Vizsla information

History:  The breed was developed from dogs used by Magyar tribes.  For centuries Vizslas were owned by sporting nobility of Hungary who initially used them to hunt with falcons, then with firearms.  Hungarian Vizslas are expected to work on fur and feather in varying vegetation and retrieve the game from land or water.  They were also used to hunt deer, wild boar and wolf.  The breed was almost lost during the First World War and again in the Second.  Dogs were smuggled out of Hungary during the second war and used to establish the breed in other countries.  The first Hungarian Vizsla was imported into Australia in 1973 with the first litter being whelped the following year.
  

Colour:  Russet gold.  Some dogs may also have small white marks on their feet and/or chest.
  

Temperament:  Active, enthusiastic, friendly.  Gentle, affectionate, sensitive.  Vizslas need human interaction and therefore do not make good kennel dogs.  Often called a  “Velcro-dog” because of their desire to be WITH their owners.
  

Watchdog or guard dog: Very alert watchdog, but not a guard dog.
  

Coat/Grooming:  Short, straight coat often referred to as  "low-maintenance".  This does not mean they do not shed.  Regular trimming of nails required.
  

Exercise needs:  Daily exercise and mental stimulation are required.  Inside Vizslas can be quite inactive, preferring to rest beside their owners (or on the couch!), whilst others can be quite demanding of attention.  Outside they are very active.  If Vizslas do not receive sufficient mental and physical exercise, they will become bored, and what they choose to do to amuse themselves will usually be seen by you as destructive - such as digging and/or chewing. 
 

Training:  Highly trainable.  Basic manners training should be started in puppyhood.  Harsh training techniques are NOT recommended.
  

Suitable for: Active people who want their dog to be part of their family.
  

Health problems: Being a medium to large breed, hip dysplasia can occur.  Allergic skin reactions not uncommon.  May suffer separation anxiety.  See also Vizsla Health Resource.
  

Size:  Dogs 58-64 cm at the shoulder, Bitches 54-60 cm.   Weight:  22-30 kg. 
  

Life span: 12 plus years.
  

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a puppy - the natural enemy of sunglasses

So you have done your “homework” and decided a Hungarian Vizsla is the right breed to join your family.  Finding a dog is the next step.  But from where?  We would recommend prospective first time Vizsla owners meet with some Vizslas to experience the breed first hand.  Try to attend a picnic day or a show to see a number of Vizslas and their owners.  Speaking with several owners and breeders should also provide you with different perspectives on the breed.
  

Breeders, Breed Club lists, Club sponsored rescue, pet shops and pounds or shelters are all potential sources of dogs...

Many breeders will be members of their state Hungarian Vizsla Club, and advertise through these avenues.  Some may advertise through the Clubs on a continual basis (breeder listing), others may choose only to be listed by the Clubs when they have puppies available.

Some Vizsla breeders will also advertise themselves and/or their available puppies:
          on their personal website
          through their state canine control (RNSWCC, VCA etc)
          on websites listing dog-related activities
          through advertisements in the newspaper
          in the phone book.

Some breeders, when they do not have any pups for you, will refer you to another breeder or a Club.  Others will ask you to put your name on their list for future litters.  Some breeders also require a deposit.  Not all breeders keep waiting lists of people wishing to obtain one of their dogs.  Most often this is because they do not plan to breed regularly and do not want people to wait what they consider is an unreasonable time for a pup.

Is the breeder you have contacted a member of a Hungarian Vizsla Club?  Do they attend the shows and trials run by the Clubs (Hungarian Vizsla Specialty Shows, where only Vizslas are entered)?

Anyone who cares about the breed will know how to spell it - be wary of breeders who cannot spell Vizsla, and call them Vislas, Vizla, etc...  Further information about breeders can be found on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Breed Club.  The various state Hungarian Vizsla Clubs in Australia provide free of charge to interested people; breeder, stud dog and puppy listings.  The breeder and stud dog lists are paid advertisements.  Clubs vary as to whether they charge the breeders to list recent and proposed litters with them.  For instance, in Victoria the Club only lists litters for those breeders who pay to advertise in the "Breeders Directory" with the Club, whilst in NSW the Club will assist all members who have bred a litter, whether they pay to advertise in the Breeders Directory or not, and who have one or more years continuous membership of the Club.  Some breeders are members of more than one Club, and thus may list with more than one Club.  A person does not have to be a member of a breed Club to be able to breed or register their pups.  Membership is not a guarantee or endorsement as to the suitability of any pups.

Each affiliated Club has a rescue and rehoming arm.  These dogs need a new start in life, sometimes simply because of a change in their previous family’s circumstances.  Some dogs will have established background such as “from a family environment with young children”, or have special needs.  The dogs will usually have had a general Veterinary check-up and been wormed and vaccinated.  Club’s policies are that if rescue dogs are not already desexed, this is done prior to placement in their new home.  Contact the Clubs for further details of dogs available.  You can also register your interest with them for future Vizslas in need of rehoming or rescue.

Pet shops are not where one would expect to purchase a quality Vizsla pup - for instance; how does the purchaser find out about temperament, abilities (hunting, show, agility etc) of the parents and other relatives of the dog?  How does the purchaser find out about health information (eg have the parents or other relatives been hip scored) or possible problems in the family?  How would the breeder obtain follow-up information about the pups (like health information)?  And when the purchaser is having problems with their pup, normally the first person to whom people will refer you is to your breeder - difficult if you've never dealt with them.

Pounds or shelters are another potential source of dogs.  The Clubs have contacted the shelters in their states and asked to be contacted whenever a Hungarian Vizsla (or dog that looks like one) is surrendered or found, so they may take over the care and re-housing of these dogs.  Most organisations are supportive of the Clubs efforts, though in the past, the Lost Dogs Home in Melbourne has chosen not sell or release dogs into the care of the Victorian breed Club, and has tried to sell any Vizslas directly themselves.
  

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