On Point - A Pheasant - No Doubt

 These pictures are of Bailey's point.  Judges and handlers in the field call it: "dog standing."   Same as calling out "dog on point."

Once Bailey goes on point these still pictures could as easily be  motion pictures because they would look the same.

He is "rock solid."  His points today on pheasant were from an average of 25 feet away.  The boy has a great nose.

 We went to Bird's Landing Hunting Preserve today with a couple friends. 

http://www.birdslanding.net/default.htm


 A section was reserved for us and eight pheasant were planted.  The section was about the size of 40 football fields. One of my friend's brought along his 5-year-old female German short hair pointer.

Over the next 90 minutes Bailey had covered the ground with a couple 10 minute water breaks thrown in.

My friend, Tommy, watching with interest Bailey's steadiness

 Of the 8 birds, Bailey found and held through the shot on 6 of them. 

We took a break so the GSP could work a couple birds.

Bailey was being a pheasant vacuum cleaner covering huge tracts of the field at a full out run. 

A true "brag dog."

The breeding earlier in the week seems to not have affected him negatively.  Maybe I even saw a little more maturity in the field.  Of course, that could just be wishful guy thinking. 

Sex, food, naps and to end the week, a pheasant hunt. 

Not a bad week for the boy. 

Birth of a Field Trial Man

"I hope the younger generation can get away from their computer games and TV sets long enough to get out and experience field trials with their Vizslas."

 - Rod (started my addiction late)

BIRTH OF A FIELD TRIAL MAN

(article appeared in a 1950's "AMERICAN FIELD" Magazine)
Thanks to Bernie Matthys for his kind regard in permitting this wonderful article to be reported

"How does a man get to be a field trial “addict”? Is he born that way or is it something that develops later in life?

At a local one-hour course trial last fall, I saw the birth of a field trial man. It is something I will never forget.

 This was a family trial, that is, the entrants brought their families with them and made it a regular get-together. Lunch baskets were much in evidence and the youngsters played with an old football between braces, all but one youngster.

This boy, thirteen or fourteen years old, had a young dog entered in the puppy stakes and was acting very much the way he thought an owner should act. No nonsense with a football for him.


The boy’s father acted as his handler and all during the running of the stake you could see that the youngster was on pins and needles. He kept a wary eye on the performances turned in by the other entries and almost burst with excitement when his own brace was called.


At the finish of the running, the boy’s dog was awarded second place. The winners and other members of the club gathered around the secretary to receive the ribbons and small checks, which went to the successful entries. The boy joined the group and stepped forward very seriously when his name was called.

He accepted the congratulations of the group gravely and hardly cracked a smile. But, as soon as he could back away, he went running too his family covering five feet at every jump and yelling like an Indian every time he hit the ground.

Later, as I was leaving, I saw the youngster kneeling on the wet ground rubbing his dog with a piece of clean burlap sacking. It seemed as if the two were talking to each other; no doubt planning the next campaign and dreaming of a future full of ribbons, checks and trophies.

And so, though we grieve and rightly so as the old-timers pass on, we can count on the youngsters to perpetuate field trials and the breeding of high-class bird dogs. Apparently, in our own breeding of a far higher type the love for a good dog is being passed on as a proponent trait to the coming generation."


The Wonderful World of Sporting Dogs-WHAT IS A FIELD TRIAL?

Edward Goemaat
Arlington, VA

Nature's mating dance

The courtship of Sophie

The Mating.  In Marion Coffman's definitive book on the Vizsla, she explains how the mating occurs.  I read this section this morning before loading Bailey in the Jeep for the two hour drive to where he was going to breed.  She starts the section: "When the stud dog is within traveling possibilities, the old fashioned "natural" way is still the surest way used by many breeders, especially if the stud is experienced."  A little later in the section: " When the bitch is ready, she will let the male mount her.  An inexperienced male may try and mount her head, but the bitch will usually swing her body around and present her rear to him until he gets the idea."

I have never seen the mating of dogs from start to finish.  This time I not only watched, but gave support when needed.

The side shifted tail only occurs when the female is ready to accept the male

The courtship.  For over an hour, Sophie and Bailey "courted."  Bailey licked her ears until they were soaking wet.  He chew through her nylon collar until it was shredded.    He rolled on his back, he sniffed, he pranced.  They took a few breaks and at one point were seperated for about five minutes to allow them to relax a bit.  Bailey was completely inexperienced and it was interesting to see how long it took for him to get the idea of what he was to do.  He KNEW he had to do something, but was having trouble figuring it out.

After about an hour of courting and a few weak attempts, Sophie took charge.  She would coax Bailey into a stand up dance, and as they fell back down, she would swing around quickly so his front legs would come down on her back.  Smart girl!  He got the idea.  The light bulb went on.

The actual act was quick.  Just maybe a minute.  Then the "tie that binds" took place.  The dogs turned tail to tail and the breeder knelt by Sophie and I knelt by Bailey and just let them relax.  After about ten minutes, the coupling released and we were done. 

Both dogs then pranced around the yard happily.  Sophie was put in her crate and Bailey came and lay down next to me.

Very good chance we made puppies today.  Nature is grand!

Teamwork - Brother and Sister Vizsla

Chloe: "I got to get this stick back to shore quickly! I want them to throw it again!"

Bailey: "Relax Chloe. We'll get there. I won't let one of those other dogs take it from you."

Pictures taken during a VizslaWalk at Point Pinole last Sunday morning. 

We had about 12 Vizslas and a really cool Black Lab running and swimming off-leash at this great "hidden treasure" of a place.

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

Future Bay Area Vizsla walks are posted on:
 
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/vizslawalk/

You are always welcome to come along.  Alone or with a well-mannered dog.

This week, the walk will be in San Francisco at Fort Funston.

http://redbirddog.blogspot.com/2010/05/vizslas-attack-san-francisco-beach.html