Appearance

The Vizsla is a muscular, sleek hunting dog with an attractive short, rust-colored coat. The head of the Vizsla is chiseled and often described as aristocratic, with only a moderate stop. The square muzzle ends in a brown nose and the teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The eyes of the Vizsla are alert and expressive, and should compliment the color of the coat. The ears are pendant with round tips and are long, thin and silky to the touch. The tail is customarily docked to 2/3 length.

Size and Weight

Adult males should ideally stand from 22 to 24 inches at the shoulder and females should stand 21 to 23 inches. Show dogs who stray more than 1.5 inches in either direction are disqualified. They can weigh from 45 to 65 pounds. There is no weight standard, but the dog should be in proper proportion.

Coat and Color

Vizslas wear a short, smooth coat that comes in various shades of rust. Some breeders sell dogs with wooly coats in colors such as red or pale yellow, that stray from breed standards. This is the result of indiscriminate breeding and potential owners should be cautioned that responsible breeders stick as closely to standards as possible.

Grooming Needs

Vizslas are very easy to groom. They do not emit a dog odor, which means baths are only required when absolutely necessary. Weekly brushing will keep the coat healthy and shiny, and many owners take this opportunity to use a dry shampoo or to rub the dog down with a damp cloth, to make baths almost unnecessary.

Check the ears on a weekly basis for signs of infection, irritation, or wax build up. Cleanse regularly with a veterinarian-approved cleanser and cotton ball. Brush the teeth at least once per week to prevent tartar buildup and fight gum disease. Additionally, nails should be trimmed once per month if the dog does not wear the toenails down naturally.