Regional variances can cause even the same breed of dog to differ. If you are interested in knowing about the differences between American Vizsla vs Hungarian Vizsla, then keep reading this article below as we take you through the most important differences between the two lines of Vizsla.
Both the Hungarian and American Vizsla originated in Hungary. The Hungarian Vizsla is 36 cm (14 inches) shorter than the Vizsla. Both the Vizsla and the Hungarian Vizsla weigh the same. The lifespan of the Vizsla and the Hungarian Vizsla is the same. The litter sizes of the Vizsla and Hungarian Vizsla are nearly identical. Low upkeep is needed for both the Vizsla and the Hungarian Vizsla.
With that said, let’s go deeper.
Before scrolling down this dog breed comparison guide between the American Vizsla vs Hungarian Vizsla, check out: Bernedoodle vs Labradoodle – Breed Comparison (2023) and Havapoo vs Cavapoo – Dog Breed Comparison! (2023).
Background & Origin
The Pannonian Basin, where the Hungarian Vizslas were first shown on etchings, has been home to these dogs at least since the 10th century. People think that they gave rise to different pointers, the now-extinct Turkish Yellow Dog, and the Transylvanian Hound.
The name “Vizsla” is Hungarian for “pointer,” and it refers to a hunting dog. In 1937, the Carmelite Friars followed King Louis I of Hungary’s directives. The aristocrats and landowners kept the breed segregated in the Basin for generations.
The Magyar inhabitants of the region created the breed as pointers and retrievers for hunting. They were masters at pursuing waterfowl and bunnies. They were also enjoyed as family and companion dogs because they could do anything and had a great sense of smell.
For a hunting or working dog, this was rare. They were also appealing because of their size. When compared to other hunting dogs, they were diminutive.
The Hungarian Vizsla is a trainable dog that excels in fields, water, and woods. They have the ability to retrieve both on land and in water. Throughout its history, the breed has lived through the Turkish Revolution, the Hungarian Revolution, World War I and II, and the Communist State of the Hungarian People’s Republic.
Beginning in the 1800s, when German Shorthaired Pointers and English Pointers were imported to the area, things became a bit problematic for the Vizslas. Following World War II, it happened again. Some of the breeds were brought into Austria and the United States illegally because their owners were afraid of what the Communist regime would do to them.
There were just a handful of Vizslas in Hungary at the time. From that little breeding stock, they multiplied once again. Several diverse strains developed into their own breeding stock as a result of this history. Vizslas can be found in Czechoslovakia, Austria, Serbia, and Romania. The very rare Wirehaired Vizsla and the Longhaired Vizsla are two breeds that originated from different lines.
During World War II, the Hungarian Vizsla came to the United States. The Vizsla Club of America was started as the first step toward becoming a member of the American Kennel Club, which was accomplished in 1960. During this period, Vizslas also arrived in the UK.
Currently, the club has roughly 4,500 registered members. The prestigious Crufts Dog Show in Great Britain was won by a Vizsla as Best in Show.
People say that this friendly hunter is related to the Wirehaired Vizsla, the Weimaraner, and the German Shorthaired Pointer. The Hungarian Vizsla is a friendly and clever dog. For them not to misbehave when they are bored, they need your attention and a lot to do. They are drawn to you and can be fiercely devoted.
American Vizslas: Overview
The golden or rust color of the Vizsla distinguishes it from other breeds. They have a slim physique and are quick to get around as medium-sized pointers. They have a defined muscular structure and long, shiny ears. Their crimson nose blends in with the hue of their coat. Their nails and eyes match the color of the coat as well.
Nowadays, there are even some solid-rust dogs, although they are often some kind of gold or rust. According to the breed rules, the coat can be dark sandy gold, copper-brown, or rusty gold. It can’t be light yellow or mahogany red. Vizslas lack an undercoat, so their coat is short, thick, and silky. Their tails are also docked.
Hungarian Vizslas: Overview
The Hungarian Vizsla has a short coat, a light frame, and a unique demeanor. They are medium-sized, lean, muscular dogs that resemble the Weimaraner. They resemble the Redbone Coonhound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback in looks as well. Compared to the Rhodesian Ridgeback and Weimaraner, they are slimmer and more athletic.
The Vizsla has a crimson nose, so their eyes, nails, and coat should all match that color or be very similar in hue. The American standard calls for docked tails; however, the UK does not permit docking. He sprints across the rocky terrain to fetch the birds, and if he has a tail, you can watch it soar through the air.
They have a tapering, domed skull that is shorter than or equal in length to the muzzle. They have medium-sized eyes that contrast with their coat. Silky ears droop next to the face and have rounded ends. The coat has several different rust tones. He also has a hound-like face and a broad chest.
American Vizsla Health
There aren’t many health problems with the Vizsla, but when there are, they can be significant. These include:
- Seizures and epilepsy. This is treatable.
- Although hip dysplasia is uncommon, occurrences have been reported, which can lead to arthritis or lameness.
- Sebaceous adenitis is a rare skin condition that happens more often in cats or birds than in dogs.
- Seasonal allergies.
- Infected ears.
Hungarian Vizsla
A list of health problems affecting the Hungarian Vizsla includes:
- Hip dysplasia can lead to lameness or arthritis.
- Epilepsy is treatable but not curable.
- Numerous types of cancer, some of which are curable and others of which are irreversible.
- Sebaceous adenitis is an inflammatory skin condition. Only puppies and young adults experience this.
- Ear Infections.
American Vizsla Care
This dog needs a high-calorie diet as a puppy since he is highly active. Feed three to four smaller portions a day of four to five cups each.
If you exercise the adult enough, you should feed her high-calorie foods. Feed three cups of food twice a day.
Physical Fitness
They enjoy running, but they don’t overdo it until they are about 18 and 24 months old. They are highly playful throughout their entire lives and do well in AKC shows. Agility, field tests, nose work, obedience, conformation, dock diving, rallies, lure coursing, track, and barn hunting are all activities they excel at.
Hungarian Vizsla Care
This dog needs a high-calorie diet as a puppy since he is highly active. Feed three to four smaller meals a day of four to five cups each.
If you exercise the adult enough, you should feed her high-calorie foods. Feed three cups of food twice a day.
Physical Fitness
Although they enjoy running, they don’t overdo it until they are between 18 and 24 months old. They are highly playful throughout their entire lives and do well in AKC shows. Agility, field trials, scent work, obedience, conformation, dock diving, rallies, lure coursing, tracking, and barn hunting are all activities they excel at.
Training
Vizslas are reasonably simple to train since they are smart dogs that are willing to please their owners. They are capable of learning almost whatever you wish to impart to them. They may, however, be resistant at times, so it takes time, discipline, and persistence to teach them.
Vizslas respond best to positive reinforcement training techniques. Therefore, be careful to give them goodies or compliments when they behave well. You should start training and socializing your Vizsla puppy as soon as you bring him or her home. As a result, they become aware of how to act around both people and animals.
Understanding Your Hungarian Vizsla
Now that you know a little bit more about the Hungarian Vizsla breed, it’s time to decide if it’s the right one for you. And now for a rundown of what a Vizsla owner might anticipate.
They need a lot of exercise because they are highly energetic dogs, so you should be ready to walk or run with them every day for at least 45 minutes to an hour, although they are capable of handling more if you’re up for it. It’s also important to keep their minds active by giving them lots of things to do.
If you don’t, they can engage in harmful habits like chewing on furniture or causing damage to your yard. An important thing to remember is that Vizslas want a lot of space to play and run and enjoy being close to their people. So, you generally shouldn’t buy a Vizsla if you reside in an apartment, aren’t usually home, or don’t like having a clingy dog around.
On the bright side, Hungarian vizslas make loving and devoted buddies that will stick by your side no matter what. They are also a low-maintenance dog breed that is not too difficult to train. Additionally, they are extremely versatile and excel in a variety of dog sports.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are two different dog breeds. Compared to the sleek Viszla, the Wirehaired Vizsla tends to be taller, and heavier, with a denser coat.
The now-extinct Turkish Yellow Dog and the Transylvanian Hound.
A male Weimaraner will stand 25 to 27 inches tall and weigh 70 to 90 pounds, while a male Vizsla will be 22 to 24 inches and weigh 55 to 60 pounds.
Conclusion for “American Vizsla vs Hungarian Vizsla”
And there you have it. We’ve covered the nuances between the American Vizsla vs Hungarian Vizsla in this comprehensive article. We hope that by now the differences between American and Hungarian Vizslas are clear.
For more breed comparisons like this guide between the American Vizsla and Hungarian Vizsla, you can check out:
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You can learn more about the Vizsla dog breed by watching “Should You Get a Vizsla?” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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