We will be continually looking at available information to see what actions are necessary to ensure the optimal health of the HWV. Our Health Survey conducted in conjunction with the AHT gave us useful information on the health of the breed.  We conducted our own survey in 2015 to follow on from this.  We are keen to follow up and investigate health issues identified by the results of these surveys. We are currently analysing the best ways of doing this and will report back on this in due course.

Also, a reminder to all breeders and owners to contact us with information of health issues they have encountered whether previously or currently for our records. We appreciate that health issues by their very nature can prove a delicate subject and we will endeavour to act with the upmost discretion. We are happy to keep any information given confidential, if requested. However, we do urge everyone to be open about health issues they encounter since extra knowledge provides us with more opportunity to act upon it.

The best way to report issues to us is through our reporting system: Report a Health Problem.

Don’t worry if you don’t have all these details, anything is better than nothing. However, the more definite details you can give us the easier it is to act on the information.

We also strongly recommend that owners report all problems to the dog’s breeders to enable them to make the most informed breeding decisions possible.

We are passionate about ensuring that this wonderful breed have a healthy future and we are undertaking several initiatives to ensure that this is the case.

HWVA Recommended DNA Testing Laboratory

If you are going to use DNA testing for HUU, parentage or some other for reason PLEASE consider the KC Canine Genetics Centre as your laboratory of choice. The KC Canine Genetics Centre has taken over the work of the Animal Health Trust, which closed. Although there are plenty of laboratories offering canine health testing, we think that the KCGC is the only option offering the opportunity of subsequent research from DNA samples which are stored as a consequence of DNA tests. This is unique to the KCGC, as it once was, when its home was the now, defunct AHHT. The testing side of the KCGC, called Canine Genetic Testing (CAGT) is administratively separate from the KCGC, and profits from tests are ploughed back into their canine genetics research, as well of course as indefinitely retaining DNA samples. The breed already has an extensive stock of DNA samples from previous testing and a collection drive some years ago. By using the KC Canine Genetics Centre, you will be adding to the existing stock of HWV DNA, it’s a win win for you, and the breed. No other laboratory retains DNA for subsequent research.

Here are links to information and conditions that have been found, albeit rarely and in single numbers:

Allergies   Epilepsy   Hip Scoring   Elbow Scoring   Canine Hyperuricosuria (HUU)   Vizsla Inflammatory Polymyopathy (VIP)   Spikes Disease   Urate Stone Disorder

Please also note that there are Facebook Groups to support any HWV owners with dogs who suffer with epilepsy (HWV Epilepsy Support Group), allergies (HWV Allergy Support Group) and cancer (HWV Cancer Support Group).

Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla Breed Health Group | Facebook

There is a new Facebook group which is an initiative by the UK Kennel Club Breed Health Co-ordinator Diane Parry. It is for information on HWV health and it will include KC press releases and updates as well as articles, research papers, surveys and information on health schemes in the UK and outside of the UK. If you would like a topic covered please drop Diane Parry an e mail at health@hwva.org.uk or message her. This is not a group for veterinary advice or diagnosis discussion.