Origin
The exact origin of the Hungarian Vizsla is a bit of a mystery, some say their ancestors existed centuries ago and others say they were developed in the 20th century. There are some prints that date back about 1000 years that show Magyar hunters (early settlers in Hungary) with dogs and falcons. These dogs were very similar to the Vizsla of today. In fact they were often referred to as the ‘Yellow Turkish Hunting Dog’. When the Magyar hunters went to other countries they took their dogs with them, which led to crosses with other breeds thus improving their ability as hunters. This dog remained popular as an all round hunting dog, unfortunately it was almost wiped out by the two World Wars. It is believed that it only exists today because some were smuggled out during this time. Recent selective breeding developed the Hungarian Vizsla as an all round hunter, pointer and able to retrieve from both land and water. The wire haired variety was developed in the 1930’s, it is becoming more popular with hunters as it can withstand the colder climates and cold water better than the shorthaired variety.
Description
The Wirehaired Vizsla a medium sized, solid coloured, active dog with a harsh, wiry coat. They have a distinctive moustache and hairy eyebrows. They have a noble and graceful appearance and give the impression of great stamina.
| Size | Large |
| Colour | They are solid coloured dogs, the colour being russet gold. Some may have a little white on the chest and feet. |
| Coat Length | Short Medium |
| Weight/Height Range | Dogs should measure between 58-62cms at the withers and bitches should ideally measure between 54-58cms at the withers. They weigh between 20-30kgs. |
| Ailments | The Vizsla appears to have few problems. Hip dysplasia has been recorded but it is not unduly common. The ailments that they do have are also seen in other breeds. |
Feeding & Ownership
The Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla is an undemanding dog to feed with no special dietary requirements; they generally have a good appetite. If they are used as gundogs then they do need a higher protein diet suitable for working dogs.
| Food Cost | $15 to $20 |
Personality
The Vizsla is an intelligent dog, which gets on well with children, and enjoys being outdoors; they are ideally suited to the country dwelling family. They do have an inbuilt desire to protect their family with which they are very affectionate and loyal. They should be socialised from an early age. In general the Vizsla likes to stay with the family and will not wander off too far. They will happily be both family and working dogs in one.
| Intelligence | The Vizsla is not an unduly difficult dog to train as long as there is consistency and firmness in the training. They are intelligent and eager to learn and to please. It should be remembered that this dog is sensitive and therefore training should be carried out in a gentle manner. |
| Energy | High |
| Suitability for Children | High |
| Tendency to Bark | Low |
| Overall Exercise Requirement | The Wirehaired Vizsla requires plenty of exercise and needs to be kept active. They are best suited to the active country dwelling family and they do not thrive in kennel situations. They much prefer close contact with their family. |
| Suitability as a Guard Dog | Low |
| Ease of Transportation | Medium |
| Level of Aggression | Low |
| Other Animal Compatibility | Medium |
Grooming
The coat of the Visla is harsh and wiry. It is longer on the muzzle, eyebrows, body and legs. Any dead or loose hairs can be removed by hand plucking. The excess hair between the pads of the feet needs to be trimmed.
| Grooming Requirements | Once a week |
| Amount of Hair Shed | Little |
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