A month of firsts and a celebration of versatility

ver·sa·tile  = JAM

adj
\ˈvər-sə-t^əl, especially British -ˌtī(-ə)l\

Definition of VERSATILE

1: changing or fluctuating readily : variable versatile disposition>

2: embracing a variety of subjects, fields, or skills; also : turning with ease from one thing to another

Savi & Jam with their qualifying hunt test ribbons at last week's DVGWP test

A month of firsts and a celebration of versatility...quite a mouthful.  Well, that month was October and what an incredible month it was, especially for Jam with her breeder/owner/handler, along for the ride.  Weimaraner owners and breeders value this thing called versatility but witnessing it is an amazing sight, especially when the dog does well in each venue.  

Jam competed in FOUR different venues in October with the following results:

• Earned her first Novice Standard (NA) agility leg with a 1st place!

• Earned her first Novice Obedience CD (Companion Dog) leg

• Earned her first Senior Hunter leg with scores of 9's in bird finding and trainability
• ...and in the show ring (conformation) with Steve Lane, won first place in the Open Bitch class at the GSWC Independent Specialty and her first Reserve Winners Bitch to a Specialty major
• back to the agility ring, Jam earned her 2nd Novice Jumpers with Weaves (JWW) leg with a 2nd place...not too shabby!

Although Trixie already has her WCA Versatility title, she continues to work on the VX or Versatile Excellent title, and does it in style, finishing her Open Agility Standard title with a first place. And puppy Savi, is another shining star, earning three Junior Hunter legs within a month's time and we hope to finish that title this coming weekend.  She will be the first in her litter to earn a JH title. 

Of course, none of this happens in a bubble and I have been fortunate to have wonderful people to help guide me and train with as well as well bred dogs that as puppies had stable and confident temperaments, showed great potential and were biddable.  I'm a firm believer that temperament is hereditary, however, once the pups go to their new homes, or the ones who stay and live with me, that environment then becomes the driving force and shapes who the dog grows up to be.  It is a huge responsibility for the owner to bring out the dog's potential and lay the foundation of training to build a successful competition dog or great companion. Here is the secret...it requires a well trained dog, good handling and no excuses.  Just do it!