What is a Vizsla?

WHAT IS A VIZSLA?

The Vizsla is a dog breed originating in Hungary. The ancestors of the present Vizsla were hunting dogs of the Magyar tribes who lived in the Carpathian Basin in the 10th century. Primitive stone etchings (dated more than a thousand years old) show the Magyar hunter with his falcon and his Vizsla.

The Vizsla is a natural hunter with an excellent nose and outstanding trainability. They are classified under the FCI group 7 (Pointer group). This is the smallest of the HPR (hunt, point and retrieve) breeds.

The Vizsla’s medium size is one of the breed’s most appealing characteristics and through the centuries the Vizsla has held a rare position among sporting dogs – that of household companion and family dog. They are energetic, demonstrably loving and sensitive, but also fearless and protective.

The Vizsla is a robust dog, lean and slightly built, with defined muscles. The Vizsla is a one coat one colour dog. The colour is difficult to describe – a solid golden rust in different shadings. The eyes, nose, nails and even foot pads all blend into this perfect solid colour picture. Due to its single coat the Vizsla is unsuited to being kept outside. They are self-cleaning dogs and seldom need to be bathed (if ever) and have little noticeable “dog smell” detectable by humans.

Traditionally the tail was docked to two-thirds of its original length, to protect the hunting dog from injuries in the field. Most countries have now banned tail docking.

The Vizsla is commonly referred to as the “velcro” dog because of their extreme loyalty and affection. They might cry or whine when they feel neglected or are otherwise unhappy. This breed will happily spend time with you 24/7 – and needs physical contact as well.

The Vizsla is generally very easy to train, but does not respond well to harsh methods or strong physical correction. They are highly intelligent and require both mental and physical stimulation. Not only are they great pointers, but they are excellent retrievers as well. Vizslas are also known for being great swimmers.

The Vizsla thrives on attention, exercise and interaction. If responsible breeding practices are adhered to, this breed rarely suffers from any serious health problems.