Wirehaired Vizsla Dog

Breed: Gun dog

Height: Male: 22.5-25 inches, Female: 21-23 inches

Weight: Male: 45-60 pounds, Female: 40-55 pounds

Coat Type: Wiry, close-lying, strong and dense

 

Wirehaired Vizsla is a sporting dog that originated in Hungary. The small size of the dog makes it a quite popular breed. Also known as Hungarian Wire-haired Pointing dog, Hungarian Vizsla, Hungarian Pointer and Magyar Vizsla, these Wirehaired Vizsla dogs are easy to train and maintain and make good and loyal companion. The dogs have an inborn protective instinct and are generally fearless in nature. These dogs can be well-described as affectionate, mild-mannered, lively and sensitive. The breed is recognized by UKC, CKC, APRI, NAVHDA, ACR and FCI. This sporty dog has a life expectancy of 12-15 years. Read through the following lines to know more about Wirehaired Vizsla dog breed.

 

Mr. Vasas Jozsef was responsible for the creation of the Wirehaired Vizsla breed of dogs in the 1930s. It was noticed that some Vizslas had thicker coats, giving them better protection in cover and water, as compared to ones that adorned normal coats. One of these thick coated Vizslas was then crossed with a German Wirehaired Pointer. Vasas Jozsef tried two such crossings with the same dog and different bitches; the result being Wirehaired Vizsla’s two cousins - the Smooth Vizsla and the rare Longhaired Vizsla. Due to the rarity, Longhaired Vizslas have not been registered anywhere in the world, but are found in some parts of Europe.

 

The Wirehaired Vizsla is a medium size dog with a short coat. It has a very distinct appearance with a lean, robust body structure. The dog possesses similar characteristics as that of the Weimaraner, what with its well-defined muscles. Vizsla has a reddish color nose, which blends well with its coat color. Due to this, it is sometimes mistaken for Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Redbone Coonhounds. Wirehaired Vizsla comes with a smooth, dense and short coat that lies close to the skin. It does not have an undercoat making it vulnerable to cold. The standard coat color for this breed is a solid golden-rust color, in different shadings. The coat color can also be described as copper/ brown, russet gold and dark sandy gold. The tail of Wirehaired Vizsla is docked to two-third of the original length of the tail.

 

A mild mannered breed, Wirehaired Vizsla is lively and affectionate in nature. It is a smart canine and can be trained well, if dealt with a proper approach. The dog is a loving animal and needs someone who is firm and patient with it. The Wirehaired Vizsla gets along well with children and can also adapt easily to the family life. The canine is friendly and compatible with other dogs as well. This breed of dog requires proper exercise, as without a proper fitness regimen, Wirehaired Vizsla can become high-strung, destructive and sometimes, even neurotic.

The Wirehaired Vizsla is not prone to diseases, apart from a few genetic illnesses in some offspring, due to the breeding process. These diseases include hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, sebaceous adenitis, few digestive problems and eye conditions. Idiopathic epilepsy is becoming a common issue in this breed.

 

The coat of the Wirehaired Vizsla is harsh, hard and loose with no gloss and hence requires occasional brushing and shampooing. Bathe the dog only when necessary. The nails should be kept clean and trimmed regularly. The dog is an average shedder, but requires proper care and brushing during the shedding season.