Dog breeds / Large breeds

What a Vizsla really costs

A Vizsla costs little to groom and has good joint statistics, but it is a velcro dog with very high exercise needs, so daycare, walkers or sitters are a common recurring cost. Epilepsy and cancer are the conditions most likely to produce large vet bills.

Size: Large, 44–60 lb
Life expectancy: 12–14 years
Grooming: Low
Insurance risk: Average
Puppy price: $1,500–$2,500
Food a day: About 1,380 calories

Lifetime cost$43,000 First year $6,400Then about $2,970 a year

Where the money goes each year

A typical adult year for a Vizsla with mainstream food, home grooming, no insurance, in an average-cost area. That's $20 less than the median breed.

Illness and injury (average)$763
Food$714
Heartworm, flea and tick prevention$451
Checkups, vaccines and tests$330
Toys, beds and everyday supplies$280
Dental cleanings$213
Treats and chews$143
Grooming$53
License$20
Typical year$2,970

Most years land between $2,190 (budget food, home grooming, lower-cost area) and $4,200 (premium food, groomer, insurance, big city). Dogs over about 6 add about $180 a year for senior checkups.

The first year

Buying a puppy front-loads the bill: the price, gear, puppy shots and spay or neuter.

Bringing a puppy home

Breeder price$2,000
Crate, bed, leash, bowls and gear$700
Spay or neuter$620
Microchip$50
Puppy or basic obedience class$149
Upfront$3,520

Running costs in year one

Food$714
Treats and chews$143
Puppy vaccines and checkups$738
Heartworm, flea and tick prevention$451
Grooming$53
License$20
Illness and injury (average)$763
Year-one running costs$2,880

First-year total: $6,400. Adopting instead brings it to about $3,720.

Health costs to plan for

Vizslas have low OFA hip (6.7%) and elbow (2.5%) rates but carry epilepsy and cancer concerns that the parent club is actively funding research on, so we rate them average for a large dog; no breed-specific claim data was found.

Condition	How it affects Vizslas	Typical treatment	Cost
Epilepsy	AKC lists epilepsy among the conditions Vizsla breeders screen for, and the Vizsla Club of America's welfare foundation funds canine epilepsy research. Source	Anticonvulsant medication and monitoring, per year	$200–$5,000
Mast cell tumors and other cancers	The Vizsla Club of America funds research on hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma and mast cell cancer in the breed; AKC notes cancers are a concern. Source	Mast cell tumor removal ($500-$1,000) up to radiation therapy ($4,000-$10,000)	$500–$10,000
Hip dysplasia	Hip dysplasia is relatively uncommon: OFA graded 6.7% of 20,281 Vizsla hip X-rays dysplastic. Source	FHO or other non-replacement hip surgery, per hip	$1,500–$3,000

The yearly estimate already includes an average allowance of $763 for illness and injury. A single surgery can cost several times that, which is the case for an emergency fund or insurance.

What drives the cost of a Vizsla

With no undercoat, the Vizsla needs only a rubber brush and occasional bath; Lemonade estimates $100 to $200 a year for baths and nail trims.
The thin single coat means a winter coat and possibly a raincoat for cold climates, a small but breed-specific expense.
Vizslas are known for not tolerating long periods alone; owners away all day often pay for daycare or a midday walker.
Epilepsy is the most likely chronic cost; most dogs do well on $200 to $500 a year of medication, but some need drugs costing up to $5,000 a year.
Food for a 45-60 lb active dog is about $55 to $80 a month per Lemonade.

Breeder or rescue

Reputable breeder: $1,500–$2,500
Rescue or shelter: $300–$500
Lifetime, from a breeder: $43,000
Lifetime, adopted: $40,400

iHeartDogs reports $1,800-$2,500 from reputable breeders in higher-cost regions; Lemonade's range starts at $500, which is below what health-tested litters typically cost. VizWhizz Dogs Rescue charges $500 for purebreds under 8 and $300 for seniors.

Adopting vs buying: the full cost comparison

Similar-size breeds by yearly cost

German Wirehaired Pointer$2,930 a year
Greyhound$2,990 a year
Basset Hound$3,000 a year
Bluetick Coonhound$3,010 a year
German Shorthaired Pointer$3,010 a year
Belgian Malinois$3,040 a year
Compare all breeds

Common questions

How much does a Vizsla puppy cost?

A Vizsla puppy from a reputable US breeder typically costs $1,500–$2,500. Adopting one through a rescue usually costs $300–$500.

How much does a Vizsla cost per year?

After the first year, a Vizsla costs about $2,970 a year, or $247 a month, for food, vet care, preventives, grooming, supplies and average illness costs. Depending on food, grooming, insurance and where you live, a typical year ranges from about $2,190 to $4,200.

How much does a Vizsla cost over its lifetime?

About $43,000 over a 13-year life when bought from a breeder, or $40,400 if adopted, in 2026 dollars.

Sources

Prices are averages from the sources above and the cost baselines on our methodology page, in 2026 US dollars. Your vet, groomer and city will differ. Updated October 14, 2026.