The Physical Characteristics of the Vizsla
The Vizsla is a sleek, muscular, medium-sized hunting dog with a rusty-gold
coloured short coat. The front legs are straight. The head is lean, chiselled
and aristocratic, with a long tapering muzzle. The muzzle is neither
pointed like a Dachshund nor square like an English Pointer. The slightly
domed skull is broad between the ears and has a line up the middle of
the forehead. The round-tipped ears are pendant and rather long. The neck
is muscular, without dewlap. Its musculature is well developed over the
entire body. The eye colour blends in with the coat colour and the nose
is brown. It has a developed jaw, porcelain-white teeth and a distinguished,
robust, elastic gait. The hair is short, abundant, and tight to the whole
body. The coat can be solid golden rust in different shadings.
The Social Characteristics of the Vizsla
Loving, demonstrative and gentle, the Vizsla is somewhat wilful and distractible,
but smart and trainable. This breed needs a patient, firm hand. They are
reliable with children, loving all the play they can get. The Vizsla may
be too energetic and excitable for very young toddlers, but excellent
for energetic kids. They are able to adapt quickly to family life, and
are generally good with other dogs.
Energetic and athletic, the Vizsla must receive sufficient exercise or
they may become destructive or neurotic. Socialize this dog well and get
him accustomed to noises at an early age. It is very important to obedience
train your Vizsla. Without enough exercise, they can get overly eager,
prancing around you in sheer excitement. This breed is highly trainable
and very willing to please; if you can get it to understand exactly what
it is you want of them. If you do not train this breed they may become
difficult to handle and control. The Vizsla is eager to please, yet has
more built up energy than she knows what to do with.
Look for breed lines that are not high-strung or shy. Vizslas are known
as chewers. This breed is not for everyone. If you want a calm dog and
are not willing to walk a couple of miles or jog at least one mile a day,
do not choose a Vizsla. Without proper exercise, they can easily become
high strung. They have many talents such as: tracking, retrieving, pointing,
watchdog and competitive obedience. The Vizsla is a hunting dog and may
be good with cats they are raised with, but should not be trusted with
animals such as hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs etc... Be sure to always
be your dog's pack leader to avoid any negative behaviour such as guarding
furniture, food, toys, and so on. Well balanced Vizslas who receive enough
exercise, and have owners who are true pack leaders will not have these
issues. These behaviours can be reversed, once the owners start displaying
leadership, discipline, and provide enough exercise.
The Origins of the Vizsla
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. When Russians took control
of Hungary, many 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 - especially 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.
