Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison

Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs American Staghound - Breed ComparisonAmerican Staghound is originated from United States but Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla is originated from Hungary. American Staghound may grow 13 cm / 6 inches higher than Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla. American Staghound may weigh 9 kg / 19 pounds lesser than Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla. Both American Staghound and Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla has almost same life span. American Staghound may have less litter size than Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla. Both American Staghound and Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Hound dog
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United States
Hungary
Height Male:
67 - 77 cm
26 - 31 inches
57 - 64 cm
22 - 26 inches
Height Female:
63 - 75 cm
24 - 30 inches
52 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 41 kg
55 - 91 pounds
45 - 50 kg
99 - 111 pounds
Weight Female:
22 - 39 kg
48 - 86 pounds
43 - 48 kg
94 - 106 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
5 - 10
Size:
Giant
Medium
Other Names:
AS
Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla • Hungarian Wire-haired Pointing Dog • Drotzoru Magyar Vizsla
Colors Available:
Any
russet to golden sand
Coat:
Shag, Slick or Broken
harsh, hard and loose fitting
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Responsive, Social
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

american staghoundThe American Staghound is hunting dog and type of sighthound that is not recognized as a separate breed. They have historically been bred to hunt coyotes and then other game. Even though they are not considered a separate breed some of their breeding lines have existed much longer than some officially recognized breeds. The American Staghound is a cross between the Greyhound and the Scottish Deerhound. There was probably some Borzoi mixed in as well. The Staghound is believed to have traveled with General Custer across the American West. The breed is a long-legged running dog with the speed of a Greyhound, the sighting ability of sight hounds and more endurance than any running breed. They are incredible athletes with amazing agility and have been bred to course game – coyotes mostly – and therefore are bred with a very intense prey drive. In the past they chased stags and deer and today they chase coyotes and hare. Coyotes are much faster than wolves and fight just as hard. The American Staghound is the only breed fast enough to track down the coyote. However, the breed is not recognized by the AKC. Hunting with an American Staghound today is not very different from hunting with them in medieval times. Strict breeding practices and the non-commercialization of the breed has led to the almost perfect preservation of this hunting breed. They have not changed very much over the centuries. They have been breeding Staghound to Staghound since the early 1800’s. At times very, good hunting dogs from Greyhound and Deerhound stock are added to the mix. For hundreds of years now the closed breeding has led to what might be the finest coyote chasing sighthound possible.

hungarian wirehaired vizslaIn 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.

Description

american staghound puppy - descriptionWhen you look at the American Staghound you can clearly see the Scottish Deerhound and the Greyhound lines. They have strong running muscles in their long legs and deep chest. He is of course a sight hound, so his vision is acute. His running endurance is second to none. It is this endurance in running all day that makes the American Staghound difference from the Scottish Deerhound and the Greyhound. Yes, both the Deerhound are greyhound are great runners, but the American Staghound runs just as fast with an endurance level ten times that of the other hounds. His heavy bones structure and thick skin are also different from the other racing fast sight hounds.

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.

Characteristics

american staghound dog - characteristicsThis dog was bred to run fast and long after something it sees. They are not considered hyperactive but won’t live well in a confined space such as an apartment or condo. You will need a single-family house with a large yard. Though they are affectionate, family dogs, they are not cut out to be guard dogs. They are not especially protective or territorial, though they may bark at what they can see in the distance. They are calm in their homes if exercised enough and great with children. They are often gentle and loving. They are pack oriented and accept other dogs, but they are not welcoming toward cats or other prey sized animals. Be careful with the AS around small children as he might knock them down or see them as prey as well. They consider anything smaller that runs to be prey. When chasing prey, they are not only fast and enduring, they are tenacious and courageous. Remember that this is a breed that has been bred true in order to hunt and only in order to hunt. Their hunting instincts will override almost any other. Over the centuries only the best hunters were allowed to be bred so that only the best hunters would be born.

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.

Health Problems

american staghound puppies - health problemsThe American Staghound has been bred so consistently within the breed and true that they exhibit very few health problems. All running dogs are susceptible to joint issues, but the Staghound has less than most. Two issues they do face more often are a problem with anesthesia if they ever need it and the propensity to be vulnerable to bloat. Since they are a centuries old hybrid there are no real health issues born of genetics.

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.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

american staghound dogs - caringIt is important that you don’t ever over feed you American Staghound as they are thin and bred to run. Even though they are heavier boned than their closest relatives, they are still very susceptible to obesity if overfed. The adult AS should be fed about 4-6 cups of dry food every day in at least 2 meals but 3 of more would be better. This will prevent bloat.

Health issues

As previously mentioned there are no genetic issues with the health of the American Staghound. Bred for one reason and one reason alone for many centuries has led to this healthy state. Also, as stated previously they can have issues with bloat and anesthesia. The issue with anesthesia comes from the fact that the American Staghound has very little body fat to muscle ration. The issue with bloat or torsion can be avoided with many smaller meals and not running your Staghound right after they eat a large meal.

Exercise and games

Of course, the American Staghound loves to run and if you are not going to hunt with her, you will have to find another source of vigorous physical activity. Every day from puppyhood on the AS must be stimulated mentally and physically in order to grow and mature correctly. He must have a home where the freedom to run is an everyday experience, not a dog park once a week. If you ride bikes, race walk or run on a daily basis this might be the dog for you. They obviously excel at games like lure coursing and can be good at agility.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. American Staghound vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. American Staghound vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. American Staghound vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. American Staghound vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. American Staghound vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. American Staghound vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. American Staghound vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. American Staghound vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. American Staghound vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. American Staghound vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. American Staghound vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. American Staghound vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. American Staghound vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. American Staghound vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. American Staghound vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. American Staghound vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. American Staghound vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. American Staghound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. American Staghound vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. American Staghound vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
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  23. American Staghound vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. American Staghound vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. American Staghound vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison