ALL ABOUT VIZSLAS...

The Vizsla is a dog breed from Hungary and belongs to the FCI group 7 (Pointer Group). The Hungarian Vizslas are sporting dogs and loyal companions. The Vizsla's medium size is one of the breed's most appealing characteristics. As a hunter of fowl and upland game, the Vizsla has held a prominent position among sporting dogs – that of household companion but also a family dog. The Vizsla is a natural hunter endowed with an excellent nose and outstanding trainability. It was bred to work in fields, forests, and/or bodies of water. Although they are lively, gentle-mannered, demonstrably affectionate and sensitive, they are also fearless and possess a well-developed protective instinct.

Appearance

The Vizsla is a short-coated hunting dog of distinguished appearance and bearing. Robust, but rather lightly built, they are lean dogs that have defined muscles. The body structure of a Vizsla is very similar in appearance to a Weimaraner and a Redbone Coonhound, though the Vizsla is typically leaner with a more defined musculature. Weimaraners and Rhodesian Ridgebacks are larger than Vizslas. The nose of the Vizsla will always have a reddish color that blends with the coat color. Black, brown, light pink, or another color nose is an indication of another breed. A Vizsla's eye and nail color should also blend with the coat color.

Color & Coat

The standard coat is a solid golden rust color in several shadings. The coat could also be described as a copper-brown color, russet gold, and dark sandy gold. Solid, dark, mahogany red and pale yellow are considered faults and a disqualification in competitions. Small areas of white on the fore-chest are permissible but not preferred. Some variations in the Vizsla coat color along their back are typical.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standards for the Vizsla states that the coat should be short, smooth, dense, and close-lying, without a woolly undercoat. The Vizsla is not suited to being kept outside since, unlike most other breeds, it does not have an undercoat. They are self-cleaning dogs and rarely need to be bathed, if ever. They have little noticeable "dog smell" detectable by humans. After several forays into lakes and streams they will develop an aroma that is a weaker version of the 'wet dog' smell. A quick bath and this odor will vanish.

Size

The Vizsla is a medium-sized dog, with average height and weight of...

Males: Height: 23–27 in (58–69 cm) Weight: 45–66 lb (20–30 kg)

Females: Height: 21–24 in (53–61 cm) Weight: 40–55 lb (18–25 kg)

Vizsla Appearance

The American breed standard does call for the tail to be docked to two-thirds of its original length. Breed standards in some countries, such as the United Kingdom, do not allow this docking. The Vizsla holds its tail horizontal to the ground and wags it vigorously while charging through rough scrub and undergrowth. The docked tail of the Vizsla is significantly longer than that of other dogs with traditionally docked tails such as the Weimaraner, Dobermann, Boxer, and Australian Shepherd. Since the tail is docked when the puppy is less than three days old, this longer dock can result in some variation in tail length among Vizsla dogs from different breeding programs.

Temperament

Vizslas are very high energy, gentle-mannered, loyal, caring, and affectionate. They quickly form close bonds with their owners, children, and even strangers. Often, they are referred to as "velcro" dogs because of their loyalty and affection. Vizslas will cry or whine when they feel neglected or are otherwise unhappy. Some will bark at strangers if they feel that they are invading the "pack" space. They are very good guard dogs when trained to be so.

Vizslas are natural hunters with an excellent ability to take training. Not only are they great pointers, but they are excellent retrievers as well. They will retrieve on land and in the water making the most of their natural instincts. They must be trained gently and without harsh commands or strong physical correction, as they have sensitive temperaments and can be easily damaged if trained too harshly. The owner must show quiet authority in training, otherwise the dog is likely to take over the training session.

Vizslas are excellent swimmers. Some may need a little motivation to get in the water but as they get used to it they will love it. Like all hunting dogs, Vizslas require a great deal of exercise to remain healthy and happy.

The Vizsla thrives on attention, exercise, and interaction. They are intelligent dogs and need a lot of mental stimulation when young. If left alone for long hours, they can be bored and become destructive. With proper socialization and training, Vizslas are very gentle dogs that can be great around children. The Vizsla wants to be close to its owner as much as possible.

Health

A Vizsla Club of America survey puts the average lifespan of the Vizsla at 9 to 15 years.

The Vizsla is considered to be a robust dog but some localized breeding programs using a small number of dogs have led to heritable illnesses in some offspring including: Hip dysplasia (very rare but remotely possible), Canine epilepsy, Cancer (mast cell tumors, hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma), Sebaceous adenitis. Vizslas can also suffer from hypothyroidism, dwarfism, persistent right aortic arch, tricuspid valve dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy. Major risks include epilepsy and lymphosarcoma. Vizslas can also be prone to skin and food allergies. Responsible breeders do not select dogs for breeding if they have such inherent problems.