Yes. Like any breed of dog, Vizslas can suffer from cancer and we are seeing increasing and worrying prevalence (and at younger age of onset) Haemangiosarcoma (HSA) and Lymphoma are especially common. The incidence of Mast Cell Tumours and Osteosarcoma also give cause for concern.
In their 2021 Breed Health and Conservation Plan, the Kennel Club confirmed the breed’s predisposition
Cancer Conditions
General: A literature review of breed predispositions to cancers and cancer-related mortality established the Hungarian Vizsla as having a high percentage of deaths due to cancer, with one study finding 46.7% (of just 15 dogs) of the breed dying due to cancer (95% CI 21.4-71.9) with a median age at death of 9.83 years (Dobson, 2013)
These UK observations tie in with the findngs of the Vizsla Club of America’s latest health survey (2023)
If dogs live long enough, 50% of them will get cancer. This is a sad but true stat among dog circles. This is also true within our pure-bred Vizsla population in the US, according to the data collected in the VCA WF 2023 Vizsla Health Survey. We were a combo of shocked and dismayed to learn that 35% of all cancers in Vizslas was Hemangiosarcoma (HSA). In fact, 1 in 6 Vizslas died from HSA in the last 10 years.
There is no doubt that Genetics play a significant role in Canine Cancer
This is a hugely important article (courtesy of DogCancer.com)
Breeders are urged to read it – to be aware of the principles of hereditary risk – and to do their best to avoid and mitigate
The following flip book – written by Fitzpatricks Referrals – (click and scroll down) gives excellent advice, and the RVC’s owner FAQ page gives useful detail on the various types of Cancer
