The Vizsla is a dog breed originating in Hungary, which belongs under the FCI group 7. The Hungarian
or Magyar Vizsla are sporting dogs and loyal companions, in addition to being the smallest
of the all-round pointer-retriever breeds. The Vizsla's medium size is one of the breed's
most appealing characteristics as a hunter of fowl and upland game, and through the centuries
the Vizsla has held a rare position among sporting dogs – that of household companion
and family dog. The Vizsla is a natural hunter endowed with
an excellent nose and an outstanding trainability. Although they are lively, gentle mannered,
demonstrably affectionate and sensitive, they are also fearless and possessed of a well-developed
protective instinct.
Description
Appearance The Vizsla is a medium-sized short-coated
hunting dog of distinguished appearance and bearing. Robust but rather lightly built,
they are lean dogs, have defined muscles, and are observed to share similar physical
characteristics with the Weimaraner. Various breeds are often mistaken for Vizslas,
and Vizslas are often mistaken for other breeds. Redbone Coonhounds, Weimaraners and Rhodesian
Ridgebacks are some of the most commonly confused breeds. 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 and coats The standard coat is a solid golden-rust color
in different shadings, but some breeding programs have resulted in a solid rust coat. 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. Small areas
of white on the fore-chest and on the neck, tail are permissible but not preferred. Some
variations in the Vizsla coat color along their back is typical.
The American Kennel Club breed standard for the Vizsla states that the coat should be
short, smooth, dense and close-lying, without woolly undercoat. The Vizsla is totally unsuited
to being kept outside, since unlike most other breeds, it does not have an undercoat. They
are self-cleaning dogs and infrequently need to be bathed, if ever, and are somewhat unique
in that 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, and fanciers
feel that large dogs are undesirable. The average height and weight:
Males Height: 22–25 in
Weight: 45–66 lb
Females Height: 21–24 in
Weight: 40–55 lb
Vizsla apperance
Tail
The American breed standard calls for the tail to be docked to two-thirds of its original
length. Breed standards in countries where docking is banned do not require this. 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, Doberman,
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 highly 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.
They 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. However, 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. However 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. With proper socialization and training, Vizslas are very gentle dogs
that are great around children. The Vizsla wants to be close to its owner as much as
possible. Many Vizslas will sleep in bed with their owners and, if allowed, burrow under
the covers. Vizslas have been compared to horses in their tendency to "trot" rather
than run and some "wiggle" their backsides as they walk.
Health
A Vizsla Club of America survey puts the average lifespan of the Vizsla at 9.15 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 is very rare but remotely possible. Canine Epilepsy
Cancer Sebaceous adenitis
Responsible breeders do not select dogs for breeding if they have such inherent problems.
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.
Unlike many other dogs, Vizslas do not have an undercoat. Therefore they are unsuited
for living outdoors. They must be housed indoors with the family to ensure a healthy, happy
dog. History
The Vizsla was already known in early Hungarian history. The ancestors of the present Vizsla
were the trusted and favorite hunting dogs of the Magyar tribes who lived in the Carpathian
Basin in the 10th century. Primitive stone etchings over a thousand years old show the
Magyar hunter with his falcon and his Vizsla. The first written reference to Vizsla dog
breed has been recorded in the Illustrated Vienna Chronicle prepared on order of King
Lajos the Great by the Carmelite Friars in 1357.
Companion dogs of the early warlords and barons, Vizsla blood was preserved pure for centuries
by the land-owning aristocracy who guarded them jealously and continued to develop the
hunting ability of these "yellow-pointers". Records of letters and writings show the high
esteem in which the Vizsla was held. The Vizsla survived the Turkish occupation,
the Hungarian Revolution, World War I, World War II and the Soviet Period. However, Vizslas
faced and survived several near-extinctions in their history, including being overrun
by English Pointers and German Shorthair Pointers in the 1800s and again to near-extinction
after World War II. A careful search of Hungary and a poll of Hungarian sportsmen revealed
only about a dozen Vizslas of the true type still alive in the country. From that minimum
stock, the breed rose to prominence once again. The various "strains" of the Vizsla have become
somewhat distinctive as individuals bred stock that suited their hunting style. Outside Hungary,
vizslas are commonly bred in Romania, Austria, Slovakia, and Serbia.
The Vizsla started arriving in the United States at the close of World War II. As interest
in and devotion to the breed began to increase, owners formed the Vizsla Club of America in
order to gain AKC recognition. As a result of registering foundation stock with the AKC,
Vizsla owners were able to obtain official recognition on November 25, 1960, as the Vizsla
became the 115th breed recognized by the American Kennel Club.
The Vizsla was used in development of other breeds, most notably the Weimaraner, Wire-haired
Vizsla and German Shorthair Pointer breeds. There is much conjecture about those same
breeds, along with other pointer breeds, being used to reestablish the Vizsla breed at the
end of 19th century. Vizsla in the UK
Approximately 1,000 Vizsla puppies are registered with the Kennel Club of Great Britain each
year, making the breed one of the top 50 most popular. The number is steadily rising year
on year as more people recognize the breed. There are two breed clubs for the Vizsla in
Britain, The Hungarian Vizsla Club and The Hungarian Vizsla Society. The winner of the
Best In Show award at Crufts 2010 was a Vizsla named Hungargunn Bear It'n Mind.
Vizsla in the U.S.
Frank J. Tallman and Emmett A. Scanlan imported Vizsla Sari as the first Vizsla in the United
States of America. Sari and her two pups were delivered by a
TWA cargo plane to Kansas City via New York from Rome on October 7, 1950. Sari was later
bred with Vizsla Rex. The male Vizsla Rex del Gelsimino, born 849, was purchased for
$75 in food, clothing, medicine, and other supplies thanks to Belgrade's US Embassy employee
M.M. Yevdjovich who provided the direct connection to the owner in Stapar, Serbia to Tallman's
representative Harry R. Stritman. Rex understood German and Hungarian commands and the claim
has been made of history dating back to 1730 although never verified through a Serbian
dog book in Yugoslavia. Rex was delivered by a TWA cargo plane to
Kansas City via New York via Brussels from Belgrade on June 12, 1951.
There is a bit of controversy about Rex's official breeder, verbatim from:
The American Kennel Club recognized Vizsla as the 115th breed on November 25, 1960.
In popular culture
Former White House Press Secretary and cohost of The Five, Dana Perino has owned two Vizslas,
Henry and Jasper. Kubrick the Dog, a 2011 photography book by
British fashion photographer and film maker Sean Ellis.
Gary Dell'Abate, also known as Baba Booey from The Howard Stern Show has a Vizsla named
"Murphy". Major League Baseball pitcher, Mark Buehrle,
owns three Vizslas, Drake, Duke and Diesel The Hungarian cartoon Frakk, a macskák réme
centers around a vizsla dog named Frakk See also
Wire-haired Vizsla, a separate breed from the Vizsla. The Wire-haired Vizsla was developed
in the 1930s by the interbreeding of the Vizsla and the German Wirehaired Pointer to get a
dog with a more substantial frame and a heavier coat, suitable for working in the colder weather.
National symbols of Hungary References
Further reading Marion I Coffman - "Versatile Vizsla"; Alpine
Blue Ribbon Books; 2nd edition. ISBN 1-57779-056-1. Robert L White - "Hungarian Vizsla"; PetLove
Books. ISBN 1-903098-59-9. Chris C Pinney, D.V.M. - "Vizslas, A Complete
Owner's Guide"; Barron's, 1998. ISBN 0-7641-0321-0. Ernest H Hart - "Vizslas"; TFH Publications,
1990. ISBN 0-86622-436-X. B.C. Boggs - "The Vizsla"; Glenbrier Publishing
Company; Revised Edition 1982. ISBN 0-9608838-0-0. External links
Vizsla at DMOZ