Posts filed under ‘Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla’
Phoenix
With great sadness, I have to report that we have lost our beloved Phoenix (Tarndair Phoenix of Belatarr). She was our first HWV, the foundation of the Belatarr Kennel and she completely revolutionised our lives.
Phoenix was the HWVA’s top show puppy for 2010 and the UK’s top HWV brood bitch for 2014 and 2016. The mother of many beautiful Belatarr pups, including Show Champions Belatarr Mahalia Jackson & Belatarr Hercules, as well as a record five Show Certificate of Merits.
She was also a massive character, eternally loving and a true eccentric who never failed to bring a smile to the faces of everyone who met her, along with being the most devoted mother and grandmother imaginable – she continually mothered us and rest of her family every day!
We did not think to lose her so soon and her loss has left a massive hole in our hearts and in our household. We laid her to rest under the trees beside our river that she loved so very much. It was a beautiful warm Spring evening, the air was filled with birdsong, the scent of witch-hazel and the sound of the river. As we watched the sunset across our valley our thoughts were filled with the immense joy that she brought into our lives and those of all the families of her puppies…
Manchester Championship Triple!
A fabulous result and a perfect start to the year at the (snow-and-mud-bound) Manchester Championship Show, where team Belatarr collected three of the four top awards under the highly experienced European judge Henric Fryckstrand.
In the dog classes half-brothers, Sh Ch Belatarr Hercules and Belatarr North by Northwest ShCM were placed first and second, respectively, in Open dog with Herc going on to be awarded Best Dog for an amazing THIRD YEAR IN A ROW! at Manchester, with baby brother North declared Reserve Best Dog:
“1. Spillane’s Sh Ch Belatarr Hercules. Powerful male with correct amount of substance and animated flowing movement. Masculine head, nice expression, lovely eyes, well-muscled neck, good chest and ribs, level back, great rear, perfect coat texture and well presented Best Dog.
2. Collier’s Belatarr North By Northwest ShCM. Attractive masculine male with many good points, pleasing head and expression, strong neck, excellent chest and plenty of heartroom, short level back, excellent rear angulations, good coat, moves well. Res Best Dog.”
Henric Fryckstrand
Then, in the bitch classes, young Belatarr Pandora picked up 1st Junior Bitch at what was only her and owner Zoe’s 2nd ever Champ Show, earning themselves a qualification for Crufts 2018 in the process, whilst big sister Sh Ch Belatarr Mahalia Jackson was 1st in Open Bitch, Best Bitch and then pipped her full-brother Hercules to take Best of Breed and go on to represent the breed in the Gundog Group later that afternoon:
“What a cracking girl who just took my eye and oozes quality. So well balanced with all the required breed details from the nose to the tip of the tail. excellent head with intelligent expression, lovely arched neck into good shoulders, nice chest and perfect substance, strong level topline, excellent hind angulations. correct coat texture. Movement ground covering and stylish. When reading the catalogue later I realized BOB and BOS were siblings and the Res Dog was a half-brother, BOB.“
Henric Fryckstrand
An immensely proud moment to watch them all in the ring today, and huge congratulations, as ever, for everyone’s wonderful results!
More Puppy Group Placings!
Although still only 6 months old, the new Belatarr generation are certainly making their mark out in the show rings already.
Hot on the heels of his two PG4 placings, Belatarr Jupiter (Luka) went two better at his next outing, the Birmingham & District Gundog & Terrier Club Open, where HPR specialist judge Maxine Munday awarded his 1st in HWV Puppy Class followed by Best Puppy in Breed. The subsequent Puppy Group was judged by Kathy Gorman and she awarded him a fantastic Group 2 Placing, with the critique:
“This was an outstanding group of puppies. 2. Spillane’s Belatarr Jupiter. HWV. A lovely example of the breed, very well constructed and moved soundly with drive.“
Kathy Gorman
Not to be outdone by her brother, Luka’s litter-sister Belatarr Pandora (Dora) also scored a great result at Blackwood & District Canine Society, where Judge Sheila Appleby awarded her 1st in AVNSC Graduate, Best AVNSC Puppy and then Puppy Group 4. This was a terrific achievement for Dora and Zoe as together they are learning how to show for the first time ever. Their critiques from the show were a real testament to all of their hard work:
“1. 7-month puppy bitch, with lovely head, soft expressive hazel eyes, well-balanced overall with good proportions. In good coat, moved effortlessly, covering the ground well. Two lovely puppies but preferred movement of one.”
“Group 4: Very pretty bitch puppy with sweetest of expressions, balanced in proportions, outgoing on the move, nicely handled.”
Sheila Appleby
North Star.
Huge congratulations to Irene and North (Belatarr North by Northwest) who today took another Best of Breed and also Gundog Group 2 at Torquay & District Canine Society and in so doing gained the final points needed for North’s Kennel Club’s Show Certificate of Merit.
His critique from the day was:
“Upstanding male, who is very hard ignore and presents a beautiful picture when standing. Strongly made dog, with good bone and substance. Masculine but not coarse well furnished head, with well set oval eyes giving a gentle expression. Good length of neck, slightly arched leading into well placed shoulders. Deep chest with elbows tight to body. Straight forelegs and good neat feet. Moderately sprung ribs set well back into a short loin. Superbly muscled hindquarters which he uses to advantage to power around the ring with great drive and ever so sound fore and aft. Added to this an excellent wire coat with first class presentation, I could not deny him BOB & G2. “
Kirsty Miller
Although only a handful of HWV’s have ever managed to achieve this honour North becomes the 6th Belatarr to earn their ShCM, which is the most, by far, for any HWV Kennel, and also means that all three of Irene’s Belatarr babies have now gained their certificates – a truly outstanding achievement in our breed.
Jupiter Rising.
Just a few days after hitting 6-months of age young Belatarr Jupiter (Luka) made his show debut with fabulous back-to-back Best Puppy in Breed, Reserve Best of Breed and 2 Puppy Group placings – Jenny reports:
“We spent all weekend showing but it was worth it! Debut shows for our special Belatarr Jupiter, Luka, at just over 6 months old and he was a smashing boy. So grateful to all the judges who were gentle and patient with our baby boy. Saturday saw us at Grantham & District Open where big brother Belatarr Hercules was BOB and Luka was BPIB followed by shortlisted and then a lovely Puppy Group 4. Sunday we moved more locally to Hitchin & District where Luka was again BPIB, as well as being awarded Reserve BOB and went on to gain another Puppy Group 4. Cue lots of cuddles.”
“Very smart and well-balanced dog of just 6 months. Moderately broad
skull, broad nose, lovely eye, ears hanging close to cheeks, correct, clean and complete dentition, strong neck set
neatly into well-placed shoulders, well-proportioned body, excellent quality bone all through, nice feet, moved very
well. BP. RBOB and Puppy Group 4“
Martin Rees (Hitchin & District)
“I was very taken with this youngster. Well balanced all through with excellent head and expression. Well constructed. His coat just needs to
come on a little more. Accurate movement and very sound.“
Becky Johnson (Hitchin & District)
Lyra’s Puppies are 6 months old!
…and the time is long overdue for a puppy picture progress update!
Belatarr Jupiter (Luka)
Belatarr Mars (Rufus)
Belatarr Mercury (Freddie)
Belatarr Neptune (Enzo)
Belatarr Saturn (Rufus)
Belatarr Eris (Eris)
Belatarr Europa (Roux)
Belatarr Himalia (Esther)
Belatarr Leda (Luca)
Belatarr Luna (Luna)
Belatarr Pandora (Dora)
Belatarr Venus (Iris)
Triumph for North.
At the grand old age of two and 1/2 years (to the very day!) young Belatarr North By Northwest scored a fabulous win today at the National Gundog Championship where breed specialist judge Mike Lewin awarded him 1st Limit Dog and then the Best Dog Challenge Certificate, North’s first CC.
….and, not to be outdone, North’s big sister Billie – Sh CH Belatarr Mahalia Jackson ShCM – also picked up the Reserve Bitch CC (her 5th, to go with her 6 CC’s).
All in all a sensational and hugely memorable day for Belatarr and massive congratulations to Irene, North & Billie!
