Where the Vizsla came from
The Vizsla comes from Hungary, where the breed has been a hunting dog for centuries. An illustrated Hungarian chronicle from the 1300s is often cited as an early mention.
The breed nearly disappeared in the troubled 1900s, and by one account only about a dozen true type dogs were left in Hungary after World War II. Some dogs were smuggled out by fleeing families, which helped save the breed.
The AKC recognized the Vizsla in 1960. Today they are hunting dogs and active family dogs.
- 1300s An illustrated Hungarian chronicle is often cited as an early mention of the breed
- 1940s After World War II the breed nearly disappears in Hungary
- 1960 AKC recognizes the Vizsla
The job a Vizsla was bred for
The dogs worked close to the hunter, pointing and retrieving over fields. At home that means a dog who sticks very close to their person, has lots of energy and is sensitive.
Sports that fit a Vizsla
- Field work. Hunt tests
- Scent work. Strong nose
- Tracking. Natural ability
- Lure coursing. A safe outlet for speed
- Agility. Fast and athletic
Training tips for a Vizsla
- Use gentle, positive methods, since they are sensitive.
- Teach settling and alone time early.
- Give daily exercise plus nose games.
- Practice recall with great rewards.
Body and health
Short thin coat means cold and heat both matter. They are deep chested, so avoid heavy exercise right after meals.
Fun fact. Vizslas are sometimes called velcro dogs for sticking close to their people.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Vizsla is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Looking for a different breed? See what 75 breeds were bred to do.