At the beginning of WWII, dog club activity had virtually ceased in Hungary, as did hunting with one’s Vizsla. Because of Soviet occupation, Hungarians were dislodged, dislocated, and moved around, and some 80% of Vizslak were believed to have been lost at that time. Some died in bombings, others were shot by Russians who perceived the Vizsla as a symbol of aristocracy.

Many owners were forced to leave their dogs behind as they fled, but some were able to smuggle their Vizslak into Austria, Germany, Yugoslavia, Italy, Bulgaria, and Turkey;  some were even able to bring their dogs along when they came to America.  Not to put too fine a point on it, but many believe that it is because of these devoted owners that the Vizsla breed still exists. Sadly, but understandably, so many owners left in such haste that many failed to bring their dogs’ official pedigrees and registration papers with them.

Over 700 official pedigrees of Vizslak are believed to have disappeared after WWII.  Some say the pedigrees were “preserved” by the Russians, others say they were flat out stolen. Another source writes that the information for the approximately 7,000 dogs was taken by the chief of the National Pedigree Committee of the time, but the man died in a car accident before he told anyone where the documents were. These pedigrees were the history of early Vizsla lines:  Végvári+Leányvári, Mesterházi, Vácdukai,  Sabária, Kaposfüredi, Szikra (Kittenberger), Miki (Lassányi), Sashegyi, Hévizi and and the Palóc kennels.

On a happier note, interest in the breed in America began to increase, and owners formed a national club. The breed’s name in Europe had been the Magyar Vizsla, and the club established in 1953 was originally called the Magyar Vizsla Club of America. When the breed was accepted by the AKC in 1960, however, the name, “Magyar” was dropped.

Image: “Confidence” by Erlinde Ufkes Stephanus.  The original painting is currently for sale and anyone interested should contact the artist directly.