GSWC Specialty Show at Plainfield Kennel Club

Savi practicing before Sweeps

 One of our annual Memorial Day Weekend traditions is to support our club's Specialty show, which is part of the Atlantic Shore Classic show circuit in Freehold, NJ.  It is one of our favorite show sites, except it can and usually is extremely hot and humid this time of year.  Under 80 degree weather, we did our best to keep the dogs cool and have a good time.  It was a busy show, as we had three of our girls entered, Savi, Trudy and Jam, and I was fortunate to have my good friend, Kellyann there to help with the girls and take pictures.  The club served a lovely lunch to everyone entered and we even got to spend time with Michele and Mia, who came for a short visit.

Mia, Grayhart's American Woman, had some show training and we can't wait to start showing her this year.

Savi, getting ready for the judge to examine her.

 Savi, Grayhart's Shear Genius,JH,CGC, (Clay x Trixie),who has not been shown much, did very well, especially since she does not care for the hot weather but held her stacks, stood for exam and gated nicely.  She placed 3rd in sweeps and 3rd in the 12-18 class, both the biggest classes of the day.

Trudy, Grayhart's Special Reserve, (Zeke x Trixie) spent a wonderful weekend with us and found every tennis ball in the house, no matter how well hidden! She remembered how to be a show girl and placed 2nd in the Open class.  She got to then go home to swim in her pool.

Jam waiting for her turn to go in the ring, she's cool as a cucumber..

Jam, CH Grayhart's Purple Haze,CD,JH,OA,NAJ,NSD,V, held up very well under the hot conditions and received an Award of Merit!  After the show, we celebrated by visiting our favorite vendors and Jam and Savi both got fabulous new collars.

4th Annual TSWR Hair of the Dog 5K & Pet Expo - Part 2

Savi looking spiffy in the hot pink coursing coat.

One of the fun activities they offered at the event was Lure Coursing  practice runs.  Traditionally, lure coursing has been a performance event for sighthounds but recently, the AKC has made it a titling event called Coursing Ability Test for all-breeds. The AKC offers this program that the dogs and owners love so well, to test the dogs basic coursing instinct or hunting by sight ability.  The dogs chase an artificial lure, in an open field and are judged by two judges, on the dogs overall ability, speed, endurance, agility, and how well they follow the lure. The upside of this event is the dogs are kept in such good healthy shape, by doing something that comes naturally and that they really like to do.

Savi is totally fixated on the other dogs chasing the lure aka the plastic bags!

The lure coursing was run by PawPals PCA who offer weekly training and practice sessions in our area.  It is a great way to cross train your dogs for other dog sports such as agility. 

Showing me how to get Savi ready at the start line...waiting for the signal...

Release the dog on the "T" of Tallyho!!!  and Savi was off like a bullet chasing the lure!

Savi was quite impressive in her run and Mike Stoble from PCA said she was a natural and great PR as the crowd cheered her on during her awesome run.  He encouraged us to come to his practices.

Jam took a turn but wasn't quite as enthusiastic as her sister.  I think she thought there would be birds out in the field and was disappointed not to find any.  She had a good run but will stick to hunting birds.

Our friends Kellyann and her 9-yr old June at the start line.  June was amazing!

4th Annual TSWR Hair of the Dog 5K & Pet Expo - Part 1

On Sunday, we attended the 4th Annual TriState Weimaraner Rescue Hair of the Dog 5K & Pet Expo.  This event is held at the beautiful Silver Decoy Winery and a major fundraiser for TSWR.  The day was cloudy and very chilly, but the rain held off and the temps made for comfortable race conditions.  We opted to walk the 5k with our group of dogs and really enjoyed it.

The 5k took us through the local area and ended back at the winery where they offered wine tasting, live music and other fun activities.  All the runners received nice gift bags, etched wine glasses and event t-shirts.

Refreshing drinks along the route for everyone including the dogs.  Note how my girls didn't even have to ask the man to hold the cup for them to drink...they are princesses of course!

Yay - we made it to the finish line.  From l-r: Kellyann, Haze, June, me, Jam and Savi

Haze getting kisses from his momma.

Savi getting a quick cuddle as she watches the lure coursing....a new and exciting activity for her!  More on that in Part 2...

2011 WCA National Specialty

Lots of ribbons for the Grayhart girls - this doesn't even include our obedience ribbon or Bliss' haul.

The 2011 Weimaraner Club of America National Speciatly was held last week at the Robert's Centre in Wilmington, Ohio with the related agility trials held at Queen City Dog Training Club(QCDTC) in Sharonville, Ohio.  Our Nationals adventure began with a long, almost 12 hour drive out to stay near the agility trials, which began on May 14th.  Three dogs (Trixie,Jam and Savi), three humans, leather leads stock, displays, soft crates, luggage and everything needed for the dogs and humans for a week away made for a very packed mini-van.  It was a week of exciting competition in various venues and socializing with friends from all over the world.  A major highlight of our trip was getting to meet and spend time with Jen Boyd and Bliss, Grayhart's Launch My Line, who flew in from Alaska just for the Nationals.  The only disappointment was the weather, which rained almost nonstop until Thursday, the day we left.  Fortunately, all the activities for us were indoors.

Bonnie (owner of Jam's sire, Parker, GCH Hibourne's It's All About Me) and me waiting for Jam's AOM picture.

Jam & Jamie in the BOB competition where they received an AOM!

I am still overwhelmed at the successful week we had as our hope was just to maybe get a placement or two but we ended up with many agility class wins, new titles in obedience and agility, Bliss, Grayhart's Launch My Line, placing 3rd in almost every huge 12-18 month conformation class and the Futurity, and Jam getting an Award of Merit. not an easy feat at a National with such a huge entry and high quality of dogs.

Jen & Bliss

Savi was along for the ride and was only shown in one day of sweeps and at the Columbus Specialty.  She was a good girl and I was pleased with her showing even though she wasn't in the ribbons. Not to be left out, Savi, came everywhere with us and thought that the Nationals were the best party she's ever been to and loved playing with her littermate Bliss!

Savi in the Sweeps class

 In the obedience venue, Jam finished her Companion Dog (CD) title with a 3rd placement and score of 185.

 Jam heeling

New CD title with a 3rd place for Jam

Trixie even competed in Open A Obedience and would have qualified with a 1st place if she had held her out of sight group sit but I was happy with her performance since we have not focused as much on competition obedience and her individual run was very impressive.

Trixie, off lead heeling with attention.

We were entered in three days of agility trials and I was thrilled with how Trixie and Jam performed.  Some of Jam and Trixie's runs are posted on other blog posts. The QCDTC is a wonderful venue, with cushy, matted flooring, air conditioning and indoor bathrooms.  The only negative was that the ring is the minimum size allowed by AKC, which made for very tight, challenging courses for the big-strided Weimaraners.  Judges Laura English and David Hirsch designed terrific courses that were fast and fun and were very encouraging to the competitors.  We were honored to be running alongside some of the top agility Weims in the country and were impressed with their drive, athleticism and owner's handling.

Trixie 1st place Exc A Std!

The first day, Saturday the 14th, was the WCA All Breed Agility trial, where Trixie and Jam had stellar performances with Trixie winning the 24" Exc A Standard class and a 3rd place in Open Jumpers with Weaves and Jam earning 4th place in 24" Open Standard.

On Sunday, the Keeshond All Breed Agility trial, Trixie gave us an exciting Open JWW run winning the class, getting her 2nd 1st place of the weekend. Jam showed what a star she could be winning the Open Standard class which also gave her a new title - Open Agility (OA)!!!

Jam with her New Open Standard Title & !st place Ribbons!

On Monday, at the WCA Specialty trial, Jam won the Open JWW class! Both girls had great Exc Std runs but Trixie knocked the last bar and Jam knocked the top panel of the panel jump.

All the dogs were terrific travelers and held up well under crazy weather conditions from cold rain at the beginning of the week to warm temps at the end. This is a testament to their solid temperaments and training.  A busy week for sure and an exhausting trip but well worth the drive to see the top dogs in the country, meet other breeders, attend the Breeder's Ed seminar and have a great time.

Savi learns to Skateboard!

Savi, Grayhart's Shear Genius,JH,NSD,CGC, 15 months old, our future skateboarding queen!  This is just day one of her training and she really likes being a thrasher.