The Versatile Wirehaired Vizsla

Featured photo: “Nemes” is currently the most-AKC-titled – GCH CH Zoldmali Eclipse Hungarian Aristocrat VCD1 UTPz1 VGP BN RA MH MX MXS MXJ MJB MXP2 MJP2 MJPB MXF T2B ACT1 CGC TKA

The Versatile Wirehaired Vizsla

Originating in Hungary, the Wirehaired Vizsla was developed by hunters and falconers who desired a sturdy, versatile hunting dog able to withstand harsh winters in the field, forest, and water. The original desire for the development of the Wirehaired Vizsla was an all-purpose hunting dog for the walking hunter or falconer. They were not bred to race across open fields. These hunters needed a dog that could methodically cover an open field, push through dense groundcover, and swim through ice-covered water to retrieve a 15-pound flailing goose.

For these hunting partners, the Wirehaired Vizsla was the “meat dog;” the dog that brought to the table whatever they came across on a hunt. In addition to birds, Wires are also good trackers for larger game. When they came home from a hunt, Wirehaired Vizslas were also vermin eradicators and watchdogs. Because of the broad demands on this breed, they have varying qualities that make them open to anything you want to train them to do. With their keen desire to be with their family, the Wirehaired Vizsla is an eager learner for softer-handed, more patient trainers.

Wirehaired Vizslas in the United States have proven themselves as top-notch hunting dogs, winning many titles in AKC Hunt Tests and AKC Retriever Tests, and they are Versatile Champions with the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association. Their excellent nose has made it possible for many Wirehaired Vizslas to acquire titles in Scent Work and Tracking, as well as Search and Rescue titles. Their background in vermin eradication works very well in Barn Hunt, Fast CAT, and Lure Coursing.

With their natural retrieving ability and love of water, Dock Diving events are also a popular choice for Wires. Earning Trick Dog titles comes easily to this breed and can often provide them with the mental exercise their intelligence thrives upon. This is a breed that needs a job! The Wirehaired Vizsla feels that the best job in the world is to be with their people. Training for Obedience, Rally, and Agility makes the bond with this Velcro breed even stronger. This teamwork shows in all of the teams awarded Master titles in Agility, Rally Champion titles, and Obedience titles.

The Wirehaired Vizsla is what AKC considers a low-entry breed, meaning there are very few of them shown in Conformation classes across the country. This can make it easier to finish your dog to a championship because of the low number of dogs competing to acquire the points needed, but it can also be harder to find shows that have sufficient competition. With that said, the breed has a respectable number of recorded Champions, multiple Grand Champions and Grand Champion Bronze, and a few Grand Champion Silver and Grand Champion Gold.

The Wirehaired Vizsla is a wonderful family dog—loyal, loving, and somewhat clingy. Because they have been bred to be an alert dog at the homestead, some of them can be aloof or even not trusting of strangers. The Wirehaired Vizsla is a breed that needs constant socialization to show them that new people and places are not something they need to protect us from. They are a very talkative breed that likes to have the last word. Couple that with their digging skills and going after whatever is in the yard, they can sometimes be a challenge for a family that hasn’t raised a very active dog before. They not only need physical exercise but also mental exercise, because a bored Wire is going to find something to occupy themselves with.

The Wirehaired Vizsla is a very versatile hunting dog, and because of their background as a hunter of feather and fur, family companion, and watchdog of the home, this is a dog that can play in many of the Performance and Companion events offered in dog sports today.