Welcome

WELCOME to a website that sets out to provide information on the illnesses to which the vizsla is known to be predisposed – on the basis of scientific literature and survey findings. The aim of the Vizsla Health Trust is to educate owners – prospective and current – and to encourage better breeding practice – that acknowledges and seeks to minimise these serious problems

HISTORY

The Vizsla Health website was set up in 2007-  primarily to investigate the emergence at that time of a disease that was eventually recognised as Vizsla Inflammatory Polymyopathy (VIP)  – a breed specific presentation of an inflammatory muscle disorder. As that project unfolded the prevalence of other Immune Mediated Diseases became apparent. A health survey to further explore the problems was launched and we continue to encourage its completion by everybody that has experienced illness in their vizsla. Confidentiality is assured. It is vital for the future wellbeing of the Hungarian Vizsla that people are honest and forthcoming. Please help if you can. Everybody has a chance to make a difference. Even tiny bits of information will contribute to the biggest understanding of how we might help our vizslas stay healthy

WHERE IT STARTED    (click buttons for further detail)

CURRENT BREED HEALTH PROBLEMS

For many years the Hungarian Vizsla was considered to be a fairly healthy breed. Responsible breeders adhered to a code of conduct which requires that they use individuals that are of good temperament, physically sound, health tested and free from known hereditary diseases.

Historically this approach seemed to work well with most vizslas living long and healthy lives. Recently though there is mounting and increasing evidence to suggest that in our breed there may now be some serious health conditions that are over represented

The Kennel Club Breed Health and Conservation Plan (2021) confirms that in the UK the Vizsla’s principal health concerns are

INFORMATION

The links above give much further detail on each of these worrying diseases. Cancer (esecially Haemangiosarcoma and Lymphoma) and Epilepsy are of particular concern. A 2025 study published in the journal of Veterinary Oncology showed the vizsla to have a significantly  increased risk of Haemangiosarcoma – when compared with other breeds. The Vizsla is also one of the breeds contributing to Epilepsy Research being undertaken by the Canine Genetics Centre at Cambridge University.

EVIDENCE

Click on the images below for further insight

BREEDERS

Breeders should make it their priority to actively investigate the health problems that their stock is producing and mitigate where possible. This applies equally to the owners of stud dogs – whose impact on the gene pool has the potential to be especially deleterious

There are Kennel Club/BVA screening schemes for Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia and Glaucoma – and these are intended to better inform breeding decisions. The Hungarian Vizsla Club’s Code of Conduct, and that of the Hungarian Vizsla Society require these tests to be undertaken BEFORE mating (with acceptable resutls!)– and so too does the Kennel Club’s HEALTH STANDARD for the Hungarian Vizsla

OWNERS

We recommend that prospective puppy buyers do a great deal of research before purchase. Please think carefully if the parents are not KC Registered and health tested  – and GRILL your potential breeder about the other significant health problems that cannot be tested for. The Health Testing Page will help with research and questions to ask. Evasive answers will always be a red flag!