The rarity of many types of gundogs in American households is our national loss. These breeds have wonderful class and elan, intelligence and friendliness and they deserve greater popularity.
One rarer breed that deserves some attention is the wirehaired Vizsla.
A Vizsla is a hunting dog of eastern European (Hungary) origins. The Vizsla's wirehaired cousin is of recent vintage - - about the 1930s. According to the AKC, the wirehaired Vizsla was developed as a cross between the Vizsla and the German Wirehaired Pointer. (AKC WV) The goal was go breed the great hunting traits of the Vizsla with the tougher and bristlier coat of the GWP (an equally fine hunting dog). The AKC said that by 1944 60 WVs were registered in the Vizsla Klub Stud book. By 2008, only somewhat more than 500 WVs had ever been registered in the aggregate with NAVDHA (an organization in the U.S. for pointing dogs) since 1986.
We ran across one of these creatures at a recent Rally and Conformation competition in Atlanta recently. We can report that the little female pictured below is a handsome blonde and about as sweet, gentle, and affectionate as any dog at show, and possibly on the planet as well.
This little girl is named "Tipsy." According to her owners, she is the first WV ever entered in Rally in the U.S. Tipsy looks to be about 20 inches at the whithers and maybe 45 or so pounds. A nice handy-sized dog with an intelligent and honest face. And did we mention her sweet dispostion?
Let's hope to see more of these dogs around.
UKC Ch Palomia's Bahama Mama CGC ("Tipsy")
Owners, Susan Wilson & Nancy Edmunds. Handler, Susan Wilson.
I've been a WHV owner for over 5 happy years and am glad to hear that they're getting the notice they so richly deserve! You're so right- they're a wonderful dog: smart, handsome and very sweet.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet you've enjoyed your WHV a great deal. We hope to see more of them in the ring and afield.
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