emergency in deep-chested breeds like these, so learn the signs and your nearest emergency vet.
Cost and care
Neither is cheap to keep. Both need sturdy fencing, long daily exercise and often a trainer or sport class, and both can become destructive or anxious when bored or left alone. The Weimaraner eats more because it is bigger. Ask your vet about feeding routines for a deep-chested dog.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Vizsla if you want a smaller, softer-natured velcro companion that is friendly with kids, strangers and other dogs, and you can give it plenty of exercise and nearly constant company. Choose the Weimaraner if you want a larger, more watchful athlete and can accept more barking, a stronger prey drive and a bigger dog to manage. Both need active, experienced owners who will train with rewards, so be honest about your time. If you cannot commit to hours of exercise every single day, neither breed is the right fit.
Vizsla profile Weimaraner profile
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, a Vizsla or a Weimaraner?
The Weimaraner. It stands 23 to 27 in (58 to 69 cm) and weighs 55 to 90 lb (25 to 41 kg), while the Vizsla is 21 to 24 in (53 to 61 cm) and 44 to 60 lb (20 to 27 kg).
Which is better with kids, a Vizsla or a Weimaraner?
The Vizsla, on our meters (4 out of 5 against 3). Both are big, energetic dogs, so supervise play with young children.
Which needs more exercise, a Vizsla or a Weimaraner?
They tie at 5 out of 5. PetMD puts the Weimaraner at two hours or more a day and the Vizsla at an hour or more.
