Hungarian Vizsla vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Hungarian Vizsla is originated from Hungary but English Water Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom. Hungarian Vizsla may grow 13 cm / 6 inches higher than English Water Spaniel. Hungarian Vizsla may weigh 10 kg / 23 pounds more than English Water Spaniel. Hungarian Vizsla may live 4 years less than English Water Spaniel. Both Hungarian Vizsla and English Water Spaniel has same litter size. Both Hungarian Vizsla and English Water Spaniel requires Low maintenance.

History

hungarian vizsla - historyThe Hungarian Vizslas existed in the land that is now Hungary, the Pannonian Basin, at least since the 10th century when they were shown on etchings. It is thought that their descendants were various pointers, the extinct Turkish Yellow Dog and the Transylvanian Hound. The Vizsla is a hunting dog with the word being Hungarian for pointer. In 1937 the Carmelite Friars under orders from King Louis I of Hungry. The breed was isolated for centuries in the Basin by the aristocracy and land owners.

The Magyar people of the area developed the breed for hunting as both pointers and retrievers. They were excellent at hunting rabbits and water fowl. With a terrific sense of smell and boundless stamina and energy, the were prized as family and companion dogs as well. This was unusual for a hunting or working dog. Their size made them appealing as well. They were small by comparison to other hunting dogs both pointers and retrievers.

Easy to train, the Hungarian Vizsla works in water, forests and fields. They are able to retrieve in the water as well as on the land. Throughout their history, the breed outlasted the Turkish Revolution, the Hungarian Revolution World War 1 and World War 2, as well as the Hungarian People’s Republic Communist State. Things were a little dicey for the Vizlas several times beginning in the 1800’s when German Shorthaired Pointers and English Pointers were introduced into the area. The next time was after World War II. Fearful of what this Communist state would mean for the breed, some were smuggled into the United States and Austria.

At that time there were only a dozen or so Vizslas in all of Hungary. Their numbers were brought back from that small breeding stock. This history did result in several different strains grew into their own breeding stock. There are Vizslas in Czechoslovakia, Romania, Serbia and Austria. There developed separate lines that became separate breeds in the Wirehaired Vizsla and the longhaired Vizsla which is very rare.

After World War II, the Hungarian Vizsla came to the United States and the Vizsla Club of American was established as a first step toward AKC (American Kennel Club) recognition. This was attained in 1960. Rex del Geisimino came to the U.S. in 1951 and he was able to respond to commands in both German and Hungarian. Vizslas also came to the United Kingdom in this time frame. There are now about 4500 registered with the KC (Kennel Club of Great Britain). A Vizsla won the distinctive Crufts Dog Show in Great Britain, as Best in Show.

It is believed that this gentle, sensitive and affectionate hunter was part of the original breeding stock or the Wirehaired Vizsla, the Weimaraner and the German Shorthaired Pointers. The Hungarian Vizsla is intelligent and social. The need your attention as well as a lot of exercise to avoid destructive behavior born of boredom. They want to be with you and they can be very protective of you.

The English Water Spaniel breed is extinct and has been since the early 1900’s. It was last seen in the 1930s. The breed was a hunting breed, diving for duck and hunting other waterfowl. Legend has it that Shakespeare was referring to this breed of dog in Macbeth when he refers to the “water rug”. Again, in Two Gentlemen of Verona one of the character states about another that “She hath more qualities than a water-spaniel.’

The English Water Spaniel came along before the Irish Water Spaniel and had a part in the development the Curly Coated Retriever, the American Water Spaniel and the Field Spaniel. The English Water Spaniel looks somewhat like a Poodle/Springer Spaniel cross or a Collie. It is not known whether the English Water Spaniel was part of the development of the Irish Water Spaniel.

When the English Water Spaniel was first developed the UKC had a “Water Spaniels other than Irish” and the English Water Spaniel had no standard written and accepted for it yet. But by 1967 the breed was extinct. Still the American Water Spaniel and the Flat Coated Retriever are believed to be descendants of the English Water Spaniel.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Sporting dog
Origin:
Hungary
United Kingdom
Height Male:
56 - 64 cm
22 - 26 inches
49 - 51 cm
19 - 21 inches
Height Female:
51 - 60 cm
20 - 24 inches
45 - 47 cm
17 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
20 - 30 kg
44 - 67 pounds
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 10 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 8
4 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Hungarian Vizsla Hungarian Pointer Magyar Vizsla
Water Dog, Water Rug
Colors Available:
solid golden-rust color in several shadings
liver and white
Coat:
short, smooth, dense
dense, waterproof, doublecoated
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Energetic, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective, Social
Affectionate, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Description

hungarian vizsla puppy - descriptionThe Hungarian Vizsla has a light build, a short coat, and a distinctive bearing. They are medium in size and muscular, lean dogs looking a lot like the Weimaraner. They are also close in appearance to the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Redbone Coonhounds. They are more muscular and leaner than the Rhodesian Ridgeback and Weimaraner.

The Vizsla has a reddish nose and their nails and eyes should also be reddish or blending with the color of their coat. They have docked tails in the American standard but not in the United Kingdom, as docking is banned there. If he has a tail, you can see it flying through the air as he runs through the rough land to retrieve fowl.

They have a domed skull with a tapered muzzle that is shorter or equal to the skull. They have eyes that are contrasted with the coat and of medium size. The ears of silky, hang close to the face and the tips are rounded. The coat is rust in color with many shades. He also has a deep chest and hound like face.

Resembling the Springer Spaniel, poodle, collie and setter the English Water Spaniel has very little in common with the Irish Water Spaniel in respect to looks. The English has a narrow and somewhat longer head their than other spaniels and they have long furry ears. Their body is stout, and they are shaped like a barrel – more like a Clumber. With long legs and large feet, it is ready to take to the hunt. There coat was waterproof, and their toes were webbed.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

hungarian vizsla dog - characteristicsChildren friendliness - The Vizsla is very good with children.

Special talents

Special talents - They are both excellent pointers and retrievers.

Adaptability

Adaptability - They are not very adaptable in living arrangements as they are much more suited for the country than the city.

Learning ability

Learning ability – The Vizsla is a very intelligent breed and easy to train. His learning ability is very high.

The English Water Spaniel was aloof with strangers but loyal with his hunter. He was a little stubborn and an excellent water dog. They loved being in the water and could enter it without making any noise so as not to frighten his prey. He was highly intelligent and trainable. He also was very affectionate with his people.

Health Problems

hungarian vizsla puppies - health problemsThe Hungarian Vizsla has a series of health issues that include:

  • Hip dysplasia – can cause arthritis or lameness.
  • Epilepsy – can be treated but not cured.
  • Cancer of various types – some treatable others fatal.
  • Sebaceous Adenitis – a skin disorder marked by inflammation. This only occurs in young adult dogs.
  • Ear Infections

The English Water Spaniel is a fairly healthy breed given to some fairly common disorders such as:

Hip Dysplasia

Can lead to lameness and arthritis

Cardiac abnormalities

Arterial fib and flutter and other problems that could lead to death.

Degenerative Myelopathy

This is a disease seem in several “Dwarf” breeds such as Corgis, as well as in many spaniels. This is the canine version of Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS and it is fatal.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

hungarian vizsla dogs - caringFeed two to four cups per day of a high quality dry dog food. Break this up into three or four meals. Don’t free feed your puppy.

Feeding the adult

Feed two to three cups per day of high quality dry dog food. Feed in two servings.

Points for Good Health

The Vizsla is an athlete with high energy.

Games and Exercises

The Hungarian Vizsla needs at least 30 minutes of exercise every day and maybe more. He needs a large yard or open field, but daily brisk walks will do if that is all that is possible. He needs to be stimulated intellectually as well and enjoys fetch, jogging with you, lure coursing, field trials, tracking and scent work, confirmation, agility, barn hunt, dock diving, rally, and obedience.

Feeding

The English Water Spaniel is not an overly energetic dog and has a tendency to over eat. Feed him 1 to 1.5 cups of high quality dry dog food over two meals each day.

Health issues

In addition to the health issues mentioned earlier, the English Water Spaniel is also prone to:

Baldness

Pattern baldness – is genetic and occurs on the neck and back of the hind legs.

Cataracts

English Water Spaniels can have these in old age like most other breeds.

Retinal Dysplasia

Clumps form in the retinal tissue and can lead to blindness

Exercise and games

The English Water Spaniel was a worker and an outdoor athlete at a time before organized canine games and activities such as agility and flyball. They loved to swim, and they loved to hunt. Without a job to do they could become barky and destructive.

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