The Hungarian Shorthaired Pointer, or simply vizsla, is a dog that has excelled at hunting for years. Fortunately today it is a dog that excels in all kinds of activities and exercises. Its fine sense of smell and great fondness for water make this dog an excellent companion for dynamic and active people.
In this Hungarian Shorthaired Pointer breed sheet, we will explain everything you need to know if you are thinking of adopting one. We will detail with you its main characteristics as well as its character and the type of care that should be offered. This is a very active dog that will need a family with similar qualities.
Keep reading and find out if the vizsla is the perfect dog for you:
History of the Hungarian Shorthaired Pointer
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 very similar to the vizsla, but it was not until the 18th century that it became important as hunting dog and especially as a show dog.
The breed remained he althy in Hungary for a long time until it was affected by the Second World War. After that war, the population of Hungarian Shorthaired Pointers had almost disappeared. A group of Hungarian breeders later recovered the breed and it was only in 1936 that it was recognized by the International Cinological Federation as the Hungarian Shorthaired Pointer.
The Hungarian name is rövidszöru magyar vizsla, but outside of Hungary the breed is known simply as vizsla. That word actually only means pointer, but it has become popular to denote the breed outside its country of origin, which has not happened with the breed sister, the Hungarian Wirehaired Pointer
Characteristics of the Hungarian Shorthaired Pointer
The Hungarian Shorthaired Pointer is a medium-sized, elegant dog and, according to the standard accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), has short yellowish seed-colored hair. It is a light and lean dog, but muscular and strong at the same time.
His body is slightly longer than it is tall, giving the dog a slightly rectangular profile. The back is firm, straight and muscular. The loin is short and wide. The croup is wide and somewhat long. The chest is wide and deep. The lower line forms an elegant curve at the level of the belly, where it gathers slightly.
The vizsla's head is dry and aristocratic. The skull is broad and slightly domed. It presents a delicate groove that goes from the occiput to the naso-frontal depression (stop). This depression is moderate. The nose, wide and well developed, should be a little darker than the coat, harmonizing with the hair. The muzzle is blunt and with a straight nose bridge. The eyes are oval, medium and lively look. They are brown and dark is preferred, although amber or yellow eyes are common in this breed of dog. The ears are fine and hang to the sides of the cheeks. The tail is set low and thick at the base. It is long enough to reach the hock. When the dog is active it can lift it up to the horizontal.
The hair of this Hungarian Shorthaired Pointer is short, thick and hard It covers the entire body and there is no undercoat. May be any shade of seed yellow, but a small white patch on breast and small white markings on toes are permitted (although not desirable).
The 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 Character
Vizslas are dogs that form a very close bond with their human families. They tend to be all the time following one person in the family. They are also very intelligent, curious and dynamic dogs.
Of course, they are great hunters and are willing to look for and point out small animals, especially birds, all the time. One of their most noticeable behavioral qualities is their fascination with waterThese dogs really enjoy jumping into the water and swimming. Another quality is that they are not usually barking dogs.
Hungarian Shorthaired Pointers are not good pets for sedentary individuals and families who prefer to spend Saturday afternoons watching movies, as they have a lot of energyInstead, they make great pets for families or individuals who enjoy dog sports and outdoor activities.
Hungarian Shorthaired Pointer Care
The coat, due to its short length, is very easy to care for and an occasional brushing is usually sufficient to keep it in good condition. condition. These dogs shed regularly but an interesting feature is that they do not have a strong odor, even when wet. They do not need to be bathed very often and it is best if they are only bathed when they are dirty.
The needs for exercise and companionship are very high in this breed. To have a vizsla it is necessary to provide it with enough exercise, both physical and mental. Intelligence games are very appropriate for this breed, for example.
Due to their dynamic temperament, these dogs do not adapt very well to life in an apartment if that means taking few walks or not being able to do physical activities. The best thing is that they have a fenced garden where they can run freely. This does not eliminate the need for walks, but it does allow a better quality of life for the Hungarian Shorthaired Pointer.
Hungarian Shorthaired Pointer Education
Their temperament is Very friendly with their own, but they tend to be very protective of their territories and their families. Therefore, it is very important to socialize these dogs from puppies. Well socialized they can get along with adults, children, dogs and other pets. It is very important to work on this aspect to enjoy a sociable adult dog, fearless and not at all aggressive. Well behaved is an excellent dog.
Despite being very brave in the hunt and protective of their families, vizslas are very sensitive dogs that do not tolerate punishment therefore, it is best to avoid traditional training styles and focus on positive training styles. When training is done in a positive way, as in clicker training, these dogs learn very quickly and the results are excellent.
The most common behavior problem in this breed is destructiveness. These dogs are very dynamic and need a lot of exercise and company. When they are left alone for a long time and have nothing to do, they get frustrated and destroy everything they find. For this reason, the use of the kong is highly recommended, as it calms them down and can help with separation anxiety.
Daily long walks and playtime are helpful in keeping vizslas from becoming destructive. The practice of canine sports such as agility can also help channel the energies of these dogs.
Hungarian Shorthaired Pointer He alth
This breed is not particularly susceptible to diseases, but some hereditary diseases may occur more frequently in certain lines, including found: progressive retinal dystrophy, craniomandibular osteopathy, hemophilia A, hip dysplasia, skin allergies and epilepsy.
With a regular veterinary visit every 6 months and strict adherence to the vaccination schedule and deworming we can enjoy a he althy and happy dogfor a long time.
