Wirehaired Vizsla was developed in the early 1900s by Vizsla breeders and fanciers who wanted a breed with all the attributes of the Hungarian Vizsla but with a coat that would help the dogs withstand rough field conditions and cold weather. Initially, the red, shorthaired Vizsla was crossed with a brown Wirehaired Pointer, but it is believed that throughout the years, as the breed developed, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, Pudelpointers, and Irish Setters may have been added to the mix.
The Wirehaired Vizsla dogs are medium-sized, more heavily boned than a Vizsla, and stand from 21 to 25 inches tall with weight in proportion to height. The head is moderately wide, eyes are oval, and eye color matches the coat. The ears are dropped. The body is slightly longer than the dog is tall and is well-muscled. The tail may be docked by one-quarter its length. The coat is wiry, dense, and can be any shade of russet red. This coarse coat needs weekly brushing to keep it clean. Hand-stripping is needed occasionally to pull out dead coat.
The Wirehaired Vizsla is an active dog bred to hunt in tough terrain and in all weather conditions. He needs vigorous daily exercise to keep him happy and to prevent potential problem behaviors that can arise out of boredom. He can run, swim, hunt, play ball, or train on the agility course. As a hunting dog, the Wirehaired Vizsla dog breed is persistent and stubborn; he simply does not give up. Although these traits are wonderful in hunters, they can make life tough for pet owners. Because of this, training these dogs is not always easy, even though they are affectionate and intelligent.
This breed does best in a home where he can hunt regularly or, if that isn’t possible, where the owner wishes to train the dog in a canine sport. The Wirehaired Vizsla is too driven to be a good backyard pet. These dogs are good with children, although puppies may be rowdy. The primary health concern is hip dysplasia.