A breed standard is a set of guidelines which is used to ensure that the animals produced by a breeder conform to the specifics of the standardized breed. Breed standards are devised by national or international breed associations, not by individuals, and are written to reflect the use or purpose of the breed. Essentially, it is a blueprint for an animal fit for the function it was bred – in the case of the Hungarian Vizsla, a hunt/point/retrieve gundog, that was originally trained to find live game and retrieve game that had been shot and wounded, and to make good companions with their temperament making them ideal all-round family dogs. While most dogs may not perform those same functions today, it is that standard “look” of the breed and its temperament which probably made you decide “I love Vizslas”.