OFFICIAL CANADIAN KENNEL CLUB BREED STANDARD
FOR THE VIZSLA (WIRE-HAIRED)

Origin and Purpose: The Vizsla (Wire-Haired) is of Hungarian origin, formed by the crossing of the Vizsla and the German coarse-haired Setter. In Hungary it was used for general-purpose hunting, but excelled as a pointer. Its keen nose and excellent swimming characteristics have brought it wide acclaim.

General Appearance: The Vizsla (Wire-Haired) is a medium-sized, all-purpose hunting dog bred to work both fur and feather. It is a noble dog, strong in bone and well-muscled. Its tough wiry coat is dark yellow in colour. This breed is characterized by a lively and intelligent expression.

Temperament: The Vizsla (Wire-Haired) is a sensible and docile dog, responding well to training, being sensitive to correction. Its keen nose allows it to be an enthusiastic worker in all weather.

Size: The allowable heights for Vizsla (Wire-Haired) when measured at the withers are males, 22 2 - 25 in. (57-64 cm); females 21-23 2 in. (53-60 cm). Dogs and bitches or good bone and substance should weigh between 48.5 and 66 lb. (22 - 30 kg). The length of body from withers to tail-set should equal the height from withers to ground.

Coat and Colour: The skin should fit the dog closely, showing no wrinkles or folds. The outer coat should be coarse and hard, about 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 inches (3-4 cm) in length on the neck and body. It is shorter and smoother on the legs forming a slight brush along the back of the forelegs and down to the hock on the hind legs. In winter, the body and neck should have an undercoat. Hair on the muzzle and skull is short and coarse but smooth lying with the exception of the beard which is about 3/4 in. (2 cm) in length; the eyebrows are prominent and bushy. The tail is densely covered with short, hard hair showing a slight fringe along the bottom. The colour is a dark sandy-yellow and should be even throughout, showing no marks.

Head: The skull is of good width and is slightly arched showing a shallow furrow rising from between the eyes toward a moderately prominent occiput. The supra-orbital ridges are of medium development showing a moderate stop. The muzzle is strong with a straight nasal bone meeting the skull at a 30-35 degree angle. It is slightly shorter in length than the skull and never snipey but rather blunt in appearance. Lips and flews are dry and not hanging. The mouth should close cleanly. The lips are brown in colour. The nose is well developed and broad with wide open nostrils and brown in colour. The teeth are strong and well developed and meet in a scissors bite. The ears are set approximately halfway between the top of the skull and the level of the eye. They should be of good length reaching : of the way to the nose, with thin leathers and hanging straight down in a rounded V. The eyes are not deep set nor protruding. The eye rim should be close fitting, showing neither white nor haw. The colour should always be a shade darker than the coat colour, but never black or staring. Eye rims are brown in colour.

Neck: The neck is of medium length, muscular and dry, showing a moderate arch.

Forequarters: The shoulders are well muscled, showing good layback and must fit closely to the body. Elbows should be close fitting and straight, neither turning in nor out. The upper arm should equal the shoulder blade in length, the lower arm is strong and of good bone, the pastern is short and strong. Feet are round and tight with a good depth of pad. Nails are short and strong, darker than the coat in colour. Dewclaws are considered to be a fault.

Body: Chest is of medium width, prominent, and well muscled. It should have good depth and carry well back under the dog with medium spring of rib. The withers are prominent, sloping into a short level muscular back. The loin is strong, of medium length, and showing a slight tuck-up. The croup slopes slightly into the set on of tail.

Hindquarters: The hindquarters do not exhibit extreme angulation, the stifle joint having an angle of approximately 110 degrees. Hocks are well let down. Feet are tight with deep, resilient pads.

Tail: The tail is of moderate thickness and docked to 2/3 of its original length.

Gait: The gait should be brisk and smooth, indicative of sound conformation. The tail should be carried horizontally when the dog is in action. When coming and going the legs should move neither in nor out.

Faults: A soft, silky or curly coat or hair longer than 1 3/4 in. (4 cm) is considered a fault. Woolly hair on the head is a considered a fault. Parting of the coat along the spine is considered a serious fault. Gay tail. Dewclaws.

Disqualifications: More than 1/2 inch (1 cm) over or under the correct size range. Mixed colours, white feet, white mark on chest exceeding 2 in. (5 cm). Cream or brown colour. Spotted or black nose. Drooping eyelids, showing haw. Pendant flews. Long coat. Undershot or overshot more than 2 millimetres.

Place your mouse over the photos below and doubleclick to view a larger version of the photos below.   Press the "Back" button on your browser to return to this page.    The photo at the top of the page and the first two (from the left) shown below appear on Hungarian postcards and are from Borostyanko Kennels, in Hungary.    The photo, second from the right (below) is part of a fold-out postcard showing all the Hungarian breeds.  The photo on the far right below comes from a Hungarian booklet on the wirehaired breed.