VIZSLA (SMOOTH) - STANDARD
(Canadian Kennel Club Official Breed Standards)
Origin and Purpose
The Vizsla (pronounced as if spelled VIZH-LA) is of Hungarian origin,
where various records indicate its history as going back many centuries.
It was the companion hunting dog of the early warlords and landed
aristocracy who used it for general-purpose hunting. It was known in
Hungary as the “Yellow” Pointer. In North America it is used primarily
as an upland bird dog, where its excellent scenting and retrieving characteristics
have been widely acclaimed. It is a strong swimmer and also
retrieves well from water.
General Appearance
The Vizsla is a short-haired, medium sized sporting dog. It conveys the
impression of an alert, muscular, well-balanced animal with a distinctive
and aristocratic appearance.
Temperament
The Vizsla is intelligent, calm, obedient, and easy to train. It is a sensitive
dog which becomes attached to its owner and develops a strong but not
overly aggressive protective instinct. In the field, the Vizsla is an eager,
happy hunter which is at home on land and in the water.
Size
The standard size, measured at the withers, for the Vizsla is 23 inches (58
cm) for males, and 22 inches (56 cm) for females. A dog of good bone
and substance in this size range shall weigh from 50-65 lb. (22-29 kg). A
bitch weighs about 10 lb. (4.536 kg) less. The length to height ratio
should be approximately 1:1.
Coat and Colour
The hair of the Vizsla should be short and dense and should lie close to
the skin. Each hair should be thick and elastic and the coat should have
a glossy sheen.
The correct colour is a golden-rust, sometimes described as the golden
colour of a bread crust. In some strains slightly lighter or darker shades
may predominate. A white mark on the chest under 2 inches (5 cm)
diameter is permissible but not desirable.
Head
Skull should convey an impression of being lean and muscular, with a
median line down the forehead. The topline of the skull should be
straight. The skull tends to be comparatively narrow in relation to its
length, with that of the male being slightly wider. The occiput is slightly
visible. The stop should be slight and sloping rather than abrupt.
Muzzle: The muzzle should be approximately the same length as the
skull. It should narrow, end squarely, and have clean straight lines.
Mouth: The jaws should be strong, and well-developed teeth meeting in
a scissors or even bite. The lips should be smooth and well developed
and cover the teeth tightly. The lips extend in a level line 3/4 of the length
of the muzzle. Eyes: They should be almond shaped, bright and
intelligent in appearance . The colour is in harmony with, or darker than
the colour of the coat; they should be moderately deep set. The eyelids
close neatly and cleanly with no overlap. The nictitating membered
should not be overly exposed. Ears: The ears should be thin, silky and
moderately tapered with rounded ends. They should just meet under the
jaw, or reach to the corner of the mouth, but should not extend as far as
the canine teeth. They should be set about 1/2 inch (1 cm) below the
level of the skull and hang close to the cheeks.
Neck
The neck should be of medium length in proportion to the body, it must
be well muscled, with a definite arch at the nape and widened to blend
smoothly into the forequarters. The skin of the neck should be smooth
and tight.
Forequarters
Shoulders: The shoulder blade should be of medium length and must
be tightly held in place. The angle formed by the shoulder blade (scapula)
and the humerus should be approximately 90 degrees. The musculature
should be firm, smooth and clearly defined. Upper-arm (humerus): The
bone structure should be heavy, smooth and well covered by strong firm
muscles. The skin should be firm, pliable and smooth. The upper-arm
should be equal in length to the shoulder blade (scapula). Lower-arm
(radius and ulna): Strong big bones with good muscles. The legs should
be straight whether viewed from the front or side. The angle at the elbow
joint should be approximately 135 degrees. Pasterns: The angle that the
pastern makes with the lower leg should be nearly straight (about 175-
180 degrees). Paws: The paws should be cat-like with tightly closed toes
and big rough pads. The feet should be webbed. The nails should be
short, firm and well curved, and their colour should be similar to that of
the eyes, nose and coat. Dewclaws should be removed.
Body
Topline: The topline should be broad and smooth and is slightly arched
over the loin and croup to the base of the tail; there is a slight depression
at the juncture of the withers and the back. Chest: The chest should be
deep, reaching down to the elbows and moderately broad. A crosssection
of the chest is oval with well sprung ribs, narrowing between the
elbows to permit free easy leg movement. Width of the chest between
the forelegs is at least 6 inches (15 cm) for a male and 5 inches (13 cm)
for a bitch. Loin: It should be broad, strong and well muscled. Croup:
It should be heavily muscled and smoothly rounded to the base of the
tail. Abdomen: The abdomen should be trim and neat with a moderate
tuck-up.
Hindquarters
Hip bone (pelvis): This is the framework which forms the basic support
for the hind legs. These pelvic bones should be wide and strong. The
musculature attaching to these bones should be very well developed and
gives strength to the hindquarters. Upper thigh (femur): This bone
should be heavy, straight, round and smooth. Muscle attachments should
be very powerful, broad, and evenly distributed. The angle at the hip
joint should be 90 degrees. Lower thigh (tibia and fibula): Should be
well muscled. These bones should be longer than the femur. The angle
at the stifle joint should be from 110-120 degrees. Hocks: The angle at
the hock joint should be from 125-130 degrees. Paws: Same as the front.
Tail
The tail-set is lower than on the other continental pointing breeds. In
motion it is carried outstretched, at or above the horizontal level. A
portion is docked, approximately 1/3 so that the tip of the shortened tail
is level with the juncture of the upper and lower thigh. It should be
thicker at the base than at the tip.
Gait
Viewed from the front, the dog’s legs should appear to swing forward in
a free and easy manner, with no tendency for the feet to cross over or
swing wide. Viewed from the rear, the gait should be true-tracking. The
topline is level when dog is in motion, while the head is carried high and
the tail “flags” constantly at the proper level.
Faults:
1. Very nervous dogs should be heavily penalized.
2. Very dark or very light colour coat.
3. Hare feet.
4. Light yellow, green, blue or “Pop” eyes.
5. Throatiness.
6. Dogs 10 lb. (4.536 kg) over or under the standard weight.
7. Dewclaws not removed.
8. Roached, hollow or camel backs.
9. Too steep a croup.
10. Undershot or overshot bites.
Disqualifications:
1. A dog 2 inches (5 cm) or more over or under the standard height.
2. White markings over 2 inches (5 cm) on the chest or white
markings anywhere else other than the chest.
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