Vizsla



The Vizsla (pronounced VEEHZ-lah) is a medium-sized sporting dog. It is known for its rustic and athletic body, loving temperament, and high energy. The Vizsla is a member of the Sporting Group.

Breed History
Stone etchings dating all the way back to the 10th century depict the Vizsla. It is thought to have descended from other pointer dogs, given both its hunting abilities and its name ("Vizsla" means "pointer" in Hungarian). They originiated in Hungary as hunting dogs, but came close to extinction after the Russians took control post-World War II. To save the breed, some dogs were smuggled out of Hungary.

Temperament
The Vizsla is known for both its affection and energy. They are sometimes called "velcro" dogs because of how attached they can get with their owners or possibly others. They are gentle and work well with families. However, they have a high degree of energy and stamina. The Vizsla needs to get brisk exercise daily to avoid restlessness and a host of other behavioral problems.

Vizsla need to spend time outside, but they lack an undercoat to protect them from cold weather. This means that they should not be an exclusively-outdoor dog. They may be scared of swimming at first, but they will enjoy it immensely after passing that initial barrier.

The Vizsla ranks as number 25 in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs.

Appearance
The Vizsla is medium-sized, ranging from 20 to 26 inches high. It can weigh between 40 to 60 pounds, with females tending to be shorter and lighter. The dog's body is muscular and lean. Its color is a rusty-gold, sometimes closer to brown.