Presley earns her Junior Hunter title and CeCe get her 1st JH leg!

Presley, with Qualifying Ribbon #4 for her JH title!

 We are thrilled to announce that Presley has earned her AKC Junior Hunter (JH) title and is now, Grayhart's Another Star, JH.  Presley completed her JH, handled by her breeder/co-owner,  by qualifying in four straight tests with terrific scores and at only one year of age!

Presley earned her first two legs at the Nutmeg Weimaraner Club Hunt Test in Simsbury, CT at the beginning of November under very difficult conditions.  The first day brought torrential rain but that did not deter Presley as she made her hunt test debut in style by finding and retrieving four birds to hand!

Extreme conditions call for the right attire & it worked for Presley's 1st JH leg

The next day, the weather was cold with swirling winds, which can be very challenging especially for novice dogs.  Presley hunted well and found her first bird, although did not point it and after the bird flushed, searched in thick cover and retrieved the bird to hand.  There is a rule that the dog must point 50% of the birds they encounter so we needed to find another bird and have a solid point.  She did not disappoint and with only minutes left, she made game, then a solid point before she went in on the bird.  She also caught that bird and retrieved it back. Chasing and busting the bird is allowed in the Junior level but not in Senior and Master so we will have to work on her training. Two tests, two qualifications on her debut weekend.

CeCe and Presley

I also ran CeCe, Grayhart's Almost Famous, co-owned with KellyAnn, in the Sunday test and this birdy girl qualified for her 1st Junior Hunter leg.  Tough conditions with few qualifiers but our girls made us proud by bringing home those orange ribbons. Guess we could call it a double Q!

After the test was over on Saturday, we took Savi, and her daughter, CeCe, out for a run and some training on the leftover birds in the fields.  What a beautiful sight to see CeCe back her momma!  Savi has her Senior Hunter and hunting is her favorite thing in the world.

CeCe honoring her mother, Savi

Savi on point

Presley with JH ribbon #2

The weekend after Thanksgiving brought the final hunt test of the season in the Northeast with the Nutmeg German Shorthaired Pointer Club Hunt Test at Flaherty Field Trial Grounds in CT.  Things did not look promising as we had a major snowstorm on Thanksgiving eve and the ground was covered with snow and ice.  Arriving at the test, those coming off the Junior course reported poor scenting conditions and the birds, Quail, were not staying planted.  Challenging conditions to say the least.  Plus it was cold!  

We met Presley's bracemate, a handsome, 22 month old male GSP, who turned out to be a hunting machine.  They took off from the start and after playing a few minutes started to hunt.  The GSP found a bird right away and hearing the shot of the blank gun, Presley upped her game and was trying really hard tracking and hunting to find a bird.  She found a quail under a log and pointed before flushing the bird.  She did not catch it.  She continued to hunt until the judges told us time was up and leash the dogs.  Presley qualified for JH leg #3.

On Sunday, we returned to Flaherty and fortunately, warmer weather.  Presley immediately knew why we were there and once we entered the bird field, boom, went on a gorgeous point.  The bird flushed and flew away.  Presley continued to hunt and the judge complimented her on how methodically she hunted.  We then saw her make game, showing the signs she was on a bird and boom, another beautiful, staunch point and to my surprise, she was pointing a walking bird!  Presley was easily 20 yards away so I couldn't get to her in time before she broke her point to flush the bird.  Very impressive for an untrained dog to point a walking bird and hold for a good 10 seconds!  It was exciting to see her perform so well and this was reflected in her scores of 9, 10, 10, 9,

Presley will now begin training for Senior Hunter and will return to the show ring in 2015. Her owners, Bob, Meridith and I are thrilled with how well she is doing and just adore this girl.

Dual Weimaraner Award for Savi!

Hot off the presses, in the March issue of The Weimaraner Magazine, is Savi's Dual Weimaraner Award page. To earn this award, a dog must have both a show championship and a Senior Hunter title.

Thanks to the Dual Weimaraner Program for this award sponsored by Debbie Moody & photo design by KellyAnn Kwiatek.  

We cannot thank Denny Keeton enough for his expert training, handling and care of Savi to earn her Senior Hunter title! Savi was owner/breeder handled to her Junior Hunter title in 4 straight tests, along with her NSD and NRD.  In the show ring, Savi finished her championship easily with a 5-pt major from the Bred-By-Exhibitor class earned during the Southern Futurity/Maturity weekend.

Savi is CH Grayhart's Shear Genius, SH, NSD, NRD, V CGC

She has two legs towards her CD (Companion Dog) title and one Novice Agility leg and one Novice Jumpers with Weaves leg.  We hope to complete these titles after Savi takes time off for motherhood.

Unexpected joy!

Friends Christina and Jeremy Barnhill surprised me with this awesome picture. I didn't even know that Jeremy took this picture, when they came to watch Savi run in the hunt test in Ohio where she finished her Senior Hunter title. Savi's handler, Denny Keeton, and Savi had literally just walked off the bird field and he let go of her lead and she came running to me.  She sure loves her momma!  I am so proud of my girl,

New Senior Hunter title for Savi!!!

Proud to announce that Savi (Clay x Trixie) earned her 4th SH leg on Saturday to finish her Senior Hunter title handled/trained by Denny Keeton! This gives Savi the required points to earn her WCA VX or Versatile Excellent award!

Savi is now CH Grayhart's Shear Genius, SH, NSD, NRD, CGC, VX 

 Denny coming off the bird field with a fist pump telling us Savi did it!

It was a gray-t day celebrating with a number of our Ohio friends, who came to the hunt test to cheer Savi on.  And best of all, KellyAnn was along for this Grayhart Adventure and loves seeing her PBP work in the field and get her final leg.

 He may raise Vizlas but has a fondness for our gray girl,

 We are beyond excited that not only did Savi start and finish her Senior Hunter this fall, under the expert training and handling by Denny, but she is our first Senior Hunter.  Savi is now home and next on her agenda is to finish her CD or Companion Dog obedience title and possibly her novice agility titles before she is bred in the Spring to Parker, GCH HiBourne's It's All About Me, BROM.

Savi earns TWO Senior Hunter legs!!!

Savi, CH Grayhart's Shear Genius, JH, NSD, NRD, V, earned two Senior Hunter legs this past weekend in Cardington, OH, handled by her trainer, Denny Keeton.  Savi is now halfway to earning her AKC Senior Hunter title and we couldn't be more thrilled.  Denny has done a terrific job training Savi and hopes to complete her title in the coming weeks.

The Senior Hunter title is the mid-level AKC Hunt Test title. Dogs are required to perform and receive qualifying scores in various categories.

Scoring in a hunt test is based upon four criteria for Junior Hunter and six criteria for Senior and Master Hunter. The categories in Junior are Hunting, Bird Finding Ability, Pointing, Trainability, and in Senior and Master, Retrieving and Honoring are added. These criteria are loosely defined as follows:

• Hunting: Dogs must demonstrate desire, boldness, independence, speed and a useful pattern of running. Dogs must hunt and not merely be out for a run in the field. They must show independence by leaving their handlers side to explore the territory. Junior dogs are scored more leniently than Seniors and Masters.
• Bird Finding Ability: The dog must demonstrate the ability to find game. Translated, find a bird or don't pass. The number of finds is not as important as the quality of the finds. Scenting conditions, terrain and cover should be considered in the scoring of this category. Note: the course should have sufficient birds (no less than two per brace and more are strongly recommended) to insure that a dog with good finding ability will locate them.
• Pointing: scoring in this category should reflect the style (intensity and staunchness) of the dog and its ability to pinpoint birds, especially with difficult or confusing scent patterns. A dog with a low stance should not be scored lower than a dog with a high stance if it demonstrates staunchness and intensity, particularly in difficult pointing situations. A 12 o'clock tail is not necessary and indeed is not found in any AKC Pointing Breed standards. Flagging (considered a lack of staunchness) on game is generally a fault in older, more experienced dogs, but should not be reflected too severely in the Pointing score of a Junior dog. A flash point cannot quality in any of the three levels. A flash point is generally a point in which the dog stops only momentarily before chasing the bird. Junior dogs must hold their point until the handler gets with normal gunshot range. Senior dogs must point and remain in position until the bird is shot or the dog is released. The dog may reposition itself if it is attempting to pin the bird. The dog should not creep after or trail a bird that the handler is attempting to flush. Master dogs must demonstrate steadiness to wing and shot on all birds and cannot receive a qualifying score if it breaks.
• Trainability: A judged on its willingness to be handled, its obedience to commands and its gun response. In Junior, the dog must demonstrate "reasonable obedience" to commands and be willing to be handled. The Senior dog is scored with less tolerance than the Junior. The scoring of "obedience" and "willingness to handle" should reflect the level of response by the dog. The Senior dog must stop on a wild flushed bird and may be commanded to do so. The Master dog cannot be given a command to stop. Gun response is also evaluated under Trainability.
• Retrieving: Not required of a Junior dog. A good retrieve is one characterized by directness to the bird, quick location, prompt pick up, brisk, direct return to the handler, with tender delivery. A Senior dog is not required to retrieve to hand. Generally one or two steps would be generally acceptable. A Master dog must retrieve absolutely to hand. The handler cannot assist the dog on the retrieve in either Senior or Master tests by moving toward the downed bird. Mouthing is a serious fault and any dog which renders a bird unfit for consumption cannot receive a qualifying score.
• Honoring: Honoring is a requirement in Senior and Master. If a dog is given an opportunity to honor and refuses, it cannot receive a qualifying score. In Senior the handler may give the dog a command to honor but only after the dog acknowledges that its bracemate is on point. A dog that steals its bracemate's point cannot receive a qualifying score. A Master dog must honor on its own.

Off to bird camp!

Savi was quite sad to see her brother Memphis go home yesterday.  What she didn't know was that we had a big trip planned and she was going to bird heaven.    Off we went for a long, nine hour drive to Ohio, where Savi will be going for field training to work on Senior and Master Hunter.  Savi will learn to steady, hold until released for the retrieve, retrieve to hand and honor her bracemate on point.

Savi showed her new trainer what she's made of and impressed him with her intense points and drive, finding every bird he planted with style and attitude.  It is a wonderful opportunity for Savi to be able to fulfill her potential and spend days doing what she loves -  running in the field and hunting and retrieving birds.  We'll be busy at home with pups, so the perfect time for Savi to be at bird camp.

We'll be posting pictures and videos as we get updates from her trainer

Savi's grounds, beautiful acreage in central Ohio.

Hunt Test weekend

Savi, CH Grayhart's Shear Genius,JH,NSD,NRD,CGC,V, during her Senior Hunter test this past weekend, run by the Eastern German Shorthair Pointer Club  Although she didn't pass, I was pleased with how well she ran and held to the shot.  More photos and the full report to come...

Friday in the Field

Savi, CH Grayhart's Shear Genius,JH,NSD,NRD,CGC,V, with her favorite accessory!

We are in high gear training for the Spring hunt tests.  Jam is entered this weekend in Senior Hunter and we are still working on steadying her on the bird.  She is a very smart cookie and an opportunist, taking advantage of any opportunity to take the bird out if she can.  She had a beautiful point in the back course and did a great job backing the other dog before we entered the bird field.  That's when things went downhill.  The wind disappeared and she was very close to the bird when she went on point.  Although she didn't catch it, she broke point, which is very bad.  We had to correct this behavior as it is an automatic fail in the tests and unfortunately, she has learned that she can get away with it.  She spent some time in her crate, not happily, while we then worked Savi.  When we brought Jam back out, she was raring to go and we were very careful to keep her close and bring her into the wind to get a nice point, far from the planted bird.  The wind was blowing lightly and bam, she went on a beautiful point.  I went to the planted bird, reinforced Jam's "whoa" command, setup the gunner and flushed the bird.  Jam held steady, even after the bird did not fly, but ran and then finally flew.  She was not only steady to shot, but stayed until I release her for the retrieve.  She flew out and did a nice retrieve.  Success!  We ended her session on a very positive note.

Savi had a stellar day and was truly impressive.  With little experience backing other dogs, Savi acknowledged the other dog on point, getting her back in.  She also found the pigeon on the back course and pointed it from 20' away!  She held while I flushed the bird, shot the blank gun and then heeled her away.  In the bird field, again, she had a terrific, staunch point from a nice distance and no only held through the shot, but until I sent her for the retrieve.  She ran out and got her bird and retrieved to hand.  This girl is already showing Master hunter potential.  We were so happy with Savi's performance that I entered her in an upcoming hunt test for her first time in Senior Hunter.  

A big weekend ahead and we'll report the results.

Thursday Thoughts...

Puppy Savi at the 2010 WCA Nationals with her bird

 As I begin my Spring Break, yes, I'm one of the lucky ones that gets to enjoy a week off in April, there is much to do (house projects, family activities and dog stuff) and other stuff I'd love to do but just can't fit in.  It is a challenge juggling a full-time job and trying to keep up a training schedule for the girls.  At the begiining of the year, I set goals for each of the dogs and then attempt to set a training schedule to help achieve these goals.  Happily, I already accomplished two on my list and that would be finishing Trudy and Savi's show championships!

Now we move on to obedience, agility and hunt tests.  The hardest is field training so I have scheduled sessions for Jam and Savi during vacation.  There are upcoming hunt tests that Jam is entered in Senior Hunter and she needs a tune up.  Savi, who has amazing drive and natural ability, needs more training before she'll be ready for the Senior Hunter tests.  My goal is to have Savi ready for the fall hunt tests.

Jam at the 2010 WCA Nationals in the obedience ring

 Obedience is easy.  I have the tools and resources close by to practice and train.  The girls typically go to obedience class once a week and I can practice with them in multiple locations.  I plan on getting Savi ready to compete in Novice Obedience this summer and she is well on her way to being ready.  Jam has begun training for Open but I'm not sure when she will be ready to compete.

Trixie at the 2011 WCA Nationals

Agility, my favorite of all the dog sports, has been on hold since the local training school is still shut down from last year's hurricane damage.  I've taken some seminars and private lessons and am working on an alternate place to train.  With the Spring trials coming up, Trixie and Jam need practice and coursework.  I'll setup the weaves and jumps in the backyard and try to get them ready.  Savi would benefit from a weekly class to work on foundation skills.  So much to do, so little time!

We are also working with some of our other Grayhart dogs to get them ready for the show ring this year.  And if that isn't enough, we are planning on breeding Jam this summer and hope for a fall litter.  A very full plate but we wouldn't have it any other way.

February Field Training

Savi

 We enjoyed President's Day doing one of our favorite activities, field training with Jam and Savi.  Kellyann was also off from work and took these great shots of our girls. We could not have been more pleased with how well Savi worked, as she has not been in the field since December.  If she continues as this pace, she will be ready for Senior Hunter this Spring or by fall.

 Savi on point.  The weather was perfect with good wind and Savi pointed the birds from quite a distance. She held until released for the retrieve!

 Awesome retrieve from Savi!

 Savi standing pretty!

Jam, who is still recovering from her procedure last week, was so happy that we let her out to retrieve a Chukkar!

Weimaraner Wednesday: Happiness in the field

Savi - pure joy!

 Yes, it's Thursday but we had to post these shots from a great day in the field on Weimaraner Wednesday.  After a week off due to the freak snow storm, the dogs were raring to go and enjoyed running in the fields and hunting.  The bonus was a day of incredible weather.

 Savi above, and Jam below, have such enthusiasm and love running in the fields.

 My girls, Trixie, Jam and Savi, had the preserve to themselves.

 Then it was time to get to work and train for the Senior Hunt tests in the Spring...

Jam on point...funny how she does that lip thing!

Intense point from Savi!

Savi has what my trainer calls a Master Hunter retrieve - enthusiastic, direct and retrieves to hand - just fabulous!  She is exciting to watch and has such talent and drive.

Weimaraner Wednesday

 Fall is definitely here and we had a perfect day for field training - cool, crisp and sunny!  I forgot my camera but snapped off a few shots of the dogs running in the field before we began training.  No, I didn't get a German Shorthair Pointer.  This energetic girl belongs to my friend and training partner Jeff and I took her for some obedience and socialization training with Jam, Savi and Trixie.

 Becky, the GSP, is a friendly 9 month old pup but needs to learn some manners with other dogs.  Jam took on the role of teacher and gave Becky a number of appropriate corrections until Becky learned how to behave.  All dogs need to learn dog language and if they don't it can be dangerous.  Becky runs in hunt tests and needs to know when another dog doesn't want to play or not to get in their face.

 Once Becky was comfortable with my grey girls, she had a blast running and playing with them in this huge field.  It also helped get burn some of her endless supply of energy off.

 Training was very satisfying.  Jam ran with Becky's housemate, Beau, who received his 1st Senior Hunter leg last weekend.  The two ran well together and we were able to steady them and shoot for retrieves.  Jam broke before the shot and I was able to correct her before she grabbed the bird.  I then made her stand and then released her for the retrieve, which she did well with.  Unless a dog makes a mistake in training, it is difficult to fix problems encountered during the actual test.

 Even though Becky is a green dog and working on her Junior Hunter, she is extremely birdy and the perfect running mate for Savi.  Savi had a gorgeous point, sorry no photo, and we shot over her for the first time.  I did attach a check cord before we flushed and released the Chukkar in case she broke.  Well, so proud of my girl who stood through the shot and waited until I released her for the retrieve.  She had to search for the bird as she didn't mark the fall but when she found it, had an impressive retrieve to hand.  We are also training her to honor and she's starting to understand that not every bird is hers.  I'm very excited at the progress she is making and hope to have her ready to run in Senior Hunter in the Spring.

Weimaraner Wednesday

Jam, enthusiastic in the fields!

 Weimaraner Wednesday fun spent field training with our friends and their dogs.  The weather was a bit hot and muggy with little breeze, so challenging scenting conditions for the dogs.

Jam on point

 The girls found the birds and had decent retrieves, especially our little retrieving machine, Savi, who does it with such gusto and retrieved to hand, it brings a smile to everyone who watches her.

Savi, air scenting as scenting as she hunts for birds

The leaves are already beginning to change color, reminding us that fall is upon us.  I just long for some nice cool weather.

 And only in New Jersey would we have such wild distractions in the bird field!  The preserve where we train is said to have one of the best Halloween Hayrides in the state!

 The dogs are so used to these freaky figures that they pay no attention to them.

Fall Field Training!

Savi & Jam

 Even though the official start to fall is still a week away, with cool temps and rain, it sure felt like fall and we had our first day training in the field since Spring.  The dogs got to run in the field for fun to stretch their legs and get some of the excess energy out before getting down to business.

Savi getting ready for take-off!

Jam

 Jam was up first and we ran her with a German Shorthair Pointer, that is working on her Senior Hunter title.  Jam ran fine with this new dog, always good to switch things up as you never know what kind of dog you'll be braced with at a hunt test.  It began pouring during our run, which was not the most pleasant thing for the handler's and does effect the scenting conditions and birds, but hunt tests are run rain or shine and it was a good opportunity to challenge the dogs in not the most ideal conditions.  Jam then had a chance for a second run with our friend's Vizsla, who is very close to finishing his Master Hunter title. We ran the dogs in a mock hunt test and I was pleased with how well Jam hunted, backed the other dog immediately and was steady to wing and shot.  Her retrieve was passable, still something I'd like to improve to get her to have a better hold on the bird, but the whole run, if in a real test would have been a pass!  Amazing how the dog's remember what they are supposed to do and pick up where we left off.

 Savi, beginning her training for Senior Hunter, ran with the Vizsla, and we wanted to evaluate where she was at.  She hunted in her usual bold, independent style and held point until we got to her to flush the bird.  We need to work on steadying her more on the bird without holding her and while the bird is being shot.  She has an incredible retrieve and brought the bird to hand!  We wanted to introduce her to honoring or backing the other dog on point, and she did acknowledge the other dog.  I then collared her and she was not happy watching the other dog retrieve the bird.  In fact, she was hysterical, barking, jumping and whining....sorry Savi, life is not fair and every bird does not belong to you!  We know what our biggest challenge is going to be with Savi in training her for Senior.

A fun day for sure, even if we were soaked by the time we packed up.  We peeled off our rain gear, felt chilled and went out to lunch for some hot pasta fagiouli soup and Italian food....can't get much better than that!