A Different Kind of Double Q!

Yesterday was an exciting one for us as both Trixie and her daughter, Jam, qualified and earned their 2nd Exc A Standard legs at the Schooley's Mountain Kennel Club Agility Trial.  Momma Trixie even earned a 3rd place!  Thanks to our pupparazzi, Kellyann for taking videos of our runs.

Here is Trixie's run:

And here is Jam's run:

I was quite out of breath after running both girls, with only a few minutes in between.  I'll have to get in better shape to keep up with them!  They are so much fun to run and look forward to our next trial in July!

Mother's Day Gifts!

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Trixie with her 1st place and new title ribbons!

Happy Mother's Day!

We spent Mother's Day at the Nutmeg Portuguese Water Dog Club (PCNUT) Agility trial held at FDR Park in Yorktown Heights, NY.  It was a hot day in the 80's but that didn't deter agility enthusiasts from all over the tri-state area and it was terrific to see many friends and their talented dogs.

We had a successful day and I'm proud to announce that Trixie, CH GraytSky's I'm Not Really A Waitress,CD,RN,OA,OAJ,V BROM, completed her Open Agility Jumpers With Weaves (OAJ) title with a 1st place!!!

Trixie's daughter, Jam, also had a terrific day and in her Excellent A Jumpers with Weaves run qualified with a 2nd place to earn her 2nd Exc A JWW leg.  One more and she'll earn her AKC Agility Excellent Jumpers (AXJ) title.

Sky

And one of Trixie's other daughters and Jam's littermate, Sky, CH Grayhart Lightfoot Early Morning Rain,RN,JH,TD,OA,OAJ,VX, also had a fun agility weekend in South Carolina.  Sky made her debut in Open Agility Standard and JWW.  Although she didn't qualify, she made owner/handler Debbie proud by running well, with focus and drive, and received many compliment.  As we all know, agility is a learning process and there are always new skills to teach our dogs as we move up in levels as well as to continue to reinforce obstacles and handler skills.

In the conformation ring, Ranger, Grayhart's Midnight Lightening, Jam & Sky's littermate, competed in a conformation match on Long Island and handled by owner Veronika, earned a Group 3!  Congratulations to Veronika and Ranger!

More Jam Agility

 Fabulous photos by Barry Rosen, taken at the SICDTC Agility trial in November.  These were from Jam's Excellent Standard run.

Excellent JWW Agility leg #1

We had perfect fall weather for this weekend's Staten Island Companion Dog Club's agility trial.  Jam made me proud with her jumpers runs and earned her first qualifying leg on Saturday, in the 24" Excellent A class with a 3rd place!  To earn the AXJ or Agility Excellent Jumpers title, Jam needs to earn two more qualifying legs.  Jam also has one AX or Agility Excellent standard leg so she is on her way to earning these high level titles.

She came very close to qualifying on Friday in JWW, with a terrific run but slipped on the mud and missed the tunnel entrance at the end of the course.  The standard courses were a challenge for us with a very difficult weave pole entry on Friday, that wasn't doable for us and on Saturday, Jam slipped off the teeter.  She did manage to nail her weaves in three of our four runs and had awesome start line stays.  We'll be working on speeding up her weaves as well as teaching independent weaves and difficult entries; important skills at the excellent level, especially if we want to be competitive.  I also tried to apply some of what we learned at the Tracy Sklenar seminar and I feel that although we are a work in progress, Jam was more responsive and my handling was improved.

A highlight of the trial was seeing many friends that I have not seen in a long time since we have not trialed locally in awhile.  It was exciting to see how well their dogs ran and cheer them on.

Jam-in at the Tracy Sklenar Masters Agility Seminar

Always looking to learn and improve my handling, I was excited to have the opportunity to participate with Jam in a Tracy Sklenar Masters/Advanced Agility Seminar.  The seminar covered course analysis and how motion, footwork and position can give your dogs information for fabulous runs.  Tracy Sklenar is a world class agility competitor and a great instructor, bringing humor and her excellent eye to help handlers get faster, more accurate and consistent runs out of their dogs.

Jam and I were up to the challenge and as hard as it was to learn a new handling method, running for acceleration and less arm and verbal cues, I had to trust my dog and it worked!  We also enjoyed and learned from watching the other dogs and handlers, many of whom we've taken classes with and known for years.

The Grayhart Girls Great Southern Adventure - Part 2 B- Agility Star Jam's Videos!

As previously posted, Jam had a great day at the Tarheel Weimaraner Club's Agility Trial in Sanford, NC on July 24th.  She earned her Open Jumpers with Weaves title with a 3rd place!  Then, the pressure was on to qualify in Excellent Standard.


Jam did have a nice Excellent Standard run, her 1st leg and received a 3rd place plus won the Tarheel Weimaraner Club High Combined Award - the giant Armadillo Duck!  The BonClyde Training Center venue was terrific, with a nice, soft dirt floor, lots of air conditioned crating space and warm up area.  The TWC put on a great trial, with yummy food and fun trophies, making our trip definitely a worthwhile one!

My wild girl is running fairly consistently and with control.  Happy that we can do all those front crosses, running contacts and a big lead out.  We'll be working on increasing speed in the weaves and gaining distance.

The Grayhart Girls Great Southern Adventure - Part 2 - Agility Star Jam!

Jam with her new title & 3rd place ribbons for earning her OAJ title! 

We arrived in Sanford, NC on Friday, after an eight hour drive from PA, to compete in the Tarheel Weimaraner Club Agility trial.  It was a relief to finally check into the hotel and get a chance to relax and let the dogs loose in the room.  Debbie, Sky's owner, arrived and we went out for a fabulous dinner at the Steele Pig, which I would highly recommend.  A more upscale BBQ restaurant with a talented chef who brings wonderful flavors to traditional barbecue. Debbie had to leave Sky at home due to her coming into season as bitches in season are not allowed at agility trials. My girls made her feel right at home and Savi even slept with her.

We rose early Saturday morning to head over to Bon Clyde Learning Center, the venue for the agility trial.  Thankfully, the facility is indoors and air conditioned, as we were having a heat wave with temps in around 100 degrees.  We set up the crates and settled the dogs and off I went to walk the Excellent Standard course.  The one ring trial was set in a large arena with a dirt floor and metal building. The Tarheel Club did a terrific job with their hospitality and it was a very well run trial.  Plus, I met a number of lovely Weim folks and saw old friends. Jessica, Mia's owner arrived late morning, and not only helped the club but taped my runs.  Those will be uploaded when I return home.  My girls were the only Weims at the trial.  Trixie had a good run but missed qualifying due to a handle error.  Jam was a bit wild, as the dirt floor made a fast course, and she's never run in this type of environment, but everyone was entertained by her fun run, especially when she had to greet the crowd.  A thunderstorm rolled in just before our Open Jumpers runs and the pounding rain on the metal roof upset Trixie and Jam and I pulled both of them off the course when they showed signs of stress.  Better to throw away the run or know when to excuse yourself from the ring in order to protect your dog from a negative experience.

Sunday was a new day and Jam was up first in our runs.  Boy did she make me proud when she qualified in Open Jumpers with Weaves to earn her OAJ title! She even placed 3rd in the class.  The club had special Armadillo retrieving toy prizes for all Weims who qualified and even a High Combined award for the highest scoring Weim to double qualify. I picked the quail toy shown in the photo. Trixie again had a decent run but we had a bauble so no Q.

Jam and me, with Judge David Blakely, with all her trophies and ribbons for High Combined

The pressure was on for us to qualify in Excellent Standard and win the High Combined award.  Again, Jam ran with speed and control to qualify for her 1st Excellent Standard leg and even got a 3rd place!  Trixie was up at the end of the lineup and my worst fears came true, a thunderstorm rolled in right before her run. She was stressed and after the 4th obstacke, she was not a happy camper from the thunder and rain noise, so I thanked the judge and excused her from the course.  My first priority is her safety and well being.

With Jam double qualifying, she was awarded the High Combined award!   A wonderful honor and she was given the giant duck!

Jam is now CH Grayhart's Purple Haze, CD,JH,OA,OAJ,NSD,CGC,VX

Getting ready for our win photo with the judge.  The a-frame makes a nice background.

The adventures continue as we followed Jessica home to Wilmington.  We have plans to take the dogs swimming and retrieving, to obedience classes and tour downtown Wilmington.

2011 WCA Nationals Agility Trial - Day 3- Jam 1st place Open JWW!

 The 3rd and final day of agility during the WCA Nationals week was the WCA Weimaraner Only Agility Trial.  We shared the day with the Keeshonds and it was a fun day for all, full of camaraderie for both breeds and helping each other run a very efficient trial.  Jam had a terrific Open Jumpers with Weaves run, full of controlled drive and she won the class!

 Jam is very focused and jumping 24" in easy for this athletic girl.

 Woo hoo!  1st place Open Jumpers with Weaves wins the class and gives Jam her 2nd Open JWW leg.

 Jam with her running contact off the A-frame.  These last two photos are from her Exc A Standard run.  It was her debut in Excellent and other than knocking the top panel of the panel jump, she had a terrific run.

 An end to a fantastic three days of agility.  I couldn't be more proud of how Jam and Trixie ran.  Jam earned two 1st places, one of which gave her the qualifying leg to finish her Open Standard title, and a 4th place.  Then we were off to the host hotel to compete in conformation and obedience, where Jam finished her Companion Dog (CD) title and then got an Award of Merit hours later!  

Finishing her OA and CD also gave her another new title - VX or Versatile Excellent.  You can see blog posts for the 2011 WCA Nationals in the May/June archives and also on Trixie's blog in the May/June archives.

2011 WCA Nationals Agility Trial - Day 2 - Jam & Trixie more 1st places

Jam in Open JWW.  I love her focus and how we are both on the same path.  Jam was on fire during her 1st place Open Standard run, getting a time of 49.38 seconds, more than 17 seconds under the 67 seconds standard course time!!!

I'm happy to share more of the terrific photos by Natureworks that were shot during the 2011 WCA Nationals week agility trials in Ohio. We were fortunate to have three days of agility.  The first day was the WCA All Breed Agility trial, the second day was the Keeshond All Breed Agility trial and the third day was the combined Weimaraner and Keeshond Specialty Trials. On day two, 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)!!!

Above, Trixie during her winning Open Jumpers with Weaves run with a time of 35.75 seconds. SCT was 43 sec.

The shot above and two below are from Trixie's Exc A Standard run.  She had a wonderful run, even though she didn't qualify.  Her runs were very consistent and she had a great attitude, which is more important to me than anything else.

2011 WCA Nationals Agility Trial - Day one - Jam - Open Std Q!

Jam flying over the triple!

 These are the terrific pictures taken by Natureworks, at the Weimaraner Club of America All-breed Agility Trial during the 2011 Nationals week in Sharonville, OH in May..  Jam had a nice Open Standard run, earning her 2nd qualifying leg with a 4th place.

 Nice focus and control...

 Who says you can't work the crowd while waiting for the table count?  Jam posing for her fans!

 This was the 2nd to last obstacle on the course and my favorite jump!
  We had a blast running these fun courses at this terrific venue...more photos from the agility trials to come!

2011 WCA Nationals Agility Trial Photos

Always exciting to get a package in the mail, especially as I've been waiting for the disc with our photo order from the 2011 WCA Nationals Agility trials last month.  This was one of my favorite jumps and that's Jam showing off her jumping form.  I'll post more pics of Trixie and Jam later...

Jam gets her WCA Versatile Excellent Title!!!

Jam's 2011 Blue Ribbon ad for the Weimaraner Magazine, showing off her versatility.

We are pleased to announce that Jam has qualified for one of the Weimaraner Club of America's prestigious titles, Versatile Excellent or VX.  The WCA recognizes Weimaraners who excel in a number of areas of competition and based on a point system, dogs can quality for the Versatile title and then the Versatile Excellent title and beyond.  The dogs must acquire titles in at least three different areas.  It is an exciting milestone not only for Jam, who did this before her 3rd birthday, but for our breeding program as Jam is our first VX and completed this title during the 2011 WCA Nationals week when she completed both her Open Agility (OA) and Companion Dog (CD) titles.

Jam is now CH Grayhart's Purple Haze, CD,JH,OA,NAJ,NSD,CGC,VX

Jam's Versatile Excellent points came from the following areas: conformation (Bench Champion), obedience (CD), field (JH) and agility (OA).

From the Weimaraner Club of America Rules & Policies, here are the requirements for Versatile and Versatile Excellent awards:

SECTION VIII- Versatile Rating Standards

I. Schedule of Available Versatile Points
A. Bench Champion.....................................................8
Ten Bench Points (includes major win)...............6
Five Bench Points.....................................................4
Bench Pointed...........................................................2
B. Obedience Trial Champion....................................10
UDX.............................................................................8
UD...............................................................................6
CDX.............................................................................4
CD...............................................................................2
C. Field Champion, AFC or MH..................................10
Senior Hunter, SDX or 1st place in AA/GD Retrieving Stake 6
Junior Hunter, SD or 4 Field Points.....................4
NSD or 1 Field Point................................................2
D. RDX............................................................................6
RD...............................................................................4
NRD............................................................................2
E. Champion Tracker (CT)..........................................10
Variable Surface Tracking (VST)...........................8
Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX)...............................6
Tracking Dog (TD)...................................................4

Section II—RULES Standards for Ratings
F. Master Agility Champion.......................................10
Master Agility Excellent (MX) or MXJ...................8
Agility Excellent (AX) or AXJ.................................6
Agility Excellent Preferred (AXP) or AJP.............5
Open Agility (OA) or OAJ.......................................4
Open Agility Preferred (OAP) or OJP...................3
Novice Agility (NA) or NAJ.....................................2
Novice Agility Preferred (NAP) or NJP.................1

II. Requirements for Award of Versatile “V”
A. Twelve (12) versatile points minimum total.
B. Above Twelve (12) points must be obtained from at least three (3) of the above six (6) groups.
C. Points are not accumulative in any one group (i.e., a UD entitles a dog to six (6) points. His CDX and CD cannot be added.)

III. Requirements for Award of Versatile Excellent “VX”
A. Eighteen (18) points minimum total
B. Above eighteen (18) points may be obtained from three (3) of the above six (6) groups and must include a Bench Champion, Field Champion, Amateur Field Champion, Obedience Trial Champion, Master Agility Champion or Champion Tracker.
OR
Above eighteen (18) points may be obtained from at least four (4) of the six (6) groups.
C. Points are not accumulative in any one group.
IV. Requirements for Award of Versatile Excellent 2 (VX2)
A. Twenty four (24) points minimum total.
B. Above twenty-four (24) points must be obtained from at least four (4) of the above six (6) groups.
C. Points are not accumulative in any one group.
V. Requirements for Award of Versatile Excellent 3 (VX3) – VX7
A. Must meet the requirements of Versatile Excellent 2 (VX2)
B. Minimum total points required:
VX3...................................................30 Points
VX4...................................................36 Points
VX5...................................................42 Points
VX6...................................................48 Points
Weimaraner Club of America Rules and Policies

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.

Jam wins the Open JWW class at the WCA Nationals!

Jam at the 2011 WCA Nationals Specialty Agility trial wins the 24" Open JWW class!

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.

Open Double Q!!!

Jam's debut in Open agility was double the fun with her qualifying in both 24" Open Standard and Open Jumpers With Weaves!  She got what we agility folks call a "double Q" and is pretty cool.  She also earned 2nd place in each class with her terrific runs, earning a leg in each and getting some new toys to take home.  Next agility trial will be at the Weimaraner Club of America Nationals, where we hope she runs just as well.

1st Place NA & NAJ New Title Runs!

Jam's 3rd qualifying leg at the Skyline Agility Club's trial on December 5th.  Jam earned a 1st placement and finished her NA, Novice Agility Standard title.  Jam finished her title easily with two 1st places and one 2nd place at all breed trials.  We have work to do on the teeter and weaves as well as distractions but she shows terrific promise as a competitive agility dog and hope to bring her out again in the Spring.  The location of the trial is where we train on a weekly basis and Jam typically is much speedier and runs with higher drive at outdoor trials.

Jam's 1st place Jumpers with Weaves run, (shown below) earning her 3rd qualifying leg to complete the NAJ or Novice Agility Jumpers title.



Jam LOVES people, especially kids and it was a real challenge keeping her focus during the run when she decided to go visit the young people on the ring crew.  Fortunately, she has a huge stride and was able to make up the time to finish with only a few time faults.

New Agility Titles for Jam!

Jam with her ribbons.  There should be one more 1st place ribbon but the club ran out so that one will be mailed to us.

Jam had a terrific weekend at the Skyline Agility Club's Novice Only trial.  She qualified 3 out of her 4 runs, all with top placements. On Saturday, she did well in her Novice  Jumpers with Weaves (JWW) run but has a wrong course so didn't qualify but was 12 seconds under course time.  Her Novice Standard run was super fast, almost 20 seconds under course time with just two little baubles, a wrong course and a table fault, which are allowed in novice and earned her 2nd place for her second Novice Standard leg.

Today was her winning day, finishing both her Novice Standard and Novice JWW titles with 1st places!  This also qualifies Jam for her Weimaraner Club of America Versatility "V" certificate.  All of Jam's novice agility legs were earned with placements.  Her runs were fairly smooth except for her deciding to visit the ring crew for a quick hello which ate up precious time.  She needs to get speedier on her teeter and weaves and we will spend the winter working on those skills to get ready for her Open debut at the Spring trials.  Three of our four runs were videotaped and I'll be posting those in the next few days.

Jam is now....CH Grayhart's Purple Haze, JH,NA,NAJ,NSD,CGC,V

Warming up

 Jam, at the Skyline Agility Club's Novice Only trial, during our warm-up routine.  We play a game, using her various commands, to get attention and attitude.

 She has an almost perfect Jumpers run but I didn't call her soon enough and she went into the weaves for a wrong course, which is a disqualification.  I was thrilled with her run thought, precise and very fast - 30 seconds, with was 12 seconds under the 42 second course time!

We will find out if we qualified in Standard when we go back today and hope to finish her Jumpers title and maybe get another standard leg.

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!