Your
Online Guide to Facts About Vizsla Dogs and Puppies
Copyright 1997 to 2010 Dogs and Puppies Central
All rights reserved.
Alternate Names: Hungarian Vizsla
Common Misspellings: Visla, Vizla, Vishla, Vissla
Learn all about Vizsla Dogs and Puppies
through our in-depth guide to the Vizsla dog breed.
You'll find solid information about Vizsla dog history,
Vizsla life expectancy Vizsla dog
appearance, Vizsla temperament
and personality, Vizsla health problems,
Vizsla puppy care, training Vizsla puppy
dogs and more. Also includes important information about
choosing a responsible Vizsla dog breeder.
Vizsla Size Variations:
None
Vizsla Colors:
None
Vizsla Height: 19.5-24.5 inches for females and
20.5-25.5 inches for males
Vizsla Weight:
40-60 pounds
Vizsla Exercise Needs: Demanding
Vizsla Grooming Needs: Minimal
Vizsla Life Expectancy (Lifespan):
11-13 years
Are Vizslas Child-Friendly? Yes, with
supervision.
Vizsla Training:
Medium Difficult
Breed Group:
Sporting
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The
Vizsla dog breed
originated in United States of America. Like many ancient breeds, a
great deal of speculation surrounds the history of the Vizsla,
though the most common theory is that he is a descendant of the same
dogs who traveled with the Magyar hordes, set upon conquering
Europe. Most likely used as a hunting dog, as well as a companion
animal, an idea of his history can be traced through various
etchings and manuscripts, dating as far back as the 10th century.
Apparently favored by the ancient warlords, it still remains a
mystery as to whether the breed evolved through selective breeding
or purely by accident.. When it made its way into Hungary, however,
it seemed to have found the ideal surroundings that it needed, in
order to develop into a superior hunting dog. In a land which was
comprised mainly of agricultural areas, the Vizsla needed to become
a dog that possessed a superior scenting ability, a light and
cautious step, and a swift movement. In addition to his keen
scenting ability, the Vizsla was bred not only to point out game,
but to retrieve it for his master afterwards.
World War I proved almost to be the end of this noble breed, when
all but a few of these magnificent dogs remained. Fortunately,
however, the handful that survived were enough to slowly and
steadily continue on with the breed�s progress. By the 1950's, he
was introduced into the United States and, by 1960, he was admitted
into the American Kennel Club (AKC) registry.
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The Vizsla is a striking dog of medium size, well known for his
regal bearing and uniquely beautiful coat of solid gold rust.
Well-balanced in appearance, the Hungarian Pointer possesses a frame
that can be described neither as stout, nor of lean, but should
instead be athletic and honed, giving the impression of strength and
endurance. His neck is proudly arched and strong, leading down into
a chest that is both broad and deep, and the back is short and
muscular.
The Vizsla possesses eyes that should be the same shade as his coat
color, the irises blending gently into the coat and the nose of this
unique breed should always be brown - black is considered a
disqualification from competition. The Hungarian Pointer is allowed
in several distinct shades, including the golden, golden rust, the
red golden, red, rust, rust golden, and the sandy yellow. While a
small amount of white is permissible on the chest and toes,
excessive white is considered a fault, as is any dog possessing a
longer coat.
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Care and upkeep of your Vizsla dog or puppy is relatively simple
- a gentle brushing, once or twice a week, will suffice and will
help to keep his coat glossy by stimulating the oils in his coat and
helping to free and remove any dander. To brush your Vizsla, use a
soft-bristled brush and go with the grain of hair, brushing in a
gentle and flicking motion. He will love the free back-scratching
and look forward to your time spent together.
A Vizsla shouldn't need to be bathed too often either; once or twice
a month is usually a good bet, provided that you don�t have an
individual who rivals the old Peanuts character "Pig Pen." Aside
from this, the only other major grooming needs that a Vizsla
requires are keeping his nails clipped, his ears clean and, if he
will let you, his teeth brushed. Should tooth-brushing be an issue,
however, there are a variety of toys and treats now available, which
help to reduce tartar build up and tooth decay.
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They say that the only happy Vizsla is a tired Vizsla and,
perhaps, this definition rings true. A very active dog, this
rusty-gold pointer requires a good deal of activity in order to keep
him entertained. Failing to provide him with the exercise he needs
can result in problems such as various vices, obesity, or extreme
restlessness and possible aggression. At the very least, the Vizsla
should have access to a dog run or a yard where he can stretch his
legs and run.
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The Vizsla is a very intelligent breed and one that possesses a
great deal of stamina and control. For these reasons, he can
sometimes be a bit of a handle for the inexperienced but, once you
know where you're going, it's relatively easy. Obedience classes are
highly recommended, particularly if you are inexperienced with
training dogs - not only does it teach your dog basic commands and
obedience, but it also teaches you how better to understand your new
puppy, and what methods he bests responds to. In no time, you two
are sure to be teaching one another new tricks.
Like any breed of dog, the Vizsla is subject to a variety of
health concerns. Your best bet is, when deciding to choose a new
Vizsla puppy, check around with several breeders and ask about the
various health issues that can affect these beautiful little dogs. A
reputable breeder should be well-versed in the health concerns and
should be able to give you more details, as well as showing you the
sire and dam of your potential puppy. Some of the health problems
that can affect Vizslas include:
Autoimmune Disease
Cancer
Epilepsy
Eye Problems
Hip Dysplasia
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While the Vizsla is by no means considered an aggressive breed,
he can tend to come across as a bit standoffish or anti-social. A
no-nonsense hunting dog first, this Hungarian Pointer is very
cautious and curious of his surroundings, always on duty when it
comes to sniffing things out, and tends to carry this serious
attitude into the home. Not patient enough to put up with small
children, chances are he will take himself to his master's feet and
plant himself there, in hopes that this will deter the child from
further antagonizing.
Also be forewarned that Vizsla dogs are not always the best with
small animals either; trained as hunting dogs for centuries, the
desire to hunt is very natural in most Hungarian Pointers. Vizsla
should always be supervised when exposed to cats, rabbits or
anything else remotely "bite size."
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The Vizsla is a very beautiful and energetic athlete but, despite
all that, there is no guarantee that he is the right dog for you.
Requiring a great amount of exercise and frequent trips to places
where he can stretch his legs, he is ill-suited for small places
like apartments. Despite his sweet face, the Hungarian Pointer can
be a troublemaker in his own right, and will quickly show his
displeasure by chewing on your favorite slippers. For some, however,
this is the ideal dog for them - If you like an energetic and
hard-working hunting dog, you may very well need to try one of these
magnificent canines today!
Average Vizsla Price:
$750 - $1000
Price always varies when it comes to the
purchase of a quality, home-raised healthy Vizsla dog
or puppy. It's of utmost importance that you place the most weight
on acquiring a great Vizsla puppy from a highly
responsible, reputable breeder, and put the price
as a secondary concern in making your decision.
Buying a Vizsla dog or puppy at a cheap price from a
breeder of questionable reputation can be a one-way ticket to
heartbreak and great additional expense throughout the dog's life,
should your Vizsla puppy have hereditary health problems or behavior
and temperament issues (which very often is the case with
cheap-priced puppies). Buying from a highly reputable Vizsla breeder
is your best insurance for acquiring a well socialized, healthy
puppy of stable temperament.
Vizsla prices also will vary according to the
puppy's conformation; puppies placed as pets and companions will
generally be less expensive as show-quality Vizsla puppies
intended to be shown in conformation.
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If you are ready to add an adorable Vizsla puppy to your family,
be sure to check out Dogs and Puppies Central's directory of
Vizsla Puppies For Sale, where you will find photos and
information posted by
reputable Vizsla breeders. We actively screen
Vizsla breeders who wish to advertise on our service by
asking that they meet and follow our
Guidelines For Responsible Dog Breeders. We also ask for - and
check - three references from each breeder.
By performing an initial dog breeder screening, it is our hope
that we can help put you in touch with a caring, responsible
Vizsla breeder near you. We cannot physically inspect the
premises and dogs owned by breeders advertising with us, so you need
to be responsible for doing the final inspection and interview.
Let's stop the cruelty of puppy mills. Please help us keep money
out of the hands of puppy mills, back yard breeders and pet stores.
Buy your Vizsla puppy only from a responsible, caring hobby breeder
that raises their dogs and puppies in a loving home environment.
When you locate that perfect Vizsla puppy
- please be sure to send us some photos to be included in our
growing gallery of Vizsla dog and puppy pictures!
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Copyright 1997 to 2010 Dogs and Puppies Central
All rights reserved.
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