Posted on Monday, August 24, 2009 by Richard in 1c Gundog Breeds Pointers, video Infomation |

2 Red Vizsla Out Hunting

The Vizsla, which is also known as the Hungarian Pointer or Hungarian Vizsla, is a versatile hunting dog that can be distinguished by its slender build and short smooth coat that ranges in color from pale yellow to dark mahogany, with golden rust being the preferred color.

The Vizsla is an ancient hunting dog and is believed to have originated in the area of Hungary. They have been prized hunting dogs for centuries and one look at a Vizsla in the field is enough to understand why. These dogs are idea for pointing but they have proven their worth as both flushing dogs and retrievers.

Generally, the Vizsla is a very active dog. They thrive when they have a job to do and work even better when they are with their family. They are not the best breed to have in apartments and they are also not the best breed to be used as kennel dogs. They need human interaction and socialization and can easily become very timid and shy if they do not have that.

In addition, the Vizsla is not a breed for the novice dog owner. They need ample training and socialization and they can be high strung without the proper guidance. When they do have that guidance, they can be a joy to have around and you can find them, more often than not, at the feet of their owner, whether they are at home or in the field; that is, unless there is a job to do.

Pro’s and con’s of owning a Vizsla.

The Vizsla is an old breed of gundog that is happy in both the field and at home. They are full of energy and have proven to those who own them that they can apply that energy constructively in the field. They are a versatile breed that can be at home in a wide range of roles on the field but they are not a breed for everyone, especially a novice dog owner. This is a breed that requires a lot of training, patience and socialization but the effort always pays off when you finally see your Vizsla in the field.

The Pro’s

There are many good points about the Vizsla breed and they have been cherished as a versatile working dog. They are definitely a dog to take notice of in the field and are sure to impress even the most seasoned hunter.

• They are a versatile gundog that can be used for flushing, pointing and retrieving a wide range of prey, not just waterfowl or upland birds.
• They do well with many other pets and can thrive in a multi-dog family.
• They can do well as family dogs but are better suited for homes with older children due to their energy level and rambunctiousness.
• While the Vizsla is considered to be a regular shedder, they are actually very easy to groom and have a low doggy smell to their skin, which means they only need an occasional bath.
• The breed is considered to be a fairly hardy breed.

The Con’s

As with all dog breeds, there are a number of cons that should be taken into consideration before you purchase a Vizsla.

• They are very energetic and require about 60 minutes of exercise every day.
• Vizslas need to be properly socialized. If they aren’t, they can be very timid and this can be lead to other behavioral problems.
• They are not recommended for first time owners since they can be difficult to train and they can be stubborn.
• They are not the ideal dog for an apartment since they have high energy levels and they really need a well fenced area to run in.
• Vizslas are often coined “Velcro dogs” and prefer to be with their owners at all times. They are not the best dog for kennels and they will suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone for long periods of time.
• Some Vizsla can be very high strung so it is very important to see the parents before purchasing.
• Vizslas are considered to be chewers so a lot of effort will need to be made to keep them from chewing items around the house.

Health Issues:

The Vizsla is a very healthy breed and has few diseases and disorders that are considered to be hereditary. That being said, hip dysplasia is seeing an increase in the breed, as are a number of other diseases. To make it a bit easier for you, we have listed all of the diseases that have been seen in the breed, although they are at lower occurrences than in other breeds. To prevent these diseases, it is important that you make sure that all health checks have been done on the parents and that the breeder is using healthy breeding stock. If you doubt at any time that they are, look for a new breeder.

• Hip Dysplasia
• Hemophilia A
• Lymphosarcoma
• Cataracts
• Allergies
• Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD)
• Hemangiosarcoma
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Epilepsy

Height & Weight:

The Vizsla is a medium sized hunting dog that should be light in build and should never be overweight. In fact, a lot of emphasis is placed on the dog having a brawny appearance and they should be very sinewy as well. In addition to build, height is also very important with the Vizsla and the ideal specimen should be no taller or shorter than 1.5 inches outside the breed standard, with breed standard being the best.

The size of a Vizsla Gundog is:

Males: 22 to 24 inches (56 to 61 cm) tall and 45 to 60 pounds (20 to 27 kg)
Females: 21 to 23 inches (53 to 58 cm) tall and 40 to 55 pounds (18 to 25 kg)

Note: Height is always determined from the ground up to the withers, also known as the highest spot on the shoulders, of the dog.

Grooming:

When it comes to grooming, the Vizsla is actually a very easy dog to tend to. This is because of their close lying, short coat that is also very dense and smooth. The coat does not pick up a lot of debris in the field, so they require only minimal brushings because of it.

Still, a Vizsla is an average shedder so they will need to be brushed about once a week to keep dead hair to a minimum. Also, it is important to keep the dog clean by wiping it down with a damp cloth on a weekly basis. Generally, the Vizsla does not require regular bathing and can be washed once or twice a year.

The last step for grooming a Vizsla is to check the ears and keep them clean of any build-up or debris and to keep the nails trimmed to prevent splitting or tearing.

Life Expectancy: 10 to 14 years

History:

While the Vizsla is not a well known breed, it is not a new breed. In fact, it is one of the oldest breeds alive today and it can be traced back to about the 10th Century AD or even earlier. There is actually no clear history on the breed but we do know that the breed is descended from the hunting dog that was used by the Magyar, who settled in and around Hungary.

In addition, we know that the Vizsla was a favorite breed of dog for Hungarian nobility, who cherished the dogs for their ability to hunt. The breed proved to many that they were a versatile hunting dog that could flush out many types of prey from game birds to wild boar. They could also be trained to move quietly towards quarry and later it was established that the breed could also point and retrieve prey.

Despite their versatility, the Vizsla began to dwindle in number and was almost wiped out by both world wars. If it wasn’t for the dedication of a handful of breeders, the Vizsla would have been lost before the end of World War II.
Luckily the breed survived, and the first Vizsla to be imported into the United States was in the 1950’s. The Vizsla was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1960 and today, while it is still a rare breed, it has been recognized as a versatile hunting and working dog and has been used as both hunting and service dogs.
Grouping:

Gun Dog, AKC Sporting

Recognition:

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR