Beautiful Bliss turns 2!

We finally received some pictures of Savi's beautiful Alaskan sister, Bliss, Grayhart's Launch My Line, (Clay x Trixie).  Owner Jen Boyd showed Bliss last weekend and was able to get pictures for us.  Unfortunately, Bliss was the only Weimaraner entered, so no points to win.  Bliss will have to make a trip to the lower 48 to find enough competition to earn her championship.

Jen reported that Bliss showed really well and was quite excited to be there, especially gaiting around the ring.

A beautiful team - Jen and Bliss!

Sky's Championship Gift

When Debbie Moody finished Sky's championship, Bonnie Lane (Parker's owner) and I wanted to do something really special to celebrate all that they have accomplished.  We presented Debbie with this fabulous, custom bag, which is an actual picture of Sky wearing her "Kentucky Derby Day" hat. 

Debbie says that she's been carrying it ever since and get daily comments and smiles from folks. From Debbie,  "Thank you so much Linda and Bonnie for your thoughtfulness!"

Sky, out of our Parker x Trixie litter, is now CH Grayhart Lightfoot Early Morning Rain, RN, JH, TD, NA, NSD,NRD,CGC,VX!

Bravo's Setup at the Golden Gate KC Show

The Bravo poster

This weekend is the prestigious Golden Gate Kennel Club show in California.  It is one of the few "benched" shows left in the US.  When a show is "benched", such as the famous Westminster Kennel Club Show, it means that only the entered dogs are allowed in and those entered dogs are assigned a crating space in the benching area.  They must be in the building and present for the bench attendance checks. From the AKC website: Bench Show - A dog show at which the dogs are kept on assigned benches when not being shown in competition, so they can be viewed and discussed by attendees, exhibitors and breeders.

Since the show celebrates each breed and show dog, it is customary for exhibitors to decorate their dog's area and also hand out business cards.  Jay had the great idea to have our talented friend and designer, Sara Renee, design a poster and handouts.  All were a hit at the show!

These are the handouts!

Beautiful day in the neighborhood!

Enjoying a gorgeous spring-like day in January!  Savi on the left and Jam on the right.  Time to hiking!

New Novice Agility title for Sky!

Congratulations to Debbie Moody and her girl Sky, CH Grayhart Lightfoot Early Morning Rain,RN,JH,TD,NA,NSD,NRD,VX, for earning her Novice Agility (NA) Standard title last weekend!  Sky finished this title with 1st places for all three qualifying legs!  An impressive accomplishment.

Sky going down the A-frame with all four paws in the air!

Sky also double-qualified at last Saturday's trial, qualifying in both Novice Standard and Novice Jumpers with Weaves (JWW).  Sky earned a 1st place in Novice Standard with a lightening fast run 30-seconds under course time and a 2nd place in JWW.

 And over the last jump, a triple with perfect form...

 for her title earning run!!!!

And Debbie celebrating as Sky finishes the course!

Jam for Longchamp in Vogue & Elle magazines!

 How awesome to see Jam and Coco Rocha's Longchamp ads in the March issues of Vogue and Elle magazines.

Snowday!

Savi

 The first snowstorm of 2012 left about six inches of snow for the dogs to play in, and play they did.  A good thing, as we were stuck at the house and the driveway did not get plowed until 4:30 pm.

 Trixie surveying the yard and watching her daughters.  She takes her role as play police very seriously!

 Savi with her favorite retrieving toy, although I think she likes it better in the summer for water retrieves.

 I cleaned the snow of the teeter and then Jam decided to show off how she bangs the board...

I 

 Next thing I knew, she was practicing her 2 on, 2 off agility contacts!

 No treats for Jam at the bottom of the teeter but she can't help but look.

Savi was utterly exhausted after running like a gazelle through the snow all afternoon.  She didn't even care when Trixie decided to share the dog bed.

Oh! My Dog - Longchamp 2012

We are excited to present the video from Longchamps 2012 campaign starring Coco Rocha and our girl, Jam, CH Grayhart's Purple Haze,CD,JH,OA,OAJ,SD,VX.  We had so much fun working on this video. Filmed in Dumbo, NY.

Savi at two: the official stacks & more!

 Kellyann was kind enough to spend the morning with us and photograph Savi, Grayhart's Shear Genius,JH,NSD,NRD,CGC, (Clay x Trixie), who she affectionately calls her PBP (Puppy by Proxy). Kel has watched Savi grow up from the puppy pen to the sweet girl she is now. She's also been with us to photograph and celebrate many of Savi's wins (she only needs one point to finish) and titles earned including her Novice Shooting Dog (NSD), and Novice Retrieving Dog (NRD).

What a face!

It was a very cold and blustery day so difficult to get her tail up. Otherwise, we think she's looking good.

I thought it would be fun to look back and show how Savi looked at 8 weeks, shown below, taken by Sara Renee, when she visited us and took all those fabulous shots of the Bravo litter.

And at our official puppy evaluation party, with friend/mentor, Bonnie Lane.

and at only four months old, Savi had her first major modeling assignment for Swiffer!

Who knew what fun and friends this little keeper pup from our Bravo litter would bring?  We have big plans for Savi, as we know that she has great potential in many venues. Our goals for 2012 include finishing her AKC championship, training for her Companion Dog (CD) and Novice Agility titles as well as Senior Hunter title. 

Most importantly, Savi, is one of the sweetest dogs we've ever owned and has a wonderful, stable temperament.  We will be getting her certified to be our next Delta Therapy Dog.

The Birthday Girl: Savi turns 2!!!!

January 14th was a momentous day in the Grayhart household - it was Savi's birthday! Our little girl turned two and of course, we had a little pawty and the obligatory photo session.

 

Truly a princess in her hat and bandanna with Momma Trixie waiting patiently in the background for the special treats.

What a good girl...

Enough already....where's my cake? Well, no cake but all the girls loved the gourmet chicken treats that Savi won when she earned her 2nd major at the Lehigh shows.

The real fun began when we took Savi and Jam for a birthday hike. Above, Savi backing Jam.

 And on the West Coast....prince Bravo celebrated his birthday in a regal way!

 Miss Bliss, our Alaskan Princess, celebrated with a super yummy treat!

Happy 2nd Birthday to our Bravo litter!!!

 Happy Birthday to our Bravo Pups (Clay x Trixie) who turn two today!

Top row l-r: Treynor, Logan, Memphis, Bliss, Bravo

Bottom: Savi, Whitmore, Tallulah

These pups have won the hearts of their owners and everyone they meet.  Thank you to all the wonderful owners for not only giving these pups the best homes but letting them shine!  We have also made incredible friendships through the mutual love of these pups.

We are proud of the accomplishments of this litter in such a short period of time:

• Bravo,  GCH Grayhart Crescent's Bravo, CGC, AKC Grand Champion with multiple Best of Breed wins, and was Best Dog in the Western Futurity!
• Bliss, Grayhart's Launch My Line, futurity placing and at a very competitive 2011 WCA Nationals, placed in almost every class.
• Savi, Grayhart's Shear Genius,JH,NSD,NRD,CGC, our keeper and upcoming star.  Futurity placing, has 5 point and 3 point majors from the Bred-By-Exhibitor class, and only needs one single point to finish her AKC championship. Training for her Senior hunter, agility and obedience titles as well as therapy dog. Savi has also appeared in ads for Swiffer and the Gap.

We look forward to watching these pups continue to grow and blossom.

Birthday wishes from Bravo's Blog!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAYHART BRAVO LITTER - 2 years on January 14, 2012

WITH PUPPYHOOD BEHIND THEM AND PLENTY OF "ZOOMIES" LEFT IN THE TANK, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE BRAVO LITTER ON THEIR 2nd BIRTHDAY!!

Crescent Kennels Best in Futurity Grand Champion Grayhart Crescent's Bravo, Canine Good Citizen and 2011 22nd nationally ranked in top 25 show Weimaraner wishes all his littermates a AAARG Matey Good Birthday and a bottle O rum for celebration. Bravo's pirate theme Birthday was the BEST and at Bravo's Beach, of course!!

Triple training

People coming into the training school thought they were seeing triple - three Weims and three German Shepherds!  It seems our Thursday night class is made for multiples, plus a few other single dogs thrown into the mix.  I was so proud of my girls, especially Trixie and Jam, who held their sit and down stays with huge distractions such as group recalls and me working Savi.  The dogs all received a very high value reward - liverwurst!  Maybe gross to hold in your hand or bait bag but it worked like magic.  Savi had terrific focus on all her exercises and worked with great attitude and purpose.  Trixie, who hasn't been to a class in ages, did well on heeling and drop on recall but was a bit rusty on the hand signals.  And Jam, well let's just say she was thrilled to be invited to the party and was her fun loving self.

Rock on!

A fun Sunday morning spent with Kellyann as our puparrazzi, taking shots of the girls on the rocks.  Jam is balancing on the point of a triangular shaped rock, watching us on the other side of the formation.

Surprise gift from Sagira's folks!

One of the wonderful surprise gifts we received this holiday season, was a disc with pictures from the 2011 WCA Nationals Agility trial.  These terrific shots were taken by Jeremy Barnhill, who owns the awesome Sagira.  We had the pleasure of meeting Christina and Jeremy and their wonderful pack, Starr the Weimaraner, Sagira, their agility star, and Bokeh, their mini-aussie, who is Jer's disc dog and awesome at everything they are learning.

 Jer caught these wonderful action shots of Trixie and I love how in the first shot, the bond that Trixie and I have at the start line.

This panel jump says it all!

Thank you Christina and Jeremy!  Hope to see all you again at a future show or trial!

Happy New Year! Our 2011 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.

***

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

***

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.