Vizsla vs Red Fox Lab: What’s the Difference?

The Vizsla and the Red Fox Lab are two beautiful dogs that come with some similarities. In this post, we will consider the characteristics of the two breeds of dogs. Some of what we will look at include temperament, origins, character, grooming, and care, as well as other important factors that might determine whether it is the right breed for you or not. 

vizsla vs red fox lab
Vizsla vs Red Fox Lab: What’s the Difference?

Vizsla Dog Breed

The Vizsla is a unique dog breed that is also known as the Hungarian Pointer. It is a dog with an aristocratic bearing, but don’t let this aloof appearance fool you – all it wants is to be loved and cuddled. 

If you have an active family, this is an affectionate dog that will love living with you and will be the delight of all in the family

Vizsla Origin  

This breed likely has its origins in the hunting dogs that the Magyars used in Hungary more than a millennium ago. Yes, it is a pretty old dog. The forebears of the Vizsla were likely used by the nobility and the warlords for hunting purposes and eventually taught how to point and retrieve the game. 

World War I nearly resulted in the decimation of the breed, but fortunately, some of them were imported to the USA in the 1950s. 

Today, this breed is a beloved companion of many families and has been used in service. For example, some were used in the aftermath of 9/11. 

Vizsla Characteristics 

Vizslas come with a short, smooth coat that is close to the body. 

The Vizsla is a lightly built dog with sinewy muscles and a medium size. It comes with a strong, aristocratic bearing, with males standing up to 24 inches at the shoulder and females at 23 inches. 

Males weigh as much as 65 pounds while females weigh slightly less. 

Vizsla Character  

As we have said earlier, this breed is a lively, gentle, and highly affectionate dog with above-average intelligence. However, as with all dog breeds, there are exceptions as some are shy or stubborn. 

With the origins in mind, it is not surprising that this breed is athletic and full of energy. That is why it is recommended for people or families that live an active lifestyle. The Vizsla is not a dog that feels comfortable staying long in an enclosed place, which is why some become destructive when moved to an apartment. 

This excitable dog is great for families with children over six years old. Its exuberance might be too much for kids younger than that. The Vizsla also is friendly to other animals and even cats, especially if they grow up together. However, you should watch them with other smaller pets like hamsters or birds. 

Vizsla Health, Diet, and Care 

These are very healthy dogs. However, as with most breeds of dogs, there are certain medical conditions that the dog is susceptible to. 

Some of the health issues that Vizsla might develop include epilepsy, canine hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, lymphosarcoma, and progressive retinal atrophy. 

The Vizsla likes to eat, and it is recommended that you give him three to four cups of high-quality dog food every day. The amount of food that you give also depends on the metabolism, age, and activity level of the dog. 

Caring for the Vizsla is an intensive exercise. The breed is a breed that loves to be active. Therefore, engage the dog in plenty of exercises. Workout at least two hours every day. If you cannot guarantee this, then you might be better off with another breed of dog. 

The coat of the Vizsla varies from dog to dog, but most of them come in a short smooth form. The dog is easy to brush. Nails should be trimmed monthly.

Related Reading: Vizsla vs Rottweiler: What’s the Difference?

Red Fox Lab 

This is a lesser-known color variation of the Labrador Retriever, one of the most common dogs in the world. Labs are often in yellow, chocolate, or black color. However, this particular breed, as the name implies, comes in a red shade. 

It isn’t red per se, as red is often classified as a darker shade of yellow. Nevertheless, the color is one of the rarest you will find in a Lab. 

Labs are popular for their friendliness, smarts, and great temperaments. For folks looking for a family pet, there are fewer breeds that are as awesome as Labs and the Red Fox Lab. 

Red Fox Lab Origin 

According to some experts, the Red Fox Lab is the original yellow variation of the Labrador. The earliest pictures that are in existence of the Lab show that yellow fur was much darker than what we can see in most Labs today. 

As time passed, though, the lighter yellow variation became more popular and fashionable among breeders and dog owners. Slowly, the Red Fox Lab started to lose its popularity. Because of the more intense and popular breeding of the light shade of yellow, Red Fox Lab was selectively bred out of the pool. 

Why is the Red Fox Lab not as common today?

The Red Fox Lab had a boost in popularity in the 1800s. It was in that period that noblemen from England visited Canada and took back some of these Labrador dogs to England. 

Later in the 18th century, this breed became more popular as breeders in England standardized the breed. The Lab, and at the time, Red Fox Lab, became very popular among the nobility, with some of its owners being the Prince of Wales and the Clintons. 

Due to their above-average intelligence, these dogs were used as hunting partners and are classified as sporting dogs. Because of their ‘soft’ mouth, they could carry the game gently without damage. 

Today, Red Fox Labs are used as therapy dogs because of their temperament and intelligence. 

Red Fox Lab Characteristics 

The physical characteristics of this dog are that it has been built for different kinds of work. They have pretty narrow but strong shoulders and chests. Most Red Fox Labs boast of a strong lean body complete with well-angled proportions. 

As with other Labs, they have large floppy ears and a dark yellow or light brown nose. The face appears to be smiling most of the time. 

Males stand up to 24 inches tall and weigh around 65 to 80 pounds. Females are smaller stand at 23 inches tall and are 55 to 70 pounds heavy. 

Red Fox Lab Character 

The only difference that has been noticed between Red Fox Lab and other Labradors is the color. Apart from the color difference, this breed does not differ in temperament from other Labs. Therefore, you get a wonderful canine companion. 

They are loyal dogs that love interacting with people and are very gentle. As we have repeatedly stated, these dogs are some of the more intelligent breeds out there. They are playful, and intelligent, and make for excellent service and hunting dogs. A Red Fox Lab is eager to please its owner, and this is put to use in different ways. 

Additionally, these are some of the best family pets you can ever have. If you have kids, you will love having this dog. Red Fox Lab does not bond with just one person but is friendly with all in the family. 

While some of these dogs are trained as hunting companions, the hunting drive is not as strong as it used to be. 

The Red Fox Lab is gentle and not aggressive towards other animals. 

However, the prey drive is really high. As they have been used to track, they can smell for long distances and track down objects. This will come in very handy when playing games with them. 

Red Fox Lab Health, Diet, and Care 

The red color does not affect the health of this dog. They have the risk of suffering from the same issues that other Labs suffer from. It is a healthy breed that might be susceptible to exercise-induced collapse, hip, and elbow dysplasia. He might also be prone to progressive retinal atrophy. 

Their diet should be carefully watched as the Red Fox Lab loves to eat and is prone to obesity. They lack the POMC gene that tells them when to stop eating. 

Caring for these dogs requires some commitment on your part. They shed all year round, so you have to brush them weekly. You should also bathe them every other month. In the shedding season, you have to brush the coat every day. 

Comparison table: Vizsla vs Red Fox Lab 

Characteristics  Red Fox Lab Vizsla 
Breed Type Red Fox Lab: Purebred Purebred  
Price  $8-$1200  $800-$1200  
Size  Springer Spaniel: Medium  Large  
Weight  Male: 65 to 80 pounds, Female: 55 to 70 pounds  Male: 45-60 pounds,  Female: 40-55 pounds  
Coat  Short, smooth coat close to the body  For First-Time Owners?   
Grooming  Advanced. It requires a lot of grooming.  Effortless. The Vizsla requires little grooming 
Shedding Level  Sheds moderately and heavy in shedding season.  Shed moderately.  
Trainability  Easy to train.  Easy to train.  
Barking  Barks occasionally.  Barks occasionally.  
Biting Potential  Low  Low 
Apartment Friendly   Apartment-friendly.  · Vizslas: Not recommended for an apartment.  
Stranger Friendly   Very stranger friendly.  Average friendly towards strangers.  
Child Friendly   Kid-friendly.  Kid-friendly.  
Cat Friendly   Average friendly to cats.  Average friendly to cats.  
Dog Friendly   Very dog-friendly.  Average friendly  
Detection of Sniffer Dog?   Yes  No  
Detection or Sniffer Dog?   Yes  Yes  
Search and Rescue (SAR) dog?   Yes  Yes  
Life Expectancy   10-12 years  10-14 years  
vizsla vs red fox lab
Vizsla vs Red Fox Lab

Conclusion 

So there you have it – the differences and similarities between the Red Fox Lab and the Vizla. Both are excellent breeds that will be great for the family. They lie in the same price range and are energetic dogs that are friendly to most people and animals. Consider both breeds to discover which will suit you more. 

stuart and his dog

Family Dog Expert Author

Hi there! I’m Stuart, a devoted dog lover and family dog expert with over a decade of experience working with our furry companions. My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. When I’m not writing for SirDoggie, you’ll find me hiking, playing with my beautiful dog, or studying music.