Orlovia
The name “Vizsla” means translated as much as lively we attentive, occasionally the breed is also referred to as Magyar (= Hungarian) Vizsla after its origin. The statement that they are exactly the same is misleading. It is precisely on this point that the two FCI standards number 57 and 239 are far apart. Shorthaired Magyar Vizsla and Wirehaired Magyar Vizsla are two distinct dog breeds.
Characteristics
The differences in the breed characteristics of the two varieties of the Hungarian pointing dog are hardly noticeable even for cynological experts if it weren’t for the strikingly different coats.
The first written mentions and pictorial representations of the ancestors of the Magyar Vizsla go back several hundred years. Since 1920, the short-haired Hungarian pointer has been bred for the purpose. The color that is typical of him is particularly eye-catching. It is required in the modern standard as a bread yellow in various shades, with short and dense hair, hard to the touch, less coarse on the head and ears.
Magyar Vizsla Nature & Character
The Vizsla is an extremely friendly and obedient dog. However, he does not take harsh training, but since he has a rather gentle and obedient character from the outset, you will be able to achieve much more with him with love. It is very easy to lead, easy to train, and has great stamina. Part of his nature is already illustrated by his name Vizsla, which translates to alert and lively.
When hunting small game, he is an agile and quick seeker and a firm and sure retriever. He is very precise and calm on sweat, he is also an excellent dead Bayer and learns repelling bringsels extremely quickly. He also loves to go into the water and is also a ruthless predatory strangler. Its versatility in hunting, endurance especially in hot and dry weather, and its innate intelligence and affection make it an ideal companion for professional hunters.
However, more than most other pointing dogs, the Vizsla is suited to the recreational hunter who is looking for a pleasant and gentle family pet as well as an excellent gun dog. In addition to hunting, the Vizsla is ideal for general dog sports and can also be used very well as a disaster dog. In order to remain happy and healthy in the long term, however, its owner must be prepared for a very high need for exercise.
And yet first-time dog owners may give preference to other breeds when choosing a four-legged companion. Above all, the genetically predisposed passion for hunting can make life difficult for them, experience is essential here. When running free, part of the attention of the four-legged friend has to be directed towards the human at all times.
Athleticism is a must for dog and owner, mental activity is a must. Retrieval and search games in the field, forest, and the water are attractive for the active dog. In the emergency services, he has earned a reputation as a reliable team worker. The breed proves its good nose work when mantrailing or when searching in the area.
Origin of the Breed
Some historians believe that the history of Hungary’s national dog dates back to the Middle Ages and that the Vizsla’s ancestors accompanied the Magyar hordes when they invaded Hungary from the east and conquered the country around 900 AD.
The breed probably developed in the Hungarian Puszta, the country’s high central plain with rich agriculture and an abundance of various games. Hungarian hunters with hounds and falcons are shown in drawings that are up to a thousand years old.
It is known that these hunters used scent hounds such as the Transylvanian hound and also used them for breeding with the aim of using the dog together with the falcon. According to legend, another alleged ancestor of the Vizsla is the so-called “Yellow Turkish Pointer”, also known as the “Yellow Turkish Hound”. However, since these breeds are extinct and there is no modern picture of these dogs, their exact history will forever remain a mystery.
Although it is certain that the Magyars brought good hunting dogs with them on their migration towards Europe, it is more likely that the fine-tuning of the Vizsla as an independent breed took place only recently through cross-breeding with other, already proven European hunting dog breeds.
Fur
The hair coat comes without an undercoat. Crosses between the short-haired breed, which was recognized by the FCI as early as 1936, and the German Wirehaired Pointer give the wire-haired Magyar Vizsla its appearance. Its strong, dense fur lies close to the body and covers the dense, water-repellent undercoat. A hard beard gives him an energetic facial expression. The FCI recognized the breed as independent in 1963. The elegant appearance of both variants has friends among dog lovers in many countries.
The wire hair of the Magyar Vizslas has a little better resistance to difficult terrain and extreme weather conditions than the short coat. Like the short form, it shines with unspectacular care. The brush is enough to remove dead hair. The four-legged friend appears slim, muscular, and trained with a weight between 22 and 30 kilograms.
The measuring tape indicates a shoulder height of 58 to 64 centimeters for males. In the case of bitches, the range of variation begins and ends four centimeters earlier. The wasteland of the vast, treeless Hungarian Puszta, covered with sparse vegetation, is a paradise for small game. The reed thickets, fields, and high grass are the hunting grounds of the Eastern European hunting dog. He has an excellent sense of smell.