The Hungarian Vizsla
The Hungarian Vizsla originated in Hungary and was bred to locate and collect game for hunters. Although they look like more of a dainty breed, these dogs will work in any terrain and is a prized pet and worker! Vizsla translates to “Pointer” in Hungarian which is very fitting considering the breed is actually a mixture of the Turkish Yellow Dog, German Shorthaired Pointer and the Transylvanian Hound.
These dogs have an athletic, toned body and long muscular legs. They have large floppy ears, and a slender muzzle that is gentle enough to carry or collect small game. Vizsla's have a deep chest that gives them a speed advantage when working as well as small, rounded paws. Naturally their tail is long, but for show purposes it will be docked.
Hungarian Vizsla’s are extremely sweet, cuddly dogs that thrive on any affection they get! They are friendly and outgoing making friends anywhere they go. These dogs have an unusually high energy level and will need a large amount of exercise daily to be happy and healthy. Despite their loving character, this breed will become destructive or misbehaved if they are not taken out everyday. They literally need 1-2 hours every day of running or swimming to burn off their energy!
Breed Group
Sporting
Size
Males: 22-26 inches high
Females: 20-24 inches high
Weight
Males: 45-65 lbs
Females: 40-55 lbs
Color(s)
The Vizsla will come in red but there are various shades that are accepted for show rings such as golden reds, brown-ish reds and coppery reds. Tiny white markings located on the chest or paws are permitted but are not encouraged.
Coat
This breed has 3 different coat varieties: the smooth, long and wirehaired. The most common is the smooth coat which is sleek, short and glossy throughout the entire body. They only have 1 layer of fur which will make it more difficult to work in as they will become cold easily.
Life Expectancy
About 12-15 years.
Personality
The Vizsla is an excellent working dog but will also be a great family pet! They interact very well with children and other dogs. Smaller animals such as mice or rats should be monitored around this breed because they have a high prey drive and might consider these prey!
These dogs are great for people that want a clean pet, they do not shed too much and because their coat is so short, it doesn’t smell. Even though Vizsla's are great for companionship, they are not recommended for every person. Potential owners of this breed must have ample time to spend training, exercising and loving them because if any of these are lacking, the dog will become neurotic!
Exercise will be a key element to raising these dogs. They need multiple walks, or trips to the park daily and should be made to run until they are tuckered out! Although they look more delicate than the average Pointer, Vizsla's will need hard, physical exercise such as swimming, running, hiking or jogging with their owners so they will be at ease when at home.
Care
The Vizsla will need a minimal amount of grooming to upkeep their coat. Brushing every 2 weeks and bathing once every 1-2 months will be perfect! These dogs are prone to epilepsy, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia and a couple of eye ailments such as entropian and ectropian. If interested in buying a Vizsla, the potential owners should check the medical background of the puppy’s parents to ensure they get a healthy baby.
Training
Vizsla's are a very intelligent breed but will need firm, positive training methods to be able to grasp obedience. They have a stubborn streak that will need repetition and most of all patience to overcome. Once these dogs have a certain command understood they will not forget it, but owners should still practice on a weekly basis just to keep this fresh in the dogs mind. Socialization will be needed when they are young especially around other people and louder, busier situations so they will become stable, confident adults!
Activity
These dogs will need at least 1-2 hours of exercise per day which can be done at an off-leash park or on multiple walks. They will do well in a household environment that has a backyard because they need as much space as possible to live and roam around in. When inside and exercised to their content, Vizsla's are happy, calm dogs that are a pleasure to own!