Vizsla

Vizsla
History:

Country/Date of Origin: Hungary/9th Century

On the steppes of Hungary, where game was plentiful, this superb hunting dog flourished for centuries. Thought to have been brought by the Magyar people when they conquered the land, this dog is an excellent pointer, retriever and tracker. It was especially suited to tracking partridges and rabbits in the tall grass steppes. The numbers of Vizsla dropped dramatically between the two world wars that ravaged its homeland. In the Russian occupation that followed, families fleeing to western European countries brought the dogs with them and extended the breed's popularity. Vizslas were admitted to the American Kennel Club in 1960.

 Other Names Body Type Personality Coat Health Concerns

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Hungarian Vizsla

AKC Group: Sporting

Breed Club: Vizsla Club Of America

Rescue Club: Stephen Shlyen, (610) 294-8020, Pennsylvania

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Body Type:

  • A medium sized, athletic pointer type of gun dog with a distinctive golden russet coat
  • Height: 22 1/2 - 25 inches (at shoulder)
  • Weight: 48 1/2-66 pounds
  • Low set tail is docked to a medium length
  • Long, thin ears with a rounded tip are not altered

Personality:

  • Affectionate with family but quite easygoing
  • Alert and watchful. Barks if aroused
  • Boundless energy. Not happy confined indoors
  • Intelligent but extremely headstrong. Can be difficult to housebreak
  • Very reserved with strangers

Coat:

  • Short, smooth, close lying coat
  • Permissible colors are golden russet from a rusty gold to a dark sandy yellow. Eyes must harmonize with the coat color and the nose must be brown rather than black
  • Minimal grooming

Health Concerns:

  • Overall, quite a healthy breed
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Epilepsy
  • Bleeding disorders
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Tasty Tidbits:
  • Vizslas come in a wire haired variety although this is rarely seen in the United States
  • The dog is named after a town in Hungary
  • Vizsla is pronounced Veez-lah
  • Clean and easy to live with
  • Does not do well in an apartment, and really is not all that suited to the suburbs either. This is a country dog