Each month we will be shining a light on different dog breeds in our series, Dog Breed of the Month. Next up, we look at intelligent and energetic Hungarian Vizslas. Keep reading for everything you need to know...
"Hungarian Vizslas can make a magnificent companion for owners who enjoy an active lifestyle," Bill Lambert, a spokesperson for The Kennel Club, says. "They are a highly intellectual and energetic breed so need plenty of mental and physical stimulation."
What were Hungarian Vizslas originally bred for?
It's thought that Hungarian Vizslas descend from hunting dogs used by the Magyars, who settled Hungary more than a thousand years ago. Commonly known as Hungarian Pointers, these loyal and lively pups were saved by refugees after nearly going extinct in the war.
Bill tells us: "The Hungarian Vizsla traditionally worked in falconry on the central plains of Hungary, with evidence suggesting their skills may have been utilised as early as the 14th century! The breed nearly went extinct during the World Wars, however, travelling refugees from Hungary took their dogs with them meaning the breed continues to thrive today."
Are Hungarian Vizslas good pets?
Yes, Hungarian Vizslas are social and friendly dogs, known for forming strong bonds with their owners. In fact, they often suffer with separation anxiety if they are left alone as they love human attention so much and have earned the nickname 'Velcro dogs' because they like to stick close to their owners.
"Having a lively and very affectionate character, Vizslas make a spirited canine companion who love active play - making them a good option for families with energetic children," Bill continues. "Due to their history of various physical activities, they do require lots of exercise (over two hours a day), stimulation and a larger garden and living space."
What are the characteristics of Hungarian Vizslas?
According to the Kennel Club, Vizslas tend to be highly intelligent, obedient and affectionate, making them a wonderful companion who can be easily trained in the right environment. As well as this, they have an above-average learning ability and a strong desire to be with people.
What canine activities do Hungarian Vizslas excel at?
"The breed's combination of athleticism and willingness to learn makes them ideal for activities such as agility, field trials and obedience," Bill tells CL. "The Hungarian Vizslas natural elegance means they also can excel in the show ring, and the breed took home the prestigious 'Best in Show' title at Crufts in 2010!"
Other things Hungarian Vizslas are good at include:
- Hunting and field work
- Outdoor adventuring
- Scent detection
- Service dog
- In the show ring
- As a competition dog for agility, obedience or tracking
7 lesser-known facts about Hungarian Vizslas
Other things Hungarian Vizsla owners should know include:
- They are born with blue eyes
- Their elegant coat is naturally smooth and their nails are short, so they only require grooming once a week
- They are medium sized dog, usually at 57-64cm for male dogs, and 53-60 cm for female
- They are recognisable by their distinctive russet gold coat
- Hungarian Vizslas are incredibly fast, with some studies saying they can reach up to 40mph
- They're incredibly intelligent pups
- Despite being bred for hunting, Hungarian Vizslas are incredibly clean dogs
12 dog toy boxes to keep your pet’s toys neat and tidy
This large wooden crate is perfect for storing larger toys or a whole host of smaller ones. We think the paw shaped cutout design adds a nice decorative touch, making this an ideal option to keep on display. Our pick is the brown version, but it also comes in a more minimal grey hue if you prefer. For dinky-sized dogs try the smaller size, which has adequate storage space, too.
This simple toy basket can be personalised with the name of your pooch with three sizes and two colours to choose from. Crafted from cotton, it features sturdy rope handles so you can move it around easily. We think it would make a thoughtful gift for a dog owner, too.
We love a good jute storage basket for storing a whole range of different things in our home, so of course we had to include a jute dog toy storage option.
Available in grey, brown or blue colourways, this fun linen storage box will save you from tripping over your dog's toys or belongings. It's also fantastic for storing rolled up pet blankets as it will slot neatly onto most shelves. It’s also a great space-saving option as it’s fully collapsible so you can fold it down and pack away if needed.
This toy organiser box will allow you to store all of your dog’s favourite games in one place. Handmade from pine wood, it’s a super stylish storage solution to keep your pups toys tucked away neatly. We think this will look great everywhere, but particularly in rustic-inspired interior schemes.
We're big fans of this bone shaped storage basket from Next. The rattan material suits a range of different interior styles.
This simple cotton bag is made of a durable canvas and is a brilliant option for puppies or smaller dogs, whose toys tend to be a little bit smaller.
If you're looking for a personalised option, we love this wooden crate from Not On The High Street. You can choose to add two different lines of text and, if you're shopping for a cat as well as a dog, you can change the bone engraving to a fish logo.
Support a small local business with this handmade seagrass dog toy basket from Etsy. We love the neutral colours.
This shabby chic wooden dog toy storage box would look great in beachy or minimalist decors. It also comes in three sizes: small, medium and large.
This canvas toy basket is ideal for storing some of their most loved stuffed animals and squeaker toys. We like the forest green shade of this particular basket.
With lots of 5 star reviews, this sturdy cotton rope storage basket is machine washable and would work in a variety of different rooms in your home.
