Vizslas
What Should
You Expect from Your Vizsla?
The Vizsla is a medium size sporting or gun dog with males
generally weighting 45 – 55 and females 35 –45 pounds. They are 21” – 25” at the highest point of
their shoulders with females slightly smaller than males. They have a single short-hair coat and always
golden rust in color. While they do not
have the undercoat of many sporting breeds, they do shed. The amount will vary with each dog, but
weekly brushing and trimming the hair at the end of the tail is the extent of
grooming required. They are sometimes
called the wash and run dog.
The breed originated in Hungry and was the hunting and companion
for the Magyar hordes, a tribe settling in Hungry. The Vizsla has a superior nose and high-class
hunting style and is used to hunt a variety of game including rabbits, upland
game, and waterfowl. While their numbers
were low in the 1940’s, their popularity in recent years has improved their
numbers.
The Vizsla is a very affectionate member of the family. They prefer to be with or near their “human”
family, than being left alone outside or in a kennel. Sometimes nicknamed the “Velcro Dog”, they
will stick to your side as you go through your day. Eventually they learn routine trips to the
bathroom or the trashcan is not all that exciting and they will let you make
that short trip alone. That is, as long
as you return within the expected time frame.
While they love to be a lap dog, even though most likely hanging off the
lap on both sides, to remain an acceptable member of the family they need their
outlet of exercise.
Like all dogs, the Vizsla can be a chewer. Since Vizslas are generally n the home, the
entire home can be fair game if they are not provided their own toys. Training the Vizsla needs to be done with a soft hand. They are a sensitive breed and are generally
eager to please. They can be protective
but are not considered to be guard dogs.
The Vizsla is considered a versatile breed. In the field this translates to being able to
point, retrieve, and track both upland game as well as fur. However, this also means the breed can excel
in show, agility, and obedience.
With the proper outlet for their energy including their natural
instinct to hunt game, they will be an excellent family pet.
Like all breeds, the Vizsla does have health issues. Ethical breeders will provide OFA
Certification of the Dam and Sire that their hips are good or better. This will reduce the possibility of hip
dysplasia appearing later in life. As
members of The Vizsla Club of America (VCA), TopStock Vizslas has agreed to
abide by the code of ethics pertaining to breeding. We will not knowingly breed any dog with
serious hereditary disease such as epilepsy, progressive retinal atrophy, Von Willebrand’s disease, entropion,
and cranial muscular atrophy. Any dog
that is bred will have reached the age of two and certified by OFA their hips
are rated ‘good’ or better and will have been