Wirehaired Vizsla

The breed was created in Hungary in the 1930s. Sportsmen wanted a gundog with the Vizsla's colour, nose and biddability but a coat that could stand up to cold water and thorn cover during winter shooting. Two breeders, Vasas Jozsef and Gresznarik Laszlo, are generally credited with the foundation work, breeding Vizslas to German Wire-haired Pointers and selecting hard for a harsh coat that kept the correct golden-rust shade.

The first litters that bred true appeared before the Second World War, and the war then nearly destroyed the young population along with much of Hungarian dog breeding. Recovery in the 1950s drew on the surviving stock and, according to some accounts, on limited outcrosses to other wire-coated pointing breeds before the type was fixed again.

International recognition followed steadily: the Fédération Cynologique Internationale accepted the Hungarian Wire-haired Vizsla as a distinct breed in 1963, the Canadian Kennel Club in 1977, and the American Kennel Club granted full recognition in the Sporting Group in 2014. It remains a comparatively rare breed outside Hungary, and most breeders continue to select for working ability rather than for show alone.

This is a medium to large gundog of moderate, workmanlike build: males stand roughly 23 to 25 inches at the withers and females about 21 to 24, with most adults weighing between 45 and 65 pounds. The frame is a little heavier and more substantial than the smooth Vizsla's, with good bone and a deep chest, built for a long day rather than a sprint.

The coat is the defining feature. It is close-lying, harsh and wiry, about an inch to an inch and a half long, over a dense water-repellent undercoat, and it should feel rough rather than soft or woolly. The head carries a pronounced beard and eyebrows that shield the eyes and muzzle in thorn cover. Colour is golden rust in shades from pale wheaten to a deeper russet, with the nose, eye rims, lips and even the eyes harmonising with the coat rather than contrasting; a small white mark on the chest or toes is tolerated. Ears are moderately long and hang close to the cheeks.

Wirehaired Vizslas are exceptionally attached to their people. They were bred to hunt in close partnership with one handler and they carry that into domestic life, following family members from room to room and settling in physical contact whenever allowed. Owners who want an independent dog that entertains itself in the garden will find this breed exhausting; owners who wanted a shadow will find it perfect.

The temperament is generally described as calm and gentle in the home and lively, eager and determined in the field. They are typically good with children they are raised with and sociable with other dogs, and although they will bark at an unfamiliar arrival, they are more likely to be reserved and watchful with strangers than genuinely protective.

The breed is sensitive and does not tolerate harsh treatment, shouting or heavy corrections well; a rough hand tends to produce a worried, hesitant dog rather than a compliant one. Separation is the other common difficulty. Left alone for long working days without preparation, many Wirehaired Vizslas become anxious, vocal or destructive, so building up independence gradually from puppyhood is important.

This is a true versatile gundog, expected to quarter ground, point game, track wounded game and retrieve from land and from water, including cold water and heavy reed. The wire coat and the beard exist for exactly that: working brambles, stubble and marsh in the Hungarian autumn and winter. Many are still hunted, and the breed does well in field trials, hunt tests and versatile hunting dog testing schemes.

As a companion, it suits an outdoor, active household: hikers, runners, cyclists and people who compete in agility, obedience, canicross or scent work. It fits best in a home with a garden and someone around for much of the day. It is a poor match for an apartment with limited exercise or for a household where the dog would routinely be alone from morning to evening.