A cool photo on so many levels. Breeder/owner Judy's big smile after her first time handling in an AKC Master Hunter level test. SUCCESS!! Suede qualified for her fourth MH leg. Check out Suede--her attitude says "I want more birds!". Awesome considering how stressful Master level callbacks can be on the dog and the handler. What a team! |
Suede and Judy--Judy handled Suede in a perfect weekend of back to back Master Hunter qualifies to finish Suede's MH title. Suede's high pass rate in her AKC Senior and Master Hunter tests are a reflection of her biddability, natural abilities, AND her training program. |
Suede and Judy in an AKC Master Hunter callback. Suede is honoring--check out the distance of her honor!! She honored all on her own, as a Master dog should, without a "whoa" from the handler. Actually, Judy was too far away from Suede to even have attempted to whoa her (and not that she would have--this would be cheating). Suede was hopping up into the air (tall/thick cover), saw the pointing dog and stopped as her feet hit the ground. Several in the gallery exclaimed "Wow!". To which the judge commented, "That's what an honor should look like." Yay Suede!! As a young dog, because Suede naturally honored, we were careful to reinforce this positively in her training program for her AKC Senior and Master Hunter tests (titles).
A very intense Trip waits for Aaron to "take her to the line" for her Senior Hunter level test |
Trip on the line for her Senior Hunter run. Those who know her "looks" know there is *one* thing on her mind in this picture...BIRDS!! Aaron saw this in her as he walked her to the line and knew she was about to go B-A-N-A-N-A-S!! And, she did. :-) |
Trip steady to release. We didn't put pressure on Trip to make her steady to release. She does this because of her foundation training--look at her style as she waits for a release command! |
Trip retrieving to (Aaron's) hand in a Senior level hunting test. Trip is a natural retriever. She has a soft mouth and *loves* to retrieve. All we've needed to do is encourage her with a "happy voice" and sometimes a "happy dance" when she has a bird in her mouth. |
This is a callback for an AKC Master Hunter level test. The backing (honoring) dog has acknowledged Suede and Judy waits for the gunners to get into position before she flushes the bird. They were back a distance with the gallery--Suede stood this bird with style for quite awhile. This is a key point (heh, no pun intended)--you know you've trained your Vizsla well when they keep their style and gain even more confidence/staunchness as they compete in AKC Hunting Tests and Field Trials. |
PROOF!!! That Judy handles birds. :-) Suede's retrieve to hand in her callback for her Master level hunting test. Suede has an INCREDIBLE retrieve. Her retrieve is the very definition of a Master Hunter level retrieve: "promptly, tenderly and
absolutely to hand." |
Judy walks Aaron and Trip to the line for Trip's run in an AKC Senior Hunter brace. So serious! What could they possible be discussing? |
Suede on point in a Master Hunter level callback. Check out her style--head proud and high, body staunch. Follow her nose--she's so clearly saying "the bird is right over there." |
And, she's OFF! Trip shows her big run in an AKC Senior Hunter test. Aaron handles her beautifully. She's a young dog, just green-broke. Instead of trying to keep her in close (and from making mistakes), he let her GO. This type of training/handling will pay huge dividends in the future. Trip is gaining confidence and independence. Aaron is letting her make her own decisions--because of her solid foundation training, she knows what to do. What she chooses to do is a whole other story! Qualify or not, this is the fun stuff.
A true honor--Suede backing in her callback. Excellent judging (shout out to Bonnie Bergmeyer)!! The judge is to the left of Suede and walked with Judy as she released Suede to honor (so she could hear if Judy tried to whoa Suede into her honor--not allowed in testing for AKC Master Hunter titles but we've seen many do it--this would be *cheating*!). Of course, Suede is every bit of a Master level dog you've ever seen and will honor on her own without a command. Cool stuff and so much fun when a gun dog really understands what we want!! |
Pure GLEE!!! This Vizsla knows how to have fun! Trip hunting the backcourse in her Senior level hunting test. The cover was pretty thick but the weather was relatively cool in the a.m. |
Mama Suede with her puppy Trip--a talented (and gorgeous) pair for sure! Suede and Judy with their TWO back-to-back AKC Master Hunter level qualifying ribbons!! Suede is a NEW MH! Trip and Aaron proud of their first AKC Senior Hunter qualify. |
Fusion Vizslas