Rockland Show Weekend

Rockland show weekend

Mia, Grayhart's American Woman

 This weekend we attended the Rockland Kennel Club shows in Suffern, NY.  These are our local shows, close to home and a favorite venue.  We always enjoy seeing lots of friends and the shopping is terrific.  Our two Parker daughters, Mia and Jam, were entered and shown by Steve.  Mia, showed beautifully both days, won the open class on Saturday and went Reserve Winner's Bitch to the major and on Sunday, she was 3rd in her class. Off to more shows to try and finish her championship as she only needs a few single points to finish.

We only have a few phone shots of Jam, CH Grayhart's Purple Haze, CD, JH,AX, OAJ, SD, VX. She looked terrific in the Best of Breed class and was awarded Select Bitch both days for two Grand Champion Majors.  Jam has the three required majors for her GCH title and just needs singles to finish.

Jam

One of Jam's puppies, Ella, now 5 1/2 months old came to visit.  We were happy to see this adorable girl, who we have not seen since she left us at 8 weeks of age.  She recognized me and gave me tons of kisses.  Her owners are doing a wonderful job training her.  Ella, who was always very biddable, let me stack her with no fuss.  She's quite a cutie and we look forward to showing her.

Jam showing at Westminster!!!

Jam's fabulous crate poster for the benching area designed by our talented friend, Sara Renee Beaver

Jam will be rockin' the Piers!  This year, the Westminster Kennel Club Show will be holding the breed judging at the Piers in New York City.  Breed winners will travel cross-town to Madison Square Garden for the Groups on Monday and Tuesday evening.  We are beyond excited to be part of this prestigious show and look forward to meeting tons of people and hanging out with some of the top dogs in the country.  Jam will be showing on Tuesday at 12:45 pm.  Live streaming of the judging will be on the Westminster Kennel Club website and you can download the Westminster Dog Show app.

Jam will be handled by one of her favorite people, Steve Lane, owner/breeder of Jam's sire, BISS GCH HiBourne's It's All About Me, BROM.  She will be accompanied by her entourage  some of whom traveled all the way from Kansas for the big event.

Best of luck to all the dogs and handlers showing at Westminster!

Happy New Year! Our 2011 Grayhart Year in Review

Sky, CH Grayhart Lightfoot's Early Morning Rain, RN,JH,TD,NSD,NRD,CGC,VX

Our 2011 Year in Review

Wow, 2011 was a busy year full of family, friends and of course, Weims. We couldn't have imagined all the fun times and successes brought by the Grayhart dogs and their dedicated owners.  A highlight of the year was the Weimaraner Club of America National Specialty in May, in Ohio, where every dog we had placed or won their classes, and even finished titles, in multiple venues and the wonderful time we spent with friends from all over the country, especially Bliss and owner, Jen Boyd, who flew in from Alaska.

In July, we traveled to St. Louis for the AVMA convention for Jam and Trixie to represent Frontline's newest product Certifect and were able to spend the weekend with Marshall, Dylan and owner Laura Roehrich.  We then took a road trip down South, and spent time with Sky & Debbie Moody and Mia-belle & Jessica Scharff, competing at the Tarheel Weimaraner Club Agility trial in North Carolina and then the WCA Southern Futurity/Maturity show weekend in Greenville, SC.

Visiting with Bravo at Martin's Beach in December 2011

We ended the year visiting Bravo and owners Jay and Ron in California, spending a wonderful few days with them and their family and visiting their incredible beach cottage. Many Grayhart dogs live in the Northeast and we were thrilled to see Ranger, Monty, Mia, Mason, Trudy, Whitmore, Memphis and all their owners.

As for awards, we were honored for Trixie to receive her WCA BROM title and with Bravo, GCH Grayhart's Crescent Bravo, CGC, going Best Dog in the Western Futurity, we had our first Futurity winner!  And couldn't be prouder that FOUR of Trixie's get finished their AKC Championships in 2011!

Congratulation to our new Champions: Bravo, Mia-belle, Mason and Sky!

We are grateful for all the support of our wonderful puppy people who give our pups the best homes possible.  We could not have done it without the help of my wonderful mentors and friends, Amy Anderson and Bonnie Lane.

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We hope 2012 will bring everyone good health, happiness and prosperity!

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Highlights of 2011:

Trixie, CH GraytSky's I'm Not Really A Waitress, CD,RN,OA,NAJ, V:

• Trixie was awarded the WCA Breed Register of Merit or BROM title.  This WCA award recognizes sires and dams who produce fine offspring.  
• Four of our Grayhart bred pups out of Trixie finished their AKC Championship titles in 2011!  Trixie has produced six champions to date and we look forward to more of her pups completing their championship titles.
• At the 2011 WCA Specialty Agility trials, Trixie had stellar performances. Day one: 1st place Exc A Standard and 3rd place Open JWW.  Day two: 1st place Open JWW!
• Trixie's son, Bravo, won Best Dog in Western Futurity, and as owner of the dam and Bravo's breeder, we received a pewter dog statue.
• Trixie continued to model, doing printwork and video for Tiffany's and represented Frontline's new product, Certifect, at the AVMA convention in St. Louis, with daughter Jam.

Trixie-Parker pups born May 28, 2008, were busy in 2011:

• Jam, CH Grayhart's Purple Haze, CD,JH, OA,OAJ,SD,CGC,VX, had an extremely busy year in multiple venues, earning titles and qualifying legs. 
• Out on a limited basis as a special, Jam earned multiple Best of Breeds, owner/breeder handled.  
• At the 2011 WCA Nationals week, Jam, handled by Jamie Bernardin, was selected for an Award of Merit.  Jam also received a Specialty AOM at the GSWC Specialty in May and then owner/breeder handled, earned an AOM during the Southern Regional Specialty in Greenville, over several group placing specials.
• Jam finished both Open Agility (OA) and Open Agility Jumpers with Weaves (OAJ) titles, all legs with placements, including many 1st places. Jam completed her Open Standard title at the WCA Nationals winning the class.  At the WCA Specialty Agility trial, Jam was 1st place in Open JWW!  All of Jam's qualifying runs for her agility titles have been earned with placements.
• At the Tarheel Weimaraner Club Agility trial, Jam won the High Combined award for highest scoring Weimaraner.
• Jam earned her first qualifying legs in both Excellent A Standard and Excellent A JWW.
• During the WCA Nationals week, Jam earned her 3rd Companion Dog, or CD leg to complete this title with a 3rd place. These titles gave Jam the necessary requirements to earn her WCA "VX", Versatile Excellent title.
• Jam earned her WCA Shooting Dog (SD) title.
• She continued to train in obedience, agility and field work and will do the same in 2012 after her first litter, with breeding plans in January to Mason, CH GraytSky's Southern Fire, NSD.
• Jam passed the Delta Therapy Dog certification and spent time visiting autistic adults at a nearby residential facility.
• Jam continued to model, doing shoots for Frontline's Certifect, representing them at the 2011 AVMA convention for the product launch in St. Louis.  She also worked with Supermodel Coco Rocha on a commercial and print shoot for Longchamp.
• Sky, New CH Grayhart Lightfoot Early Morning Rain, JH,TD,RN,NSD,NRD, CGC,VX, finished her AKC championship title and the next day went Best of Breed!
• Sky earned her WCA Novice Retrieving Dog (NRD) and Versatile Excellent "VX" titles.
• She continues to train in agility, earning her first agility legs and is working towards her TDX.or bred by us, we are proud of 

Trixie-Zeke litter, born March 23, 2009, were busy in 2011:

• Mason, New CH Grayhart's Daily Special, handled to his last 2 points by his breeder, completed his championship in September.  We are truly thankful to Pat O'Brien, Zeke's breeder/co-owner, for his friendship and handling of Mason to his three majors wins, including a Specialty win.
• Mia-belle, New CH Grayhart's Special Request, RA,CD,NSD,NRD,V, had an extremely busy year, titling in multiple venues. 
• Mia-belle finished her AKC Championship completely owner handled, including winning a 4-point Specialty major! 
• Mia-belle earned her WCA Versatile "V" title and her WCA NRD title.
• Mia-belle earned her first Open obedience CDX leg.  She will be back in the obedience ring in 2012 and is training for agility and hunt tests.
• Trudy, Grayhart's Special Reserve, shown sparingly in 2011, won 8 show points including her 2nd major, owner/breeder handled. She only needs 3 single points to finish her AKC championship.  Many thanks to Pat O'Brien for his handling of Trudy to her first major and our collaborative effort to finish this lovely girl.

Trixie-Clay litter, born January 14, 2010, wasted no time making their mark in 2011:

• Savi, Grayhart's Shear Genius,JH,NSD,NRD,CGC, had an exciting year.  She earned her first show point in February and with limited showing, ended the year needing just one single point to finish her championship. She was a great traveler, going along for the ride to the WCA Nationals and then our trip down to the Carolina's for the Southern Futurity/Maturity and visiting with Debbie and Jessica.
• At the WCA Southern Futurity, Savi, handled by Carissa Shimpano, came in 2nd place in her futurity class.  Then, at the Greater Charleston Weimaraner Club Supported Entry show, owner/breeder handled, Savi won a 5-pt major from the Bred-By-Exhibitor class and went on to go Best of Winners!
• At the last show weekend of the year, at the Lehigh KC show, Savi was Winner's Bitch for 2-pts and the next day at the Delaware Water Gap KC show, Savi was Winner's Bitch and Best of Winners for a 3-point major!
• Savi earned her WCA NRD, Novice Retrieving Dog title and her WCA Versatile "V" title.
• Savi was a terrific ambassador for the Weimaraner breed at the AKC Meet the Breeds in New York City.  She also helped out at a number of Tri-State Weimaraner Rescue events, helping to raise money and educate people on the breed.
• Supermodel Savi followed in the Grayhart tradition and her Swiffer ad was spotted in many nationally circulated magazines and she was a hit as part of the Gap Kid's I Want Candy, holiday ad campaign.   She also worked with Trixie on the Tiffany shoot.
• Savi will be very active in 2012, training for her agility and obedience debuts as well as training for her Senior Hunter title and Delta Therapy Dog certification.
• Bravo, New GCH Grayhart Crescent's Bravo,CGC, had an exciting year in the show ring, completing his championship title at just 14 months of age and finishing his Grand Champion title  just two month later, earning multiple Best of Breed wins.  He also earned Specialty Select Dog and Awards of Merit.  Selectively specialed in 2011, Bravo finished the year ranked #22 among all Weims nationwide.  Bravo will be out in the show ring in 2012.
• With no formal training, GCH Bravo earned his Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate.
• Bliss, Grayhart's Launch My Line, made the trip down from Alaska to the 2011 WCA Nationals in Ohio and made us proud, placing in every class she was shown in.  She will work towards her show championship in 2012.

I hope that I haven't forgotten anyone but as you can see, it was a busy year. You can check the archives of our blogs, the main one, for Trixie and all our Grayhart pups, and the ones dedicated specifically to each of our dogs and we will continue to publish updates to share all the news and fun happenings as well as the Grayhart website.

It was great fun spending time with the pups and their owners, as well as old and new friends at shows.  We also enjoyed running and chairing the Garden State Weimaraner Club Hunt Test and volunteering for Tri-State Weimaraner Rescue.

Jam's Best of Breed Delaware Water Gap KC Show

Jam's official Best of Breed win photo with Judge Shirley Limoges, awarded on December 18, 2011, at the Delaware Water Gap Kennel  Club show.  There was a major entry in Weimaraners and half-sister Savi was Winner's Bitch and Best of Winners for a 3-pt major!  A terrific day at the show.

Gray-t Weekend for the Grayhart Girls! Delaware Water Gap KC Show

 Sunday was the Delaware Water Gap Kennel Club show and the Weims had an 8:00 am ring time.  No sleeping late for the princesses.  Trudy stayed with Pat in his room and my girls enjoyed going back and forth between Kel's room and mine in our suite.  They are truly creatures of comfort!

 Sunday was a repeat performance of Saturday.  Ike was Winner's Dog and both Savi and Trudy won their classes.  Pat stayed on Trudy and I took Savi in for winner's.  I was thrilled when the judge pointed to Savi and she was Winner's bitch.  There was a major in dogs so Savi would have to go Best of Winner's to get the major.  Again, Michelle, our Weim friend, took Savi in for me while I showed Jam.  Michelle worked hard to show Savi off.

Jam showed really well and was full of attitude.  After all the champions were examined and lined up, the judge had the one dog special and Ike gate around together.  She then pointed to Jam and had us go to the front.  Then placed Savi second and then Ike.  She had the group go around together and the final results....Jam won Best of Breed, Savi was Best of Winners and Ike was awarded Best of Opposite!!!

This gave Jam a Grand Champion major and also earned Savi her second major.  Savi now only needs one single point to finish her AKC championship title.  We were just floating after the judging was over.

Jam - Best of Breed (unofficial win picture)

Since Jam went Best of Breed, we needed to wait around for the Group competition. The Sporting Group, was the last group before Best in Show. We had a lot of time to kill, so Kel and I bundled up and took the dogs for a long walk and then went out for Chinese food for lunch. We then visited the many vendors and did some shopping. It was a thrill to watch our friends show their Vizslas and see Jenna go Best of Breed with her special, Miles. Miles won the breed on Saturday and had gotten a Group 2.

The Sporting Group was late in the afternoon and since it was full of professional handlers and some of the top dogs in the country, my goal was just to have fun with Jam and make her shine.  Kel got some terrific shots of Jam and Miles in the group.

 It takes about 20 minutes for each of the seven groups to be judged.  It is a long time for the dogs and you want to make them look their best when the judge is looking.

Congrats to Jenna and Miles for winning the Sporting Group and competing for Best in Show!!!

A wonderful end to a great weekend!  We look forward to the dog shows in 2012 and finishing Savi and Trudy's championships.  We plan to breed Jam in January so she won't be back in the show ring until after her maternity leave and she's in shape.

Gray-t Weekend for the Grayhart Girls! Lehigh KC Show

Kellyann and I headed off early Saturday morning to Allentown, Pennsylvania, for the last show weekend of the year.  We were looking forward to seeing friends and hoping that we could finish the year with a win.  What an amazing weekend it turned out to be, beyond our wildest expectations.

Savi, Winner's Bitch for 2 points!

 Saturday was the Lehigh Kennel Club show.  I showed Savi in the bred-by-exhibitor class, which we won.  Pat O'Brien, who was there to show both our Trudy as well as a very nice puppy named Ike, out of Pat's dog Duke, littermate to Zeke, Trudy's sire.  Pat went winner's dog with Ike and then won the Open bitch class with Trudy.  Since Trudy is so attached to me, Pat and I decided to switch dogs and I took Trudy in for winner's and he handled Savi.  We were afraid that if I was standing behind Trudy, she would keep trying to turn and look at me.  Trudy was quite the happy girl and tried kissing me nonstop while I stacked her.  The judge even commented on my happy girl.  The judge pointed to Savi and she was Winner's Bitch for 2 points!

Next was the Best of Breed class and a fellow Weim friend took Savi in for me as I had to handle Jam.  Ike was picked for Best of Winners and Jam was awarded Select Bitch, earning Grand Champion points.

Jam in the Best of Breed class

This show has a Bred-by-Exhibitor competition and Savi was Best BBE Weim, so we waited for the BBE groups which did not start until mid-afternoon.  The BBE Sporting group was last.  After a long wait, it was finally our turn to show.  The group was quite competive, with eight sporting dogs, most of which had gone winner's for majors in their respective breeds.  Savi showed well and we had fun in the big group.

 Yay!  The judge awarded Savi a Group 3!

Savi doing a bow while we played and had fun in the BBE group.

After a long day at the show, we rushed off to the hotel to meet Pat and Ike's owner, Sandra, and went out for a fabulous celebration dinner.  Back at the room, Savi and Jam had a wild play session, well deserved after being crated all day and strutting their stuff in the show ring.

Off to bed to get our beauty sleep for Sunday's show...

2011 WCA Nationals Week - BOB GSWC

Don't blink but here is a short clip of Jam gaiting in the Best of Breed class at the first host specialty, Greater Cincinnati Weimaraner Club, of the 2011 Weimaraner Club of America's Nationals week in Wilmington, Ohio.

GSWC Specialty Show: Award of Merit for Jam!

Savi practicing before Sweeps

 One of our annual Memorial Day Weekend traditions is to support our club's Specialty show, which is part of the Atlantic Shore Classic show circuit in Freehold, NJ.  It is one of our favorite show sites, except it can and usually is extremely hot and humid this time of year.  Under 80 degree weather, we did our best to keep the dogs cool and have a good time.  It was a busy show, as we had three of our girls entered, Savi, Trudy and Jam, and I was fortunate to have my good friend, Kellyann there to help with the girls and take pictures.  The club served a lovely lunch to everyone entered and we even got to spend time with Michele and Mia, who came for a short visit.

Mia, Grayhart's American Woman, Jam's littermate, had some show training and we can't wait to start showing her this year.

Savi, getting ready for the judge to examine her.

 Savi, Grayhart's Shear Genius,JH,CGC, (Clay x Trixie),who has not been shown much, did very well, especially since she does not care for the hot weather but held her stacks, stood for exam and gated nicely.  She placed 3rd in sweeps and 3rd in the 12-18 class, both the biggest classes of the day.

Trudy, Grayhart's Special Reserve, (Zeke x Trixie) spent a wonderful weekend with us and found every tennis ball in the house, no matter how well hidden! She remembered how to be a show girl and placed 2nd in the Open class.  She got to then go home to swim in her pool.

Jam waiting for her turn to go in the ring, she's cool as a cucumber..

Jam, CH Grayhart's Purple Haze,CD,JH,OA,NAJ,NSD,V, held up very well under the hot conditions and received an Award of Merit!  After the show, we celebrated by visiting our favorite vendors and Jam and Savi both got fabulous new collars.

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's Official Best of Breed Photo

Jam, CH Grayhart's Purple Haze,JH,NA,NAJ,NSD,CGC,V, (Parker x Trixie), with owner/breeder/handler, winning her 2nd Best of Breed at the Rockland County Kennel Club show under Judge Col. Joe B. Purkhiser.

Jam & Steve in the Sporting Group at Rockland

Jam, with Steve Lane, HiBourne Weimaraners, owner/breeder of Jam's sire Parker, in the Sporting Group at the Rockland County Kennel Club Show on February 27, 2011.  She received Best of Breed with her breeder/owner handling and then we were fortunate to have her other dad come handle her and watch them both shine in the group ring.

Jam will be selectively specialed this year while we continue to pursue her Senior Hunter and advanced agility and obedience titles.

Jam goes Best of Breed

Jam in the Sporting Group

At the Walkill Kennel Club show, Jam won Best of Breed to earn another Grand Champion point and it was fun showing her in the Sporting Group.

Savi posing outside the ring at Saturday's show

Sister Savi, Grayhart's Shear Genius,JH,NSD,CGC, (Clay x Trixie) shown in the Bred by Exhibitor class (BBE) by me, her breeder/owner, went Winner's Bitch to earn her first conformation point.  She is really starting to get this show thing down and stood for exam and moved nicely around the ring.  Our good friend Lilly came to help us because big sister Jam was also entered in Breed and it is impossible to handle two dogs at once.

As this was a local show, we saw lots of friends and were even able to go home for lunch, let the dogs play and relax a bit before heading back to the show site for groups.  Back for two more days of shows and hopefully more points.  Plus, some of our favorite vendors are at the show so we may be doing a bit of shopping!

Jam awarded Select Bitch at the BASS Show!

Jam with her Grand Champion Select ribbon

We always knew Jam was special but now she is an official "special" in the dog show world.  This means that when a dog completes its AKC Championship title, they continue to compete to win Best of Breed, then compete in the Sporting Group and go for the big prize - Best in Show. They can also compete to achieve the relatively new AKC title of Grand Champion.

Jam's first time out as a special was yesterday at the Big Apple Sporting Society show.  She showed beautifully and was awarded Grand Champion Select, earning her first Grand Champion points!  She beat other very nice specials and I'm thrilled that she was recognized this way, especially being owner/breeder handled.

New Champion Jam!

We are pleased to announce our newest champion.....Jam is now...drum roll please...

CH Grayhart's Purple Haze, JH,NSD,CGC!!!

Jam won her second  3-point major today at the Northeastern Maryland Kennel Club show, handled by Daddy Parker's owner/breeder, Steve Lane, which was all she needed to finish her AKC show championship.  It was a wonderful team effort to earn Jam's championship, me as breeder/owner, able to put seven singles on her and Steve with two singles and those very important two majors.  We are very grateful to Steve and Bonnie Lane of Hibourne, for their handling, mentorship and friendship.

Also at the show, Parker, CH Hibourne's It's All About Me, went Best of Opposite and completed his Grand Championship title.

Jam is the 2nd out of our Parker x Trixie litter to earn a championship, is Trixie's 2nd  and Parker's 3rd champion get.

Jam wins her first major and goes Best of Winners!

At the Weimaraner Club of Washington, DC (WCWDC) Supported Entry at the Salisbury Maryland Kennel Club show, Jam went Winner's Bitch and Best of Winners for a 3-pt major under judge Howard Falberg!!!

I  couldn't go to these shows and Jam went with her sire's family, Steve and Bonnie Lane of Hibourne Weimaraners, whom she adores and is always the perfect guest in their motor home.  Friends reported that Jam showed beautifully for Steve.  Daddy Parker, CH Hibournes's It's All About Me, was awarded Judges Select.  No photos from the show to share but we'll be sure to post her official win picture if it turns out to be a keeper. So I posted one of my favorites of her from our vacation last summer on Cape Cod.

 Jam only needs one major to finish her AKC Championship title.

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!

From the Garden State Weimaraner Club Independent Specialty show on October 10th, here is the "official" professional picture of our beautiful girl, Jam, Grayhart's Purple Haze.  Jam won a large Open bitch class and then was awarded Reserve Winner's Bitch to the major.  Steve Lane of Hibourne Weimaraners and owner/breeder of her sire, Parker, CH Hibourne's It's All About Me, did a terrific job of handling her. Steve also showed Parker and was chosen as the Judges Select and given an Award of Merit.

One more point for Jam!

Jam went Winner's Bitch today at the Schooley's Mountain Kennel Club show for her 9th point towards her AKC Championship title.  I guess two weeks of vacation on the Cape was the perfect R&R for Jam, as she showed beautifully and had fun in the ring.  I hope that our professional picture turns out nice as they were using the podium with a nice background.for the win photos.  Now, we need to win two majors and she'll be a champion...

Free Stack...

My favorite picture that Meridith took last Saturday at the Rockland Kennel Club Show. Jam nailed this free stack. Good girl Jam!

Specialty Show Shots

Although Jam only received a 2nd place, she showed like a winner at the GSWC Specialty show at the Plainfield Kennel Club show. The heat was brutal with temps in the 90's and we tried our best to keep the dogs and handlers cool under the tent.