Vizsla – Very Easy to Train, Medium Sized Loyal Companion Dog Breed

December 30, 2016

Introduction

This article will focus on dog breed Vizsla. The Vizsla is also called the Hungarian Vizsla, Magyar Vizsla or Hungarian Pointer. This dog breed belongs under the FCI group 7 (Pointer group). By the time, you are done reading this article, you will be well informed on the characteristics and facts you probably did not know about this amazing breed.

History of the Vizsla breed

There is a lot of debate about how this breed first developed. Some people say that their ancestors came many centuries ago while other believe that they are a 20th-century breed. Vizslas originated from Central Europe as a hunting dog. Early settlers called Magyars, a nomadic tribe, used them to hunt when they came to Hungary. Nobles and warlords honed them for their impressive pointing, testing, retrieving and sniffing. They then took with them the dogs across Europe where they crossed with other breeds leading to high skilled hunting dogs.

The World War 2 almost wiped them all but as luck would have it, smuggling a few dogs out of the country prevented their extinction. They were first bred to perform hunting duties, but over time they gained popularity as companion dogs and family pets all over the world. Their looks and loving natures are what has made them a popular choice as pets.

Physical characteristics/appearance

Physical features that distinguish this breed from other dogs include:

• Short and lightweight making them to cover the ground elegantly and stealthily. Males weigh an average of 44lbs-66lbs (20-30kg) while females are lighter at 39lbs-55lbs (18-25kg).

• Muscular/athletic body – the muscular appearance means that they require plenty of exercises.

• Smooth rust/honey-colored coat and matching eyes.

• Smooth, relatively long and muscular necks.

• Profound and broad chest.

• Thick tails carried horizontally.

• Moderately thick, clean-cut head with a unique line down their forehead.

• Square muzzle.

• Oval and medium glazed eyes with the color being a darker shade of their gold coats.

• Brown noses with well-developed nostrils.

• Robust and powerful jaws.

View Vizsla Photo Gallery

Temperament, Personality and Care

Vizslas love spending much of their time outdoors but need to live inside as their coats don’t protect them from cold temperatures. They are energetic, sensitive, and gentle and love hunting birds. Their physical alertness means that they do best in homes fitted with fenced yards so that they can play safely and freely.

They have a right instinct to protect as they were bred originally to hunt game on water and land. They are very social and are always eager to be around people making them a perfect companion even for first-time dog owners. Vizslas tend to be easily attached and protective of their owners, so don’t be surprised when your dog follows you around often. They get along with children and other dogs. They tend to be chewers, and it is, therefore, suitable to supply them with plenty of chew toys.

As mentioned, they are high energy dogs that require regular exercising as lack of it may result in them being restless and they may develop unwanted behavioral issues like being neurotic and destructive. Exercising needs to be both physical workouts and mental stimulation. Also because they love being around people, do not leave them alone for long periods. Ignoring them will lead to separation anxiety which is not something you want. By doing this, you will have a happy, obedient and well-rounded Vizsla.

Trainability of the Vizsla Breed

They are brilliant which makes them quick learners and easy to train. They can be trained for obedience, retrieving and pointing, toilet training, survival skills, and interaction with humans and other pets. It is better to start teaching them when they are still young puppies as training adult dogs are harder. The training needs to be consistent and includes use of treats as motivation for better results or outcome. Young age is when they are most receptive to learning new commands and mannerisms.

Health

Inbreeding in a bid to preserve the breed led to numerous health issues for this kind. The average Vizsla lives for ten to fourteen years. That is a long lifespan for the medium-sized breed. To achieve this life expectancy, you have to feed them well with an age-appropriate quality diet that meets their nutritional needs and take care of them. The breed needs raw diet and high-grade dog food with an emphasis on meat.

Some of the common ailments that affect them include epilepsy, tricuspid valve dysplasia, dwarfism, progressive retinal atrophy, and hypothyroidism. To make sure that they stay healthy, frequent visits to the vet for checkup will be a wise move. Grooming them on a regular basis will ensure that skin and coat are in perfect condition. They don’t need regular bathing as they are not smelly life other breeds. Check their ears periodically as moisture in ear canals can lead to yeast infection.

Conclusion

Vizslas are good-looking and muscular gundogs loved by people due to their noble and loyal nature. They have so much in common with Weimaraner and Italian Greyhound. They are also verbal dogs which mean that they howl, bark, whine, moan and grunt a lot. If you prefer a calm dog, then the Vizsla is not the best choice for you. They are a perfect match for an active dog-loving family. Hunters can use them for tracking and point in the field. When at home they make an awesome jogging and hiking companions. At least an hour of exercising every day will be helpful in maintaining their happiness, temperament, and general health.