Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison

Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Keeshond - Breed ComparisonHungarian Wirehaired Vizsla is originated from Hungary but Keeshond is originated from Netherlands. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla may grow 16 cm / 7 inches higher than Keeshond. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla may weigh 32 kg / 71 pounds more than Keeshond. Both Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla and Keeshond has almost same life span. Both Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla and Keeshond has almost same litter size. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla requires Low maintenance. But Keeshond requires Moderate maintenance

History

hungarian wirehaired vizsla - historyIn the 1930’s some breeders noticed that the Hungarian Vizsla produced some dogs with more water, cold weather and ground cover protection because they had a much thicker coat than most of the breed. One breeder decided to cross one of these females with a German Wirehaired Pointer, thus producing the first Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla. There were now three types of Vizsla – the smooth coated, the longhaired, and the wirehaired. The longhaired is very rare and can be either smooth or wirehaired. It is also believed based on anecdotal evidence that the original Wirehaired Vizsla was also mixed with the Bloodhound, Pudelpointer, and Irish Setter during World War II. Many kennels started breeding the Wirehaired Vizsla at this time.

This rare longhaired is not recognized by any official club or organization while the smooth and the wired are recognized as two separate breeds. There are only a few longhaired Vizsla and they are only found in Europe. The Wirehaired Vizsla was recognized in 1986 by the FCI in Europe and in 2014 by the AKC (American Kennel Club).

Like their cousins the smooth Hungarian Vizsla, the wirehaired version is a natural hunter and easily trained. They are great retrievers as well as pointers in the water or on the land. Their wirehair coats offer them more protection than their smooth coated cousins. They love to swim and are very good at it and will even use your back yard pool if it is available to them.

The wirehaired Vizsla came to North America in the 1970’s and was recognized by the CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) in 1977, The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) by 1986 and in 2006 by the United Kennel Club (UKC). The Australian Nation Kennel Council offered recognition in 2007 prior to their entrance into the AKC Foundation Stock Service. They began showing the breed at AKC events in Performance and Companionship, prior to their full AKC recognition in 2014.

These gentle hunting dogs became great family dogs as they love children and just want to be with their people. Falconers have recently taken up the breed because their temperament is suited to this work as well. There are only about 400 to 450 Wirehaired Vizslas left in the United States and few thousand across the globe.

keeshond - historyKeeshond is the term used for German Spitzes and although many American references have it that the Keeshond originated in the Netherlands, some say the dog originated in Germany and is a member of the German Spitz family.

The Club for German Spitzes was founded in 1899. The Nederlandse Keeshond Club was formed in 1924. The Keeshond is also referred to as ‘The Smiling Dutchman’.

It was in the 17th and 18th centuries that the Keeshond was used greatly as a watchdog, appearing in England in the late 1800s, but after the turn of the 20th century, Mrs. Wingfield Digby of Dorset, England and Mrs. Alice Gatacre, a Dutch breed authority, living in England, stirred interest in the breed with their kennels.

An English breed Club was formed in 1926, and the first Keeshond was registered with The American Kennel Club in 1930.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Non sporting dog
Origin:
Hungary
Netherlands
Height Male:
57 - 64 cm
22 - 26 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Height Female:
52 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
45 - 50 kg
99 - 111 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Weight Female:
43 - 48 kg
94 - 106 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
3 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla • Hungarian Wire-haired Pointing Dog • Drotzoru Magyar Vizsla
German Spitz , Dutch Barge Dog, Smiling Dutchman
Colors Available:
russet to golden sand
silver, Grey, black and cream
Coat:
harsh, hard and loose fitting
Long, straight, coarse
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Responsive, Social
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

hungarian wirehaired vizsla puppy - descriptionVery much like his cousins, the Wirehaired Vizsla is a noble looking breed. He is lean and muscular with a noble head and moderate skull line. Their muzzle is just a little shorter than the skull and the end is squared. They have powerful jaws and a broad, wide nostrils. The nose is brown, and the eyes are slightly darker than the dog’s coat color.

Low set ears are long and hang near the cheeks. With a strong, long neck and muscular shoulders, the Wirehaired Vizsla certainly looks the part of a hunting dog. Her chest is a little deep and the breastbone is prominent. She has round paws with short nails. Of course, her coat is wiry and dense. The undercoat is water repellent. He has an intelligent and lively facial expression.

Their ears are long but proportionate to the head and body. Their upper teeth overlap the lower teeth. Finally, the tail is thick and usually 1/3 docked. The tail is mostly carried in a horizontal position while walking or running.

keeshond puppy - descriptionThe Keeshond is a medium-sized dog and a member of the Spitz group of dogs. He stands at 43 – 48cm in height and weighs 14 – 18kg.

He has a 2-layered, dense coat which is fairly long, straight and coarse and colors are grey, silver, black and cream. His undercoat is a very light cream color. He has erect ears, a fairly shop muzzle and a feathery, plumed tail which curves over his back.

The hair on his legs is fairly short accompanied with some feathering. A typical marking-feature of the Keeshond is the dark line which runs from the outer corner of each eye to the lower corner of each ear. It's what gives the dog his well known keeshond expression. The eyes of the dog are dark brown.

Temperament:

The Keeshond, just like other Spitz dogs, are playful, affectionate, friendly and eager to please. He is intelligent too and will respond well to training and socialization.

He makes a wonderful family pet as he is friendly and playful with children, loving all their games. He gets on well with other pets too. He is a social dog, thriving on being with his human family, wanting to participate in all family activities.

They are sensitive, loving pets and become very attached to their owners. They have even been used as comfort dogs in rescue situations, as they bond so well with people.

He makes a good watchdog too with his loud bark which he uses to deter intruders. He may well be a good watch- and guard dog but he isn't an aggressive dog.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

hungarian wirehaired vizsla dog - characteristicsVery good with children as long as he gets enough exercise.

Special talents

Very athletic

Adaptability

A puppy could live in an apartment in the city, but the adult dog needs a yard and is better off on a farm.

Learning ability

Very smart, very responsive, high learning ability.

keeshond dog - characteristicsThe Keeshond, with his thick double coat, loves to be outdoors in cool weather. He won't be there too long however, because he will be missing his human family. He is such a social dog, craving human company and therefore isn't a dog to be put out in the backyard and left day after day.

He loves games and being totally involved with his human family. Look after your Keeshond well – he is a companion dog - and you will find him to be a most exceptional friend of yours.

Health Problems

hungarian wirehaired vizsla puppies - health problemsMostly healthy but the Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla does have some inherited dispositions to:

  • Hip Dysplasia: can cause lameness and arthritis.
  • Dysphagia – Megaesophagus: Causes drooling, problems swallowing and muscle – entropy
  • Food allergies and intolerances
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Both Ectropium and Entropion: curling of eyebrows out and in.
  • Idiopathic Epilepsy : Unknown origin. Can cause seizures.

keeshond puppies - health problemsWith good food, fresh water, exercise and lots of interaction with your Keeshond, he can reach 12 to 14 years of age.

No matter how healthy your dog is, he can still get ill, but the chances are less likely when he is feed nutritionally. Nonetheless look out for hip dysplasia, bloat, ear infections, skin rashes and eye diseases.

Cataract:

This is a problem in the lens of the eye. Your dog has a cloudy look to the eye. A cataract can occur when the cells are damaged. A disease such as diabetes can also cause a cataract and high blood sugar levels can change the metabolism of the cells in the lens.

The lens should be crystal clear, but with a cataract, the vision of the dog is obscured. It can cause blindness. Thankfully, cataracts aren't painful and most times dogs with cataracts can still see. There is the option of surgery to remove them too.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

hungarian wirehaired vizsla dogs - caringFeed high quality food for medium to large breed puppies. Feed 3-4 time a day 1-2 cups.

Feeding the adult

Feed high quality food for adult medium to large dogs. Feed 2x a day 2-3 cups.

Points for Good Health

Great stamina and very athletic breed.

Games and Exercises

The Wirehaired Vizsla is a working dog and needs serious daily exercise. He will be full of energy and excitement if he doesn’t get enough mental and physical stimulation. He needs a family that can walk a mole or two every day or jog with him. He easily becomes neurotic and high-strung if his energy is not dissipated. Excels at Field Trials, Competitive Obedience, tracking and Barn Hunt.

Grooming:

keeshond dogs - caringWith his double coat, your Keeshond will need regular brushing to get rid of all those loose hairs. He is a dog which doesn't have that typical dog odor about him so bathing him is discouraged. Too much bathing irritates a dog's skin and dries it out.

Check the inside of his mouth and make sure that his teeth are in a healthy state. If you are unsure, speak to your vet about dental hygiene as bad teeth won't only cause pain and discomfort for your pet, the teeth can affect his immune system and other body parts.

Check his claws too and have them cut when they become too long. When they are long they can hook on things and injure the sensitive area of the paws.

Exercise:

The Keeshond is a sturdy dog, loving all the activities and games that his family are involved in. He will love to be your walking companion and looks forward to his walk every day.

He is such a playful, adventurous dog and is always willing to join you in new games. Never put him in your back garden and forget about him, as this will make him ill and depressed. He must be part of the family to be healthy and happy and relies on you to include him in all your activities. He can live in the city or the countryside but will require being exercised wherever he is.

Diet:

Top quality dry kibble will work for your Keeshond. If you want to keep him bright eyed and bushy tailed, mix in some quality home-made food too such as cooked chicken, rice and vegetables. You can also try to sometimes include a little bit of raw meat as well.

He is an active dog and will need a diet high in protein. Also, his thick coat needs to be maintained, and apart from regular brushing, look for quality dog foods that have Omega-3 fatty acids in them so as to maintain the skin and coat of the dog. Make sure he always has access to fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pharaoh Hound vs Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  2. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  3. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Basenji - Breed Comparison
  4. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  5. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Hungarian Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  6. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Bluetick Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  7. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  8. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Bavarian Mountain Hound - Breed Comparison
  9. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Basset Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  10. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Beagle-Harrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  12. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie - Breed Comparison
  13. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Alpine Dachsbracke - Breed Comparison
  14. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Basset Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  15. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  16. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  17. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Chippiparai - Breed Comparison
  18. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs English Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  19. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Estonian Hound - Breed Comparison
  20. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Grand Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  21. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Hamiltonstovare - Breed Comparison
  22. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Beago - Breed Comparison
  23. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Kanni - Breed Comparison
  24. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Lithuanian Hound - Breed Comparison
  25. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Hungarian Hound - Breed Comparison
  26. Keeshond vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Keeshond vs Chow Chow - Breed Comparison
  28. Keeshond vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  29. Keeshond vs Dalmatian - Breed Comparison
  30. Keeshond vs Chinese Shar Pei - Breed Comparison
  31. Keeshond vs Australian Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Mexican Hairless vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  33. Tibetan Terrier vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  34. Standard Poodle vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  35. Norwegian Lundehund vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  36. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  37. Pomsky vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  38. Sakhalin Husky vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  39. Other vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  40. Olde English Bulldogge vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  41. Old English Bulldog vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  42. Schnauzer vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  43. Puggle vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  44. King Charles Spaniel vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  45. Schnoodle vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  46. Pharaoh Hound vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  47. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  48. Hungarian Vizsla vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  49. Redbone Coonhound vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison
  50. Norwegian Elkhound vs Keeshond - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds