The vizsla, or Hungarian shorthaired pointer, is a dog that has excelled in hunting for many years. Fortunately, today, it is a dog that stands out for all kinds of activities and exercises. Its fine sense of smell and its great fondness for water make this dog an excellent companion for more dynamic and active people.

Do you want to adopt a Hungarian Pointer? Check out this breed article to find out everything you need to know about the vizsla breed! We will talk about their main characteristics: their history, their character, the type of care that should be provided and their health. This is a very active breed of dog, therefore it will need a family with similar qualities.

History of Vizsla breed dogs

The ancestors of the Hungarian shorthaired pointer were dogs that accompanied the nomadic tribes of the Magyars, who occupied central Europe. There are documents from the 14th century that refer to dogs that have great similarities with the vizsla. However, this breed only became important and popular in the 18th century as a hunting dog.

The breed was kept in Hungary for a long time, until it was affected by the Second World War. After the war, the population of Hungarian Shorthaired Pointers almost disappeared. A group of Hungarian breeders later recovered the breed and in 1936, this breed was finally recognized by the International Cinological Federation as the Hungarian Shorthaired Pointer or Vizsla.

The Hungarian name for this breed is rövidszöru magyar vizsla. Outside of the country, this breed is known simply as the Vizsla.

Characteristics of the Vizsla

The Hungarian Shorthaired Pointer is a medium-sized dog, elegant and, according to the standard accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), it has short, yellowish hair. It is a light and slim dog, but at the same time incredibly muscular and strong.

Its body is slightly longer than its height, giving the dog a slightly rectangular profile. His back is firm, straight and muscular. It has a wide and deep chest.

Its skull is wide and slightly domed. It presents a delicate groove that goes from the occiput to the naso-frontal depression. His nose is wide and well developed. Its snout is blunt with a straight nasal cane. His eyes are oval, medium and lively. They are normally, although they are also found in amber or yellow. His ears are thin and hang down to the sides of his cheeks. Its tail is low with a thick insertion at the base.

The coat of the Hungarian Pointer is short, dense and harsh. Its height at the withers, according to the FCI standard, must be between 58 and 64 centimeters for males and between 54 and 60 centimeters for females. This standard does not indicate an ideal weight, but males usually weigh between 20 and 27 kilograms, while females usually weigh between 18 and 25 kilograms.

Hungarian Shorthaired Pointer Personality

Vizslas or Hungarian Pointers are dogs that form a very close bond with their human families. They are also very intelligent, curious and dynamic. They are naturally great hunters and are always keen to seek out and hunt small animals, especially birds. One of their most noticeable behavioral qualities is their fascination with water. These dogs really enjoy jumping into the water and swimming. Also, this breed is not known to bark much.

Hungarian Pointers are not the best option for sedentary people and families who prefer to spend Saturday afternoons at home. And it is that the dogs of this breed have a lot of energy. They are, however, excellent companions for families or people who enjoy sports and outdoor activities with their dogs.

Vizsla dog care

Its coat, due to its short length, is very easy to care for. Occasional brushing is enough to keep this coat clean. These dogs shed regularly, but do not have a strong odor, even when wet. Bathing this breed many times is not necessary, in fact, it is better that you only bathe them when they are obviously dirty.

This breed needs a lot of exercise and company. To have a vizsla it is necessary to provide him with enough physical and mental exercise. This dog, for example, loves intelligence games.

Due to their dynamic temperament, these dogs do not adapt very well to apartment life. We recommend that, if you want to adopt this breed, it is better to have a large space where they can move freely. Of course, this space should never eliminate or reduce your need for walks.

Education and training of the Vizsla

This breed is not especially susceptible to diseases, but in certain breed variations some hereditary diseases can occur, such as: progressive retinal dystrophy, craniomandibular osteopathy, hemophilia A, hip dysplasia, skin allergies and epilepsy.

By visiting your veterinarian regularly (at least every 6 months) and strictly following your dog’s vaccination and deworming schedule, these diseases can be avoided.