Hungarian hunter.

Pronounced ‘ VEESH – la’, the Hungarian Viszla is a medium sized, strong body hunting dog.



The beautiful Pesto.



They were originally bred by the Magyars of Hungry as hunting dogs and can be depicted in etchings dating as far back as the 10^th century. In Hungarian the word Viszla means ‘pointer.’ And it is believed that they have descended from several types of pointers. With their excellent sense of smell and endless amount of energy they were ideal hunters, being used to catch water fowl and rabbit. It was feared after World War II the breed would become extinct once the Russians took control of Hungary, in an attempt to save the breed Hungarians smuggled some dogs into America and Austria.

The most common Vizsla’s found today are the smooth coat, though there are wirehaired coats and also a very rare long haired, though none are registered anywhere in the world some have been found through out Europe. Their smooth short coat is very easy to maintain, only needing to be brushed with a firm brush occasionally. They are a very gentle and loving dog who are keen to learn and very trainable. They require a firm, patient and calm owner who can provide them with mental stimulation on a daily basis. Without the attention they require they can become very stubborn dogs. They are reliable and great with children, especially helpful as they love to play for hours. They need to be socialized well from a young age and also exposed to different situations, they do adapt very quickly. Being hunters it’s best to introduce them to cats early but never leave them alone with smaller game such as rabbits and guinea pigs.

Pesto enjoying some sunshine.

Being a very athletic breed their physical exercise is just as important as their mental exercise. They have enormous stamina so a long daily run, preferably off lead, is a must! They are a great companion for an athletic owner and without this high level of exercise will become very destructive very quickly. Though they settle into new situations easily, the Viszla is not a breed for everyone. They loved to please, but without the right amount of stimulation do not work to their full potential. They also enjoy chewing. Without their hunting back ground in mind they are excellent for competitive obedience, tracking and retrieving sports. Be prepared if wanting to own a Viszla, their stunning looks will get you asked many questions.