Wirehaired Vizsla Dog Breed Information and Pictures (2024)

Information and Pictures

Wirehaired Vizsla Dog Breed Information and Pictures (1)

Wirehaired Vizslas Harry (left), Vincent (right) and Poppy (back)

Other Names
  • Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla
  • Hungarian Wire-haired Pointing Dog
  • Drotzoru Magyar Vizsla
Pronunciation

Wirehaired VEESH-la

Description

The head of the Wirehaired Vizsla is lean and noble. The skull is moderately wide between ears with a median line down the forehead and a moderate stop. The skull is a little longer than muzzle. Muzzle, although tapering, is well squared at the end. The nostrils are well developed, broad and wide. Jaws are strong and powerful. Lips cover jaws completely and are neither loose nor pendulous. The color of the nose is brown. Eyes are neither deep nor prominent, of medium size and are a shade darker in color than coat. Slightly oval in shape, eyelids fitting tightly. Yellow or black eyes are undesirable. Ears are moderately low set, proportionately long with a thin skin and hanging down close to cheeks. Rounded "V" shape, not fleshy. The mouth is sound and has strong white teeth. Jaws are strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Full dentition desirable. The neck is strong, smooth and muscular, moderately long, arched and devoid of dewlap. The shoulders are well laid and muscular, elbows close to body and straight, forearm long, pasterns upright. The back level is short, well-muscled, withers high. Chest is moderately broad and deep with prominent breast bone. Distance from withers to lowest part of chest equal to distance from chest to ground. Ribs are well sprung and belly has a slight tuck-up beneath loin. Croup is well muscled. Hindquarters are straight when viewed from rear, thighs well developed with moderate angulation, hocks well let down. The feet are round with toes short, arched and tight. Cat-like foot is required, hare foot undesirable. Nails short, strong and a shade darker in color than coat, dewclaws should be removed. The gait/movement is graceful, elegant with a lively trot and ground covering gallop. The tail is moderately thick, rather low set, customarily one-third docked. When moving, carried horizontally. Hair on head short and harsh, longer on muzzle, forming beard. Pronounced eyebrows. Longer and finer on ears. Longer over body, fitting closely to neck and trunk. Short harsh hair fitting closely and smoothly to forelimbs. Coat color is russet gold. Small white marks on chest and feet should not be penalized.

Temperament

The Wirehaired Vizsla is expressive, gentle and loving. Keen and trainable to a high degree, it needs daily mental stimulation. It needs a patient, calm, firm hand. If it does not see you as a strong authority figure it will become stubborn. Reliable with children, loves to play for hours. Without extensive daily exercise it may be too energetic and excitable for very young toddlers, but is excellent for energetic kids. Able to adapt quickly to family life, and is generally good with other dogs. Wirehaired Vizslas are very athletic, and when lacking in exercise they may become destructive or neurotic. Socialize them well to people, places, noises, dogs and other animals. It is very important to obedience train your Wirehaired Vizsla. Without enough exercise, it can be overly eager, prancing around you in sheer excitement. This breed is highly trainable and very willing to please; if you can get it to understand exactly what it is you want of it. If you do not train this breed it may become difficult to handle and control. Example: See Video of a Vizsla that needs more exercise. Notice how very eager to please the dog is, yet has more built up energy than she knows what to do with. She is obviously stressed and not relaxed. Wirehaired Vizslas tend to chew. This breed is not for everyone. If you want a calm dog and are not willing to walk a couple of miles or jog at least one mile a day, do not choose a Wirehaired Vizsla. Without proper exercise, this breed can easily become high-strung. They have many talents such as: tracking, retrieving, pointing, watchdog and competitive obedience. The Wirehaired Vizsla is a hunting dog and may be good with cats they are raised with, but should not be trusted with animals such as hamsters, rabbits and guinea pigs etc. Be sure to always be your dog’s pack leader to avoid any negative behaviors such as guarding furniture, food, toys, and so on. Well-balanced Wirehaired Vizslas that receive enough exercise, and have owners that are true pack leaders, will not have these issues. These behaviors can be reversed, once the owners start displaying leadership, discipline, and provide enough exercise, both mental and physical.

Height, Weight

Height: Males 22.5 - 25 inches (57 - 64 cm) Females 21 - 23.5 inches (53 - 60 cm)
Weight: Males 45 - 60 pounds (20 - 27 kg) Females 40 - 55 pounds (18 - 25 kg)

Health Problems

Prone to hip dysplasia.

Living Conditions

The Wirehaired Vizsla is not recommended for apartment life. It is moderately active indoors and does best with at least an average-sized yard.

Exercise

This is an energetic working dog with enormous stamina. It needs to be taken on daily, long, brisk walks or jogs. In addition, it needs plenty of opportunity to run, preferably off the leash in a safe area. If these dogs are allowed to get bored, and are not walked or jogged daily, they can become destructive and start to display a wide array of behavioral problems.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Litter Size

About 5 to 10 puppies

Grooming

The wirehaired coat is harsh, hard and loose fitting, with no gloss. There is a winter undercoat and the hair forms a brush on the back part of the forelegs. It is easy to keep in peak condition. Brush with a firm bristle brush, and dry shampoo occasionally. Bathe with mild soap only when necessary. The nails should be kept trimmed. These dogs are average shedders.

Origin

The creation of the Wirehaired Vizsla started in the 1930s. It was noticed that some Vizslas had thicker coats which gave them better protection in cover and water. One of these thicker coated females was crossed with a German Wirehaired Pointer. The breeder who did this was Mr. Vasas Jozsef. He tried two such matings with the same male and different females. The Wirehaired Vizsla has two cousins, the Smooth Vizsla and the other, a rare longhaired Vizsla. The longhaired can be born in both smooth and wire litters, although this is quite a rare occurrence. The longhaired Vizslas are not registered anywhere in the world but there are some to be found in Europe. The Wirehaired Vizsla was officially recognized by the AKC in 2014.

Group

Gun Dog

Recognition
  • ACA = American Canine Association Inc.
  • ACR = American Canine Registry
  • AKC = American Kennel Club
  • APRI = American Pet Registry, Inc.
  • ARBA = American Rare Breed Association
  • CKC = Canadian Kennel Club
  • CKC = Continental Kennel Club
  • DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
  • FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
  • NAVHDA = North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association
  • NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
  • NKC = National Kennel Club
  • UKC = United Kennel Club

Wirehaired Vizsla Dog Breed Information and Pictures (2)

Very young female Wirehaired Vizsla puppies, bred by Palownia's Wirehaired Vizslas

Wirehaired Vizsla Dog Breed Information and Pictures (3)

Photo courtesy of Silvanus Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas

Wirehaired Vizsla Dog Breed Information and Pictures (4)

Photo courtesy of Silvanus Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas

Wirehaired Vizsla Dog Breed Information and Pictures (5)

Harry AKA Kisdon's Russian Hero as a puppy

Wirehaired Vizsla Dog Breed Information and Pictures (6)

Harry grew...

Wirehaired Vizsla Dog Breed Information and Pictures (7)

…And grew...Harry at 1 year…

Wirehaired Vizsla Dog Breed Information and Pictures (8)

Happy Birthday, Harry!

See more examples of the Wirehaired Vizsla

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Wirehaired Vizsla Dog Breed Information and Pictures (2024)

FAQs

What is the lifespan of a Wirehaired Vizsla? ›

The Vizsla dog breed is generally healthy and has an average lifespan of 10-14 years. That said, they are susceptible to some health issues. Pet parents can prevent these conditions by getting their puppy from a reputable Vizsla rescue or a breeder who responsibly tests their dogs.

What is the temperament of a Wirehaired Vizsla? ›

The wirehaired vizsla's temperament is affectionate, loyal, and sensitive. Training is easy if you avoid harsh methods. You'll find your dog both intelligent and eager to learn. The wirehaired vizsla's lifespan is typically 12 to 14 years.

What is the difference between a Vizsla and a Wirehaired Vizsla? ›

The main difference between vizslas and wirehaired vizslas is their coat. Vizslas have short, sleek fur while wirehaired vizslas have a thick, wiry coat. Wirehaired vizslas are also slightly larger than the smooth-coat breed.

How rare are wirehaired Vizslas? ›

In 2006, the United Kennel Club recognized the breed as the Hungarian Wire-Haired Vizsla. The breed entered the American Kennel Club's Sporting Group in 2013. Only a few hundred exist in North America, so it is still a rare breed.

Do Vizslas bark a lot? ›

Vizslas make good watchdogs and generally do not bark excessively. Well-socialized dogs are friendly to strangers, unless threatened. Vizslas may suffer separation anxiety and fear of loud noises such as thunderstorms.

Do Vizslas calm down with age? ›

Hungarian Vizslas are energetic dogs with big personalities even as adults, but you should notice slightly calmer behaviour when they're around two years old.

Do Vizslas attach to one person? ›

I don't typically see this as the case, although if one person is the main caretaker and trainer, it would be logical for the Vizsla to bond better with that person. It's typical of the breed, and my own dogs to love people and for them to gravitate towards people, even strangers if they seem friendly.

Can Vizslas be left alone? ›

Vizslas form strong bonds with their owners and love human company so often suffer with separation anxiety if left alone. Ideally, your Vizsla will need someone around all day to keep them company. If left alone they can develop negative behaviour due to stress.

Are wirehaired Vizslas protective? ›

Wirehaired vizslas exhibit a keen sense of alertness, which, combined with their loyalty, makes them good watchdogs. While they may not be inherently guard dogs in the traditional sense, their natural instinct to be vigilant and protective of their families can contribute to a reliable alert system.

Do wirehaired Vizslas like water? ›

While daily walks will help to provide some exercise, hone in on this hunter's innate desire to smell and to hunt prey. Swimming is also a great activity for the Wirehaired Vizsla.

Are wirehaired Vizslas smart? ›

The Wirehaired Vizsla is lively, happy, and eager to please. They have a lot of energy and are very smart but get bored easily. This can sometimes make training a bit difficult, and you must work to keep training sessions fun, interesting, and not too long.

How do I know if my Vizsla is purebred? ›

A Vizsla will always have a reddish colored nose that blends with the coat color. If it is black, brown, or any other color, it isn't a Vizsla. If it has black around the nose or the eyes, it isn't a Vizsla, at least not a pure Vizsla.

What are the negatives of Vizslas? ›

Time and Energy needed

More than most breeds, Vizslas are a bit like tiny humans in that they take TIME and ENERGY. They'll give you back so much love, but you need to put in the time and energy first. They demand it, and you will see this under no uncertain terms.

Are wirehaired vizsla good pets? ›

Hungarian Vizslas are loyal, lively and loving dogs, earning the nickname 'Velcro dogs' because they like to be near their owners. They have plenty of energy and love to be outdoors, so make perfect companions to those who have active lifestyles.

What is the cost of a Vizsla? ›

On average, you can buy a purebred Vizsla for $1,000 to $3,300. Differences between breeders make puppies available at a vast range of prices. A Vizsla breeder is the official caregiver of the parents and the newborn puppies.

How old is the oldest Vizsla? ›

They can be really fast and some studies have recorded them getting up to 40mph running! The oldest recorded Vizsla lived to over 20 years old.

How long do wire haired dogs live? ›

Within these colors, you'll find ticked, spotted, or roan markings. These dogs stand 22 to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 50 and 70 pounds. Males tend to be larger than females, but not by much, if at all. On average, the German Wirehaired Pointer's lifespan is 14 to 16 years.

Are Vizslas known to be aggressive? ›

They are a friendly canine that loves to burn off their energy outside, such as by jogging with their owner. Vizslas are intelligent, loving, and active companions—this breed is not known for aggression. They generally do not display dominance and will not attempt to dominate other dogs or humans.

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