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

Back at it for another try...

 or are we gluttons for punishment!  At the GSWC Hunt Test, even though Jam did not qualify, the judges and our friends were very impressed with how Jam ran and encouraged us to enter the Vizsla Club of Greater New York's Hunt Test weekend at Assunpink Wildlife Management Area in New Jersey the next weekend.  The consensus was that she's ready and so close to qualifying that we should keep trying.  So, enter I did.  The weekend came and the weather was confused, it was very cold and windy (very un-Springlike) and unfortunately, the grounds at Assunpink had been cut down and the birdfield was as bald as a bowling ball.  The first day, Saturday, Jam and her bracemate made it through the backcourse without getting into trouble, as there were coveys of quail in the hedgerows and bushes.  We entered the birdfield and that's when the trouble started...walking birds!  Our bracemate, a nice Vizsla saw it first and Jam not to be outdone took a look at the bird and both dogs took off after the Chukkar!  Automatic disqualification.  As much training as we've done, walking birds are just too much of a temptation.  Many of the Master level dogs and Senior dogs were taken out by the same difficult conditions.

Day two of the test, the weather turned warm and Jam was not herself, staying close and not hunting as well as usual.  However, once we hit the birdfield, I had my dog back and her body language changed and the huntress was on fire.  She immediately found a bird and went on a beautiful point.  She held the point while her bracemate backed her.

 I gave the gunners instruction as to where I was going to flush the bird.  Jam, holding her point all this time and then I went to flush the Chukkar, who was sitting in plain sight.  The darn bird would not fly, I chased it, threw my hat at it and then....Jam just couldn't stand it anymore and broke point and flushed it herself!  The bird went up, Jam did an Olympic medal worthy leap into the air and caught the bird.

 Jam repositioned the bird in her mouth for the retrieve and the bird got caught in a sticker branch on the ground.  You can see her GSP bracemate honoring through the whole fiasco. 

 

Then I went and untangled the bird and Jam released it and leashed my dog.  Thank you handler....

 

 Oh well, we were done.  I thanked the judges and moved off the birdfield.  Our bracemate did not fare too well, pointing a bird and then going in on it before it was even shot.  Tough conditions for all the dogs this weekend.  Crazy thing, we still had fun.  The Vizsla Club ran a terrific test, very well organized, had a nice raffle and thanks to Kellyann, Natural Balance dog biscuits were given to all the handlers. Many of our friends were there plus Kellyann joined us for her first ever hunt test.  She took these pictures and got the Hunt Test 101 plus spent quality time with her PBP (Puppy By Proxy), Savi.

 

I decided that this would be our last hunt test of the season.  Yes, Jam was very close to qualifying at times but with the weather getting warmer and cover conditions not ideal, I knew it wasn't in our best interest to continue.  She could use more training, especially on walking birds and stop to flushes, and it seems, my very smart girl is going through the terrible twos!  We have all Spring and Summer to train and will be back in style for the fall tests in another attempt to complete her Senior Hunter title.

  

Savi was along for the ride and had fun socializing with people and dogs alike but her favorite part was running in the fields after the test was over.  She was rewarded for her patience and as soon as she hit the birdfield, she found a quail and retrieved it to me.  Good girl!

GSWC Hunt Test Weekend

Hanging out with Junior test judges, Frank Luksa & Lou Manipelli.  Savi was along for the ride.

We were away this past weekend for hunt tests at Freeland Kennels in Weatherly, PA.  These are terrific grounds with wooded pine areas which open onto large fields.  Lots of great cover for bird planting and excellent grounds for the dogs to run and hunt on.  One of my favorite things about these grounds is that the clubhouse sits on a hill overlooking the Senior and Master birdfield and is the perfect vantage point for viewing all the action.

Saturday's test was hosted by the Pointer Club of Central New Jersey and Sunday's test was hosted by my club, the Garden State Weimaraner Club (GSWC). The Pointer Club hosted a delicious judges dinner on Saturday night.  As the Hunt Test Chair for the GSWC and that means that I was in charge of everything related to the test which started many months ago: from hiring the judges and gunners, securing the grounds, applying to the AKC to get approval for the test, preparing the premium, buying the birds, managing the helpers and hospitality....plus a zillion other small details.  My hubby was the Hunt Test Secretary and all the entries went to him and he took care of all the paperwork the AKC requires for the test.  All in all, a very big job and I'm happy to say, we had a successful event, with forty entries, lots of qualifiers and everyone had a great time.  I was lucky to have wonderful club members who came out and helped plant birds (Peter, Mary & Peter), got handlers to the line (Michelle and Lilly) and sold a delicious breakfast and lunch (Jack, Marilyn, Lilly, Joline) plus our talented club photographer Michelle who photographed all the qualifiers. We also had a special treat for everyone who entered - a one pound bag of Natural Balance dog treats - thanks to Natural Balance and Kellyann for this greatly appreciated donation.  A heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped!

At the GSWC test, we had a good number of Weims entered in the Junior Hunter level and Jam was in Senior.  People commented how nice it was to see more Weims getting back to field work and I agree.  Lots of talented dogs from many of the pointing breeds were represented and our gray ghosts held their own.  It was a jovial crowd and very welcoming for all the novices, who felt comfortable asking questions and learning from more experienced folks. 

Jam was entered in Senior Hunter both days but did not qualify.  Her and her bracemates had great honors in the back course and made it to the birdfield.  Unfortunately, those darn Chukkar just wouldn't stay put and challenged us.  Jam received high scores of 9 out of 10 in hunting and trainability and compliments from the judges so I was pleased with her runs.  She is soooo close to qualifying and we just hope it all comes together at the next hunt tests.  

An exhausting weekend of travel, working and running dogs but well worth it.  It's also important to note that without the help of active volunteers, none of the dog clubs could put on successful events like this.  Yes, it's hard work but it is important to give back, especially when we enjoy and enter tests/shows/trials put on by other clubs.  If you haven't volunteered or stepped up, it's time to pay it forward...

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!

Four-bird Jam: the story of our first Senior Hunter Leg

Nothing in dog training, especially for competition is easy, and I guess, the more challenges we overcome successfully, the greater the sense of accomplishment.  Last Spring, with the Weimaraner Club of America's National Specialty in Gettysburg, PA, along with a hunt test, my goal had been to prepare Jam to run in Senior if she was ready, at our National event.  What better place to showcase your Weims hunting ability then amongst your peers and some of the best dogs in the country. My trainer felt that Jam, not even two years old, was doing extremely well in practice and we decided to enter her in a bunch of hunt tests since she was not only steady to shot, but holding until released and fine on Quail and Chukkar.  In the actual tests, with the excitement of different bracemates and new grounds, Jam was in high drive and although we came close a few times, she just couldn't hold it together to pass - she would take out the bird either before the gunners set up or break before the shot...so no Q's...

We put Jam away and trained all summer and early fall with the plan not to enter her until we were confident she was ready. I entered her in the Delaware Valley German Wirehaired Pointer Hunt Test to be held in Weatherly, PA, Halloween weekend, on grounds that we really liked and a judging panel of fair and encouraging judges.  The first day, Saturday, was disappointing as she pointed a bird within minutes of the breakaway and when I had difficulty flushing the bird, Jam broke her point and flushed the bird for me - she just couldn't take it and control herself.  Thank you handler, please pick up your dog...done for the day before we even got started.  After that day's event ended, we were fortunate to be able to work Jam and another dog together and steady them on birds and practicing backing.  A good training session to remind Jam what was expected of her and I got some excellent pointers too.

Halloween morning was a beautiful, crisp fall day and the dogs were fresh and excited to run.  The club had Jam and Savi as the first dogs to run in both Senior and Junior, an impossible feat to run two dogs at once.  They asked me if I would mind running Jam first and as soon as she was done, immediately get Savi and run her; not a problem for me, hey, I'm used to running dogs in different agility rings back to back.  We were in the first Senior brace and braced with a nice, young male German Shorthair Pointer.  My goal was to keep Jam out of trouble in the back course and make it to the bird field.  With three weekends in a row of hunt tests on these grounds, the place was teaming with coveys of quail, that had knocked out even the most seasoned Master dogs.  Remembering to warm Jam up and put her in "work mode,"  I heeled her to the start line and made her "whoa" before the breakaway.  We let the dogs go and they were off, two amazing fast dogs, tearing through down the path and through the brush.  Both of them immediately got to business and started looking for birds.  I was relieved to get past the point where just the day before, had been knocked out.  Well things quickly got busy as we entered the next field, both the GSP and Jam found separate birds, some they had to perform a stop to flush and others, they pointed.

I shot my blank gun on Jam's stop to flush and called her away to prevent a delayed chase.  Then bam, she was on point and there was a bird walking under a tree, I looked to see where it was going to try and flush it and there was a covey of about five birds all gathering on the road we were headed for.  I couldn't flush the bird in the heavy cover, so the judge told me to shoot my blank gun and then heel her away and we would detour around the covey.  Phew...we were halfway to the birdfield.  We entered a more open field and Jam was quartering the area and I just kept her in sight and worked her towards the bird field.  We were ahead of the GSP and when he went on point, the judges called us around to bring Jam in for a back.  She acknowledged the other dog and I collared her. The bird was in thick cover and couldn't be flushed so they shot the blank and sent both dogs on.  We were almost out of the back course when I saw the GSP run down the treeline.  I immediately called Jam around to me so she would not follow him and to give her some water, as I knew from the earlier Master braces that there was trouble in that area.  Seconds later, it was like an Alfred Hitchcock movie, the GSP bumped up about twenty quail and the sky darkened for an instant as they flew overhead.  The GSP chased the birds, instead of stopping to point, and our bracemate was done for the day.

Luckily, we had gotten the honor out of the way, so now all Jam had to do was find a chukkar, hold steady to shot and complete the retrieve to pass.  Jam entered the birdfield with excitement as she saw the gunners and knew what that meant.  Within a minute, she went on point and I whoa'd her while I looked for the bird.  In the tall grass, I just couldn't locate the bird and Jam was doing great, holding steady.  I always trust her and knew the bird was there but couldn't find it.  The judges asked me if I wanted to relocate her or send her on.  I decided to send her on, thinking that if I relocated her, she'd take out the bird.  I sent her on but she immediately came around and went on an intense point.  I followed her gaze and saw the bird.  I set up my gunners and flushed the chukkar.  Up it went and made a u-turn and flew towards the clubhouse and the judges said "NO shot!"  I then shot my blank gun while Jam held steady and sent her on to find another bird.

Jam pointing Bird #1

 Bird number one gone.  Jam ran about twenty yards and went on point.  Then before we could get there, bird number two, wild flushed and flew away.  I shot my blank gun and sent Jam on.  There was a slight wind and I brought her around to the middle of the field into the wind.  She had no problem finding bird number three.  Beautiful, stylish point.  I set up the gunners for the second time and flushed the bird.  Bam, Bam, both gunners missed!  Jam left at the shot, which is allowed in Senior but would not retrieve the live bird that had flown into the thick cover of pricker bushes.  Well, the judges and gunners had a little conference.  By now, there was a sea of orange, about 20-30 people watching us from the clubhouse.  The judges asked one of the gunners to plant another bird for Jam.  The bird was planted and we were good to go.  I sent Jam on and she easily found the bird and went on point.  I set up the gunners and nudged the bird with my foot.  It didn't make a move to fly so I quickly took my hat off and threw it at the bird and it flew. Bam, bam, and you won't believe it but the gunners missed again!  Jam had broke at the shot and marked the bird as it flew about fifty yards away into the woods.  Jam went into the woods and we lost sight of her.  I anxiously waited for her to reappear and then saw a grey flash emerge.  I heard someone say she had the bird!  I called her to me and she came almost to me, and started to drop the bird.  I encouraged her to hold it and started towards me again.  I took a giant step towards her and grabbed the live bird.  The judge, chuckling, thanked her for recycling their bird.  What a good girl!  I was told that we were done and I could leash my dog.  I was ecstatic and told Jam how proud I was of her as we left the birdfield.

I still didn't know if we had passed but whatever it was, she was just amazing.  I ran up the hill and with no time to spare, had to put Jam in her crate and grab Savi for her Junior run.  Everyone was waiting for us to finish Senior so they could start the Junior braces.  Our bracemate lent me blanks as I didn't even have time at the car to reload my blank pistol, especially since I had used up most of the shots in Senior.  Savi had an exciting run, way too many birds on the Junior course but she did manage to get in a solid point and passed for JH leg #3.  Back to the club house to see Jam's score and hurray, not only was there a shiny orange qualifying ribbon for us, but the score sheet with wonderful scores for Jam of 9's in bird finding and trainability.

We were getting ready to take pictures and the judges approached me and asked if I wanted to run Jam as the bye dog in the last Senior brace,  I was honored and agreed.  We used it as a training session and it was a great opportunity for our friend, Tom Davis, who owns two GraytSky dogs, including Trixie's littermate, Ellie, to get close and take pictures.  He got some terrific shots that I've included.

Jam on point in the back course

On another intense point

Look closely and you can see Jam pointing the quail walking down the road.  There were two and one has made a left turn and was directly in front of her, the other on the road!

 Friends congratulated us and nicknamed her four-bird Jam...an experience I will never forget.

We did it! Jam's 1st Senior Hunter leg!!!

We finally did it - Jam earned her 1st Senior Hunter leg!!!  We attended the Delaware Valley German Wirehaired Pointer AKC Hunt Test weekend held at the beautiful Freeland Kennel Club in Weatherly, PA.  

On Sunday, Jam had terrific scores of 9's in trainablility and bird finding.  Qualifying for a Senior Hunter leg is not easy and we had a particularly challenging run.  After making it through the back course with numerous coveys of Quail, once in the bird field, Jam had to stand thru FOUR chukkars being flushed - gunners missed 2, one self released and the other flew towards the club house so couldn't be shot.  We really worked for this leg and I am mighty proud of my girl.   Jam isn't even 2 1/2 years old and is considered young to be competing at this high a level of the hunt test program.

 We were lucky to have our friend, Tom Davis, who owns Trixie's littermate, Ellie, hang out with us at the test and generously took pictures of my girls....you know us, we always have our personal pup-a-razzi along.  I'll post all of those pictures with a full report of the runs later this week.

 Jam in the bird field, holding an intense point, while I go to flush the Chukkar

Jam on the Westminster Kennel Club Website!

We were pleasantly surprised to see that pictures of Jam from the 2009 Westminster Kennel Club Hunt Test are posted on their website.  Jam earned her first Junior Hunter leg at this hunt test.  We have high hopes that Savi will do the same when we run her this coming weekend at the WKC test.