Pacific Vizsla Futurity

Quite the weekend in the foothills of California. The weather was fantastic. Where this event is held is one of the most wonderful places in California. More pictures and stories later.

Bailey did great in the Pacific Vizsla Futurity. He ran the hills very well and found and pointed two birds.

One of the best performances he has ever given me. He was a joy to work with in among the oaks, rolling hills, and interesting rock croppings of Kistler Ranch.

The caliber of the competition was such that Bailey did not place in the top four places. He, I was sure, was in the upper half of the pack with his run and finds.

This weekend at Kistler Ranch marked the one-year anniversary of my first field trial. Bailey and I have come a long way in this sport.

A later post will be about Bailey being one of five dogs selected as having a "natural point." He had blood drawn after the field trial for his DNA. This is for a research project to find the "pointing gene in pointing breeds." More on this later. During my Germany and England trip, the researchers have asked me to find pointing breeds and take saliva samples of pointing dogs I encounter for the research.

This is exciting but this is for another post. I am tired from a long weekend.

Below is a post from Ken Kuivenhoven, the creator and director of the first-ever Pacific Vizsla Futurity. These were the 17 "best" two-year old and under Vizslas in the West.

"The running is done and the judges have deemed their placements for the inaugural running of the Pacific Vizsla Futurity.

Before announcing the placements, I would like to especially thank a few key individuals who really stuck with it and truly helped bring this to fruition.

In no hierarchy of importance, my wife Janet has been absolutely devoted to the task. Though we are both exhausted, we are also fueled for the event to continue and improve.

Nancy Colwell, without whom we would not have achieved success - from inception she supported the concept and helped with everything from securing and re-securing judges to the porta-potty arrival - I cannot thank her enough.

Tiffany Jorgens who stood the test of time and rode hard all day for us without complaint, planting birds and finding wayward dogs.

Rod Michaelson whose generous donation to the trophy fund was immeasurable, whose unwavering upbeat support and willingness to help with any task that needed doing beyond exemplary.

Bonita Austin whose ferrying dogs from MO to her home in Utah then on to CA with a couple great kids in tow truly supported the event and her fellow Field trialers at considerable expense I'm sure both monetarily and the time and effort.

Gordon Strohmeier who quietly works around the trial in the most inconspicuous manner as to be easily overlooked, ensuring water is always available for dog or horse and a helping hand always a moment away.

Our judges Joan Heimback and Ellis Herz who traveled long distances and were very pleased to be rewarded with the outstanding caliber of dogs that were presented to them and of course all the participants and breeders who submitted nominations and brought their dogs for us all to see.

Seventeen dogs ran the event.

Winner:
Dawnacres Ruffcut Diamong "Chip" M - Handler Richard Spacarelli

1st runner up:
Dawnacres Dizzy Izzy "Izzy" F - Handler Richard Spaccarelli

2nd runner up:
Shiloh's Hillbillie Jazzman "Jasper" M - Handler Bonita Austin

3rd runner up:
Willowynd's Scarlet Letter "Scarlet" F - Handler Janet Kuivenhoven

Congratulations to all participants and breeders. It was a great experience to be able to witness such class dogs running on such beautiful grounds and great camaraderie brought forth by our red dogs."

Ken

Mountain bike conditioning for Vizslas

To get ready for the Pacific Futurity at Kistler Ranch this weekend, Bailey and Chloe got to run with me as I rode my mountain bike over the last three days.

The first ride was Sunday morning at Point Pinole before and during the Vizsla walk. The dogs ran the trails while I "pushed" them with the mountain bike and covered about three miles of wooded trails. This weekend's trials are going to be with "handlers" on horseback and the dogs have to move quickly foward and move strong through the fields for thirty minutes. These are much more demanding then when we are competing in "walking trials" and I am on foot.

Yesterday and today I rode the local trails of Shell Ridge as the dogs ran. These have been about five-mile runs with a pond about two miles in and a pond at the end of the run. Both dogs love a nice swim to cool down after the workout. It has been in the upper 70's this week in the afternoon the last couple days and all of us get hot.

Tomorrow will be the last run. Then Bailey gets to "hang out" at home and rest Thursday and Friday before the field trials Saturday and Sunday. The plan is to have Bailey relaxed but also that he is anxious to RUN on Saturday.

He then needs to relax again after Saturday's contest because he will be running Sunday morning against his buddy "Hank" on the second brace of the Northern California Vizsla Club's field trial.

This will be a rematch of a couple weekends ago when Bailey and Hank came in second and third in a walking trial.

Bailey is an athlete and field trials are canine athletic contests. He is in great shape and ready to take on the West's best under-two year old Vizslas.

We are off for the field trial Friday afternoon in the motor home. Looking forward to some good times with good people, good food and great dogs.

I'll update Redbirddog next Sunday night with plenty of pictures.

Happy trails and trials.

English version of Westminster won by Vizsla!

double click on video to open up You tube video.

"Crufts 2010 won by

Hungarian Vizsla

called Yogi "
by BBC

Yogi also won the Gundog group at the world famous dog show
A Hungarian Vizsla named Yogi has won Best In Show at Crufts.

The seven-year-old beat off competition from six other dogs in the culmination of the four-day show at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre (NEC).

Yogi is the first Hungarian Vizsla to win Best in Show. Handler John Thirlwell said his "wonderful dog" from Carlisle, Cumbria, is likely to retire.

Rico, a Scottish Terrier from Russia, took second prize at Crufts, the largest dog show in the world.

And Judge Valerie Foss said of the winning dog: "He is such a lovely mover, so powerful, so free.

"He is just a very, very good dog."

The Kennel Club said nearly 22,000 dogs across 187 breeds were entered into this year's Best in Show competition.

Yogi is a good looking boy.

Eng Sh Ch & Aust Ch Hungargunn Bear It n Mind

'Yogi'

Yogi is UK’s TOP DOG 2006 & 2007. In 2006, this was by the biggest winning margin in the history of the "Dogworld Magazine" competition. Winning again in 2007 makes him one of only three dogs ever to go back-to-back.

Yogi left Australia as an All Breeds Best In Show winner and since arriving in England has won 12 BIS, 4 RUBIS, 3 BISS, 28 BIG, 7 RUBIG and 45 CC's surely becoming the world's biggest winning Vizsla considering the average number of dogs exhibited at a Champ Show in England is in excess of 10,000!

He is 2nd placed in total number of BIS won by gundog in a “lifetime” and he's achieved this in just over 2yrs and is the only gundog to win 7 BIS in one show season, which is the highest number ever won in UK.

"This Vizsla is surely the blueprint! His conformation is outstanding, all that I have read about it and studied about shoulder and hind angulation is seen in this dog.

All the proportions and angles are there,

the measurements are correct.

Well laid shoulders, the distance from withers to elbow to floor equal. His body slightly longer in length than his height. All through he answers the standard; a medium sized dog in appearance, distinguished, robust but lightly boned. As his conformation is so correct, when he moves he takes the breath away, his balance and the ground he covers demonstrate his qualities as he elegantly flows around the ring, sound as a bell.

On top of all this, his fine Gundog head has the kindest of expressions. He is a gentleman. I do indeed feel we are privileged to have the chance of sharing this handsome Vizsla with his Australian owners, we may never see another so good! All praise for his excellent condition and happy disposition." Gay Gottlieb (Russetmantle Kennels UK)

Vizsla learning French 101

I am going from Germany to England next month without stopping in France. That may be a mistake in my planning.

Maybe I could learn some French to teach Bailey and Chloe.

The French Vizslas and their owners look like they know how to study French.

10 Commandments for a Vizsla Owner

May we live up to be the people our dogs think we are.

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF A RESPONSIBLE VIZSLA OWNER

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be very painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up for my punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment. I have only you!

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I'll NEVER forget it.

7. Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold be for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart may be getting old and weak.

9. Take care of me when I get old. You, too, will grow old.


10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch it" or, "Let it happen on my absence." Everything is easier for ME if you are there.


Always, remember, I love you.

-- Author Unknown

Thanks to a fellow blogger for sharing this insight.

http://riorocket.blogspot.com/

The blogging Vizsla community is a great worldwide society of caring dog owners of which I am proud to be a part.

Hidden Treasure - Castle Rock

There is no better sign for a Vizsla owner than an "OFF LEASH AREA BEYOND THIS POINT."



http://www.ebparks.org/parks/diablo_foothills

To Reach The Park:
Exit I-680 on Ygnacio Valley Road in Walnut Creek and drive east. After about three miles turn right on Walnut Avenue. After about two miles turn right on Oak Grove Road, then bear right onto Castle Rock Road and follow it to the Orchard Staging Area on the right (This lot closed during winter and wet weather). There is informal parking near the park entrance at the end of Castle Rock Road.

Along the foothills of Mt. Diablo

In the northern foothills of Mt. Diablo is an area in Walnut Creek called the Shell Ridge Open Space and we started last night's walk at Borges Ranch. We walked about 90 minutes and took the trails to the Castle Rock trail along a winding stream.

These are great open spaces with huge wide open spaces where Bailey can run and we can train for up coming field trials.

The area is very close to the terrain of our next field trial.

Unlike the lower areas of Shell Ridge, the upper areas have cows that must like green foxtails because there are very few in the upper areas.









Pine Creek runs along the Castle Rock trail. The dogs had fun playing in the water.

We came across a nice little Golden Retriever that had a good time playing with Chloe and Bailey.

Into an Open Gun Dog stake

These are a few pictures taken from horseback during an Open Gun Dog brace yesterday.

I rode two braces in Open Gun Dog and watched great dogs being directed by excellent handlers.

I can see a lot of training in my future if Bailey and I are going to give these dogs and handlers competition.

More Vizsla field trial pictures from last weekend

Spring time.



The sun felt good on cold skin. Saturday had been cold but Sunday the sun came out and the spririts rose with the sun.

I like these people that play this game. Fields, dogs, horses, good food, good drink along with friendships both new and old. Everything miles away from the grind.








Little Panoche is a great place to run and watch a trial.





The below picture shows a brace being run below a bluff where spectators can watch the action.



Nowhere else I have run Bailey have I been where a brace can be seen better.

Vizsla Trial Spring fun

March 6th and 7th. The Northern California Vizsla Club Spring Field Trial at Little Panoche Wildlife Area (Central California Valley).

Good people, good food, and great dogs.

Bailey finished second in Amateur Derby on Sunday. In Saturday we ran in Open Derby. We had some problems and didn't place, but then again there were some very good dogs and handlers.















































There were some excellent field dog trainers at the event. These folk love these dogs. The good ones have learned how to communicate with Vizslas and know the temperament of the breed.

Not all pointing breeds are trained the same.

Along with training the dogs, the professionals have learned how to play the "sport of field trialing game." This is a tough sport to learn and harder to teach.

The professional has to know how to communicate with the dogs and also with the dog's owner. A paid pro to stay in business has to win for the people who put their dogs under his instruction. I have a great respect for these individuals.




Bailey gets ready for a brace against his buddy Hank. They both ran great braces. Hank came in third.














Chloe got to enjoy the spring fields also.









Bailey is professionally "stacked" for his second place finish picture. Such a good looking boy.