I'll say up front that this is my favorite breed of dog, so please forgive me if I'm a bit subjective about it.
General informations:
Weight: Male: 20–29 kg, Female: 18–25 kg
Height: Male: 56–64 cm, Female: 53–61 cm
Life expectancy: 12 – 15 years
Colors: Golden Rust, Red Golden, Golden
Origin: Hungary
Main characteristics: Friendly, gentle, active
Coat: Short
Hypoallergenic: No
The appearance of the Hungarian Vizsla
Optics: “like a statue”
Lovers of the breed enthusiastically claim that this Hungarian long-haired Vizsla is “like a statue”. With its muscular, harmonious body structure, this dog is reminiscent of its ancestors, the German Shorthair and the French Vizsla. The shoulder height of males reaches 58-64 cm, females are up to 60 cm tall. The dog weighs 18-30 kg. Its tail reaches the hock joint and is slightly curved. Sometimes, breeders shorten the tail by a quarter, but this has now been banned in most countries. According to the standard, the dog’s skin should be wrinkle-free and the forehead should be slightly furrowed. Its short, thick, undercoatless topcoat feels rough and has the bun color that is so characteristic of this breed. The coat is uniform and must not have any reddish or brownish discolorations. However, the standard allows for white spots on the toes and a max. 5 cm spot on the chest.
The history of the Hungarian Vizsla
The origin of the dog is closely connected with the history of its homeland, Hungary. There are traces of the breed’s ancestors in writings and illustrations dating back to the 14th century. The ancestors of the breed were brought to other European countries with the Hungarian migratory tribes. The breed’s importance in hunting has been growing for about 200 years: the ancestors of the Hungarian Vizsla successfully participated in “leading” dog competitions from the end of the 19th century, and thus gained more and more ground among hunters. The Vizsla is a so-called “leading” dog – a leader is understood to be a hunter that stops when it senses prey and points its muzzle and paws in the direction of the rabbit, bird and its companions.
The golden color of the Hungarian Vizsla serves to camouflage the dog in the steppes and fields. Cynologists have different opinions about where it came from - it is believed to have been influenced by Turkish Vizslas. But the influence of the pointer and the German shorthair can also be found. By the beginning of the 20th century, the Hungarian Vizsla population was in danger: it was increasingly being displaced by English hunting dogs. Since 1920, the breed, which was recognized as an independent breed by the FCI in 1936, has been bred purely. In the following decades, the breed population fluctuated. In the meantime, the former secret tip was able to win a stable fan base among hunters, and it also managed to gain ground as a dog for sporting owners.
Character
A friendly, sensitive COMPANION
A well-socialized Hungarian Vizsla is not only golden in color, but also worth its weight in gold: the breed is very friendly and very tolerant of both humans and animals in its socialization. If it can be kept busy enough, it behaves in a balanced way in its home. Overall, it is a lively animal that usually likes to be everywhere. Although it is very self-conscious, it is sensitive and sensitive to the mood of the pack. Speaking of the pack: it is very important for these dogs to be able to join their family of "two-legged" dogs, and they do not like to be alone. Although loneliness should be practiced with them from their puppyhood, this breed tends to quickly get bored if it has to endure without the pack for a long time, and look for something to do for itself.
Education
Since the Vizsla is strongly attached to its owner and willing to submit to him, its training and upbringing are easy. Excessive harshness has no place with this sensitive four-legged friend and can permanently disrupt the relationship of trust. Loving consistency is the decisive factor on the way to a well-behaved Hungarian Vizsla. Although it takes great pleasure in learning and is happy to obey commands, it is only recommended to a limited extent for beginners. Its sensitivity, combined with a great work ethic and diligence, requires a good deal of refined sense and know-how from the dog owner. Socialization and inculcation of certain things in puppyhood – as with all dog breeds – are of decisive importance. Many Vizsla owners talk about their pet's particularly good memory – which is true for both positive and negative things. If you want to walk your Hungarian Vizsla without a leash, pay special attention to training the dog to obey the call command! Attend a course for young dogs, where your little one can get to know other breeds of dogs of different sizes and personalities. This breed is a late-maturing breed, reaching adulthood at 3, sometimes even 4 years of age.
Feeding
Give your Hungarian Vizsla quality food in moderation to help maintain the dog's athletic physique. We recommend grain-free foods, but it is important that they have a high meat content. When it comes to feeding amounts, rely on the manufacturer's information! In the case of dry food, measure the daily amount in the morning and offer it to your pet in several portions! Divide the daily dry food ration into 4 portions for puppies at first, and 2 portions for adult dogs! After meals, give your dog the opportunity to sleep a little to aid digestion. This can prevent dangerous stomach torsion. Among the snacks, bones made from beef hide or dried tripe are excellent, as they keep the dog busy for a long time. Always have enough fresh water available for your Vizsla!
Grooming
The short coat of the Hungarian Vizsla does not have an undercoat, so it does not require special care. Nevertheless, the dog should be accustomed to regular brushing from a puppy age. This strengthens the bond between the dog and its owner, and also reduces the amount of hair that falls out and is left behind during the molting period. And there is no problem if your pet gets a little dirty from running around in the forest or field, because in most cases the dirt can be easily brushed off once it has dried. You should only bathe your dog if it is absolutely necessary. In such a case, use a mild dog shampoo for bathing! Regularly check your dog's drooping ears to see if they are dirty or inflamed! The humid-warm climate in the ears is conducive to the growth of bacteria. If the ears are dirty, a nose cleaner can help. If the dog moves around a lot, its claws will wear down on their own. However, older dogs may need a pedicure with a small nail clipper. Tip: if you are unsure about using a nail clipper, ask your vet to show you how!
Versatile Hungarian four-legged dog for hunting and sport
The Hungarian Vizsla is primarily a hunting dog. It has an excellent sense of smell, is excellent as a lead dog, and is also happy to retrieve in water. It is also extremely persistent and fast. However, there are other opportunities for the dog to be occupied besides hunting. For example, after proper training, your Vizsla can accompany you while cycling or jogging. In addition, this versatile and talented four-legged friend is interested in tasks that require its intelligence and resourcefulness, as well as its nose. Many Hungarian Vizslas are enthusiastic about the role of rescue dogs, and can be trained well for this task - and they can even be very good at water rescue. Although most puppies or young Vizslas still have reservations about this wet element, they usually love water as adults. Since this breed of dog works closely with its owner, joint activities such as agility or obedience are also possible. Try to find the joint activities that bring you and your dog the most joy!
Source of pictures: internet
P.S. Excuse-me guys for all of wrong grammatical expressions, sometimes I was forced to use google translate.
P.P.S. A special thank for @siggy47 because he suggest I write about this wonderful breed!