The average life expectancy of a Hungarian Vizsla is between 9 and 15 years when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages.
Vizslas are known to be a healthy and robust breed and one that boasts a long lifespan for a dog of their size. However like so many other pure breeds they are known to suffer from a few health issues that are worth knowing about if you are planning to share your home with one of these handsome intelligent and lively dogs. The health issues that appear to affect the breed the most include the following:
- Hip dysplasia - DNA test available through BVA/KC
- Idiopathic epilepsy - test available
- Immune mediated diseases - atopy/allergies/intolerances Polymyositis Sebaceous Adenitis Polyarthritis and Steroid Responsive Meningitis/Arteritis. Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia and Thrombocytopaenia also seem to be over represented.
- Polymyopathy - Vizsla muscle disease
- Glaucoma
- Cerebellar ataxia - a rare and inheritable neurological disease
- Alabama rot - a very rare disease
- Skin issues
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
- Dwarfism
More about hip scoring
Hip scoring breeding dogs is essential because it is one of the only ways of reducing the risks of Vizsla puppies inheriting the condition from their parents although the tests are never by any means foolproof. The test would establish if a dog's hips are in good condition and if they are carriers of the genes responsible for hip dysplasia but the test cannot determine other things which includes diet body weight and environmental factors that might cause a dog to develop the condition. Dogs must be 1-year old to have the test and they should be tested annually with lower tests scores being the best. For the Hungarian Vizsla the breed mean score should be a total of 12.
More about idiopathic epilepsy
One of the more common causes of seizures seen in dogs is a condition known as idiopathic epilepsy. It describes dogs that suffer recurring seizures where the underlying cause remains a mystery although the condition is thought to be one that has its origins in genetics. For the moment the Animal Health Trust is carrying out studies on 12 different breeds with the Hungarian Vizsla being one of them.
The research being carried out needs as many DNA samples from affected and non-affected dogs which is the only way of finding out how the disorder is genetically passed on to offspring and to establish which gene is responsible. All responsible Vizsla breeders would take part by filling out a questionnaire found on the Animal Health Trust website. The test requires a simple cheek swab.
More about Polymyopathy - Vizsla Inflammatory Polymyopathy (VIP)
Polymyopathy is a muscle disorder that has been recently recognised as affecting Hungarian Vizslas which sees dogs having difficulty swallowing and regurgitating their food. Other signs of there being a problem are as follows:
- Excessive foamy drooling and
- Muscle wasting more especially around a dog's head
More about cerebellar ataxia
Fortunately cerebellar ataxia is a rare neurological condition but it is one that can be inherited but very recently some Vizslas in the UK have been reported as suffering from the disorder. The signs of there being something wrong with a dog include incoordination with dogs as young as 2 to 3 months old can be affected. Sadly the prognosis is poor for dogs when they are diagnosed as suffering from cerebellar ataxia because no treatment or cure exists. As such it is kinder to put a dog with the condition to sleep rather than let them suffer unnecessarily.
The good news is that there is a DNA test available through the Animal Health Trust and no Vizsla should be used for breeding purposes having not been tested beforehand.
More about Alabama Rot
Alabama Rot is an extremely rare disorder where dogs develop skin lesions that look like normal wounds but then dogs suffer total kidney failure which proves fatal. Vets find diagnosing the condition challenging which does not help although some dogs fight off the disorder and go on to live relatively normal lives having suffered a minimum amount of damage to their kidneys. With this said Vizslas in the UK that have been diagnosed as suffering from Alabama Rot were successfully treated. If a Vizsla shows signs of developing a skin lesion on their legs and paws they should see a vet as a matter of urgency.
More about tail docking
Tail docking was made illegal in the UK with different laws applying to Scotland where there is now a total ban. However in England and Wales the law is slightly different in that certain Hunt Point and Retrieve dogs can still have their tails docked and this includes the Hungarian Vizsla. However the correct paperwork must be provided and the procedure can only be carried out by a qualified vet.
What about vaccinations?
Vizsla puppies would have already been given their initial vaccinations but it is then up to their new owners to ensure they are given their follow-up shots with the vaccination schedule being as follows:
- 10 -12 weeks old bearing in mind that a puppy would not have full protection straight away but would be fully protected 2 weeks after they have had their second vaccination
There has been a lot of discussion about the need for dogs to have boosters. As such it's best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a dog should continue to have annual vaccinations which are known as boosters.
What about spaying and neutering?
A lot of vets prefer to wait until a Vizsla is around 9 months old before spaying or neutering them because dogs are more mature before undergoing the procedures. With this said other vets recommend spaying and neutering dogs when they are 6 months old but never earlier unless for medical reasons.
What about obesity problems?
Older Vizslas are more prone to putting on weight which is why a close eye should be kept on their calorie intake and the amount of daily physical exercise a dog is given. Some dogs when they are spayed or neutered may also put on weight after the procedures and again it's important to keep an eye on a dog's waistline and to adjust their diet and daily exercise accordingly. Obesity can negatively impact a dog's overall health and wellbeing shortening their lives by several years thanks to the extra pressure that's put on their hearts and other vital internal organs.
What about allergies?
Some Vizslas suffer from allergies and it's important to make a note of when things flare up because there are several things that can trigger an allergic reaction in dogs. Finding out the cause can often prove challenging and it can take time so it's important to make a dog feel more comfortable in the meantime. The other thing thats essential to bear in mind is that Vizslas are known to suffer from an often fatal condition known as Alabama Rot so if a dog shows any signs of developing a skin condition getting them to the vet as a matter of urgency is essential.
Other typical triggers for allergies in dogs are as follows:
- Environment
- A reaction to certain chemicals commonly found in household cleaning products
- Seasonal allergies which includes pollen and grasses
- Food which includes certain meats and cereals often used as ingredients in commercially produced dog food
- Tick and flea bites
- Dust mites
- Mould
Participating in health schemes
Responsible breeders would always use the following tests to ensure their breeding dogs do not carry any of the genes responsible for certain hereditary health issues that are known to affect Hungarian Vizslas:
- BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
- Idiopathic epilepsy test
- Cerebellar Ataxia DNA test available through the Animal Health Trust
What about breed specific breeding restrictions?
Apart from the standard breeding restrictions for Kennel Club registered breeds for the Hungarian Vizsla there are no other breed specific breeding restrictions in place for the breed.
What about Assured Breeder Requirements?
It is mandatory for all KC Assured Breeders to have stud dogs tested using the following schemes and the Kennel Club strongly advises that other breeders follow suit:
- BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
The Kennel Club also strongly recommends that all breeders adhere to the following breeding advice:
- Bitches should not produce a litter when they are under 2 years of age
- Bitches should not produce more than 1 litter in a 12-month period
