Hungarian Vizsla
Gundogs

Group:

Gundog

Size:

large

Lifespan:

10-14 years

Exercise:

high

Grooming:

very low

Trainability:

moderate

Watchdog ability:

high

Protection ability:

low

Area of Origin:

Hungary

Date of Origin:

Middle Ages

Other Names:

Magyar Vizsla, Hungarian Pointer, Drotszoru Magyar Vizsla

Original Function:

pointing, falconry, trailing

History

The Vizsla is a Hungarian hunting dog which probably descended from two ancient breeds: the Transylvanian hound, and the Turkish Yellow Dog (now extinct). In more recent times, the blood of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Pointer has been added to the Vizsla. After World War II, the breed was nearly extinct. Hungarians saved some dogs and built the breed up again. After World War II, when Russians took control of Hungary, the native Hungarians feared all the Vizsla would be killed by the Russians, because owning a Vizsla was a symbol of aristocracy. Some devotees smuggled Vizslas out into Austria and to other countries, including America. The name "Vizsla" in Hungarian means, "Pointer". The Vizsla is a fine retriever with an excellent nose, and is a good small game and bird hunter and pointer – even on marshy terrain. They have also been successful obedience competitors. The breed's gentle, friendly disposition makes them well-suited to their role as a family companion dog.

Temperament

The Vizsla is a friendly and loving dog breed that adapts well to family life. Alert and responsive, the Vizsla makes a good watchdog. The owner of a Vizsla should be an active and energetic leader because if not given enough exercise, the Vizsla may become destructive.

Upkeep

The Vizsla needs a lot of strenuous exercise every day. This is an active breed that cannot be expected to meet its energy requirements with a short walk or within a small yard. It needs to be jogged or allowed to run in a large enclosed area. Otherwise, its needs are minimal. Its coat requires little care except an occasional brushing to remove dead hair. It can live outside in warm climates, given adequate shelter, but should sleep indoors on cold nights. It needs a soft bed.

Official Breed Standard

CHARACTERISTICS:
The Hungarian Vizsla should be lively and intelligent, obedient but sensitive, very affectionate and easily trained. It was bred for hunting for fur and feather on open ground or in thick cover, pointing and retrieving from both land and water.

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
A medium sized dog of distinguished appearance, robust and not too heavily boned.

Head and Skull:
The head should be gaunt and noble. The skull should be moderately wide between the ears with a median line down the forehead and a moderate stop. The muzzle should be a little longer than the skull and although tapering should be well squared at the end. The nostrils should be well developed, broad and wide. The jaws strong and powerful. The lips should cover the jaws completely and should be neither loose nor pendulous. The nose should be brown.

Eyes:
Neither deep nor prominent, of medium size, being a shade darker in colour than the coat. The shape of the eyes should be slightly oval and the eyelids should fit tightly. A yellow or black eye is objectionable.

Ears:
The ears should be moderately low set, proportionately long with a thin skin and hang down close to the cheeks, should be rounded V-shaped not fleshy.

Mouth:
Sound white teeth meeting in a scissor bite, full dentition is desirable.

Forequarters:
Shoulders should be well laid and muscular, elbow straight pointing neither in nor out, the forearm should be long.

Body:
Back should be level, short, well muscled, withers high. The chest should be moderately broad and deep with prominent breast bone. The distance from the withers to the lowest part of the chest should be equal to the distance from the chest to the ground. The ribs should be well sprung and the belly should be tight with a slight tuck-up beneath the loin. The croup should be well muscled.

Hindquarters:
Should be straight when viewed from the rear, the thighs should be well developed with moderate angulation, the hocks well let down.

Feet:
Rounded with toes short, arched and well closed. A cat like foot is desirable, hare foot is objectionable. Nails short, strong and a shade darker in colour than coat, dew claws should be removed.

Gait:
Graceful and elegant with a lively trot and ground covering gallop.

Tail:
Should be of moderate thickness, rather low set, with one third docked off. Whilst moving should be held horizontally.

Coat:
Should be short and straight, dense and coarse and feel greasy to the touch.

Colour:
Russet gold. Small white marks on chest and feet, though acceptable, are not desirable.

Weight and Size:
Optimum Weight 22 - 30 kg (48.5 - 66 lb) . Height at withers Dogs: 57 - 64 cm (22.5 - 25 in) Bitches: 53 - 60 cm (21.5 - 23.5 in).

Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness of the fault should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.