GROUP 3 – GUNDOGS

Brief History
The Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla is a completely separate breed from its more commonly seen cousin, the smooth Hungarian Vizsla; the main difference being it has a wiry coat with beard and eyebrows.  The breed was developed in the 1930’s by crossing the Hungarian Shorthaired Vizsla with the German Wirehaired Pointer. The aim was to develop a dog with the qualities and colour of the Hungarian Shorthaired Vizsla, but with a wiry or rough coat and more robust build that was more resistant to cold weather conditions. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas were bred for hunting and retrieving on land or in water, and overseas they are often worked with falcons.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.

The average life span is 10 to 14 years.

Temperament
Whilst the Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla has all the characteristics of the Hungarian Vizsla, being an affectionate, active dog that may be easily trained, and seeks to be involved with all facets of family activities, it is generally more laid-back. They are natural hunters, pointers and retrievers. With their intelligence and high energy, these dogs can become destructive if they don't receive regular mental and physical stimulation. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas respond best when trained positively, without harsh commands or physical correction.

General Breed Description
The Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla is a medium-sized breed, with a more robust build than its shorthaired cousin, the Hungarian Vizsla. The coat is russet-gold to sand coloured, and should feel wiry, coarse, and dense to the touch.

Currently Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas in Australia participate in a number of dog sports, such as Retrieving Trials, Agility, Obedience as well as Conformation dog shows.

Coat and Care Requirements
The coat should be wiry, with a dense water-resistant undercoat, though this may vary considerably within the breed. Some will require minimal brushing, whilst others will require more frequent removal of the dead hair to maintain the wire. Some dogs may also take considerable time (years) for the coat to fully develop. Occasionally pups may be produced that (genetically) cannot develop wire coats.  Breeders can DNA test their stock to ensure all pups will be wirehaired.

Size
Height: Males: 58 to 64cms, Females 54 to 60cms.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about the breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include Hip Dysplasia (HD), Epilepsy, Hypothyroidism and predisposition to develop urate stones.

Suitability
Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas are an ideal pet for most owners. They are busy dogs and want to be involved with everything the owner is doing; this characteristic makes the breed appealing to many, but wearing for others. They are usually good with other dogs and cats. Like their smooth-coated cousins, they do require daily exercise, so are best suited to those with an active lifestyle.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard:  https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/98