Dog
Group:
Sporting 
Vizsla Champions
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Pronunciation:
vizh-lo
Breed Description:
The Vizsla breed of dog is an athletic, medium sized dog that should be slightly longer than they are tall. They should have a lean build that is muscular but they should never be too large or too thin. They should have a well-proportioned and balanced look to them. The head should be broad with a long muzzle and long pendulous ears that hang down the side of the head. The tail should be long and should taper to a point.
The coat of the Vizsla should be very dense and short. It should lay flat against the dog and its should consist of only one layer. The overall look of the coat should be smooth. The Vizsla should be golden rust in color but there is a range of shades, although the lighter or darker shades are undesired. No other color is allowed but a small mark of white on the chest is not desired but acceptable.
Temperament:
The Vizsla breed of dog is intelligent, active and attentive. They are considered to be very alert and they are often happy to please their owner, making them very easy to train. They are a hard working breed and they are happier when they have something to do. The breed thrives when they are with their family and really need to be with them. In fact, the Vizsla can often suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone for long periods of time. The breed does exceptionally well with children and are often very loyal and gentle with them. They also do well with other dogs but they do have a high prey drive and may chase or hurt smaller non-canine pets.
Height:
The average height for a Vizsla is between 20 to 24 inches for a female and 22 to 26 inches for a male.
Weight:
The average weight for a Vizsla is between 40 to 55 for a female and 45 to 60 for a male.
Health Problems:
The Vizsla breed of dog is a very hardy breed and while there are a number of health problems seen in this breed, they occur at a very low rate. Some health concerns to be aware of are Osteochondrosis Dissecans, Epilepsy, Hemophilia A, Allergies, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Hemangiosarcoma, Lymphosarcoma, Cataracts and Hip Dysplasia.
Living Conditions:
The Vizsla breed of dog is not recommended for apartments since they tend to be very active and really need a fair amount of space to run. They do better in a home with a large fenced yard and it is important to provide them with a secure area to play outside since they do have a high prey drive and will chase after other animals. The breed should not be an outdoor dog since they thrive when they have human interaction.
Exercise:
The Vizsla breed of dog is a very energetic breed and requires at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day. They do have excess stores of energy and if they are not properly exercised they can become very destructive. Vizsla make excellent jogging companions.
Life Expectancy:
12 to 15 years
Grooming:
The Vizsla breed of dog is a very easy breed to groom and they require little to no maintenance to keep their coats healthy. On average, you should expect to brush your dog on a weekly basis to remove dead hairs and dirt. A wipe down with a damp cloth will keep them clean and they should only be bathed when it is absolutely necessary. Ears should be cleaned on a regular basis and nails should be clipped once or twice a month. This breed does not have a strong doggy odor.
Origin:
The Vizsla breed of dog, also known as the Hungarian Pointer, was developed in region around Hungary and while it is unclear if the breed started there or if it eventually settled there with Magyar huntsmen, we do know that hte breed is a very old breed. It is believed to have been developed sometime before 900AD and it was used as a hunting dog for the Magyar tribe to hunt birds, and deer. While the breed was cherished in Hungary, it did not become a popular breed in the rest of the world and was relatively unknown until the 1940's, when the occupation of Hungary by Russia led many Hungarians to flee the country, many of them bringing their dogs with them. From there, the Vizsla managed to be imported into a number of different countries including the United States and while it has remained an uncommon breed, it has captured the hearts of a few fanciers over the years. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
