Solid rust colors in any shading. Very pale yellow and very dark mahogany colors may be a fault in some registries. Black in the coat is a serious fault.
Short
Large
Lite Shed
22-26 inches (56-66cm)
45-60 pounds (20-27kg)
20-24 inches (51-61cm)
40-55 pounds (18-25kg)
The Vizsla is a high-energy dog. It is, as a result, not a city animal. It does not function well cooped up in a small apartment dwelling. A home with a large, well fenced yard is best suited for its needs.
Description
The Vizsla is very muscular, sleek and very athletic looking medium sized dog that is used for hunting as well as a companion pet. They are very balanced in appearance and have a typical hunting dog alertness, energy and eagerness about them at all times. The Vizsla is always a beautifully coppery gold to rust color and has a shorter coat, although it is very dense and thick.
The Vizsla has a typical hunting dog's head with a wide, slightly dome forehead with a noticeable line or cleft up the center. The muzzle is long and tapering gently to a well formed brownish colored nose and mouth. The lips are tight to the well developed teeth, not noticeably loose or pendulous. The eyes are alert and intelligent looking and are blend with the color of the coat. An amber or yellowish eye color is typical in most Vizslas. The ears fold over close to the head and hang down the sides of the face. They are typically rather long and reach to approximately the line of the lower jaw.
The neck is strong and well formed, flowing into a strong back and well formed body area. These dogs have a moderately wide and deep chest and straight and powerful legs. The tail is typically docked to about two thirds of its natural length but may also be left natural. The feet are rounded and well formed.
The Viszla has a very energetic movement and has a naturally springy step. They are a very alert yet friendly dog, ready to wag their tail at everyone and join in a game with the family.
The coat of the Vizsla is thick, dense and very smooth and easy to keep. There is no longer feathering on the dog and the coat is uniformly short over the entire body, legs and face of the Vizsla.
History
The history of the Vizsla begins with the Magyar horde, a warlike, nomadic tribe, wandering all across Central Europe until settling in Hungary. A depiction of the breed first appears in the 10th century followed by closer renditions and a written reference in the Illustrated Vienna Chronicle, a 14th century manuscript. The breed's survival was secured by the involvement of several barons. They liked the breed and admired its ability to hunt. Early breeders included the Batthyany, Nadasdy and Zay families. They and the land honed the Vizsla's hunting skills into a fine art, testing and perfecting the ability to scent, point and retrieve.
After World War I, concerned parties made a concerted effort to ensure the breed remained unique and survived the century. The Hungarian Kennel Club (MEOE) established strict breed standards. All seemed assured. World War II, however, eradicated much of the breed, destroying the studbook registry. A breeding colony had to be established.
The AKC admitted the breed into its registry in 1960. By 1971, the breed began, again, to receive serious international recognition. Since then, the Vizsla has become a recognized competitor at hunting trials and specialty shows as well as at various other dog shows worldwide.
Temperament
The Vizsla is affectionate, gentle and vulnerable. The dog is also protective of its owner and adopted family. The breed is fearless and intelligent. A loyal animal, Vizslas attach and bond quickly to their owner, forming close, tight-knit ties. A Vizsla will follow you from room to room, as you wander throughout your house. Their sometimes, clinging ways leads to their nickname of "Velcro" dog.
The Vizsla is not a noisy dog. It is quiet, barking only if goaded or the circumstances warrant it. This does not make them passive. Vizslas can be both aggressive and destructive. Highly intelligent dogs with a need to be active, they become bored and restless if not stimulated or exercised. If left cooped up too long, a Vizsla is a destructive animal; if bored, a Vizsla will resort to eating anything and everything, stealing food from off tables or countertops. Vizslas, well bred though they may be, are not adverse to overturning and gobbling the contents of garbage cans. You can sometimes find a mildly bored Vizsla lying on tables or other places it should not climb. Overall, the Vizsla is a gentle, quiet, good-natured dog and highly intelligent. It is confident and likes to be with people, even children. This breed however, needs sufficient training to keep both you and it happy and content.
Health Problems
The interbreeding to preserve the line results in a number of inherited Health issues. While these conditions do not occur in all lines they can include:
Stomach or digestive system difficulties include dysphagia-megaesophagus. A Vizlas with this condition struggles to swallow. There is also associated muscle wasting and excessive Drooling.
Allergies to food and some plant life. Owners have noted the development of rashes on their dogs after romps through the woods.
Sebaceous adenitis or inflamed skin glands.
Grooming
Both wirehaired and shorthaired Vizslas do not require extensive grooming. You can, however, do a few things to ensure your dog's coat remains clean and shining. First, bathe the dog regularly. Vizslas love to swim in the water. Their choice of aquatic medium, however, may leave a lot to be desired. A bath will remove the swampy smell and allow you to see whether there are any nicks or scratches requiring medical attention.
Next, brush the coat at least once a week. This will reduce shedding to a minimum. Vizslas are not heavy shedders, but brushing keeps the amount of dead hair ad dander to a minimum. It allows you to admire your dog and to check the coat for possible problems e.g. allergies, bites. Finally, polish the coat with a soft cloth once a month to increases the sheen. You can purchase special cloths, dog-specific shampoo and various dog products to help you do the best job possible. Contrary wise, you can use a damp sock to attract the dead hair.
To ensure your dog's overall condition is healthy, examine the ears and nails regularly. If your Vizsla runs through the woods, check the ears and body carefully for ticks and bites from insects. Clean the ears gently using baby oil and cotton. Avoid penetrating too far into the ear canal. Only clean the area around the ear. You should also make sure water does not become trapped causing infection. Examine the ears and eyes, particularly if you suspect the water to be polluted. Remove any grime in a bath. If you have any doubt, call a veterinarian.
Grooming your dog should be fun for both you and him or her. If you make it a chore, neither of you will want to take part. Grooming plays an important part in maintaining your dog's health. It gives you a chance to catch problems before they become major medical situations. The fondness of Vizslas for water and their propensity for allergic reactions make good grooming practices a necessity.
Exercise
When you think, "Vizsla," think lots of exercise. An exhausted puppy cannot stir itself to get into trouble. From puppyhood onwards, the Vizsla is a dog that requires exercise and more exercise. This does not mean you have to take the dog hunting or retrieving. What a Vizsla needs is a healthy active lifestyle.
Vizslas require their owners to take them for extended walks, long runs, jogging, hiking, biking or roller blading. Find an off-leash park where the dog can play with others. Throw things for a Vizsla to retrieve, particularly into the water. Take training lessons. Above all, keep the exercise at a high level at least twice a day. This will produce a calm, contented dog less likely to act out frustration with destructive behavior. It will also, prevent the dog turning your home into its own personal racetrack.
It is important to exercise the Viszla mentally as well as physically. These dogs do best when given a challenge through going new places and experiencing new environments. Not only will this help with the physical management of the dog but it will also help with socialization as well as allowing the dog to become more comfortable in a variety of settings and in new activities.
Training
A happy family is one in which the Vizsla is well trained. This does not simply apply to teaching your dog to be a pointer and a retriever. Vizslas, like all dogs, need to be taught the basics-socialization with humans and other animals, toilet-training, not to jump and other obedience and behavioral survival skills. Fortunately, Vizslas are intelligent. They respond quickly to a consistent and even-handed effort.
Vizslas like to please. Although they mature slowly, they learn quickly if you do not bore them. When you decide to toilet train your puppy, remember, either you have to be with him or her to prevent a mess, or you will have to crate. Simplify things by establishing regular feeding and walking routines. Let the puppy out to the same spot to relieve. Take the puppy out when you see it circling or around half-an-hour after eating or immediately after the puppy gulps down a lot of water.
The sooner you undertake socialization training with your dog, the better the chances you can avoid anti-social behavior. Start by introducing the puppy to humans and other animals, including dogs and cats. This will prevent aggression and shyness with strangers. Make sure you use a motivational or reward-based training method. This works best with Vizslas. Reinforce positive behavior. Vizslas are intelligent dogs who like to please.
Vizslas are also retrievers. This means they constantly put any and everything in their mouths. Provide them with an astounding array of toys to chew on. Allow them to carry their favorite toys everywhere.
The basic nature of a Vizsla assures an owner that training can result in a high level of obedience. If you wish, you can train your Vizsla to compete in a number of classes, competitions and trials including obedience, field and conformation.
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Ratings and Attributes
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