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A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.

To view photos of this breed please visit the Kennel Club Picture Library

General Appearance
Medium-sized, of distinguished appearance, robust and medium boned.

Characteristics
Lively, intelligent, obedient, sensitive, very affectionate and easily trained. Bred for hunting fur and feather, pointing and retrieving from land and water.

Temperament
Lively, gentle-mannered and demonstratively affectionate, fearless and with well developed protective instinct.

Head and Skull
Head lean and noble. Skull moderately wide between ears with median line down forehead and a moderate stop. Skull a little longer than muzzle. Muzzle, although tapering, well squared at the end. Nostrils well developed, broad and wide. Jaws strong and powerful. Lips covering jaws completely and neither loose nor pendulous. Nose brown.

Eyes
Neither deep nor prominent, of medium size, a shade darker in colour than coat. Slightly oval in shape, eyelids fitting tightly. Yellow or black eye undesirable.

Ears
Moderately low set, proportionately long with a thin skin and hanging down close to cheeks. Rounded ‘V’ shape; not fleshy.

Mouth
Sound and strong white teeth. Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Full dentition desirable.

Neck
Strong, smooth and muscular; moderately long, arched and devoid of dewlap.

Forequarters
Shoulders well laid and muscular, elbows close to body and straight, forearm long, pasterns upright.

Body
Back level, short, well muscled, withers high. Chest moderately broad and deep with prominent breast bone. Distance from withers to lowest part of chest equal to distance from chest to ground. Ribs well sprung and belly with a slight tuck-up beneath loin. Croup well muscled.

Hindquarters
Straight when viewed from rear, thighs well developed with moderate angulation, hocks well let down.

Feet
Rounded with toes short, arched and tight. Cat-like foot is required, hare foot undesirable. Nails short, strong and a shade darker in colour than coat.

Tail
Previously customarily docked.
Docked: Customarily docked by one third of length. Moderately thick, rather low set. When moving carried horizontally.
Undocked: Rather low set. Moderately thick, slightly curved. Tapering towards the end, reaching to hocks. When moving carried horizontally.

Gait/Movement
Graceful, elegant with a lively trot and ground-covering gallop.

Coat
Short, straight, dense, smooth and shiny, feeling greasy to the touch.

Colour
Russet gold, small white marks on chest and feet, though acceptable, undesirable.

Size
Height at withers: dogs: 57-64 cms (221/2-25 ins); bitches: 53-60 cms (21-2311/2 ins). Weight: 20-30 kgs (44-66 lbs).

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - January 2009

Glossary of Canine Terms

Some links to health information and resources that may be relevant to this breed:

Veterinary screening schemes - The Kennel Club operates these with the British Veterinary Association.

DNA screening schemes - detect disease-causing mutations in a number of breeds.

Current Accredited Breeder Scheme health screening requirements and recommendations - for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by a Kennel Club Accredited Breeder.

Breed Watch - a tool aimed at dog show judges and exhibitors to highlight and tackle any current concerns in a breed

Health Test results Finder Tool - access results of any official KC health testing scheme for Kennel Club registered dogs

2004 Purebred Dog Health Survey Results - Individual summaries are available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

• HUNGARIAN VIZSLA CLUB. Sec. Mrs M Robertson . Tel No: 020 8399 8837
• HUNGARIAN VIZSLA SOCIETY. Sec: Mrs C Fisher. Tel No: 01582 629036
• HUNGARIAN WIREHAIRED VIZSLA ASSOC. Sec (Acting). Mrs Rachel Thompson. Tel No: 01530 812293.

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Gundog Group 

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