Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla

Medium to large sized breed, distinguished appearance, with a more robust build and a stronger bone structure than the Hungarian Vizsla. The coat is an attractive russet to golden sand in colour, and should feel wiry, close-lying, coarse, and dense to the touch.

The Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla is a completely separate breed from its more commonly seen smooth-coated cousin, the Hungarian Vizsla, and was developed in the 1930s. A Hungarian Vizsla was crossed with a German Wirehaired Pointer, with the aim of producing a dog with the same traits as the Hungarian Vizsla, but with a heavier coat and a more substantial frame. This, it was hoped, would make him better suited for working in cold weather and retrieving from icy water and thick undergrowth.

The first Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla arrived in Australia in 2004. Thanks to the dedication of Fay Harris (Hanafor Kennels) the breed was recognised in Australia in 2007. Since then several additional dogs have been imported, and a number of litters born, but today there are still less than 100 Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas in Australia, making it a very rare breed.

Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas are used extensively in their native Hungary, as well as surrounding countries and the UK, in hunting and retrieving activities including falconry. They work equally well on land and in water, and have a reputation of being calm and steady workers. In Australia, examples of the breed have excelled at showing, Obedience, and Retrieving, and they are quickly becoming recognised as the truly versatile workers and wonderful companions that they are.

High energy, gentle-mannered, loyal, caring, and highly affectionate, Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas, or ‘Wires’ as they are affectionately known, are natural hunters, pointers, and retrievers. They are eager to learn, love the water, and thrive on interaction with their human family. A combination of intelligence and high energy can lead to them being destructive if they don’t receive enough regular mental and physical stimulation.

The Wirehaired Vizsla is something of a 'wash and wear' dog, requiring only minimal grooming to maintain them in good condition. Wiping them down with a damp cloth is usually sufficient in between baths. Using a grooming mitt or shedding knife on their coat during shedding season can help keep down the amount of hair they shed in your home.