Vol 2 - July 1996
Activities:
"Our Vizsla is like all others - very family orientated. He can t bear to be away from us. So much so that over the years he has got himself into a lot of strife because of it. One story that comes to mind is that when he is outside on his own, he does his darnedest to get in. He started out by climbing in the downstairs window ruining vertical blinds in the process. We thought we were smart - we kept the downstairs windows closed - NO, not smart enough - our guy found he could climb up on the roof and get in the upstairs window! I haven t figured out whether he is one very sick dog or a very smart one." One thing we asked about in the first newsletter was how much you thought would be a fair subscription. Well most of the answers came back at about $20 - $30. This is not designed to be a money making operation but, like all clubs, should be able to pay it s own way. We hope to put out a newsletter every two months. Keeping this in mind and looking at estimated costs we are going to set the initial subscription at $15 per household (assuming one newsletter per household). Hopefully by the end of a year we will have more people actively involved and may even be able to form a formal committee and will re-evaluate the subs at a later time. In the meantime a small part of the newsletter each time will be dedicated to a small treasurers statement to tell you where our funds stand and how they are being used. This second newsletter is again being sent to our full list as many people have expressed interest but not returned their form. Again we ask you to spread it around to those people we don t know about! After this, the subsequent newsletters will only be going to subscription payers.
Special Plea ....Remember that this idea will only work with lots of involvement from all of you. It doesn t need to be time consuming or expensive. You just need to let us know who you are (and publish profiles), tell us your interesting snippets, hints, funny stories, results (and that might include funniest face at the kids calf day!) and anything else that you can think of! Also please send photos etc.
OWNER / VIZSLA PROFILESue & Rob McKee and Ochre (Abody Ochre of Debrecan) sent us the following profile - thanks folks.We live on a 27 acre apple orchard just outside Richmond, Nelson. We had admired the breed for some time, and were lucky enough to be able to purchase her from Judy Young and Anne McMaster in Christchurch. Ochre came into our life as a delightfully wrinkled 7 week old puppy. She joined our household as our second dog, our first being a 7 year old (at that time) German Shorthaired Pointer, Kura. Being an only dog for such a long time, Kura was initially disgusted at the thought of having to share her home with one so young, but Ochre being the dog she is, has won her round and was never prepared to give up trying.
Abody Ochre of Debrecan (Ochre) In the apple season and for some time afterwards, both the dogs enjoy tasting the delights of fallen apples, and Ochre enjoys supervising the pickers. She is very knowledgable about all aspects of housework also, following Sue around the house as she completes the chores - if only she would pick up a duster instead of bring an interested observer. She, along with Kura, is an accomplished mouser and keeps the dog population down in the garage. Winter nights see the pair of them spread out in front of the fire. We are hooked on this delightful breed as we are sure anyone who is lucky enough to live with one is.
REZSULTSCongratulations to Douschka Saunders and (Ch) Wynyard Lord Zaccaree (Zac) for gaining his championship. That eighth Challenge Certificate is a joy and a relief to get! - And it must have been wonderful having those lovely puppies of Zacs and Chloes around the house!Also, congratulations to Julian Stephens and Wynyard Lord Szylow for getting AD and ADX in agility! And how many of you who see the NZKC kennel Gazette noticed that Sharon Gillespie's & Jan Edward s dogs, Morning Sky of Szep-Allat (Tessa) and Ch Kezdet of Szep-Allat (Kez) were listed in both April AND May as gaining their Q.C.? Does this mean extra certificates? We recently entered our local obedience club Ribbon Trial and Jenny and Spud were 2nd in special beginners (not bad considering we DON T DO obedience!) And Steve and Maggy were last in Elementary (see later article). Let us know what you have been doing and achieving (or under achieving).
VIZSLA PUPPIES - an opinionBack to the Internet - the following was written in response to a query about Vizslas and other breeds:Vizsla puppies are hysterically, hideously adorable, well beyond the bounds of normal puppy cute. If you go and look at any, tear up a corner of your carpet and staple your chequebook underneath it. Call your bank and tell them that someone is impersonating you, and to freeze the accounts for 48 hours. And take another adult with you who will tell the breeder that you are staying in a business hotel, and won t move to your new house for a month or so. Then you can go look Many a true word spoken in jest .......
OBEDIENZSEFIRST OBEDIENCE SHOWThis is Steve s story of his first ever try at obedience competition - Elementary, June 14th.I've gotta tell you about our first foray into obedience trials - we came last but only out of a group of only about a dozen others. Maggy would have done OK, and we did for the first part, healing. It was just in the sit-stays where the Vizsla-ness in her got the better of her. She did beautifully in practice, then at the time of judging we all lined up in front of the judge, placed our dogs in a sit and walked forward a few yards. We were supposed to stay there for a minute, except at 23 seconds after we started, there is a dog sitting behind me going [poke poke] "Dad!" [poke poke] why are you not coming back to me"? [poke poke]. ([poke poke] is where she just has to have a front foot reaching out to touch me whenever she wants attention). The down stays were much better - she lasted only 1 second in that before I got the [poke poke]. It's very embarrassing trying to stay unobtrusive with a vizsla trying to get your attention!
DOWN
Geza of Szep-Allat (Samba or Sam ) The method I am describing is not going to work for every dog but is just one of a range of methods. Initially you have to be on the floor beside the dog and you place it gently in the down position (don t just push from the top as young bones are still developing and old bones will push back!) And give the command DOWN . The second that the dog is in position (even if you are still holding it in place) you praise and reward. This is to teach the dog the meaning of the word DOWN . After several goes at this (several can be between 1 and 10,000 depending on your dog) your dog should learn to lie down on this command. Always be ready to place them, though, if they don t respond immediately to the command. The next step is to head towards a long down-stay . Still on the floor beside the dog start building up the time it remains in the down up to 30 seconds to a minute. Next you want to take quiet times during the day and start giving the dog the DOWN command when you are sitting in a chair - the dog should down on the floor beside you. Give gentle praise and occasionally reinforce the DOWN command if the dog looks like breaking. Again you should start with short downs and build up the length over a series of weeks (months even) until the dog can remain in a down (falling asleep is fine!) for up to 30 minutes. At this stage you should start walking around the room while the dog is in a down - always be aware of the dog and ready to replace it if it breaks the down. ONLY PRAISE WHEN THE DOG IS IN A DOWN! Eventually you should be able to leave the room - but again use controlled situations for the first few times where you can see the dog (even though it can t see you - mirrors are good) so that you can correct and replace if it breaks. Once the dog knows the DOWN command and responds 100% (ish) of the time it is also a good idea to VERY OCCASIONALLY give the command at unexpected times - out walking, during play, even when doing other training. Always be ready to place the dog in the down position if it does not respond to the command and ALWAYS PRAISE when the dog is in position.
Vizslas As Guard Dogs or"It could Be Cheaper To Let The Burglars In!By Julia BonarIn November our home was broken into, a shocking, violating experience even more surprising considering that we had eight dogs in the house at the time and I was on the property. We, and the police, feel that the burglar was someone familiar with our house who knew that the dogs are kept crated when we are not there. After investigating the incident the State Policeman's parting comment was "if I were you I'd leave a dog loose in the house from now on". Right Officer, great idea!!!!! Seems like the intelligent thing to do. However, it occurred to me that there had to have been a good reason for crating them in the first place, but as aging apparently dims the mind, the reason escaped me. I decided this had to be a simple task - one of the eight had to be trustworthy, right? Sparky, 10 and a half years old, takes protection very seriously and has been known to bite first and then ask questions. Obviously the perfect choice! I left her loose in the house and went off to work at the kennel - bear in mind it had been a long time since I'd left a Vizsla loose in the house. A couple of hours later I wandered back to the house to see how things were going. There was Sparky, a picture of innocence, reclining on the couch. I breathed a sigh of relief, dropped some Christmas bread and cookies (gifts from clients) on the counter and went back to the kennel. I failed to see the large "S" (editors note: S probably equals Sucker) flashing on Sparky's face. On my next visit I discovered that Madam had apparently gotten bored and decided to read the mail, it was in confetti sized pieces all over the carpet along with the contents of two wastebaskets. Apparently all this activity had made her hungry. She had eaten two loaves of nut bread plus two pounds of cookies along with the foil wrapping. She also took a fancy to some shortbread, however, the lid would not come off the tin but she turned it into a colander in the attempt! Needless to say Sparky was fired without notice. Next day I tried Michael, 10 years old, He decided to point out to the then absent Tinker how very important he was, so he was banished by lunch time! Next came Jenny, 6, and Corri 3. I thought perhaps "two's company" might be a good philosophy, but I also left the monitor on. Frantic barking had me racing the three hundred yards from the kennel, at speeds worthy of an Olympian, two or three times, only to discover that they were apparently lonely! Off went the monitor - they were on their own. A mid afternoon check discovered the contents of the wastebaskets all over the living room so I put Corri away and left the more 'mature' Jenny in charge. Dinnertime brought forth more trash, some of it very unmentionable, all over the house so Jenny got canned. Next morning I tried Tinker, 5, the dominant male on the A team. He apparently felt called upon to point out to Michael, the only male on the B team, that he was in fact handsomer, braver and definitely more important. The end result was somewhat reminiscent of practice time at the sprinkler factory. Tinker departed to the crate room!! The remaining choices were not promising. Galen, 3, wants to be an interior decorator when he grows up and definitely disapproves of my taste as he spends most of his time rearranging everything in the house, even when I'm around. Sheer terror at what he might do when I wasn't there made me not even try him. Toffee and Fudge, 14 mths, are juvenile delinquents and I could just imagine what they'd do left to their own devices. Next day, having exhausted the supply of candidates, I decided to try Corri - a major chicken - alone this time. At lunch time I returned to the house expecting the worst but Corri and the house were as I left them. It was the same story at mid-afternoon and again at dinnertime. The next day brought more of the same. I began to relax - maybe I had found my guard dog. Apart from periodic bouts of hysterical barking, all was going well. Ron got up one morning about three days later and announced that Corri had thrown up something disgusting on the couch overnight. He was not amused! He took the blankets off the couch and put them into the washer. That night I was getting ready for bed and put on a clean night shirt only to discover that it now had one long sleeve and one short one! I was amazed that I had washed and folded the shirt without noticing the short sleeve. I had no idea when it happened but assumed Sparky was responsible - she's big on sorting dirty washing.
Abody Aniko of Debrecan (Keita) Apart from this one indiscretion, Corri has been a paragon of virtue. So she got the job as guard dog. I am now trained to close doors and dog proof the house. I do feel that if we are broken into again, Corri will probably have a cardiac arrest, but perhaps the hysterical barking will deter most would - be burglars! (reprinted with credit to Julia Bonar - original author. The dog population at Julia s house has changed. Corri, Toffee and Fudge are all in fabulous new homes and very sadly Tinker died two years ago. They are back to no guard dog as the new choices aren't event to be considered remotely trustworthy.)
VIZSLA DATABAZSEOne thing we are eager to do in conjunction with the club and newsletter is start a database of the dogs in New Zealand so anyone who wants their dog added to this database please send details of your dog(s), it s parents, grand parents etc (as far back as you can reasonably go), any titles, offspring, vices & virtues etc.Hopefully this will mean that we can (eventually) get an in depth picture of the dogs in New Zealand, maybe track some health problems, prove good working lines, and just have an extremely interesting reference library for everyone s future use.
BOOK REVIEWVERSATILE VIZSLA By Marion I CoffmanThis beautiful book I consider to be my Vizsla Bible and would hate to be without. It is a true coffee table book that can be picked up and flicked through again and again. While the photos are all black and white (except the cover) they are of a quality and variety that can t fail to impress the Vizsla lover.Versatile Vizsla is, in fact, a versatile book covering all aspects of Vizslas. The 17 informative chapters cover:
 Ch Jovita of Szep-Allat (Spud) Pointing a Feijoa! At time of review this book cost approximately $84 and was available from Robyn at Montage Books, PO Box 51-706, Pakuranga, Auckland 1706; Phone/Fax (09) 535-5028. But due to currency fluctuations the price can alter so check before you order. Or her book can be purchased directly from the publisher, Alpine Publication, Loveland, Colorado USA. They have an 800 phone number. ( 800 ) 777-7257. Ring them for a direct price. Next issue we have an article written by Marion Coffman entitled: TYPE AND THE BREEDER'S RESPONSIBILITY that she has given us permission to reprint.
VIZSLA TOYZSGreat toy - Fuzzy Tugs: Directions to follow - by Kate Payne (Internet) - Thanks Kate!I make some soft toys that my dog's love. Anybody (well, two somebody's actually) can make these with a pair of scissors. First, get ½ yard of some fuzzy fabric (fake fleece, fake fur, etc. - short nap stuff is best) at your local fabric store. Then wash it and dry it, and cut it in 3 strips (6" wide). Tie a knot in the three pieces and braid it - tightly. Tie a knot in the other end - this part is definitely a two person operation. It can be quite a wrestling job, especially with several anxious dogs begging you for it. These make a fuzzy tug toy about 36" long and several inches in diameter. The dogs love them, they wear a long time (about a year around my house - with 4 very oral vizslas dragging them around all the time), and you can throw them in the washer every week.
 Ch Maggy Mae of Szep-Allat (Maggy) with her favorite toy (the kitten) For a subscription to the printed newsletter sent to your home, please send $15.00 to:
New Zealand Vizsla Newzsletter Subscription per household $15.00 - overseas readers, please email Jenny for details.
Stories from the InternetFrom: Escher321@aol.comSubject: Groveling I mentioned the groveling stories to my obedience class last night. Then I brought out Lark, whom they all know (and know how indulged she is!). Lark is currently on a campaign to convince me that since she spent the fall being rewarded for standing firm on 'Whoa', this behavior should now suffice for all situations. Holding her favorite liver treat over her nose , and being very careful NOT to have dominant body language, I softly and sweetly said "Lark, Sit.". She stared at me, aghast, and stood firmer. I gently touched the back of her stifles to help her sit. She FLUNG herself belly-up on the floor and threw one paw over her eyes -- then was quite offended when the whole class dissolved in laughter. I think vizslas are the Academy-award winning actors of the canine world. Lu
From: "Lisa Clowdus" (Lisa.Clowdus@quickmail.llnl.gov) Fun: a recent story reminded me of when Gunner was a very young pup and we'd be working on the 'Sit and Stay' commands. She'd "Charlie Chaplin" across our linoleum floor, staying in the sit position (her interpretation of the "stay" portion) and waddle all the way across the room - her butt never leaving the floor. No way could we scold her.
A GET TOGETHER!3rd August (write it in your diary) - bring a share picnic lunch, your Vizsla(k) and yourselves down, up or across to Thames. If you can come and want directions, phone or fax and we will tell you how to get here or do up a map.We will also talk to some of the others out there about organising another get together in a different part of the country following the next newsletter! - Offers welcome. Also, please make yourselves known and drop in if you are in the area. We welcome and enjoy visitors with or without their dogs.
CLUB NAMENZKC says that if we are ever recognised we cannot use the words "New Zealand" in our name - so lets have a list of suggestions to publish and get feedback on e.g. The Kiwi Vizsla Club.
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