Breed Standard
Head: Chiseled, dignified. Moderately wide, slightly domed skull. Moderate stop. Straight nosebridge. Broad muzzle. Well-developed nose. Chestnut, fairly tight lips.
Eyes: Slightly oval, the darker the better, matching coat color. Brown eyelids.
Body: Slightly elongated but powerful. Neck medium in length, well-muscled, slightly curved, without dewlap. Pronounced withers. Chest moderately wide, well let-down. Moderately curved ribs. Level loin. Straight, short back. Slightly rounded croup.
Tail: Set on fairly low, moderately thick. Tip curving slightly upward. Usually docked by one-fourth. Docked by one-third in wirehaired variety.
Hair: Short, dense, straight, harsh. Lying flat and silkier on the ears. Beard on the chin. Short and crisp on the head. Thick, hard eyebrows. Hard and dense on the neck and trunk, 2 to 4 cm long. Dense undercoat. Longer on the backs of the legs. Dense and thick on the tail.
Coat: Dark golden or a shade of sable fawn. Tiny white spots on the chest and feet. Dotting is not a fault.
Size: Shorthaired variety: dog: 56 to 61 cm ( 22-24 in); bitch: 52 to 57 cm (20.5-22.5 in). - Wirehaired variety: dog: 58 to 62 cm (22.8-24.5 in) ; bitch: 54 to 58 cm (21-22.8 in).
Weight: Shorthaired variety: 22 to 30 kg. (48.5-66 lb).- Wirehaired variety: 25 to 32 kg. (55-70.5 lb).
History
The first written reference to the Vizsla dog breed has been recorded in the Illustrated Vienna Chronicle prepared on order of King Louis I of Hungary by the Carmelite Friars in 1357.
The Vizsla has survived the Turkish occupation (1526–1696), the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, World War I, World War II and the Hungarian People's Republic. However, Vizslas faced and survived several near-extinctions in their history, including being overrun by English Pointers and German Shorthaired 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 were 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 25 November 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, Wirehaired Vizsla and German Shorthaired 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 the 19th century.
Approximately 4,520 Vizsla puppies are registered with the Kennel Club of Great Britain (KC) each year, making the breed one of the top 50 most popular. The number is steadily rising year after 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.
Behavior
Vizslas are very energetic, gentle-mannered, loyal, caring, and very 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 to be so.
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.
Vizslas thrive on attention, exercise, and interaction. They are intelligent dogs and need a lot of mental stimulation when young. If left alone for long hours, they can be bored and become destructive. With proper socialization and training, Vizslas are very gentle dogs that can be great around children. The Vizsla wants to be close to its owner as much as possible, and it is commonly observed that vizslas insist on sleeping under the covers in their owner's bed at night.
He needs space and exercise, as well as regular brushing and checking of the ears.
Function
Hunting Dog, Companion Dog.
Health
The American Kennel Club states that a typical lifespan for the Vizsla is between 12 and 14 years, while a 2008 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 possible.
Canine epilepsy
Cancer (mast cell tumors, hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma)
Sebaceous adenitis
Responsible breeders do not select dogs for breeding if they have such inherent problems.[25] 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.
