HWV Breed Standard

Last updated January 2012

A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Breed Watch section of the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure. However if a dog possesses a feature, characteristic or colour described as undesirable or highly undesirable it is strongly recommended that it should not be rewarded in the show ring.

General appearance

Medium sized, wire coated, distinguished appearance, with a more robust build and a stronger bone structure than the shorthaired Vizsla.

Characteristics

Loyal, intelligent, obedient, sensitive, very affectionate and with patience, easily trained. Bred for hunting fur and feather, pointing and retrieving from land and water.

Temperament

Lively, gentle mannered and demonstrably affectionate.

Head and skull

Lively and intelligent expression. Skull moderately broad and slightly rounded, well proportioned and a little longer than muzzle, with moderate stop. Lips covering jaws completely and neither loose nor pendulous. Bridge of nose is straight and ends in a broad nose. The colour of the nose is harmonious with the coat colour. Coat covering the head gives the head a somewhat square striking appearance.

Eyes

Neither deep nor prominent, of medium size, and slightly oval in shape. Eyelids fitting tightly. Colour of eyes harmonises with coat colour, slightly darker shade desired. Yellow or black eye undesirable.

Ears

The ears are of medium set, proportionately long with a thin skin and hanging down close to cheeks. Rounded ‘V’ shape, not fleshy.

Mouth

Sound and strong white teeth. Jaws strong with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Full dentition desirable.

Neck

Well muscled and of moderate length, slightly arched and devoid of dewlap.

Forequarters

Shoulders well laid and muscular, elbows close to body and forelegs straight. Forearm long, pasterns slightly sloping.

Body

Strong and well proportioned, slightly longer in body measured from point of shoulder to point of buttock than in height from withers to ground. Level back, slightly sloping croup rounded off towards tail set. Chest strongly developed, deep and reaching, at least, to elbows. Ribs moderately well sprung and carried well back.

Hindquarters

Straight when viewed from rear, thighs well developed with moderate angulation, hocks well let down.

Feet

Slightly oval with toes short, arched and tight. Nails short, strong and a shade darker than coat.

Tail

Previously customarily docked.

Docked: Customarily docked by one third of length. Moderately thick, and tapering towards the end. Slightly low set. When moving carried horizontally.

Undocked: Slightly low set. Moderately thick, slightly curved. Tapering towards the end, reaching to hocks. When moving, carried horizontally.

Gait/movement

Animated, flowing and ground covering, with a strong, rear driving action.

Coat

The wire coat on the neck and body is harsh and close fitting, up to 4 cms (1½ ins) long, with an undercoat, which is normally heavier in winter. The hair on muzzle is short and coarse, the hair forming a small beard on the chin. The skull is covered by short, dry hair. Hair on the ears is short and fine. The eyebrows are dense. The coat is shorter on the lower part of the legs, chest and belly. Longer hair is permitted on the rear of the legs. On the feet and between the toes the hair is softer and shorter. Coat on the tail is dense and stronger.

Colour

Golden sand to russet. Small white marks on chest and feet should not be penalised. Dark brown or pale yellow undesirable.

Size

Dogs 58cm to 62cm (23 – 24½ ins); Bitches 54cm to 58cm (21½ ins – 23 ins). Variance of less than 3 cms is permitted as long as the dog remains in proportion.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

Note

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Guide to finding a puppy

The Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla Association has put together a handy guide to help you in your decision in buying a puppy. It is a simple green and red flag system. Red flag beware. Green flag proceed and seek confirmation. Green flags are things we consider to be positive, and red flags are areas where we would recommend caution. Both green and red flags will require clarification and confirmation, you should get this by talking to the breeder.

The person selling the puppies is not the breeder.
The mother and father of the litter are not Huu tested. One parent MUST BE Huu Clear to ensure that none of the puppies are Huu AFFECTED. Ensure that you see the health tests results either from the breeder or from the KC health test results finder.
The mother and father of the litter aren’t hip scored.
The litter are imported.
The breeder wont give you the name of the dam and sire (mother and father) of the litter. If you have the parents Kennel Club names you can look them up on Health Test Results Finder | The Kennel Club.
The mother of the litter had a previous litter less than a year ago. You can check this on the health test results finder.
The mother of the litter is less than 2 years and 2 months old. This means she was mated aged under 2 years. This is against the HWVA Code of Conduct for members (2021).
The mother of the litter has had 3 previous litters. This is against the HWVA members Code of Conduct (2021).
The breeder asks for a deposit over the phone before you have even seen the litter.
The breeder asks you to collect a puppy from somewhere other than where it lives.
You never see the litter with it’s mother.
Upon collection there is no contract.
Every dog that comes through HWVA rehoming has not been bred by a breeder who was willing to take the dog back, or find it a new home. If all breeders took responsibility for the puppies they produced there would be little or no need for HWVA rehoming.
The puppy hasn’t been vet checked.
The puppy isn’t microchipped (unlawful).
You are not given the Kennel Club registration documents at the time of collection. If there has been a delay in the breeder receiving the documents they will always have an e mail from the KC confirming that the litter is registered. You should get a copy.
The litter is not KC registered. This may be that the breeder has not registered the litter or it might be that the litter cannot be registered due to a breach of KC rules for registration. Make sure you are satisfied as to why the litter isn’t KC registered.
The puppies are in, what you consider to be, less than a perfect environment. Those early weeks with the breeder influence the puppies life long behavior, responses, health, resilience, and potential.

The breeder wants to meet you before they agree to you having a puppy.
You contact the breeder and they are very forthcoming with all the details of the litter including offering to send you health test results for the parents. The 5 year mean average hip score for the breed is 11.4 (2024).
The breeder has a waiting list before the puppies are born.
The breeder has a good reputation amongst others in the breed.
The breeder’s kennel name is established and can be researched.
After getting on the breeder’s waiting list you are invited to see the puppies before choosing.
There is a puppy pack when you collect your puppy.
There is a contract of sale which you and the breeder sign. That contract should state what happens in the event of you being unable to keep your puppy/dog.
Every dog that comes through HWVA rehoming has not been bred by a breeder who was willing to take the dog back, or find it a new home. If all breeders took responsibility for the puppies they produced there would be little or no need for HWVA rehoming.
The puppy pack contains the puppy’s vet check document, microchip document and KC registration.
You are offered life long support in the care of your puppy.

You can do further breed health research by reading the breed Health and Conservation plan and the latest bred health survey here: Health and Welfare – Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla Association.

If you have further questions please contact the breed health coordinator Diane Parry at health@hwva.org.uk

HWVA Breeders List

The HWVA operates a breeders list on which the details of members planning litters or having dogs available at stud can be seen. The list can be viewed on the HWVA web site and will be given to those who make enquiries about buying a puppy.

A minimum of 12 months membership of the HWVA is required before members are eligible for inclusion on the list. The list runs from January to December each year at a cost of £10.00 for the year. All members wishing to be included in the Breeders List must agree to the HWVA Breeders List Compliance.

Entry into our breeders list is dependent on the breeders and the stud dog owners being actively involved in Rehoming any dogs of their breeding.

If you wish to be included on the breeders list please send your cheque for £10.00 to the Treasurer, complete with your name, affix, phone number, county of residence, and web site and email addresses if applicable. Applications for inclusion on the breeders list will only be accepted up until August for the current year.

Advice for potential puppy owners :

For advice choosing a breeder, health screening and the right puppy for you we strongly recommend that you review the advice on the Kennel Club’s Website. We would also draw your attention to the Members Code of Conduct that contain a set of sensible practices for breeders to follow.

The HWVA has also produced guidance on buying a puppy which can be viewed here.

Please note that the HWVA accepts no responsibility for puppies sold by breeders on the HWVA Breeders List and does not endorse any of the breeders listed therein.

The List

Forename	Surname	Affix	County	Telephone	Email	Website	Stud Dog
Joy	Allison		Scotland	0131 6690300	Email		Yes
Tim	Branney	Belatarr	Devon	07971 274693	Email	belatarr.co.uk
Caroline	Busby	Starshot	Surrey	01784 462848	Email	starshot.co.uk	Yes
Jean	Byrne	Enryb	Lancashire	07774 782643	Email	enrybgundogs .co.uk	Yes
Roger	Court	Twelveoaks	West Midlands	01676 522725	Email
Carole	Coxhead	Brecalde	Cheshire	07745 958735	Email		Yes
Zoe	Dicker	Zoltarous	Wiltshire	07900 245314	Email	zoltarous.co.uk
Mr R & Mrs W	Hawkins	Vadkacsa	Devon	07886 226811	Email	wirehairedvizslas.co.uk
Jo	Lumasia	Redrafi	Lanarkshire	07778 669244	Email
Karen	May	Amiryck	Devon	05603 660818	Email	amiryck.co.uk
Rachel	Newman	Morganna	Derbyshire	01335 360229	Email		Yes
Janet	Reed	Cuffnels	Wiltshire	01980 610064	Email	Cuffnelsdogs.co.uk
Simon & Justine	Simms-Gould	Gunnerwood	Herefordshire	07812 135199	Email		Yes
Rose & Nick	Summerfield	Miadsc	Cheshire	07917 832275	Email	miadscgundogs.co.uk	Yes
Mrs Janet	Sunter	Lyharr	North Yorkshire	07813614263	Email	lyharr-gundogs.co.uk
Robin & Shaun	Sutton	Hornbeak	Cotswold	07957 345695	Email
Amanda	Taylor	Pondycott	Somerset	07866 601592	Email	pondycottvizslas.co.uk	Yes

Rehoming

With the lifting of all Covid restrictions and the changes to the furlough scheme as it winds down, it is possible that we may have more families asking for our help to rehome their dogs as they return to more normal working patterns.

We are therefore reopening applications to people who are interested in welcoming an HWV into their family. If you would like to register your interest, please complete our PDF form here and return it to Diane Parry via email.

If you should need our help finding a new home for your HWV please contact Diane Parry for an informal discussion via email.

Please note that the PDF forms have been designed to be filled in on your computer. Please fill in the form and save it before emailing.

We are now working in partnership with Agria Pet Insurance Limited and all dogs rehomed via the HWVA will come with 5 Weeks Free pet insurance – whatever their age.

April 2022

Email Rehoming Application to Rehome

Maeve

September 2024

Maeve interviewed, appointed her new home, and has now started her next life chapter.

About HWV