Getting to Know The Wirehaired Vizsla (Got Drótszõrû Magyar Vizsla?)

What kind of dog is that?

“A Wirehaired Vizsla,” we reply.

Reactions range from “A what?” to “Oh, I’ve heard of those but have never seen one.” The owners of any rare breed of dog get used to hearing the same questions from people meeting our dogs for the first time. Those of us who have Wirehaired Vizslas are no exception. But, no matter how often we are asked, we never get tired of telling people about our dogs. They are not just dogs, after all. They are members of our families, a special breed in many ways.

The first thing people notice about the Wirehaired Vizsla is its striking appearance and lively, intelligent expression. It is uniformly self-colored in shades of golden rust, with nose, eyes and eye rims, and toenails all harmonious with the coat. The color described in Hungarian translates as “bread crust.” It is the ideal color to blend with and disappear in a field of golden russet autumn grass and bushes. Their bright russet eyes (not brown, not yellow, but the same hue as the coat, ideally a shade or two darker) shine with intelligence and intuitiveness, and are accentuated by bushy eyebrows. A small beard and mustache complete the facial furnishings.

It is not just their appearance that makes Wirehaired Vizslas so special. Versatility is one of the breed’s hallmarks. Multi-talented, it is the ultimate jack of all trades.

Originating in Hungary, the Wirehaired Vizsla was developed by hunters and falconers who desired a sturdy, versatile hunting dog able to withstand harsh winters in the field, forest, and water. The Wirehaired Vizsla is a distinguished, versatile hunting dog of medium size, bred for substance and a dense wire coat. Balanced in size and proportion, the Wirehaired Vizsla is robust and lean. Movement is powerful yet graceful with far-reaching drive, enabling the breed to hunt in all elements and cover any terrain encountered by the walking hunter. The breed possesses an excellent nose for hunting and tracking feather and fur on land and in water, as well as a natural point and retrieve. The breed’s most distinguishing features are its weather-resistant dense wire coat and its facial furnishings, specifically its beard and eyebrows. Natural appearance is essential to breed type, therefore the Wirehaired Vizsla is to be shown with limited stripping and should not be penalized for being shown in working condition: sinewy, well-muscled, with honorable scars. The Wirehaired Vizsla is intelligent, loyal, sensitive and biddable, but cannot tolerate harsh handling. Eager to learn, lively yet gentle, they are readily trainable for gun and falconry.

The Wirehaired Vizsla is a tractable and affectionate companion in the home.

— AKC Standard of the Wirehaired Vizsla

Once hunting and the sport of falconry were no longer limited to the nobility and a growing middle class was allowed access to the game in fields and forests, families were able to provide meat for the table and relied on the assistance of hunting dogs. While the nobility had kennels full of specialized breeds—pointers and setters, retrievers, and hounds—the merchants, farmers, and tradesmen of the new middle class had limited resources and needed one dog, a versatile hunting companion that could do it all. They walked the fields and forests on foot, searching for game birds, waterfowl, and furred game large and small, assisted by the family dog, which would locate, point, flush, and retrieve the game to hand. At home, the hunting dog fulfilled the role of pet and companion as well, playing with the children, being alert to the approach of strangers, keeping a watchful eye on the property, and sleeping with family members.

Today, the Wirehaired Vizsla is still the ultimate definition of a versatile hunting dog. Whether a person likes to hunt upland birds, waterfowl, or furred game from rabbits to deer, the Wirehaired Vizsla can locate, point, and retrieve game on land and in water. It is as proficient hunting with a falconer as it is with someone who uses a shotgun or bow. It can track a blood trail to find a wounded deer in the forest or the trail of a person lost in the wilderness. It will hunt down and kill rats and mice in the barn as well as any terrier. Cattails and acres of lily pads won’t deter a WV from swimming to find and retrieve ducks or geese.

It is not all just prey drive; there is a softer side to their versatility, too. This is the other hallmark of the breed—their attachment to their people. They hunt because we hunt, but they are very biddable, people-oriented, and intuitive, making them an outstanding companion for many activities in addition to hunting. They are wonderful therapy dogs and always seem to instinctively know what is needed when they make a therapy visit. They love to learn, and though they can be cautious about new situations and experiences at first, they are quick to catch on. They are almost always at the head of the class from puppy kindergarten to obedience and do extremely well in Obedience and Rally competitions.

Naturally athletic with lots of drive, they can also excel in Agility or Flyball. Their ultra-keen scenting ability makes them a natural for Tracking and Scent Discrimination. They are used for Search and Rescue in Europe and are beginning to make an appearance in SAR here in America. They love the water, are strong swimmers, and many take great delight in dock jumping. Some Wirehaired Vizslas are even experienced canoeists and kayakers! They are happy doing whatever their families like to do and enjoy being part of the family. They also love cuddling up, being couch potatoes, and sleeping with their people.

The downside of the WV’s intelligence and bond with their people is that owners must be prepared to make their Wirehaired Vizsla a part of the family and keep them busy. This is not a breed that will be content hanging out in the backyard alone all day, “being a dog” without attention and interaction with the rest of the family. They’re often called “Velcro® dogs” for good reason. They want to be in the same room as their people and right in the middle of everything. Expect to go into the bathroom alone? Better shut the door; the dog will likely be waiting right there when you open it.

In the field, the Wirehaired Vizsla is a close-working, methodical hunter, but not a “boot licker.” They don’t run off into the next county but work about 40-50 yards ahead and always know where their hunting partner is.

Mental exercise is as important for the WV as physical exercise. They thrive on learning alongside their owners, so it’s crucial to set aside time every day for training, whether it’s tricks, yard games, obedience exercises, or field work. However, training a Wirehaired Vizsla requires care; avoid excessive repetitions or harsh corrections. Their soft temperament can make them shut down under heavy-handed or overly intensive training. A verbal correction is usually all that’s needed, and it’s essential not to use a sharp tone. Unlike harder-tempered breeds, Wirehaired Vizslas may take a long time to recover from what they perceive as a negative experience. Keeping training positive and fun is the key to success. In field work, experience is often the best teacher, and sometimes the best advice is to skip formal training sessions and simply hunt wild birds.

The Wirehaired Vizsla has an average lifespan of 12-15 years. Although relatively healthy overall, like any breed, they can experience various conditions. Screening for hip dysplasia and eye problems is recommended for breeding dogs, and many breeders also test for cardiac issues, elbow dysplasia, and thyroid health. Autoimmune-related issues, particularly allergies, are among the most common complaints, which can manifest as chronic ear infections, yeast infections, skin irritations, or gastric upset. Often, dietary changes, such as eliminating grains and glutens, can help alleviate symptoms. Some cancers have been observed in the breed, though no specific type occurs with notable frequency.

With a small gene pool, breeding decisions must be made carefully to avoid creating a genetic bottleneck. Understanding the breed’s origins and history is crucial for studying Wirehaired Vizsla pedigrees. Although the breed’s documented history only dates back to the 1930s, it emerged from the remnants of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and survived through wars, shifting borders, and regional conflicts. The goal was to create a dog with the qualities of the Magyar (Hungarian) Vizsla, but sturdier, with more bone, and a dense, wiry coat for protection from the elements.

After the Empire’s collapse, the breed’s early developers were dispersed into different countries, including Hungary, Austria, and Czechoslovakia. In 1943, Vasas Josef, who ran the Csabai Vizsla kennel in Hungary, applied to the Magyar Vizsla Klub, proposing the development of this new breed and requesting permission to register foundation stock. Despite initial controversy, the club eventually approved, advising them to produce as many dogs as possible and to show and test them in hunting competitions. Vasas Josef was assisted by Gresznarik Lazslo from the De Selle kennel, an experienced breeder of German Wirehaired Pointers. Together, they crossed two Vizsla bitches with a solid brown German Wirehaired Pointer.

The first dogs with three-generation pedigrees fulfilled the dream by inheriting the color and other characteristics of the Vizsla, while also gaining the heavier bone structure and wiry multilayered coat of the German Wirehaired Pointer. The first Wirehaired Vizsla shown was Dia De Selle, in 1943. By 1944, there were 60 dogs registered.

However, WWII nearly led to the extinction of both the Vizsla and the Wirehaired Vizsla in Hungary; dogs were killed, kennels were dispersed or nationalized, and records were lost. The breed’s development during the upheaval of the war and postwar years is difficult to trace. We rely on anecdotes, hand-written pedigrees, and oral history. We know that outcrosses to other breeds, such as Pudelpointers and Wirehaired Pointing Griffons, were certainly used, and possibly even a Bloodhound. A handwritten pedigree for one dog traces eleven generations back on the sire’s side and ten on the dam’s, including an Irish Setter bred in four times “for speed.”

After many ups and downs, the Wirehaired Vizsla was recognized by the FCI in 1966 as an independent Hungarian breed under Standard #239. With the first imports to North America, the UK, and Western Europe from Hungary and Czechoslovakia in the 1970s, the breed began gaining popularity worldwide.

Although recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club in 1977, the Wirehaired Vizsla remained unrecognized in America due to an “identity crisis.” Author Charles Newman discovered the breed in Hungary in the 1960s and imported his first Wirehaired Vizslas in 1973. He named them “Uplanders,” hoping the name would distinguish them from the smooth-coated Vizsla. Newman formed a club in Virginia to promote the breed, applying for recognition with the Field Dog Stud Book and AKC. However, the breed was too rare, and because “Uplander” was not recognized anywhere else, the AKC and FDSB refused.

A small group of dedicated hunters in Canada and the U.S. preserved the purebred Wirehaired Vizsla through importing registered European stock and testing their hunting ability. NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association) tested the first WV in 1974 and formally recognized the breed in 1986, allowing registration in the Field Dog Stud Book through NAVHDA.

By 2003, a total of 181 WVs had been registered, and the Wirehaired Vizsla Club of America (WVCA) was formed to rescue and develop a breed network. By January 2006, over 350 Wirehaired Vizslas had been registered in NAVHDA, and WVCA organized its first board of directors. That year, the breed was recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) as the Hungarian Wire-Haired Vizsla.

In 2007, the WVCA applied for AKC’s Foundation Stock Service (FSS) and was accepted as of Jan. 1, 2008. The WVCA began collecting pedigrees and applications for registrations. The breed became eligible to compete in AKC Companion and Performance Events on Jan. 1, 2009, and WVCA was named the AKC parent club in 2010. The breed joined AKC’s Miscellaneous Class on Jan. 1, 2011, and has continued to grow within AKC, UKC, and NAVHDA events.

Earlier this year, the WVCA applied to the AKC Board of Directors for Sporting Group recognition, and the AKC Board approved the request, effective July 2, 2014.

The Wirehaired Vizsla has faced incredible challenges, from wars and near extinction to an American identity crisis. Thanks to its wonderful qualities that inspire admiration and dedication, the breed continues to grow and improve. With only several thousand Wirehaired Vizslas worldwide, dedicated kennels and fanciers work together globally to protect and preserve this remarkable breed.

The post Getting to Know The Wirehaired Vizsla (Got Drótszõrû Magyar Vizsla?) appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

The Highs and Lows of the Height and Size of the Wirehaired Vizsla

Quotes from the AKC Official Standard of the Wirehaired Vizsla: “GENERAL APPEARANCE: Originating in Hungary, the Wirehaired Vizsla was developed by hunters and falconers who desired a sturdy, versatile hunting dog able to withstand harsh winters in the field, forest, and water. The Wirehaired Vizsla is a distinguished, versatile hunting dog of medium size, bred for substance and a dense wire coat. Balanced in size and proportion…” The AKC parent club, the Wirehaired Vizsla Club of America, when submitting the standard for AKC’s acceptance into the FSS group, tried to stay true to the FCI standard that the fathers of the breed wrote.

In developing this breed, the Vizsla was still being used in the pedigrees into the 1960s. The purpose of the Wirehaired Vizsla was to have a dog with the same characteristics as the Vizsla, except to be of sturdier build, with more substance, and a hard, protective wire coat. The Vizslas that were in Hungary at the time of origin for the Wirehaired Vizsla were not the Vizslas that you are accustomed to seeing here in the United States. These dogs had more bone and substance. The picture of Argo Lesan Selle (left), born in 1955 and used in the Wirehaired Vizsla pedigrees into the 1960s show the typical size and type of Vizslas in Hungary. The appearance of the Wirehaired Vizsla is one of durability, a dog that is able to hunt all day in all types of terrain.

SIZE, PROPORTION, SUBSTANCE: The Wirehaired Vizsla is a medium-sized hunting dog; however, overall symmetry and balance are more important than mere measurable size. The ideal male adult (over 12 months of age) is 23 to 25 inches at the highest point over the shoulder blades. The ideal female adult (over 12 months of age) is 21 1/2 to 23 inches. Because the Wirehaired Vizsla is meant to be a medium-sized hunter, any dog measuring more than 1 inch over or under these limits must be disqualified…”

The acceptable height range for the males is 22-26 inches, the females’ range is 20 1/2-24 inches. This is a 4-inch spread for the males and a 3 1/2 inch spread for the females, which is very possible to see in the ring today. As the standard says, the mere measurable size is not to be considered as much as the balance. Add to this the substance for durability and the coat for function in harsh weather. I don’t think the origin of the breed’s standard was to limit this breed to a specific terrain. The Wirehaired Vizsla is an all-around hunting dog, developed for the falconer and walking hunter to hunt fur, feather, and blood trails in the fields, forest, and water. A 26-inch dog would be more efficient in a spacious field with tall vegetation, while a 22-inch dog could better maneuver the dense vegetation of a forest. Therefore, a dog or bitch at either end of the acceptable standard height should be considered correct. What we would like for the judges to see is a working/versatile hunting dog that walks into a show ring.

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Judging the Wirehaired Vizsla

Breeders, exhibitors, and spectators will not envy the job of the judges when it comes to this breed. This being a fairly rare breed, as a judge, you won’t be seeing a large number of them at any one show for a while, and it will be difficult to grasp the standard’s definitions regarding the following specific areas. When judging the Wirehaired Vizsla, the thought that they are a Vizsla with a wire coat needs to be the farthest thing from your mind. Just as the German Shorthair Pointer and a German Wirehaired Pointer are two distinct breeds, so are the Vizsla and the Wirehaired Vizsla. The Wirehaired Vizsla originated back in the 1930s from a combination of breeds.

They lost momentum, like so many European breeds during the war, but have made a strong comeback overseas. The Wirehaired Vizsla was bred as an all-purpose hunting companion; their coats need to withstand the harsh terrain and the icy waters for hunting all fur and feather. We have seen in this breed that a correct coat, or just the wire coat without any undercoat, may not develop until the dog is closer to 3-4 years old. While what looks like a good harsh coat with a lot of undercoat can, in a few years, have the undercoat grow longer and hide the wire coat. This is a challenge for both breeders and judges.

I am starting with the coat as it is what makes this breed unique from the Vizsla and the German Wirehaired Pointer, the two original breeds used in the formation of the Wirehaired Vizsla. Because there were a few other breeds used to bring in the versatility of the Wirehaired Vizsla, different coat textures and colors were also introduced into the gene pool. It is not uncommon to get the range of a pin coat to full wooly coats in the same litter.

The Wirehaired Vizsla is to be self-colored just as the Vizsla but exhibit the hard, close-laying wire coat coupled with a dense undercoat just as the German Wirehaired Pointers. One of the main differences in the coat from the German Wirehaired Pointers is that the coat on the underbelly and legs is to be shorter, softer, and thinner than the body coat. Also, the beard and brows are not as pronounced, the beard being approximately 1 inch in length. This breed is also to be shown with minimal stripping, as close to its natural coat, never clipped! Lacking undercoat or coat brushes on the back of the front legs is to be penalized, as is any deviation in coat texture or excessive length.

The ideal coat length is approximately 1 inch. The color of the coat can be varying shades of golden rust; my first thought of this line in the standard was, what does this mean? But after looking at the coats on some dogs I understand the golden part. When looking at the wire coat, one hair consists of two colors, thus giving it the ‘golden’ hue. The shades vary from golden rust to a honey gold. The ears may be slightly darker in color than the coat on the body; otherwise, the coat color is uniform.

Red, brown, or yellow colors are faulty. This being a self-colored breed, the eyes, eye-rims, lips, nose, and toenails should blend with the color of the coat. Yellow eyes are a serious fault. Disqualifications include partially or completely black nose, white extending above the toes, or white anywhere else on the dog except the fore chest or throat, which can only be 2 inches or less in any direction.

Now let’s examine the rest of the dog. If my counting skills are up to par, then the words ‘medium’ or ‘moderate’ are in the standard fifteen times. So to say that the Wirehaired Vizsla is a dog with no exaggerations would be the short story. The breed is of medium size with overall symmetry and balance. The ideal height of adults for males is 23-25 inches and females 21.5-23 inches. A disqualification for size on males is over 26 inches or under 22, and for females over 24 inches or under 20.5. The body length from breastbone to the point of hip should be slightly longer than the height to the withers. There should be sufficient bone and substance for a hunting dog that goes through all kinds of terrain but still light enough to hunt all day.

The Wirehaired Vizsla’s well-proportioned head exhibits medium size, slightly oval eyes with tight rims. Ears are set at a medium height with moderate length ending in a V shape. The skull is well-muscled, moderate in length, and slightly domed with a moderate stop that has a slight groove from stop to occiput. The muzzle is blunt, slightly shorter than half the length of the head, and parallel to the skull. The nose is such an important part of a hunting breed, so this should be wide with open nostrils.

The bite should be scissor with an under or overshot bite being a disqualification, as is having more than two missing teeth. This head of moderation should fit well with their body of many moderations. The slightly arched, medium-length neck should be in balance with the head and body. The moderately broad chest should be deep, well-muscled, and set at the elbows. The moderately sprung ribs should be carried well back to a moderate tuck-up.

The topline is straight, well-muscled, falling into a slightly rounded, well-muscled croup, which is moderate in length. The tail is set just below the level of the croup and should be thick at the base. A docked tail should be docked by one-quarter of its length, and a natural tail should reach to the hock joint. Both tails should be carried level or slightly saber-like. Now, when it comes to the forequarters and hindquarters of the standard, ‘moderate’ is not the wording used. Well-angulated is the term for the shoulders and stifle for a good reason. If a dog is to hunt hard on land and water, they need to have enough angulation so that their limbs can extend freely.

“The fronts and rears need to be in balance so that they are not trying to get out of the way of the other. And the back needs to be level and firm to ensure stability. As the standard states, ‘movement is powerful yet graceful with far-reaching drive enabling the breed to hunt in all elements and cover any terrain encountered by the walking hunter.’ The feet are cat-like but slightly oval. Pasterns are short and slightly sloping, and front dewclaws are preferably removed, but natural dewclaws are not to be penalized. Rear dewclaws are a disqualification.

When approaching the Wirehaired Vizsla, the expression should show their confidence, intelligence, and sensitivity. They were bred to be a guardian of their homes as well as to bring home the meat, so aloofness is something you may encounter while judging this breed. But while at home, they are very affectionate and loyal companions. As of now, the Wirehaired Vizsla is getting a good start here in the United States. With the teamwork of dedicated breeders and judges who understand the purpose of the breed, I feel that this versatile, loyal hunting dog has a good future.

For the valued collaboration in writing this article, I would like to thank the chairperson of the Public Education Committee, Deb Wall, members of the Judges Education Committee Mark Goodwein and Nancy Edmunds, and the Chairperson of the Judges Education Committee, Amanda Johnson, whom you can email with questions, comments, or information on our next judges’ education presentation at birdmtn1@gmail.com.

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The Versatile Wirehaired Vizsla

Originating in Hungary, the Wirehaired Vizsla was developed by hunters and falconers who desired a sturdy, versatile hunting dog able to withstand harsh winters in the field, forest, and water. The original desire for the development of the Wirehaired Vizsla was an all-purpose hunting dog for the walking hunter or falconer. They were not bred to race across open fields. These hunters needed a dog that could methodically cover an open field, push through dense groundcover, and swim through ice-covered water to retrieve a 15-pound flailing goose.

For these hunting partners, the Wirehaired Vizsla was the “meat dog;” the dog that brought to the table whatever they came across on a hunt. In addition to birds, Wires are also good trackers for larger game. When they came home from a hunt, Wirehaired Vizslas were also vermin eradicators and watchdogs. Because of the broad demands on this breed, they have varying qualities that make them open to anything you want to train them to do. With their keen desire to be with their family, the Wirehaired Vizsla is an eager learner for softer-handed, more patient trainers.

Wirehaired Vizslas in the United States have proven themselves as top-notch hunting dogs, winning many titles in AKC Hunt Tests and AKC Retriever Tests, and they are Versatile Champions with the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association. Their excellent nose has made it possible for many Wirehaired Vizslas to acquire titles in Scent Work and Tracking, as well as Search and Rescue titles. Their background in vermin eradication works very well in Barn Hunt, Fast CAT, and Lure Coursing.

With their natural retrieving ability and love of water, Dock Diving events are also a popular choice for Wires. Earning Trick Dog titles comes easily to this breed and can often provide them with the mental exercise their intelligence thrives upon. This is a breed that needs a job! The Wirehaired Vizsla feels that the best job in the world is to be with their people. Training for Obedience, Rally, and Agility makes the bond with this Velcro breed even stronger. This teamwork shows in all of the teams awarded Master titles in Agility, Rally Champion titles, and Obedience titles.

The Wirehaired Vizsla is what AKC considers a low-entry breed, meaning there are very few of them shown in Conformation classes across the country. This can make it easier to finish your dog to a championship because of the low number of dogs competing to acquire the points needed, but it can also be harder to find shows that have sufficient competition. With that said, the breed has a respectable number of recorded Champions, multiple Grand Champions and Grand Champion Bronze, and a few Grand Champion Silver and Grand Champion Gold.

The Wirehaired Vizsla is a wonderful family dog—loyal, loving, and somewhat clingy. Because they have been bred to be an alert dog at the homestead, some of them can be aloof or even not trusting of strangers. The Wirehaired Vizsla is a breed that needs constant socialization to show them that new people and places are not something they need to protect us from. They are a very talkative breed that likes to have the last word. Couple that with their digging skills and going after whatever is in the yard, they can sometimes be a challenge for a family that hasn’t raised a very active dog before. They not only need physical exercise but also mental exercise, because a bored Wire is going to find something to occupy themselves with.

The Wirehaired Vizsla is a very versatile hunting dog, and because of their background as a hunter of feather and fur, family companion, and watchdog of the home, this is a dog that can play in many of the Performance and Companion events offered in dog sports today.

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Where did the two of you grow up?

Koppertone Vizslas | Mark & Bonnie Goodwein : Bonnie was born in Coco Beach, Florida, moved to Long Beach, California, as a young child, and as a teen to the San Fernando Valley. Mark was born in Los Angeles and grew up in the San Fernando Valley. We both attended and graduated from California State University, Northridge, and were actually on the same page of our graduating yearbook, but did not meet each other until after graduation. Mark has a BS degree in Business Management and was the first soccer player in school history to receive NCAA All- America recognition. Bonnie has a BS degree in Foods and Business. We met while working in the same shopping center, Mark as a security guard and Bonnie managing a Mrs. Fields Cookie Shop. We have three amazing children, Aaron, Daniel, and Rachel, plus a new son-in-law, Steven.

Do you come from doggie families? If not, how did the interest in breeding and showing purebred dogs begin?
Koppertone Vizslas | Mark & Bonnie Goodwein: Our lifetime journey and love for Vizslas began before we met. In the early 1980s, a stray Vizsla showed up on Bonnie’s doorstep. At that time, she did not know anything about the breed, and without social media, details were not very accessible. Bonnie asked a groomer friend what breed the dog might be, and she immediately identified her as a Vizsla and put the bug in Bonnie’s ear that it might be fun to get involved in AKC events. Bonnie soon joined the Vizsla Club of Southern California and the Vizsla Club of America, where we are still active and members in good standing. After “Sasha” passed, Bonnie looked for another Vizsla, and puppy “Shari” joined her family. Enter Mark into Bonnie’s life. Before getting married in 1986, we searched from coast to coast to find a second Vizsla to join our soon-to-be family. After much research we connected with Ed and Bev Wanjon of Russet Leather

Vizslas and adopted our first show dog. Bonnie’s mom told us not to come back with a male as she did not want a dog lifting his leg in her house, and since I wanted to impress my future mother-in-law, I chose an 8-week-old male puppy, BIS, NBISS, 6XBISS CH Russet Leather Proud Warrior, “Cody,” who for years she called her “grand-dog,” even carrying around photos to show to her friends. Since Bonnie and I had never shown a dog before, the Wanjons showed Cody. At his first specialty at seven months, Cody went Best Opposite in Sweepstakes. We were excited but didn’t really understand yet what this meant. Cody, in the regular classes, won his 6-9 Puppy Class, went Winners Dog, Best of Winners and ultimately BEST of BREED, with three different handlers. I think we were hooked from that point. We also won the big raffle prize at the show, a new Vari Kennel crate. Cody won the Pedigree Award in 1989 and 1990 for being the No. 1 conformation Vizsla in the country. He finished his championship by going Winners Dog at the 1986 National, the weekend we got married.
Our dog show family continues to grow, not just those adopting puppies but people around the world who share a common interest.

Who were your mentors in the sport?
Koppertone Vizslas | Mark & Bonnie Goodwein: When we decided that we were interested in breeding, we spent a lot of time (pre-Internet) doing research on finding a bitch or bitches that we would be able to call “our foundation.” We turned to Marion Coffman of Cariad Vizslas (Ocala, Florida) and the author of Versatile Vizslas. We were very fortunate to start with two wonderful girls, CH Cariad’s Koppertone First Edition and CH Cariad’s Cricket’nak Hivak. Our thoughts were to take the best dogs from the East Coast and breed to the best dogs on the West Coast, thus creating a look and style that would ultimately become “Koppertone Vizslas.” We also want to recognize Shelley and Larry Coburn (Golden Empire) and Bev and Ed Wanjon (Russet Leather) for their guidance and friendship through the years. For our Wirehaired Vizsla mentor, we look to Zsófia Miczek for guidance. Her Zöldmáli Kennel is world-renowned. Even from Hungary, she finds a way to give guidance and make sure that her dogs are given an opportunity to prove their natural abilities.
Early in dogs, someone challenged me by saying I would never be able to show my own dog. Well, challenge accepted! After sitting ringside and watching some very talented professional handlers show dogs in California, I decided it was time to take up the challenge. Cindy Lane Smith, who was showing our special at the time, influenced me the most. She had such a rapport with the dogs, as well as with her clients. She always told it straight up. In fact, I will never forget a specialty in Arizona, where I was moved to the front of a big Winners Bitch class and proceeded to melt down and ultimately get RWB. Cindy came up to me after we walked out of the ring and gave me a slap on the back of the head, NCIS Gibbs style. She said, “Relax, have fun! You will learn from your mistakes.” Over the years, Peter Gaeta and Pam Lambie helped refine my skills and encouraged me to compete. All of their help has assisted me in achieving a National Best in Specialty win, multiple Group wins, multiple NOHS BIS wins, and a Sporting Dog BIS.
Some of the dogs we have bred and/or shown over the years have been wonderful mentors. CH Koppertone’s Magyar Buszke CD, NBISS CH Koppertone’s Cariad Tivadar (Teddy), 2XBIS GCH Koppertone’s Classical Minuet (Minnie), GCH Zoldmali Csongor SH (Izzy), and GCHS Renaissance Tambopata The Lionhearted ROM (Tambo) have all played a role in instilling in us that you play hard, have fun and, win or lose, there will always be unconditional love and respect. We can learn from our four-legged family members and pass this message on to future generations of breeders and mentors.
We are very proud to have had the opportunity to be mentors ourselves on co-ventures with other respected breeders. It is extremely satisfying to see some of our dogs become foundation stock for other highly respected kennels.

The Koppertone Vizslas and Wirehaired Vizslas are widely known, highly successful and well respected. What breeding philosophies do you adhere to?

Koppertone Vizslas | Mark & Bonnie Goodwein: Our goal is to improve the breeds and to produce puppies that are sound in temperament, health, and show abilities in the field, with correct conformation. As breeders, we continue to strive for the perfect Vizsla and Wirehaired Vizsla, and hope that each puppy is better than its parents. Our Vizslas and Wirehaired Vizslas are bred to be companions first, with the expectations that they are sound and meet the standard. We strive to produce versatile dogs that can compete in all arenas.
As the Breed Referral and Breed Education representatives for the Vizsla Club of America and Wirehaired Vizsla Club of America in the Southern California area, we spend a lot of time meeting with people to inform them of the nuances of our wonderful breeds. We are constantly expanding our own knowledge of dogs by consulting our mentors, Marion Coffman (Cariad Vizslas) and Zófia Miczek (Zöldmáli Wirehaired Vizslas), other breeders and local veterinarians. We are involved with numerous clubs and organizations to help promote the sport of purebred dogs as well as being available to answer questions about living with a Vizsla or Wirehaired Vizsla.
Our mentors, Marion Coffman and Zófia Miczek, have instilled in us that the true gauge of a breeding program is not in the show ring, field or other arenas, but in the whelping box and being true to the purpose of the breeds and being able to prove it.

How many dogs do you currently house? Tell us about your facility and how the dogs are maintained.
Koppertone Vizslas | Mark & Bonnie Goodwein: Our dogs live alongside our family, so we only keep as many dogs as there are enough couches to comfortably lounge on. Some of our top dogs are co-owned with special friends and fellow lifelong enthusiasts of the breed. This allows us to keep a limit on the number of dogs that reside with us, especially since property sizes in Southern California can be financially limiting to keeping kennels. Vizslas are very social, smart, and often needy dogs that thrive best in a family environment where they get plenty of socialization. They are called “Velcro Vizslas” for a reason. Our litters are born in our bedroom and graduate to the family room where they are in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the house. They are socialized with people and the rest of the pack, and get the opportunity to explore the outside when they are stable on their feet.
Who were some of your most significant dogs, both in the whelping box and in the show ring?
To date, we have more than 70 titled dogs having accumulated titles in Conformation, Field, Obedience, Agility, and Tracking. Our Vizsla foundation bitch, INT’L CH/AM CH Cariad’s Cricket’nak Hivak had a big impact on our breeding program, producing multiple Top 10 Vizslas and a National Specialty Best of Opposite, CH Koppertone’s Magyar Buszke CD, and CH Koppertone’s Cariad Baratom CDX, and his grandson, NBIS BIS CH Koppertone’s Cariad Tivadar, who took me on a ride to a Breeder/Owner-Handled NBISS in 2005. Our top show bitch was 2XBIS 16XBISS GCH Koppertone’s Classical Minuet. “Minnie” was a two-time Westminster winner and the 2008 VCA Show Dog of the Year. We have also had multiple high achievers in Agility,

Obedience, and Rally, including Koppertone Dorratz Soul Bossanova UD, PCDX, BN, MX, MXB, MJS, NF, T2B2, Koppertone’s Casey Baratom, UDX, RAE, MX, MXB, MXJ, MJB, and CH Koppertone’s California Girl CDX, RAE, NA, NAJ, NF, RATO, TKN. (AKC Pending – Breeder of Merit Gold Status.) Our Wirehaired Vizsla experience started before the breed was recognized by the AKC. We picked up “Izzy” in New York via Hungary, at eight weeks old. GCH Zoldmali Csongor CM, SH was the first Wirehaired Vizsla to earn a GCH and SH. He was also the first WH Vizsla to win Best of Breed at the Westminster KC show in 2015 and was a 2X NOHS BIS winner. He also had a Sporting Group Show BIS at the Rainer Sporting Dog Show. We have done limited breeding, but hope to have the same successes as we have had in Vizslas.
Please comment positively on your breed’s present condition and what trends might bear watching.
Given the breed’s noble ancestry, versatility in all areas of canine competition, and superior companionship, it is not difficult to see why Vizslas have seen a sharp rise in popularity. Luckily, we also have some of the most passionate and dedicated people devoted to protecting and preserving the welfare of this wonderful breed.
One observation we have noticed recently is a trend toward a dog smaller in size and lacking bone and substance. We recently sent a video to a well-known breeder in Hungary of a Vizsla class at a local show. There was a sharp contrast in size between the Open bitches being exhibited. “Are these all Vizslas?”, she asked. “They would not be able to compete in hunting competitions here!” Her comments bear some concern, since the Vizsla was bred to be a medium-sized dog that can hunt feathered and furred game on land or in the water.

The sport has changed greatly since you first began participating. What are your thoughts on the state of the fancy and declining number of breeders? How do we encourage newcomers to join us and remain in the sport?
Koppertone Vizslas | Mark & Bonnie Goodwein: As the world has changed economically and politically, and with the evolution of social media leading to the expectation of instant gratification, the dog show fancy has also changed. We live in California, and in our early showing years it was easy to find a show every weekend to go to within California, and traveling to other states was usually not a requirement to have a top dog. Now, showing a dog seems more cost prohibitive as the price of gas, hotels, food, airline transportation, and handling fees/expenses makes it difficult for young newcomers to this sport to get involved. Also, the decreasing number of venues to hold events and the aging out of the people with “Club Tribal Knowledge” leave very few volunteers to hold events. We try to encourage people to join parent clubs or regional clubs, be active members on committees as well as doing activities with their Vizslas and Wirehaired Vizslas, whether it be Conformation, Field, Agility, Obedience or Junior Showmanship.

Where do you see your breeding program in the next decade or two?
Koppertone Vizslas | Mark & Bonnie Goodwein: We have not changed our breeding philosophy, which states that our goal is to produce puppies that are sound in temperament, health, and show abilities in the field with correct conformation. We will continue to review pedigrees and we will strive to produce versatile dogs that can compete in all arenas. We try to constantly plan ahead so as to not box ourselves into a corner, and are always trying to improve from generation to generation. We will continue to use past and present pedigrees for the future betterment of the breeds we hold so dearly to our hearts and lives.

Finally, tell us a little about Mark and Bonnie outside of dogs… your professions, your hobbies.
Koppertone Vizslas | Mark & Bonnie Goodwein: Bonnie has retired from the workforce. She spent over 25 years in the packaging lab at Mars Petcare, where she was able to travel to dog shows as part of the Pedigree team. Mark works in the Defense & Aerospace industry as Senior Manager, Manufacturing Operations Finance.
At home, we both enjoy sharing our lives with our families, two moms, three adult children (and Steven) and, of course, the Vizslas and Wirehaired Vizslas. We have fun cooking and baking, and spending some quiet time together.
Outside of dogs and work, Mark is a sports-a-holic, whether watching on TV, checking the Internet or going in person. Bonnie is more of a homebody, taking care of her plants, flowers, and garden when the elements allow or when the dogs don’t destroy them.

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Coat and Color of the Wirehaired Vizsla – “COAT: The Wirehaired Vizsla’s coat makes this breed unique. Close lying, a length of approximately 1 inch, the dense wiry coat should not hide the outline of the body. Functionally the coat should protect against weather and injury with a dense undercoat and wiry outer coat. The lower legs and underside of the chest and belly are covered with shorter, softer, thinner coat. Coat on the head and ears is close fitting and shorter. Pronounced eyebrows highlight the stop. Expression is enhanced not only by eyebrows, but also by a strong, harsh beard, approximately 1 inch in length, formed from both sides of the muzzle. On both sides of the neck the coat forms V shaped brushes. Lacking undercoat or coat brushes of the back of the front legs should be penalized, as is any deviation in coat texture or excessive length of coat. The Wirehaired Vizsla should be exhibited almost in his natural state, nothing more in the way of stripping being needed than a tidying up. A clipped coat is faulty.”

The Wirehaired Vizsla is a double-coated breed, the main purpose of the coat is for protection. The top coat should be dense and coarse, tight-fitting, and relatively short—approximately 1 inch. The dense undercoat is a must, not only for protection from harsh weather and underbrush, but it is water-repellent for the cold water retrieves of ducks and geese.

The origin of the breed was a quest to have the hunt and character of the Vizsla in a sturdier wire-coated dog. In Hungary, the winters are very harsh (along with difficult terrain). The hunters wanted a coat that would repel burrs and water alike, one that could keep the dog warm with a thick undercoat, but a coat that did not hide the outline of the body. This has been quite a challenge for breeders across the board. With the Wirehaired Vizsla being a fairly “new” breed, originating in the 1930s, and the fact that the Wirehaired Vizsla is ever so slowly rising in popularity, the gene pool has not been one to get consistency in coat—for most.

The Wirehaired Vizsla standard states that lacking undercoat or brushes of the back of the front legs should be penalized. There has been many a discussion on what is meant by brushes on the back of the front legs. These brushes are formed when thick/harsh coat that is growing in the opposite direction meet, forming a hard, brush-like appearance. This is indicative of a correct coat as far as texture is concerned. On the other hand, if the back of the front legs has softer/longer coat that is more like feathering than brushes, this shows that the coat is softer than what we are striving for. This can also be said of the facial furnishings. A dog with pronounced eyebrows and a strong, harsh beard approximately 1 inch long usually has a body coat to match; harsh and relatively short.

A clipped coat is faulty. To maintain a correct wire coat in the Wirehaired Vizsla, stripping the dead coat out by hand will keep the coat healthy. Over-grooming the Wirehaired Vizsla can be detrimental to the texture of the coat, which can take away the essence of what the coat is for. The coat is what makes this breed unique. By stripping away most of the coat for the show ring, the judges cannot tell if this is the correct double coat or the true texture. The Wirehaired Vizsla is to be exhibited almost in his natural state. Tidying up the coat for the show ring is no more than stripping out the dead coat; taking off the excess hair from the feet, which is what you do before hunting them to prevent burrs from getting stuck to and in the pads, and cleaning up the dog’s “private” area for sanitary reasons. If your Wirehaired Vizsla has a coat that is ready to go into the ring with only this amount of grooming, then you have a Wirehaired Vizsla with the correct coat.

Coat and Color of the Wirehaired Vizsla – “COLOR: Golden rust in varying shades. Red, brown or yellow colors are faulty. The ears may be slightly darker than the body; otherwise the coat color is uniform. White on the forechest or throat, not more than 2 inches in diameter, as well as white on the toes is permissible and common. Solid white extending above the toes or white anywhere else on the dog except the forechest and throat is a disqualification. White due to aging or scars from hunting is not to be faulted. The Wirehaired Vizsla is self-colored, with the color of the eyes, eye-rims, lips, nose and toenails blending with the color of the coat.”

A Quote from a Long-Time Wirehaired Vizsla Devotee:
“I would say, in terms of color, what is most striking & important in their self-color is that the rusty gold, or golden rust, in various shades of light/dark, is that they are the color of autumn fields, they blend in the tall grasses of the puszta (treeless plains of Hungary) or the prairies of North America, as well as woodlands & marshes. I think their coloring is unique in that regard. No other hunting breed blends in as well as the Wirehaired Vizsla. Imagine the view that a pheasant under cover has of a WV pointing it! Just those mesmerizing eyes in the grass or bushes! Talk about camouflage.”

The varying shades are from a russet gold to a honey gold. The gold in the strands of hair keep the coat from looking like a solid color. The faulty colors of red, brown or yellow can come from the dogs that were integrated in the early pedigrees. The Irish Setter (red), Pudelpointer (brown), and the yellow are still a matter of discussion.

To have a solid white patch of coat on the forechest or throat that is more than 2 inches in diameter is a disqualification, as is solid white above the toes or white anywhere else on the body. There is a difference in a solid white and white roaning, which is a mixture of the coat color with white. This is a cosmetic fault in the breed. As the inheritance of white spots has multiple factors, both the solid white and the roaning white are to be bred away from. I have seen pictures of Wirehaired Vizslas recently with a full white chest and some with a white stripe down the throat. Although it is a disqualifying fault that does not inhibit the hunting quality of the Wirehaired Vizsla, this is a fault that takes away from breed type.

With the Wirehaired Vizsla, as in the name, the coat is of utmost importance; not only to separate the breed from others, but for the main purpose of protection. As breeders, we still have work ahead to develop better coat quality. With the new DNA testing available for coat types/textures, we now have more tools in the toolbox to help us in this quest.

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