About

Breed information

 

Length range  : 74-86 cm

Height range  : 53-64cm

Weight range : 18-29kg

Coat : dense wiry weather-resistant coat|water-repellent outer coat|undercoat present|pronounced eyebrows|harsh beard

Life expectancy years : 12-14

Colors: golden rust|golden sand|russet to golden sand.

Activitity Level : High

Origin: Hungary

Similar Breeds : Vizsla|German Wirehaired Pointer|Weimaraner

 

History

The breed was developed in Hungary in the 1930s by hunters and falconers who crossed Vizslas with German Wirehaired Pointers to create a sturdier hunting dog able to handle harsh winter conditions in field , forest , and water.

 

 

characteristics

Temperament

calm indoors with enough exercise|gentle|loving|intelligent|confident|lively|determined

Personality

affectionate|loyal|sensitive|smart|gentle|people-oriented|energetic|enthusiastic

Needs

daily vigorous exercise|mental stimulation|close companionship|secure fenced area or leash|regular brushing|ear care after water exposure

Social Needs

very attached to owner|gentle with children|may struggle with long separations|can chase smaller pets unless managed and socialized

Grooming 

Brush a few times each week to reduce shedding and remove debris and consider coat stripping if needed to maintain texture. Trim shaggy eyebrows if they irritate the eyes and clean ears after swimming or bathing to help reduce moisture-related ear problems.

Nutrition

Feed a complete and balanced AAFCO-compliant diet matched to life stage and activity level. Adults often do well on two meals daily while puppies may need three meals. Work with a veterinarian on portions and use condition-specific diets if urinary stone risk or other health issues arise.

 

Breed Standard

sturdy versatile hunting dog|robust and lean build|dense wiry weather-resistant coat|pronounced eyebrows and beard|pointer and retriever on land and water

Did you know?

The breed was created in Hungary in the 1930s to be a sturdier all-weather hunting companion and is often noted as capable on both land and water. Despite its working roots it can also serve as a gentle family dog or therapy dog when exercise and companionship needs are met.

HEALTHCARE

Most Common / iconic illnesses 

Canine Hip Dysplasia, Hyperuricosuria, Sebaceous Adenitis, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Hypothyroidism

 

Symptoms

1. Bunny-hopping gait
2. Difficulty or stiffness when rising
3. Reluctance to climb stairs , jump or run
4. Hind-limb muscle loss
5. Hip pain or limping may occur.

1. Frequent attempts to urinate
2. Straining to urinate
3. Blood in the urine
4. Dribbling urine
5. Abdominal pain or urinary blockage may occur.

1. Dry silvery scales
2. Patchy hair loss
3. Brittle or dull coat texture
4. Musty skin odor
5. Itching , crusts or secondary skin infection may occur.

1. Night blindness
2. Hesitation in dim light
3. Dilated pupils
4. Increased eye shine or tapetal reflection
5. Progressive daytime vision loss may occur.

1. Lethargy
2. Weight gain
3. Mental dullness
4. Symmetrical non-itchy hair loss
5. Dry coat , cold intolerance or recurrent skin and ear infections may occur.

Onset of symptoms

 

Canine Hip Dysplasia

Signs can appear during rapid growth from about 4 to 12 months or later in life as osteoarthritis develops.

Probability Of Onset:

High breed-specific risk is described in the supplied breed-matched text and hip and elbow screening are commonly emphasized for this breed.

Hyperuricosuria

It typically appears in young to middle-aged adults and is often noted between 2 and 6 years of age.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate to high breed-specific risk is described and the breed is specifically listed for HUU testing.

Sebaceous Adenitis

It most often presents in young adult to middle-aged dogs and is commonly noted between 1 and 5 years of age.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate breed-specific risk is described and Vizslas are listed among predisposed breeds.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

It usually develops in young adulthood to middle age and is often noted between 3 and 6 years of age depending on the genetic line.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate risk is described and breed-level eye screening is repeatedly advised in supplied breed guidance.

Hypothyroidism

It is most common in middle-aged dogs and is often recognized between 3 and 8 years of age.

Probability Of Onset:

Moderate risk is described in the supplied breed-matched text although the Merck source discusses the disorder more generally than by breed.

Reasons

Canine Hip Dysplasia       

 Normal hip joint stability is lacking because the coxofemoral joint forms incorrectly and becomes lax. Cartilage protection may then be lost over time and osteoarthritis can develop. No single chemical deficiency is identified as the direct cause in the supplied texts. Rapid growth , excess calories and improper calcium balance can worsen vulnerability in predisposed dogs.

 

Sebaceous Adenitis:

Protective sebum is lacking because sebaceous glands are attacked and destroyed by an immune-mediated process. This leaves the hair follicles and skin barrier without normal moisturizing lipids. The coat can become brittle and scaling can increase. Secondary infection may become more likely when the barrier is compromised.

 

Canine Hip Dysplasia       

 Normal hip joint stability is lacking because the coxofemoral joint forms incorrectly and becomes lax. Cartilage protection may then be lost over time and osteoarthritis can develop. No single chemical deficiency is identified as the direct cause in the supplied texts. Rapid growth , excess calories and improper calcium balance can worsen vulnerability in predisposed dogs.

Sebaceous Adenitis:

Protective sebum is lacking because sebaceous glands are attacked and destroyed by an immune-mediated process. This leaves the hair follicles and skin barrier without normal moisturizing lipids. The coat can become brittle and scaling can increase. Secondary infection may become more likely when the barrier is compromised.

 

Hyperuricosuria

 Effective urate transport is lacking because the SLC2A9 mutation disrupts normal handling of uric acid. The supplied text also describes failure to properly convert purine waste toward normal allantoin-dominant excretion in affected dogs. This leaves excess uric acid in the urine. The high uric acid environment can promote bladder or kidney stone formation and urinary obstruction.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Functional retinal photoreceptor cells are progressively lacking because rods and cones degenerate over time. Rod support for night vision is lost first in true PRA and cones are affected later. No nutrient deficiency is identified as the direct cause because inherited retinal degeneration is the core problem. Progressive cellular loss can culminate in complete blindness.

Hypothyroidism

  1. Thyroid hormones are lacking because the thyroid gland is progressively destroyed in primary hypothyroidism , often through lymphocytic thyroiditis. More than 95 percent of canine clinical cases arise from thyroid gland destruction itself. The lack of thyroid hormone slows metabolism throughout the body. This can contribute to lethargy , weight gain and coat change.

Normally Treament Methods

Canine Hip Dysplasia:

  1. Management may include weight control , controlled low-impact exercise , NSAIDs , physical rehabilitation and sometimes surgery such as total hip replacement or femoral head ostectomy. Early imaging and breeding-screen decisions may be advised and affected dogs should not be bred.

 

Hyperuricosuria:

  1. Management may include a special or low-purine diet , urinary alkalization and medications explicitly named in the supplied text such as allopurinol. Obstructing stones may require urohydropropulsion or surgical removal and inability to urinate is an emergency.

 

Sebaceous Adenitis

  1. Long-term care may involve topical shampoos , sprays , mousses , oil baths and medications such as cyclosporine. Oral antibiotics may be needed for secondary infection and treatment may need to continue for life.

 

Progressive Retinal Atrophy:

  1. No approved cure is available and management may focus on safety , environmental adaptation , verbal cue training before vision loss progresses and regular ophthalmic evaluation. DNA testing and affected breeding lines are not recommended for breeding.

 

Hypothyroidism:

  1. Diagnosis may rely on clinical signs with thyroid testing that includes T4 , free T4 and TSH rather than T4 alone. Lifelong daily oral levothyroxine may be used with periodic monitoring and an incorrect diagnosis is not recommended to be assumed from low T4 alone. Ask professional vets for detailed information.

 

Supplements

Canine Hip Dysplasia :

  • 1. Glucosamine hydrochloride can,might be helpful for cartilage support.
    2. Chondroitin sulfate can,might be helpful for joint support.
    3. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA can,might be helpful for inflammation support.
    4. Green-lipped mussel extract can,might be helpful for joint comfort support.
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Hyperuricosuria

  • 1. Potassium citrate can,might be helpful for urinary alkalization support.
    2. Omega-3 fatty acids can,might be helpful for urinary tract inflammation support.
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Sebaceous Adenitis

  • 1. Omega-3 fatty acids can,might be helpful for skin barrier support.
    2. Omega-6 fatty acids can,might be helpful for epidermal lipid support.
    3. Vitamin A can,might be helpful for skin support.
    4. Vitamin E can,might be helpful for skin support.
    5. Evening primrose oil can,might be helpful for coat and barrier support.
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Progressive Retinal Atrophy

  • 1. Antioxidant supplements with lutein can,might be helpful for retinal support.
    2. Zeaxanthin can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support.
    3. Vitamin A can,might be helpful for retinal cellular support.
    4. Vitamin E can,might be helpful for ocular antioxidant support.
    5. Coenzyme Q10 can,might be helpful for retinal cellular support.
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Hypothyroidism

  • 1. Omega-3 fatty acids can,might be helpful for dermal support alongside medical therapy.
    2. Omega-6 fatty acids can,might be helpful for coat quality support alongside medical therapy.
    3. Zinc can,might be helpful for skin support alongside medical therapy.
    4. B-complex vitamins can,might be helpful for coat support alongside medical therapy.
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