Vizsla Breed Magazine - Showsight

UNDERSTANDING THE GENERAL APPEARANCE OF THE VIZSLA

The Vizsla coat color has a broad range of golden rust tones.

aging or scarring must not be faulted. The Vizsla is self-colored, with the color of the eyes, eye-rims, lips, nose, toenails and pads of feet blend- ing with the color of the coat.” As with any breed, there are things that are allowed by the Breed Standard—but less of some things that are allowable is the preference. Coat color in the Vizsla is no different. While white is acceptable when within the approved boundaries, less white is the preference when all other attributes are equal. However, white as a result of aging should never be faulted. Also, it is common in the breed for the Vizsla to have a saddle, which is a lighter coloring around the shoulder area. This is perfectly fine and should never be faulted. The nose color blends with the coat, so that a darker dog should have a darker nose and a lighter dog can have a lighter nose. It is a brownish-red or brownish-pink color, not quite liver or dark brown and never black. Noses that are chapped, freckled or discolored from the sun, field work or age are not to be penalized. However, a black nose is a disqualification in the breed. As always, if you want to get more information or clarification on the breed, reach out to any of our breed mentors or visit our breed’s Illustrated Standard at: http://www.vcaweb.org/download/ VCA_Illustrated_Standard.pdf.

UNDERSTANDING COLOR A Vizsla on point in the field in full view of the morning or afternoon sun is an incredibly striking visual. The Vizsla Standard calls for a golden rust coat color. As with many colors, there are varying hues. The best way to evaluate color in the Vizsla breed is to think about a color scale or wheel. Ask yourself, “How far to the left or right is too far away from the cen- tral description of golden rust?” The Vizsla breed will have dogs ranging in coat color (see coat color examples above) and all are perfectly acceptable. Pale yellow and mahogany brown are most likely outside the desired color boundary for the breed and should be faulted. The Vizsla Color Standard states: “Golden rust in varying shades. Lighter shadings over the sides of the neck and shoulders giving the appearance of a "saddle" are common. Solid dark mahogany and pale yellow are faulty. White on the forechest, preferably as small as possible, and white on the toes are permissible. Solid white extending above the toes or white anywhere else on the dog except the forechest is a disquali- fication. When viewing the dog from the front, white markings on the forechest must be confined to an area from the top of the sternum to a point between the elbows when the dog is standing naturally. White extending on the shoulders or neck is a disqualification. White due to

Few breeds can match the speed and work ethic of a Vizsla.

Vizslas often have a pronounced lighter-colored coat over the shoulders, called a saddle.

Vizslas are high-performance dogs that can match their human hunter’s endurance.

The robust but light build of a Vizsla enables its endurance in the field.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tad Walden has been involved with Vizslas for nearly two decades. He is approved to judge Vizslas conformationally and in the field. He is an AKC Breeder of Merit. Tad has trained and handled his dogs in the show ring and in the field, earning Best of Breed at national events and eight AKC Master Hunter Titles. He has also trained and shown the only Weimaraner in US history to achieve an AKC Best in Show and an AKC Master Hunter title. Tad is a Board Member of the Vizsla Club of America and has chaired the breed’s Illustrated Standard Committee. He is also President of the Vizsla Club of Colorado, President of Evergreen Colorado Kennel Club, and President and Show Chair of Roaring Fork Kennel Club. Tad is the founder and Chairman of FidoTV Channel, a cable television network dedicated to canine programming, reaching more than 65 million people.

SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 2021 | 325

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