Vizsla

Vizsla

The word Vizsla in Hungarian means either "to be responsive or alert" or "searching/scrutinizing eyes." Vizsla owners will testify that this is therefore a very appropriate name for this breed. The Vizsla is Hungary's national dog; famous owners of Vizslas include Pope Pius XII and Zsa Zsa Gabor.

History:

The Vizsla goes by a number of names, most frequently the Hungarian Vizsla or Hungarian Pointer. The history of this breed starts in the Middle Ages. The ancestors of the Vizsla were said to have been brought to Hungary by the invading Magyar hordes when they swept through Europe around 1000 AD. The breed was probably developed from these dogs by crosses with Transylvanian Hounds and Turkish Yellow Dogs. There is speculation that in latter times the Pointer was also incorporated. Breed type was preserved by the breeders throughout the years; however, the breed dwindled in numbers during the two World Wars and was almost lost. In the 1940s a few Vizslas were carefully used in a breeding plan to revive the breed. The breed has now spread all over the world.

Physical characteristics:

This elegant breed is lean and muscular. It is a medium to large-sized dog. Height: 22.5 - 25 in (57 - 64 cm). Weight: 48 - 60 lb (22 - 27 kg). The Vizsla has a wedge-shaped head with a broad skull that is slightly longer than the finely chiseled muzzle. The ears are long and are broadly v-shaped. They are moderately low-set and hang close to the head. The eyes are oval in shape and are usually amber, a shade darker than the coat color. The eye rims and nose are liver, and the nose has well-developed nostrils. The Vizsla has a short strong back with a deep chest that has a prominent breast bone. The legs are long and straight, and the feet are round with well-developed knuckles.

The coat is short and straight, made up of dense glossy hair. It has the unusual characteristic of being slightly greasy to the touch. The only acceptable color for a Vizsla is golden rust. White marks sometimes occur on the chest, but these are undesirable. A Vizsla's tail is usually docked to two thirds of its natural length.

Behavior:

The Vizsla is a very confident dog that is happy to be around people. It is equally comfortable when taken out hunting or for field trials. It makes a good watch-dog and is big enough to double as a guard dog. The Vizsla is happy to be with other dogs but quite contented to stay with its own family. This dog requires a fair degree of exercise and is delighted to be performing tasks for its owner, especially tracking. When working, the Vizsla should be provided with plenty of sustaining food, and the rations reduced accordingly at other times.