Vizsla

Vizsla

Hungarian Vizsla is an intelligent dog that gets along well with children and loves to spend time in nature. They are ideal for country life. They have an innate desire to protect their family, to whom they are very attached and devoted. They need to be socialized from an early age. In general, the otter loves to stay with their family and doesn’t go too far away.

Breed Information

Another NameHungarian Vizsla,
Magyar Vizsla,
Smooth-Haired Vizsla
OriginHungary
HeightMales 58-64 cm
Females 54-60 cm
WeightMales 25-27 kg
Females 20-25 kg
FurShort, thick
ColorReddish-gold
Lifespan12-14 years
FCI ClassificationPointing Dogs
GroupDogs for kids, guard dogs, protection dogs, hunting dogs
PriceFrom $700

Breed Photos

Origin History

The Smooth-haired Vizsla is a medium-sized multi-purpose dog. It is one of the few breeds that can hunt and has an excellent sense of smell. It is originally from Hungary. There have been mentions of dogs like the Vyzhla since about the 1300s. Nomadic Hungarian tribes brought them into the Carpathian Basin. Subsequently, these dogs became highly prized by the Hungarian aristocracy, who valued their hunting abilities. By the 1800s, Hungarian Vizsla dogs had established themselves as useful and reliable all-purpose hunting dogs and competed extremely successfully with other breeds in Hungary.

It is one of the smaller pointer breeds. The Vizsla breeding as we know it today began around 1920, but after World War II, the breed suffered greatly and almost disappeared. The Hungarian short-haired and the wire-haired Vizsla are recognized as two completely different breeds, although they have similar origins, characteristics, and temperament. More recently, both types of dog tails have become popular again, and their numbers are growing in the UK.

Appearance

The Smooth-haired Vizsla is an active, medium-sized, monochromatic dog with a smooth coat. They have a noble and graceful appearance and give the impression of a hardy animal. They are monochromatic dogs, with a reddish-gold color, the only color accepted in the breed standard.

Some may have small white spots on the chest and feet. The Hungarian Vizsla should be between 54 and 62 cm at the withers, with bitches being in the lower half of this range. However, the breed standard allows a deviation of up to 3 cm if the dog is proportional. Their gait is energetic but also elegant.

Character

Hungarian Vizsla is an intelligent dog that gets along well with children and loves to spend time in nature. They are ideal for country life. They have an innate desire to protect their family, to whom they are very attached and devoted. They need to be socialized from an early age. In general, the otter loves to stay with their family and doesn’t go too far away. They will happily be both a family dog and a working dog at the same time. But if left alone, the otter may suffer from separation, leading to unwanted behaviors such as barking, house pollution, destruction, and compulsive habits.

Care

The Smooth-haired Vizsla has a short but dense and shiny coat. Their coat requires very little maintenance and is easy to clean, even after a day’s work. Periodic brushing at home should be more than enough to keep it in good condition and prevent shedding in the house. Also, check your pet’s claws and teeth. Don’t forget about regular grooming.

Training

Both the Hungarian Vizsla Smooth-haired and Wirehaired are very active breeds, and they require at least 2 hours of walking a day, if not more. They are only suitable for very active families or working environments. For these dogs to be happy and healthy, they need plenty of exercises.

They were originally bred for work and can easily become bored if they do not receive adequate mental and physical stimulation in their environment. Also, they are happiest in a family that can give them plenty of space. Both breeds are excellent if given a purpose and can fulfill their role either as a guard or to participate in field and work trials, agility, and obedience competitions.

Common Diseases

Smooth-haired Vizsla mutts are healthy dogs that live 12 to 14 years. They tend to develop the following health problems:

  • hip dysplasia;
  • cancer;
  • glaucoma;
  • inflammatory polymyopathy;
  • immune diseases;
  • cerebellar ataxia.

Nutrition

Hungarian Vizsla dogs are unpretentious dogs with no special dietary requirements. They have a good appetite in general. If they are used as working dogs, they need a high-protein diet suitable for this physical activity.