Vizsla Dogs - Hungarian Pointer
Intelligent And Graceful!
Background and Description
Vizsla dogs have an ancient history as hunting dogs originating in central Europe. During World War I and II, this breed
greatly decreased in number, almost to the point of extinction in Hungary.
Fortunately, other fanciers in Germany,
Austria, and Italy kept the breed going.
The Vizsla is a sleek and regal looking dog with a slim, yet robust
body, a muscular head and long low set ears. He is of medium height with a striking short-haired coat. His expression
shows alertness and intelligence.
The expertise of this breed is in pointing and retrieving small game both on
land and in water.
Although this dog has a commanding presence which some people may view as less approachable,
the truth is, he is a beautiful companion dog with a very loving and sensitive nature.
Appearance:
Height: 22 to 24 inches
Weight: 40-62 lbs.
Colors: Solid Russet Gold in different shades
Coat and Care:
Vizsla dogs have close-lying short coats that are smooth, dense, and very striking in their color.
A modest amount of brushing will keep the coat in good order.
The folded over ear anatomy of this breed makes them more prone to trap dirt as well as attract parasites. Weekly
examination and gentle cleaning is recommended to prevent problems, but stick to what you can see and avoid going
deeply into the ear canal.
Personality and Traits:
Vizsla dogs are known for their intelligence and trainability. They are calm, gentle and sensitive in nature. In fact, their
sensitivity is so keen that they will pick up on your moods and match their demeanor to them...so be careful how you act
around them! If you're jolly most of the time, no worries.
This breed is very affectionate and needs to live inside and be part of the family. They also have very protective traits
and make fine watchdogs.
Training your dog is best done by taking advantage of his smartness using a
creative approach along with consistency and patience. They will become easily bored with rote learning so think variety.
Activity Level:
Vizsla dogs need lots of exercise on a regular basis to keep from becoming overly nervous and high strung. If they don't
get it, plan to have really high walls around your property to contain them. Although even then, some Vizslas have the
capacity to jump an eight-foot wall without any problem, if so inclined. Sufficient exercise is the key to prevent
this.
If you're a jogger or runner, this would be an ideal way to exercise your dog. Even though he has
considerable stamina, be sure to break him in gradually to the pace and distance. Vizslas also love to interact by
playing games, so try to fit some fun time into their day.
Another good way to take advantage of this dog's
strength and intelligence, would be to enroll him in a class for field trials. This will allow him to excel while using
his natural abilities.
Space Needs:
While this breed needs to stay close to his family and live inside, their athletic traits would be well suited to living
in a rural setting with acreage where he has room to run and play.
Children:
Best with older children who are more mature and have respect for pets. As with any breed of dog, interactions with
children should always be supervised by an adult.
Elderly:
The exercise requirements and temperament of Vizsla dogs would not be the best fit for a sedentary lifestyle.
Book Recommendations:
Vizslas Detailed manual providing authoritative advice about this skilled hunting dog and ideal companion.
Covers selection, preventive health care, the dog's changing nutritional needs during its lifetime, socializing and
housebreaking a puppy, and training a Vizsla for hunting. A very helpful guide for a beginner or for the younger
owner. Full color photos.
Share Your Dog Pictures
A great way to proudly share photos of your Vizsla dogs
as well as all your family photos.
Give it a "free" try - you'll be glad you did!
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