Is a Vizsla the Right Dog Breed for You?
Vizslas are known for their friendly and affectionate nature. They are highly energetic and require regular exercise. They are also intelligent, trainable, and eager to please. Vizslas are often described as being good with children and other pets, making them a great choice for families.
The Vizsla is an ancient Hungarian dog breed
with some researchers believing they were around in the 8th and 9th centuries! The name Vizsla is Hungarian word that means “pointer”.
The Vizsla was once used to hunt
with falcons. Hunters would use the Vizsla to point and flush out the prey and the falcon would dive and bring it to the ground.
A Purebred Vizsla comes only in shades of
“golden rust”. According to AKC breed standard “solid dark mahogany and pale yellow are faulty”. Their color is the result of a single recessive gene and when when crossed with another breed, the offspring will usually lose their rust color.
They come in four coat varieties
shorthaired smooth, wirehaired, longhaired wirehair and longhaired non-wired, however, out of these 4 varieties only two distinct breeds are recognized, the wirehaired Vizsla and the smoothhaired Vizsla.
Although Vizsla’s have webbed feed
and are generally excellent swimmers, their lack of an insulating undercoat (like Labs and Golden Retrievers) can make swimming in cold water uncomfortable.
Vizsla’s have an Average Lifespan
of 12-15 years, but the longest recorded lifespan for a Vizsla was 21 years!
They can weigh up to 70 pounds but usually weigh a bit less. Vizsla puppies are born with bright blue eyes that gradually change to a warm amber color within the first few months. Despite their short hair, Vizsla’s are above-average shedders.
Watch this Vizsla Puppy Growing Up
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According to research on Canine intelligence
published in the renowned book, “The Intelligence of Dogs” by Stanley Coren, the Vizsla ranks 25th out of 130 dog breeds in canine intellect. Essentially, this means a Vizsla will learn new commands after 5-15 repetitions. This is considered excellent working/obedience intelligence. In contrast, the brightest breeds will learn and follow new commands in 5 repetitions or less-while the least intelligent dogs will require 80-100 repetitions to learn the same command.
How Fast Can a Vizsla Run?
In timed 100 yard dog race trials conducted by the American Kennel Club (AKC) called the FastCat, the average running speed of a Vizsla was 25 mph. The fastest Vizsla, named Basalt Bluffs Charlotte DCAT CGC, was timed at 31.65 mph!
While it is published in many articles that Vizsla’s can run over 40 mph, we have yet to see any documented proof of this claim.
In a massive, ongoing study of dog
breed temperament conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, known as the C-BARQ, the Vizsla has been ranked 14th out of 124 dog breeds in terms of attention seeking and attachment behavior. This means that Vizslas absolutely adore attention from their owners and are prone to feelings of jealousy when attention is given to another dog or person. Their high ranking in this area further reinforces the reputation of Vizslas as “velcro dogs,” as they tend to form incredibly strong bonds with their human companions.
In this same research
Vizslas were found to rank very high (12th) in excitability among the 124 breeds studied. This means that this generally hyper breed may become extremely excited and energetic in various situations, such as when you grab the leash, when the doorbell rings, or even getting ready for a car ride. Additionally, Vizslas also ranked very high for their energy level, coming in at 27th out of the 124 breeds. This indicates that they have a significant amount of energy and require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and balanced.
It is said that the Vizsla was used
in the creation of both the Weimaraner and German Shorthaired Pointer. According to a landmark Genomic Analyses of dog breed development, the Vizsla shares the most DNA with a common ancestor of the following dog breeds:
German Wirehaired Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointer
Gordon Setter
While the Vizsla is generally a very robust
and healthy dog breed, there are some health conditions that affect this breed. Vizsla Inflammatory Polymyopathy is one such condition as well as hip dysplasia. You can read more about other potential health issues below.
Vizsla Humor!
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Facts About Vizslas Infographic
Facts About Vizslas-Final Thoughts
Hungarian Vizslas are not only active dogs but also quick learners. They thrive on daily exercise and mental stimulation, making them aperfect companion for families who enjoy physical activity, games of fetch or any other outdoor activities. Their playful nature and friendly demeanor make them good family dogs, as they form strong bonds with their owners and can easily adapt to various environments. However, it is important to note that Hungarian Vizslas require enough exercise and positive reinforcement to prevent separation anxiety and boredom. Engaging them in dog sports or providing regular physical and mental exercise will help fulfill their high energy needs. So, if you’re looking for a loyal and intelligent canine companion, the Hungarian Vizsla might just be the perfect addition to your family dynamic.
