DVWC WCA Retrieving Ratings

 Some pictures of Savi during her Novice Retrieving Dog run at the DVWC WCA Ratings test last Sunday.  For her land retrieve, she was off like a shot to go retrieve the quail.

Good girl retrieving it to hand in the circle!

 Once we passed on land, it was off to the pond for the water retrieve. Savi, who we know loves to swim, couldn't wait for her turn and impatiently paced and barked until it was our turn.  The duck was thrown, blank gun shot and I released Savi, who without any hesitation, jumped into the water and swam straight to the duck and grabbed it!  This year she did order the duck!  Then she turned around and swam right back to me and again, retrieved to hand.  That's a pass and a new NRD title, showing everyone how it's done.

New WCA Ratings Titles for Jam and Savi!!!

Jam & Savi with their qualifying ribbons

We had a great time today at the Delaware Valley Weimaraner Club (DVWC) WCA Ratings tests visiting with friends and seeing many talented Weimaraners.  The DVWC and Garden State Weimaraner Club's put on a double ratings test at Assunpink Wildlife Management Area, with morning and afternoon tests with a delicious potluck lunch in between.  

We are proud to announce that both Jam and Savi qualified and have new titles!  Jam ran in the Shooting Dog (SD) rating, which is similar to the AKC Senior Hunter test but not as stringent, and had a terrific run that would have been a pass in a regular AKC Hunt test.  She was braced with her half brother, a Parker son, who already has his Senior Hunter title, and they ran very well together.  Jam had a nice honor in the backcourse.  In the birdfield, Jam used the wind and pointed the Chukkar on scent from at least ten feet away.  She held her point while I located the bird and was steady to shot and then retrieved the bird to me.  

Jam is now CH Grayhart's Purple Haze,CD,JH,OA,OAJ,SD,VX!

Savi was entered in the Novice Retrieving Dog (NRD) rating test.  This test includes both a land and water retrieve.  Savi had awesome retrieves to hand on and and in the water.  Friends commented that she has a Master Hunter retrieve!  

Savi is now Grayhart's Shear Genius,JH,NSD,NRD,CGC!

GSWC Independent Specialty Show

Savi and me, getting ready to gait around the ring.

Sunday was the annual Garden State Weimaraner Club Independent Specialty Show at North Branch Park.  A month and a half ago, thanks to Hurricane Irene, this park was under water.  Well, time to dry out and we had a gorgeous lawn to show our dogs on and it was a sparkling, hot fall day.  The club put on our usual outstanding show and everyone had a great time showing dogs, eating the delicious hot and cold buffet supplied by club members and winning raffle prizes.  This was not our regular show, as the club hosted the Weimaraner Club of America Eastern Futurity and Maturity the day before and this drew dogs and handlers from all over the country as well as Canada and Weim friends from Australia. As trophy chair, I was in charge of buying and organizing all the trophies and sponsors for them and was pleased with how they looked set up outside the ring and the winners seemed to enjoy them.

 Savi, Grayhart's Shear Genius,JH,CGC, (Clay x Trixie) showed well in a large BBE (Bred-By-Exhibitor) class and the judge awarded us 3rd place.

 Savi on the last go around.  Trudy, on owner Rich's lap, waited patiently for her turn and of course, the princess wore a pink cool coat to stay comfortable on this hot day.

Trudy, Grayhart's Special Reserve, (Zeke x Trixie) was handled beautifully in the Open bitch class by Pat O'Brien, owner/breeder of her daddy Zeke.

 Above and below, Trudy strutting her stuff - lovely reach and drive.

 Trudy won the large Open bitch class!  We were on the edge of our seats when she went in for the Winner's Class.  All the class winner's go in and the judge picks the Winner's Bitch and that is who gets the points.

 Trudy looked great and the judge had her in first place for the first two go arounds.

 At the last go around, when I was hoping the judge would pick Trudy, he moved another bitch in front of her and that is who he awarded Winner's bitch.  Oh well, so close as this win would have finished her.  Her littermate Mason, won the dog major at our show last year and it would have been beyond exciting for Trudy to get the Specialty win.  On to the next set of shows in search of those last three points.

Trudy and Pat

 Jam was along for the ride and was happy to meet new friends and prospective puppy people.  Our supermodel was thirsty and made no qualms about telling me that she wanted to drink out of a water bottle.

 Mason, CH Grayhart's Daily Special, (Zeke x Trixie) was bumped up to Best of Breed.  Pat handled him and we were happy that our newest champion made the first cut, not too shabby at a big specialty. Just one year ago, Mason won the 4-pt major and Best of Winners at this show.

 A fun and noteworthy event put on by the club on Saturday, was the Rescue Parade.  The rescue dogs and their owners had a chance to parade around the show rings while a short bio was read.  They even received rosettes and prizes.

 Our good friend, Kellyann and her 9-year old rescue, June, tracked around the show ring.

The Rescue Parade participants

 A lovely, handmade rosette for the rescue dogs made by Kellyann.

Supermodel Savi

A behind the scenes shot of Savi and her model friends!

Following in her momma Trixie and sister Jam's pawprints, Savi's modeling career is in full swing.  She was chosen to be in a holiday campaign for Gap Kids and based on the terrific feedback on set, it was the right choice.  Savi absolutely LOVES kids and the feeling was mutual and showed through in the shots of her surrounded by the crew of beautiful boys and girls modeling the clothes.  In fact, Savi garnered more attention from the crew and passersby on the busy Brooklyn street where we were located, than the human models!  We look forward to seeing the final ads to be used for in-store displays, mailers and on the store website sometime in November.

 Getting used to her "wardrobe" while resting up for  her call on set.  I'm always prepared with a towel or bed for her to lounge on, stars shouldn't have to sit or lay down on a dirty sidewalk.

On set, I'm rewarding Savi between shots.  The white stuff is fake snow.

Weimaraner Wednesday

Jam, enthusiastic in the fields!

 Weimaraner Wednesday fun spent field training with our friends and their dogs.  The weather was a bit hot and muggy with little breeze, so challenging scenting conditions for the dogs.

Jam on point

 The girls found the birds and had decent retrieves, especially our little retrieving machine, Savi, who does it with such gusto and retrieved to hand, it brings a smile to everyone who watches her.

Savi, air scenting as scenting as she hunts for birds

The leaves are already beginning to change color, reminding us that fall is upon us.  I just long for some nice cool weather.

 And only in New Jersey would we have such wild distractions in the bird field!  The preserve where we train is said to have one of the best Halloween Hayrides in the state!

 The dogs are so used to these freaky figures that they pay no attention to them.

Happy Hiking Face

Quite the happy girl at the end of a nice hike up at Harriman State Park with Jam.  I'd say she's smiling.

Savi Winner's Bitch at Newton Kennel Club!

At the Newton Kennel Club show, Savi, Grayhart's Shear Genius,JH,NSD,CGC, (Clay x Trixie) went Winner's Bitch from the Bred-By-Exhibitor class for her 7th point towards her AKC show championship!

As a reward, Savi got to go shopping at one or our favorite vendors, Paw Up on Health, and picked out a beef trachea.  I brought Trixie to their booth to pickup a supply of beef knuckle bones, which the dogs go crazy for and Trixie helped herself to a pork twizzle!  You eat it, you buy it!

I was happy to find out that there would be a health clinic at the show and brought all three girls for various services. They had many tests available, a vaccine clinic, a microchip clinic, vaccine titers, SNAP testing, OFA Thyroid testing and others all at discounted prices.  The vet was terrific and it was nice to be able to save a substantial amount of money.