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You are here: Home / Breeds / Large / Vizsla Dog Overview

Vizsla Dog Overview

The Vizsla dog was bred to hunt and point his prey. Falcons were then used to retrieve the prey once killed by the hunter.

Alternate Names

Drots Zoru Magyar Vizsla
Hungarian Pointer
Hungarian Vizsla
Magyar Vizsla
Yellow Pointer

Vizsla means “alert and responsive”

Appearance:

Body: Short, straight back, well-defined withers, moderately wide, deep chest, well-sprung ribs, and long, sloping shoulders.

Coat: Short, smooth, dense outer coat with a woolly undercoat.

Color: Solid golden-rust of various shades.

Ears: Long and v-shaped with round tips, low set, hung close to the cheeks.

Eyes: Slightly oval-shaped, darker than coat color, tight rims; expressively alert.

Feet: Round, compact and cat-like with dense pads and tight toes.

Head: Lean with long foreface, ears are moderately spaced apart, moderate stop, furrow on the forehead, square, deep, tapered muzzle and brown nose.

Legs: Forelegs are long, straight, and muscular with elbows held close. Hindquarters are strong and well-muscled with well-developed thighs.

Neck: Moderately long, strong, well-muscled and arched.

Size:
Weight: 48 – 66 pounds
Height: 21 – 24 inches

Tail: Low set, thick at the root, and docked.

Behavior

Recommended for novice dog handlers
Usually good with other family pets
Toddlers should be supervised

Robust, athletic and energetic the Vizsla is a medium size hunting dog who loves to play, loves to work, and also loves to curl up in your lap. He is affectionate, good-natured and well-mannered with a desire to please.

Before guns were available, the nomadic Magyar tribes, in the Hungarian plains, used the Hungarian Pointer to hunt birds and other small prey. Once found he would quietly stand and point until the arrival of the hunter and trained falcons who were used to capture the prey.

AKC Standard says, “A natural hunter endowed with a good nose and above-average ability to take training. Lively, gentle-mannered, demonstrably affectionate and sensitive though fearless with a well-developed protective instinct.”

He is an all around great dog who is used for many purposes beside hunting such as search and rescue missions, therapy, guide dogs for the blind, service dogs for the handicapped, and for the detection of narcotics and bombs.

The Vizsla is easily trained and can be handled by a novice dog handler. However, he is best suited for an owner who has the time and the desire to provide him with lots of outdoor exercise. This is not a dog for urban living, he needs room to fully exercise his athletic body.

Training should always be upbeat and positive with gentle, verbal correction, reward-type treats and lots of praise for a job well done. Treats can be gradually reduced as training progresses. He should be introduced to different people and different situations as a puppy to establish a well-adjusted and well-balanced adult.

Breed Type

AKC Group: Sporting Group

Used to hunt birds and hare by locating them and pointing until the hunter arrives to flush and kill them. He is proficient at retrieving on land and in water.

Care and Grooming

Exercise: Vigorous daily exercise such as long hikes, and some good hard play time are necessary to keep the Vizsla from becoming bored and possibly destructive.

Grooming: Brush one to two times weekly.

Health

Life Expectancy: 13 – 15 Years

Possible Problems:
Congenital Heart disease
Epilepsy
Eye diseases
Hip Dysplasia
Low Thyroid
von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD) – a bleeding disorder

Vizslas can be sensitive to anesthetics and vaccinations. Check with your veterinarian before administering flea and tick products or other drug related treatments.

Recommended Certificates:
CERF – for the eyes
OFA – for the hips

Country of Origin

Hungary

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