YES. Like any breed of dog, Vizslas can suffer from cancer and we are seeing increasing and worrying prevalence (together with younger age of onset) Haemangiosarcoma (HSA) and Lymphoma are especially common. The incidence of Mast Cell Tumours and Osteosarcoma also give cause for concern.
UK BREED HEALTH SURVEY 2025
The Joint Health Panel representing the interests of the two Kennel Club recognised UK Breed Associations (the Hungarian Vizsla Club and the Hungarian Vizsla Society) produced a survey to investigate breed health problems.The results confirmed Cancer (especially Haemangiosarcoma) to be a significant breed health concern – with 12.5% of vizslas found to be affected at some point in their lives
UK KENNEL CLUB
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)
VETERINARY ONCOLOGY
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s44356-025-00041-4
A 2025 study (download PDF) found the vizsla to have a much higher risk of haemangiosarcoma than most other breeds (the third most likely to be affected – in the histopathological cohort). This is a scary finding. The Cancers have a significant genetic component – breeders MUST start tracking the outcomes of mating decisions – for all of their pups lives. And modify their programmes accordingly.
OTHER RESEARCH
1) These UK observations tie in with the findings 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.
2) A US study to evaluate the risk of Cancer in gonadectomized vizslas PUBMed Study
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
