Breed Information

Breed History A brief description of the breed, its origins, and history in North America.
CKC Standard The official description of the breed as provided by the Canadian Kennel Club. This is the standard to which Vizslas in Canada are judged at Conformation Dog Shows.

Breed History

Although the Vizsla has only been in Canada since 1953, the breed's ancestors were recognized for their hunting abilities on the European continent over one thousand years ago. The Vizsla was mentioned in very early times in Hungarian history. While exact origin of the breed has been lost in the mist of early European history, it is know that the origins of the present Vizsla were the favorite companion and hunting dog of the Magyar tribes, which lived in the Carpathian basin during the eighth century. Primitive stone etchings over a thousand years old show the Magyar hunter with his falcon and Vizsla. Companion dogs of the early warlords, barons and kings, Vizsla blood was preserved pure for centuries by the land owning aristocracy and held in high esteem by their owners. The Vizsla has survived the Turkish occupation, the Hungarian civil wars, World Wars I and II, and the Russian occupation. However, late in the 19th century the true Vizsla was close to extinction and a careful search of Hungary revealed only about a dozen purebreds remaining. From that minimal stock the breed rose to prominence again, with various strains becoming distinctive as individuals bred stock that suited their style of hunting. In 1945, when the Russian occupation forces invaded Hungary, many of the wealthy aristocrats were forced to flee their beloved land. Luckily many decided to take their Vizsla with them and from that stock came the first litters to be born in Austria, Italy and Germany.

These Hungarians came to Canada and the United States in the early 1950s bringing their dogs along. The Canadian Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1958. The Wire-haired Vizsla is also a recognized breed in Canada, and recent Hungarian imports have had a beneficial effect on the breed. The Hungarian Vizsla represents the best in both sporting dog and a loyal companion in the home. It is the smallest of the all round pointer-retriever breeds, and this size undoubtedly is one of the Vizsla's attractive characteristics. Because of the size, it holds the unique position for a sporting dog - that of a house companion and family dog. It does not make a good kennel dog and only reaches its potential when included as a member of the family. Essentially pointer in type the Vizsla is a distinguished looking dog with very aristocratic bearing. His coat is an attractive golden rust. He is powerfully built, but lithe and well balanced with a light footed, smooth and graceful gait. He is a dog of power and drive in the field and a tractable and affectionate companion in the home. His tail is only docked one third off, unlike most of the other pointing breeds.
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