HUNGARIAN VIZSLA
"Vizsla" means alert and responsive in the Hungarian language. They have become popular
work, show and companion dogs in the past few years. Robust but lightly built, they are great
jumpers and if bored will try to escape from a yard that does not have a sufficiently high fence.
Vizsla's are the happiest when they have something to do. The Vizsla will adapt to city living,
but will require long walks and human companionship as they have enormous stamina.
Somewhat sensitive, they need to be handled gently. They are reliable with children and will
quickly adapt to family life. Vizsla's are medium sized dogs which usually have short, fine hair
all over. There is a variation of the breed which has wirehair. Vizsla's have long thin ears that
are rounded on the ends, and somewhat wrinkleable skin. They are almost completely solid
gold rust to sandy yellow in color, but sometimes may have patches of white on the chest and
feet. They often have a docked tail, and they are lean muscular dogs. The Vizsla makes an
attractive pet, both inside and out!
Hungarian Vizsla
Kennel Club
Group
 Sporting
    
General Size
 Medium
 Exercise requirements
 Medium
Adult Height
 Female: 21 -23.5 inches
Males 22.5 - 25.5
 Suitability for Children
 High
Adult Weight
 48.5 - 66 lbs
 Compatibility other pets
 High
Average
Lifespan
 12 - 15 years
 Grooming Requirements
 Low
Description
Vizsla's are outstanding hunters and will both point and retrieve. They have very sensitive
noses, good eyesight and a natural enthusiasm for the hunt. It's fantastic to watch a Vizsla
lock up on point - it's hard to find words to express their grace, beauty and intensity. Field
trials are a large part of most Vizsla club's activity schedules. Although Vizsla's are primarily
known for their skill in hunting upland
game birds such as pheasant, quail and grouse, they are also used for hunting waterfowl
and even small fur animals. Most Vizsla's are strong swimmers and should be introduced to
water when they're young.

Vizsla's have beautiful, soft, rust-colored coats that require very little maintenance. They do
shed, which especially shows up against black clothes. They're clean dogs and have very
little odor. There is a wirehaired Vizsla, more common in Europe, but rare in the United
States and not recognized by the AKC.
Temperament
Vizsla's are gentle, responsive, and alert. They are good natured, lively, and affectionate.
They can be sensitive but they are excellent hunters. They are quite versatile and trainable,
making them an ideal gundog, hunting dog, whatever dog you want! They are good with
children, get along with other animals, and are quite obedient. Vizsla's, although versatile, do
not adapt to dramatic changes easily.

Vizsla's are very friendly, affectionate, loyal dogs that make wonderful family pets and
hunting dogs. They need to be treated like a member of the family, preferring to sleep inside
and being close to their people. Most Vizsla's are lap dogs - with males weighing 55 to 65
pounds and females 45 to 55 pounds - be prepared! They do not make good "kennel" dogs.
They should be active, but not hyper. They require daily exercise and will get into mischief if
bored. Vizsla's are very easy to train, being both intelligent and eager to please. They are
sensitive and should not be severely disciplined, but are not "soft." Vizsla's love warmth and
are frequently found basking in the sun.
Care
Brush the Vizsla's shorthaired coat with a firm bristle brush regularly and dry shampoo them
occasionally. Keep the nails trimmed and in good condition. It is best to give them plenty of
opportunity to run off leash and regular daily walks as they are an energetic breed that
needs exercise to feel both physically and mentally happy. They need plenty of exercise, and
owners are warned not to create a lazy dog out of your Vizsla pup.
Exercise and Feeding
Basic training should be introduced as a puppy. Early contact with people is needed. Vizslas
are easy to train as they try to please their owners. Harsh training techniques can ruin the
Vizsla, as they can be sensitive. Consistency in training is best for this breed.
Potential Health Problems
In general, Vizsla's are an extremely healthy breed and it is common for them to have a life
span of over 14 years.

Some Vizsla's are prone to skin and/or food allergies. They can be sensitive to anesthesia
used during surgeries and it is recommended that owners consult their veterinarian
regarding the use of a special anesthesia, such as isofluorine gas, during surgery. Vizsla's
may be sensitive to other drugs as well, consult your veterinarian for more
information.

Vizsla's are susceptible to hip dysplasia, although careful breeding has kept this problem to a
minimum in the breed. All Vizsla's that are going to be bred should be x-rayed and certified
clear of hip dysplasia by the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals). X-rays must be taken
after the age of 24 months, when a definitive diagnosis can be made. If you are purchasing a
puppy, make sure that both parents have been OFA certified.

Less common genetic diseases in Vizsla's include hemophilia, von Willebrand's Disease, tail
defects, and epilepsy.  
Breed Clubs

Vizsla Club of Central New England:
http://www.vccne.com/
National Vizsla Association:
http://www.thenva.org/
Vizsla Club of America:
clubs.akc.org/vizsla/index.htm
Wirehaired Vizsla Club of America:
www.whvca.us/
Central Wisconsin Vizsla Club: www.cwvc.org/
Vizsla Club of Michigan:
www.michiganvizsla.org/
The Texas Gulf Coast Vizsla Club:
www.vizslaclub.com
Vizsla Club of Northern California:
http://www.vcnc.net/
Vizsla Club of the Carolinas:
http://www.carolinavizsla.org/
 Breed Rescue:

Colorado Vizsla Rescue site:
www.coloradovizsla.org/
North Texas Vizsla Rescue:
www.texasvizsla.org/
Abby Daba Doo Kennels
Vizsla Breeders of Boston
Abby Daba Doo Kennels - Vizsla Breeders of Boston
SHORTHAIRED HUNGARIAN VIZSLA
Boston, Massachusetts
eMail: info@abbydabadoo.com
Tel. 617.605.6500
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Breed Origins
The Hungarian vizsla is one of the ancient breeds of Hungarian dogs. It developed
independently of all the other vizsla breeds, and its origin likely dates back to the Magyars
conquering the Carpathian Basin at the end of the 9th century. Dogs coming here with the
Hungarian tribes settling in the Carpathian Basin most likely mixed with hunting dogs of the
Slav people living in this territory at that time. Those dogs used by the Slavs probably
included the descendants of hunting dogs of the era when the Romans occupied what is now
the Western part of Hungary.
It is likely that the populations that evolved this way were the ancestors of today’s Hungarian
hunting dog breeds, that is, the Hungarian vizsla and the Transylvanian hound. This ancient
type is nowadays called a Pannon hound.

Separation among these breeds came about as a result of a selection caused by different
uses, presumably during the 12th-14th centuries. The world “vizsla” appears in written
material dating back to the 1300s. Early in the 16th century, people in mansion houses were
involved in breeding vizsla – which is proven by several documents found in different
archives. Therefore, we know that a vizsla type dog was used to hunt small game even
before the time of Turkish occupation of Central Hungary in the 16th-17th centuries. During
this Turkish occupation, the vizsla most probably also mixed with the Turks’ dogs, including
the sloughi. The practical importance of the vizsla increased with the spreading of firearms in
the 18th century. Of the ancient Hungarian noble families, many included passionate
hunters, who also bred vizsla. Worth mentioning in this respect were the Zay, the Batthyány,
the Nádasdy, and the Komlóssy families. In the 19th century, the Hungarian vizsla was
widespread in northern Hungary (today southern Slovakia), Transdanubia, as well as in
Szabolcs and Bihar counties in the East. Unfortunately, its number substantially decreased
by the end of the century.The purposive, sports-like dog breeding saw prosperity in the
1860s Europe-wide. It was then that the English and German types of vizsla appeared in
Hungary – to the detriment of the ancient Hungarian vizsla. The number of Hungarian vizsla
was greatly reduced. In 1916, Tibor Thúróczi wrote an article in the Hungarian dog journal
“Nimród” with the title “The old Hungarian yellow vizsla”. This article evoked a lot of
response, with many people voicing their opinion in favour of the old Hungarian yellow vizsla.
The movement was headed by Dr. Kálmán Polgár, Károly Bába and Béla Kerpely.  It was in
1920 that – under the auspices of the Hungarian Kennel Club – the Association of Hungarian
Vizsla Breeders was formed, and operated as a section of the National Vizsla Club.

A dog could get into the book of pedigree kept by the Hungarian Kennel Club only after
judgement by a special commission, if that particular dog proved to be suitable by its look
and at a hunting test.

Following an extensive debate, the standard was developed with the leadership of Loránd
Morvay, Dr. Emil Raísits, Jenő Puntigám and Béla Kerpely, which was accepted by the
National Vizsla Club in 1928. The FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale - World Canine
Organisation) recognised this breed in 1936, and registered the standard under number 57.

The working features of the vizsla were characterised like this: ... the most obedient and
teachable of all the vizsla types ... it follows instructions very well ... it is due to its
unconditional obedience that it searches as wide of an area as we want... there is hardly a
Hungarian vizsla that must be forced to retrieve ... with regard to tracking, considering its
origin as a bloodhound, it is a real master. (Gyula Csizmadia ) The working conditions were
set by the Competition Regulations and accepted in 1936.

The first large breeds were the Végvár, Gyöngyöspuszta and Kapos kennels. The famous
vizsla trainers, who were also recognised abroad, like Endre Félix or Balázs Ötvös, did a lot
for the popularisation of this breed. The creation of the breeding farm in Hévíz in 1937
produced a great boost in breeding. The owner of the farm was Duke György Festetics.

In 1936, the book of pedigree was closed. Therefore, only the pure blood descendants of
dogs admitted into the book until that time were allowed into breeding. By the early 1940s,
there were approximately five thousand thoroughbred Hungarian vizslas in the country.

Unfortunately, by the end of World War II, much of the Hungarian vizsla population was
destroyed, a few of these dogs were taken to Western Europe or America. The original,
central book of origin was also lost in fire, thus the origin of some of the remaining entities
found was unknown. The National Vizsla Club re-launched the book of pedigree and began
to reconstruct the breed. In this, great assistance was also provided by the state breeding
farm established in Gödöllő, east of Budapest in 1947. In 1956, the Hungarian Kennel Club
was recreated with the leadership of Mihály Kende, and it managed to settle its membership
problems with the FCI in 1963. It was in 1966 that the FCI accepted the modification of the
Hungarian vizsla standard.

In parallel with the improvement of the economic and political situation, in the seventies, the
dog hobby began another development process that has not abated since. A perceivable
change came about in the history of the Hungarian vizsla, as well. More and more hunting
dog competitions of higher and higher standards were organised, and that had a favourable
effect on breeding, too. Instead of the bulkier, bonier, skinny Hungarian vizslas with much
tissue under the skin of the head, widespread after the War, it was the easy-build, dynamic
Hungarian vizsla of galloping type similar to the ones dreamed up by Dr. Kálmán Polgár and
his associates that came to the foreground, and which perfectly fulfil the hunting and
competition requirements of our modern era.
[EXCERPTS FROM THE BREEDING REGULATIONS OF THE HUNGARIAN VIZSLA KLUB]