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Breed Characteristics
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Wirehaired Vizsla
| Other Names | Drótszőrű magyar vizsla, Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla |
| Country of Origin | Hungary |
| Weight | Males: 45 - 60 lbs. (20 - 27 kg) Females: 40 - 55 lbs. (18 - 25 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 22.5 - 25 in. (57 - 64 cm) Females: 21 - 23.5 in. (53 - 60 cm) |
| Coat | The coat is wiry, close-lying, strong, and dense, 0.75 to 1.25 in (1.9 to 3.2 cm) long with a dense, water-repellent undercoat. The outline of the body is not to be hidden by the longer coat. Pronounced eyebrows along with a strong, harsh beard, 0.75 to 1.25 in (1.9 to 3.2 cm) long on both sides of the muzzle reinforce the determined expression. The coat should never be long, soft, silky, shaggy, crinkle, woolly, thin, lacking undercoat or lacking brushes on the legs. |
| Colour | The coat is an attractive russet to golden sand in colour. |
| Litter Size | 3 - 6 puppies |
| Life Span | 12 - 15 years |
| Origin & History | The less usual Wirehaired Vizsla is a completely separate breed from its more commonly seen smooth-coated cousin. The Wirehaired Vizsla was developed in the 1930s, initially by Vasas Jozsef, owner of the Csabai vizsla kennel along with Gresznarik Laszlo, who owned the de Selle German Wirehaired Pointer kennel. Their aim was to produce a dog that combined the color of the Vizsla with a heavier coat, and a more substantial frame, better suited for working in cold weather and retrieving from icy water. Two Vizsla bitches (Zsuzsi and Csibi), both of whom combined excellent pedigrees with good working ability, were selected to breed with a totally liver colored German Wirehaired Pointer sire (Astor von Potat). Zsuzsi’s sire was known to have offspring with longer coats. The best of Zsuzsi’s and Csibi’s offspring were selected and bred together and Dia de Selle, the first WHV to be exhibited, was born. She had the same body as the shorthaired vizsla, but her head was the shape of the German Wirehaired Pointer. While her coat was not rough and thick enough, she was the promising beginning of the creation of the new breed. Anecdotal history suggests the added infusion of Pudelpointer, Bloodhound and Irish Setter blood during the period of the Second World War when many other Hungarian kennels became involved in the development of the breed. It has also previously, but incorrectly been suggested that the breed was created by backbreeding of smooth Vizsla's most heavily coated offspring (Gottlieb,idem). There are approximately 400-450 Wirehaired Vizslas in the US and between 2,500 and 3,000 worldwide. |
| Personality | 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. |
Care Requirements
| Health | Although the Wirehaired Vizsla is not generally considered as a sickly dog, breeding from a small number of dogs has led to heritable illnesses in some offspring, including: Dysphagia-megaoesophagus (difficulty swallowing, drooling and muscle wasting) Hip dysplasia Hypothyroidism Sebaceous adenitis Digestive problems (including intolerance to certain foods or food allergies) Eye conditions such as: Ectropion (the upper or lower eyelid curls outward which gives the look of "droopy eyes") Entropion (the upper or lower eyelid, but in most cases the lower lid, curls inward towards the eye, therefore irritating the cornea) Idiopathic epilepsy is becoming more common in this breed (Gottlieb 2002) Responsible breeders do not select dogs for breeding if they have such inherent problems. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Other Considerations | The Wirehaired Vizsla is not recommended for apartment life. It is moderately active indoors and does best with at least an average-sized yard. |
