Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Happy 3rd Birthday to our Jimi Hendrix (Parker x Trixie) Litter


Jimi Hendrix pups 36 days old
This was our first litter and all of these pups, not so little anymore, hold a very special place in our hearts. We have enjoyed watching them grow up and made lasting friendships with their owners, all part of our Grayhart family.  Even though the pups are spread across the country, from Long Island, NY & New Jersey, to North Carolina and Kansas, we get regular updates/ pictures and have had a number of mini-reunions. These dogs have accomplished so much and continue to excel in whatever their owners ask, from conformation, agility, tracking, hunting and just being the best family companions ever.

Happy Birthday to...
  • Marshall, CH Grayhart's In From the Storm (training for obedience)
  • Sky, Grayhart Lightfoot Early Morning Rain, JH,TD,RN,NSD,V, CGC (major pointed)
  • Ranger, Grayhart's Midnight Lightening (major pointed)
  • Mia, Grayhart's American Woman (in training for show, agility, obedience)
  • Monty, Grayhart's Stone Free, JH,CGC (in training for show & Senior Hunter)
  • Jam, CH Grayhart's Purple Haze, CD,JH,OA,NAJ,NSD,CGC,V (our Special & competing in agility/obedience/Senior Hunter)
Oh, and Jam had a great birthday weekend getting an Award of Merit at the Garden State Weimaraner Club Specialty show at Plainfield Kennel Club! Of course, we then went shopping and picked out fabulous new collars for our special girl.
 Mia came for a visit at this weekend show & looks terrific!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

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.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Jam receives Award of Merit during WCA Nationals week!



 At the Weimaraner Club of Columbus Specialty Show during the WCA Nationals week, Jam was chosen for an Award of Merit, which is a great honor.  There were many beautiful Weims and the top dogs in the country are here, making this a very competitive show.  Jamie Bernardin did an amazing job handling Jam to this exciting award.
 Before Jam entered the breed ring, she was busy in the obedience ring earning her 3rd Novice leg to finish her Companion Dog (CD) title.
More news from the WCA Nationals and our great adventure to Ohio will be posted soon...

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Sunday, May 15, 2011

WCA Nationals 2011- Agility Trials & a new title for Jam

WCA Nationals 2011- Agility Trials & a new title for Jam

Jam with her 1st place and new title ribbons!
 This week was the beginning of the 2011 Weimaraner Club of America National Specialty in Ohio.  We entered all three days of agility which included two all breed trials and one Weimaraner Specialty trial.  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.

Today was the Keeshond All Breed Agility trial where 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 is now CH Grayhart's Purple Haze, JH,OA,NAJ,NSD,V
Jam with her 4th place Open Std ribbon
Tomorrow is the WCA Specialty Agility trial and we can't wait to see how our girls fare for their 3rd day of runs.  The facility in Sharonville, the Queen City Dog Training Club, is a terrific indoor venue, with air conditioning, matted flooring and friendly, welcoming club members.  We loved seeing old friends and meeting new ones plus watching so many talented dogs run.  After the agility trials, we'll switch gears and the girls will compete in conformation and obedience.  Friends videotaped our runs and we'll upload those soon.