Wirehaired Vizsla

Gundog

Size:

Grooming:

Exercise Level:

Trainability:

Barking Level:

Good with Children:

Good with other pets:

Affectionate:

Protective:

Height: 58 - 62cm M | 54 - 58cm F

Weight: 20 - 27kg M | 18 - 25kg F

Life Expectancy: 12 - 15 Years

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Introduction

The Wirehaired Vizsla originated in Hungary. Compared to the Vizsla, this medium-sized breed is relatively new. This robust and sturdy dog also goes by Drotzoru Magyar Vizsla, Wirehaired Pointing Dog, and Hungarian Wirehaired Viszla.

The Wirehaired Vizsla is prized for his excellent working ability as well as his gentle temperament. He has a calm and easy-going nature, making him form a strong bond with humans and other pets.

This low-shedding Wirehaired Vizsla requires weekly brushing. As the breed is full of energy, he needs high amounts of daily exercise. This dog can have a lifespan of 12–15 years.

History

The Wirehaired Vizsla is known as the Hungarian Wirehaired Viszla, Wirehaired Pointing Dog, and Drotzoru Magyar Vizsla. He is closely related to the Vizsla. However, they are two separate breeds.

The Vizsla breed's existence dates back to the 8th century, whilst the Wirehaired Vizslas is a relatively newer breed. The breed was developed in the 1930s in Hungary. Hungarian hunters and falconers wanted a hunting dog that can withstand extreme weather and rough field conditions.

The Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla's breeding programme was spearheaded by Vasas Jozsef. He submitted the plan to create this new dog breed to the Hungarian Vizsla Klub. The club approved it, but not without conditions.

The new breed should possess the inherent traits and coat color of the Vizsla. The only difference between them is the coat's texture and length, as the breeders wanted him to be long and wiry.

With the help of Gresznarik Lazsla, the Hungarian Vizsla Klub, and kennel owner, Josef began to develop the new breed. They crossed Vizslas with noticeably thicker coats and German Wirehaired Pointers. This produced the Wirehaired Vizsla, a dog with a waterproof coat and a sturdier physique.

The Wirehaired Vizsla breed developers tried mating the same male to different females. The Smooth Vizsla and Longcoated Vizsla, which is a rare breed, resulted from this breeding. Since the chances of producing a longhaired variation of the breed are very rare, it is not yet widely known around the world. However, some of these dogs can be found in Europe.

The Wirehaired Vizsla became a trusty hunting companion in the frosty mountainous terrain of Northern Hungary. He was a versatile gun dog that can hunt, point, retrieve, and track. His robust build, combined with his endurance, allows him to work in water, fields, and woodlands.

The Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla's population was nearly wiped out during World War II. To save the breed, other dogs were used in the breeding programme. The Irish Setter, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Bloodhound, and the Pudel Pointer were speculated to have contributed to Wirehaired Vizsla's development.

The first importation of Wirehaired Vizslas to North America began in the early 1970s. The dog breed was later recognised by the American Kennel Club. It is also acknowledged by the UK's Kennel Club. Other breed clubs that also recognise him are the Canadian Kennel Club in 1977 and the United Kennel Club in 2006.

Appearance and Grooming

The Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla breed is a medium-sized dog. He has a lean but robust body and a strong bone structure.

Male Wirehaired Vizslas measure 58–62 centimetres (23–24½ inches) in length and weigh approximately 20–27 kilos (45–60 pounds). Female Wirehaired Vizslas stand around 54–58 centimetres (21½–23 inches) tall and weigh 18–25 kilos (40–55 pounds).

The Wirehaired Vizsla's average litter size is between 5–10 Wirehaired Vizsla puppies. They will become fully grown once they reach 1 year to 16 months of age.

The Wirehaired Vizsla's skull is slightly wide and rounded. He has a broad nose, which has a color similar to that of the dog's coat. His eyes are medium-sized and oval-shaped. The eye color should harmonise with the dog's coat color, but slightly darker. Black and yellow colored eyes are considered undesirable.

The Wirehaired Vizsla has medium-set ears that hang down near his cheeks. These ears have a rounded 'V' shape. His neck is moderate in length and should be free from dewlaps. He has a strong, deep chest and well-balanced, muscular shoulders. His slightly oval toes are arched and tight.

The Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla has a harsh, wiry coat. Compared to other breeds, he has a dull appearance and is not glossy. His outer coat is wiry, whilst his undercoat is thick and water-repellent.

The Wirehaired Vizsla has pronounced eyebrows and coarse hair around the muzzle that forms a mustache and beard. His coat is softer and shorter around the lower legs and underside of the chest and belly. His eyebrows are thick and bushy, but they should not cover his eyes.

There are only two acceptable coat colors of the Wirehaired Vizsla. These are russet gold and golden sand. Some possess small white markings on their chest and feet. This characteristic is fine so long as it is not overwhelming. Any other colors are not desirable, including pale yellow and dark brown.

Are Wirehaired Vizslas hypoallergenic?

The Wirehaired Vizsla's dense, wiry coat is non-hypoallergenic. If you are looking for a canine companion who is less likely to trigger your allergies, you may want to check out hypoallergenic dog breeds.

Do Wirehaired Vizslas shed?

The Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla is a low-shedding dog. However, he may shed heavily during the shedding season. As he has a wire coat, dirt and debris easily get stuck on his body. Take good care of your dog's fur by combing it with a firm bristle brush weekly. His mustache and beard need brushing every day. Comb his eyebrows every week.

The Wirehaired Vizsla's coat can be hand-stripped and should be done only once or twice a year. Bathe your canine companion only when necessary, specifically when he gets too dirty or smelly. Avoid frequent washing as it can dry his skin and coat, which leads to skin problems.

Do not forget other equally important grooming needs of this dog breed. Clean your dog's ears and check for ear infections weekly. Nail trimming should be carried out once a week too. Brush his teeth every day to keep periodontal diseases away.

Temperament and Intelligence

Do Hungarian Wire Haired Vizslas make good pets?

The Wirehaired Vizsla dog breed is a laid-back and loving family companion. He is calm, outgoing, and gentle whenever he is with his loved ones. Since this dog forms a deep bond with his owner, he wants to stay close to them.

The Wirehaired Vizsla can develop separation anxiety and other behavioural problems if left alone. He needs a home wherein someone can keep him company throughout the day. Meeting strangers can trigger the Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla's aloof and wary side.

As the Wirehaired Vizsla is protective of his home and family, Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla puppies should be properly socialised early. It will shape them to be confident watchdogs with a reliable intuition as they mature.

The Wirehaired Vizsla's mild disposition makes him a great companion for children. Just make sure to inform your children to treat their canine friend gently and with respect. Rough play and boisterous shouting should be avoided when interacting with the dog.

This friendly Wirehaired Vizsla can get along well with other canines as well. With that said, a proper and gradual introduction should be observed. The Wirehaired Vizsla has strong hunting instincts, so supervise him whenever he is around smaller pets.

The Hungarian Vizsla is highly trainable as he is eager to please and intelligent. His quick thinking and excellent memory allow him to learn commands at a swift pace. Be firm but understanding when training the Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla. Use positive reinforcement to keep him focused. He loves receiving praises and affection as a reward.

One thing you should never do whilst training is hurting your dog—verbally or physically. Do not use rough punishments such as hitting and shouting. These methods will only lead to serious problems including destructive behaviour and losing his trust in you.

Nutrition and Feeding

The Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla's appropriate dog food is one that is of premium quality and specifically created for medium dog breeds. He needs at least 2.5–3 cups of dog food per day. Divide this into smaller servings to prevent him from gorging his meals.

The Wirehaired Vizsla must have a portion-controlled diet. His large chest makes him highly susceptible to a fatal condition called dog bloat. Feeding your dog smaller meals and using a slow feeder can help prevent this health issue from occurring. Do not forget to provide fresh water every day to ensure that he is well-hydrated.

Health and Exercise

The Wirehaired Vizsla can live between 12 and 15 years. He is a relatively healthy breed, but he can be susceptible to a few health issues, including:

Eye Problems

The Wirehaired Vizsla can develop optical genetic disorders, including ectropion, entropion, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Trustworthy breeders make sure that the prospective parents of Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla puppies undergo ophthalmic tests. It is the best way to keep puppies safe from these hereditary eye problems.

Elbow Dysplasia and Hip Dysplasia

The Wirehaired Vizsla is susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia. Both of these conditions are due to bone and joint deterioration or injury. Dogs with hip or elbow dysplasia suffer from mobility difficulties. Fortunately, there are available treatments for these diseases, including medication and surgery.

Hyperuricosuria (HUU)

HUU is a hereditary kidney problem that the Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla has higher chances of developing. It increases the uric acid in the urine, causing bladder and kidney stones to form. Passing on this disease to puppies can be prevented if the potential breeding stock is health-checked.

The Wirehaired Vizsla is a medium-sized dog with a lot of energy. He needs around 2 hours of exercise and mental stimulation. Hiking, jogging, and long walks are activities that he can enjoy.

If you have a spacious back garden, let your Wirehaired Vizsla run and frolic in the area off-lead. Always check the fences beforehand and ensure that it's secure. Be sure to monitor your dog too, as he might slip away and escape.

The Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla is great in dog sports as well. So why not sign your dog up for agility, obedience ring, dock diving, or canicross? Since he possesses an excellent nose for tracking, he has leverage in scent work trials too.

This highly energetic dog breed is the best companion for an active family. If you love spending time indoors, consider looking for another breed. Unless you are ready to make adjustments in your lifestyle.

Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla puppies are vulnerable to muscle and joint injuries if overexercised. That's because their bodies are still in the process of growing and developing. Do not allow him to run or hump on hard surfaces such as concrete.

Stick with lead training during your Wirehaired Vizsla puppy's first year with you. Then check with the vet if your canine companion is ready for more rigorous exercises once he slowly matures into adulthood.

Cost of Ownership

How much do Wirehaired Vizslas cost?

Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla puppies' price range between £2500 and £3000. The annual food cost of your canine companion can total up to £300–£400. You will likely spend around £200 when purchasing his basic items and necessities.

Each vet check-up session costs around £30–£60. The fees for first vaccine shots cost around £100, whilst boosters cost £50. Getting your Wirehaired Vizsla puppy insured will cost you approximately £28 every month.