Birdy and I traveled down to Beaumont, TX for a three day dog show. Although she didn’t win, she did pick up two reserve wins and a Best in Sweeps win!!
This past weekend, Birdy went back – to – back again to finish up her Junior Hunter title!! She went 4 for 4 to earn her title and finished strong with great scores – 9’s and 10’s! She turns 8 months old today (March 14th) and I’m so proud of my little girl’s accomplishments!! Way to go Birdy!
On Friday, March 4th, we made our way up to Missouri to participate in the Gateway Vizsla Club’s double specialty show. In show #1, Birdy started it off in sweeps, where it came down to her and the 12-18 month old girl. The judge had us both move quite a bit, but eventually the older girl won. Birdy almost had it! Then it was Gunnar’s turn in the breed ring where he took an Award of Merit!
In show #2, Birdy again gets close and it comes down to her and the 12-18 month old boy. Again, the older dog wins, but she goes Best of Opposite in Sweeps! Birdy then goes into the regular classes and take Reserve to a 4 point major!! Not a bad start for this little girl! Once again, it’s Gunnar’s turn in the breed ring and picks up one more Award of Merit!
After the show, we head about 3 hours West to show their versatility and hit the field for the rest of the weekend. Both Gunnar and Birdy hit the hunt test scene and do an amazing job!! Both qualify on Saturday AND Sunday – Gunnar in Senior, and Birdy in Junior. These two passes finish Gunnar’s Senior Hunter title!!! WHOO-HOO!!! Gunnar is now GCH Dynata’s Bound to Huntmore SH!
Last weekend, Birdy and I traveled to Alexandria, LA for her first dog show. At only six and half months old, she is still REALLY young, but I wanted to expose her to the dog show environment and get her first experience in the ring with the judge and other dogs. My main goal was to let her have fun in the ring and enjoy the experience.
Well, she had a great time and I really enjoyed the experience when she went in on day one and WON not only winners bitch but also Best of Winners!!! Day two she took Reserve! So she was noticed both days with some nice competition in the ring. Not too shabby for our first time out!!
We’ll take a break for a little bit and hit a couple shows in March!
Just got word from a dear friend of mine to check out the Canine Chronicle’s breed stats. I pulled it up and got a great surprise! Through November 30th shows, Gunnar is ranked #20 in breed stats!! I’m so super excited and thrilled that he made this accomplishment with such limited showing this year. Thank you to Laurie Fairchild and Rene Blakemore for breeding their awesome dogs to produce such a lovely boy!
***UPDATE***Gunnar held on to the #20 spot and finished the 2010 year ranked in the National breed stats!!
As a reward for earning her Master Hunter title, we took Gabi on Shawn’s annual pheasant hunt. We all had a great time! There were a total of 13 hunters and 12 dogs with us on the guided hunt and the guys shot a total of 55 pheasant! Here are the photos that I got (click on the photo below to see them all):
Well, the last show of 2010 is now behind us and I have to say it was a success! Gunnar took Best of Breed both days and showed well in groups for me. Birdy was entered into a B Match in the 3-6 month class. After winning breed, she went on to win the Sporting Group! This is the second Group 1 win she has had at a match! She just might turn out to be an OK show dog! 
Now we will turn our focus to the field for the next few months! We have a lease up in Oklahoma this year, and we look forward to spending some time out there letting the dogs hunt wild quail!
On Saturday, Gunnar earned another leg toward his Senior Hunter title!! He had a find early on in the course, which was good as it was warming up fast and scenting conditions were tough (no wind and very humid). He hunted hard the entire time, and that one find was good enough for the pass. He had a beautiful honor on course so no call backs were required! Sunday, he (and all the other senior dogs) went birdless. It was even warmer than the day before and even harder to scent the birds for the dogs. But we’ll take the pass from Saturday! Half way there Gunnar!!
Gunnar got his first qualifying run toward his Senior Hunter title! He was one of only three dogs to pass today in the Master/Senior level. There were multiple coveys on course with birds walking everywhere which is what caused many dogs not to pass.
Gunnar had two stop to flushes, and pointed a covey of at least 10 that were moving from one area to the field toward the tree line. All the birds took off when I flushed and the gunner (Shawn) was able to take a bird down. Gunnar stayed steady through the flush and stayed until I sent him for the retrieve. What a good boy! He received great scores of mostly 9’s and one 10 in trainability! Needless to say, we are proud of him!
So I’m a little late in posting, but Gunnar got BOB #16 at the dog show in Belton, TX on October 23rd! He showed very well in groups for me as well!!
We have been busy the past two weekends training for upcoming hunt tests. Gunnar will attempt his first senior level test this coming weekend. I know he has all the skills…hopefully he’ll put them all together in the same 30 minutes!
