Posts tagged ‘Mingus’
Seasonal Tribulations.
The lonnnnnng absence of any new blog entries can be attributed to Phoenix coming into season – her second, just shy of her 2nd birthday, and almost exactly 12 months from her first. How very orderly.
The big difference this time ’round, though, was that she was no longer the only canine in the household. Entering into unknown territory with an intact male and female living together, Phoenix (somewhat unexpectedly!) came into season just 24 hrs. after being awarded 2nd Limit Bitch at the Gundog Society of Wales Champ show.
We had been as prepared as we could be for the whole male/female excitement interface, and the possibility of having to separate the dogs from one another for a while, but in the event it all went relatively easily, and aside from two occasions when Phoenix was caged to allow Mingus to get some daytime snoozing done, they remained together throughout the whole time. Having said that we didn’t take our eyes off them at any time when they were awake, and obviously they slept in different rooms too, but the howling/screaming/hysteria that we were expecting (and that’s just from the humans) never came to pass at all.
They ate and exercised together just as normal, and, as soon as they were out of the house, they were invariably both far more interested in food/running/tug-of-war/swimming/chasing stuff etc. etc.
Vole hunting = business as usual.
Phoenix herself was pretty unaffected in terms of mood, but once she entered her receptive phase Mingus became much more tense and unsettled, finding it difficult to relax or rest no matter where he was.
Although this only lasted for a few days unfortunately the very peak of the season coincided with Mingus’ final Champ show as a Puppy – Midland Counties – where our boy was incredibly and unusually needy (howling if Tim so much as glanced at another dog!) distracted & fidgety and as a result was very unsettled and lean-y in the ring, temporarily forgetting how to stand or move properly…we think that’s what judges refer to as “throwing it away on the day.”
Then, after just 19 days, it was all over, and, as if someone had flicked a switch to off, both dogs immediately returned to their normal patterns of behaviour.
Of course Mingus (now 11 months old) is just a young-ling, and no doubt things will be a tad more “intense” next time around, but show-ring appearance aside, it couldn’t have gone more smoothly. A big relief!
Day 7 of Phoenix' season - on the trail with Mingus.
Critiques.
We’re just starting to receive the first of the judges Critiques from Mingus’ recent wins, and very pleasing reading they are too:
“Superb 10 months male. I could have taken him home. Expressive head, strong neck, shoulders well laid, deep chest, good bone, well angulated backend that produced a strong rear driving action. This was all topped off with a good harsh jacket. Pleased to award him Puppy Group 1 and Best Puppy in Show. A super boy, I shall watch his progress with interest.”
CAMBORNE REDRUTH CANINE SOCIETY OPEN – judge: Penny Sands
“A superb representative of the Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla carrying many of the characteristics the breed demands, nice biddable, expressive well-worked head, correct size, well-balanced in every department, covering the ground with purposeful, accurate ground-covering movement. I also awarded him Gundog Group 2 and Puppy Gundog Group 1.”
OKEHAMPTON & DISTRICT CANINE SOCIETY OPEN – judge: Mike Bryant
“Puppy of 10 months. Head with good beard, body well ribbed back with dark coat of correct texture. Moved well and really is at one with his handler. Best Puppy. Reserve Best of Breed & pleased to see him go Reserve Best Puppy in Show.”
CORNWALL GUN DOG CLUB OPEN – judge: Mike Lewin
“A promising 10 month old dog puppy with an excellent coat and head furnishings. Angulations good and balance each other. Correct height and length ratio in body. Deep chest, short and strong over loin. Moved soundly and with drive to win Best of Breed & Best Not Separately Classified Puppy & later PG2”
TAVISTOCK & DISTRICT OPEN judge: Eileen Hughes
Tavistock Trip.
The Royal Cornwall Showground at Wadebridge in Cornwall is starting to feel like a second home now after Mingus has been to 3 shows there over the last 16 days. The latest canine extravaganza to be hosted at the venue was today’s Tavistock & District Canine Society Open Show.
A last minute judge change saw Eileen Hughes instated as judge for Mingus’ AVNSC class. Given that she had awarded Mingus 1st Puppy Dog at the Richmond Champ Show just last month, this seemed to auger pretty well. Still, it was very pleasing when our boy was awarded 1st Junior NSC and then beat the Graduate & Open class winners to go Best NSC Gundog & Best NSC Gundog Puppy, gaining another point toward his Show Certificate of Merit in the process.
Mingus - stacked (perfectly!) in the Gundog Group.
A swift enlargement of the ring brought us immediately to the Gundog Group, judged by the Spinone specialist Shona MacPherson. We were delighted to be shortlisted for Best Gundog out of the 15 BOB’s in the adult group, and even more so when Mingus was placed 2nd in the subsequent Gundog Puppy Group – the fifth show in a row for Mingus to be awarded either 1st or 2nd best Gundog Puppy in show.
We also (finally) managed to get a few pics on Mingus in action in the ring – hurrah!
...and stacked (not quite so well!) for the Gundog Puppy Group.
OMG…
Another double-show weekend for young Mingus brought another double-whammy of huge wins too:
The weekend's rosette haul.
Saturday was the Cornwall Gun Dog Show down at our favourite venue – the Royal Cornwall Showground – with it’s huge, under-cover rings and almost unlimited space to exercise dogs off lead. All of which seemed to work well for our boy and from a very large puppy group (and in a repeat of his win just 7 days earlier) Mingus was awarded Reserve Best Puppy In Show and Best Opposite Sex Puppy in Show – huzzah!
So then, following three very big wins from three consecutive shows, our expectations were that Mingus’ run must surely come to a halt the following day at the Okehampton & District Open.
Phoenix had a fantastic show here in 2009 and was awarded Best Gundog Puppy, but in the event Mingus did even better than his big sis and far better than we could possibly have imagined, winning best AVNSC Gundog, Best Gundog Puppy (Gundog Puppy Group 1) and, most incredibly of all, adult Gundog Group 2. In fact the only gundog to beat Mingus all day was a marvellous adult Cocker who went on to take Best in Show. It was a particular thrill to be awarded Best Gundog puppy at the same show in two consecutive years.
The judges critique read:
“A superb representative of the Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla carrying many of the characteristics the breed demands, nice biddable, expressive well-worked head, correct size, well-balanced in every department, covering the ground with purposeful, accurate ground-covering movement. I also awarded him Gundog Group 2 and Puppy Gundog Group 1.”
So now, with four huge wins in a row from five very different judges, the scale of our boys’ recent achievements is just beginning to sink in. Not the least of which are:
1) a phenomenal 282 points (earned in just 9 days) towards his already large puppy-of-the-year-competition points total
2) more than half of the points required for a show certificate of merit, including ALL of the adult group place points.
and all at just 10 months and 5 days old!
The *Incredible* Weekend.
Tim & Mingus went to two shows over the course of this last weekend. Following some close-up photographic examination of Mingus’ movement & standing (and some very useful comments by Sam from Farlap) Tim made a decision to slightly alter the way that he moved and stacked Mingus.
This was the result:
DAY 1:
DAY 2:
A story told through commemorative car stickers – representing by far and away the most exciting, emotional and memorable 48 hrs of showing we’ve ever had!!
Mingus’ first day wins were exuberantly cheered on by a decent sized gang of fans/supporters/friends who together created a wonderful atmosphere that made the whole day doubly memorable. Over the course of the two shows, and particularly at the second – where news of his previous days’ remarkable wins had preceded him – many, many gundog folks who had never introduced themselves before came to congratulate and admire our fabulous boy.
All three of the judges who placed him so highly were keen to find out more about him. After awarding him Best Gundog in Show gundog expert Nicola Calvert said that Mingus had outmoved all of the adult gundogs and surely had a tremendous future ahead of him. When awarding Mingus BAVNSC, ahead of a recently made-up Champion Field Spaniel, GWP specialist Penny Sands said the Spaniel was indeed “lovely”, but that Mingus was: “just stunning!” praising his perfect shoulder placement and movement in particular.
We think it’s possible (and are currently seeking to find out as best as we can) that, at just 9 months of age, Mingus is the youngest HWV ever to win an adult group at a UK all-groups Open show. He’s also one of just a small handful of the breed (and again, possibly the youngest) to have ever won Best Puppy In Show at an all-groups UK Open show. Even more importantly to us he has also grown into the most stunningly handsome, wonderfully expressive and sweetest natured young dog we could have imagined. A total joy and continual delight both in and out of the ring.
Various portraits of Mingus, both official and unofficial, were done in conjunction with his wins, so we hope to bring some of those to the blog very shortly.
Camborne Redruth Canine Soc chose the most unconventional (but cutest!) of the pics taken to use on their site at:
http://camborneredruthcaninesociety.co.uk/2010Results.aspx
In the meantime, quite oblivious to all the fuss around him, our lovely (and now show winning!) lad has been busy unwinding today, romping in the woods and river, reunited with his “Big Sis” Phoenix.
Meadow Mingus.
Last year we were able to document Phoenix’ every show appearance, but the logistics of wrangling two dogs at a show mean that we’re rarely able to take pics of the dogs in the ring this year.
So to make up for the rather visually spartan Richmond write-up, here are some shots of Mingus enjoying himself in the meadow this morning. Since our boy will be 10 months old in 4 days it also seemed like the prefect time to document the evolution of his deep red wire coat, handsome head and ever-developing physique.
Stick-y business.
Heron watching - a serious business.
Ever attentive.
Wet whiskers.
Richmond, take two.
Last Sunday saw us heading back to the Richmond Championship Show, held at Loseley Park, a venue deep in the heart of Surrey that is famous (to us at least) as the origin of Loseley Ice Cream (yum). This was also the scene of one of Phoenix’ Best Puppy awards in 2009, and 2010 saw the HWV classes judged by Eileen Hughes, who had awarded Phoenix another of her Champ Show Best Puppy awards last year….all of which seemed to bode well for Phoenix, at least.
The cold, breezy morning that we left behind in Devon had been transformed into a bright, sunny and rather-too-hot show day by the time we landed in the Far East (well, the environs of Guildford). Luckily the benching marquees were pretty cool and also featured very large, under-cover exercise areas, so, for once the heat was no problem at all for either dog – though the same can’t be said for their handler who became a mite over-heated after trotting round the hot ring all be-suited.
Mingus was first up and thrilled the crowds* with his excellent movement and nifty standing – this last being much improved over the previous weeks efforts in Birmingham. He was rewarded with 1st Puppy Dog, which was very pleasing.
Some time later Phoenix took to the ring in the Post-Graduate Bitch class and looked particularly commanding* stacked in the ring, resulting in the judge awarding her 1st place too, which was even more pleasing. This result pips her 1st Graduate Bitch at last months National Gundog to become Phoenix’ newest most-senior-award-at-a-Champ-Show-so-far.
What’s more the whole shindig was all wrapped up by lunchtime – how very civilized. So we headed for home elated, well fed and in daylight too! All in all an excellent show day for team Belatarr.
* probably
Shows and Siblings.
A few results, some new pics, and some *hot news* definitely warrants a new blog entry.
A pair of moderate Champ show results for Mingus (both under less-than-favourable-to-our-type judges) were punctuated by a much more exciting third Best of Breed for our boy. This came at the Newton Abbot & South Devon Open, where Mingus gave what was probably his best ever performance in the ring, both standing and moving to perfection. As a result he was awarded 1st Open HWV, being placed above a 2 times Champ Show Best of Breed winner.
Last Sunday also saw the second Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla Association show of the year, this time at the Kennel Club Building near Coventry. A 5 AM start (in total darkness) left both the dogs and the humans a bit discombobulated all round, and Mingus was evidently still a bit confused when he hit the show ring 4 and a half hours later since, at first, he appeared to entirely forget what the command “stand” was supposed to mean…a few gentle reminders from Tim eventually had him back on track and he trotted away with a respectable 2nd Puppy Dog award.
Phoenix stacked at the HWVA show.
Phoenix, as usual, had no problems whatsoever when it came to standing and she seemed positively delighted to be in the ring too, ending up with 3rd Graduate Bitch.
The judges examination...
...and the final stand.
Speaking of Phoenix, and saving the *hot news* to last…….drumroll please………….. we’re delighted to report that she now has 8 new full brothers and sisters, as mum Flo safely delivered 4 new boys and 4 girls back at Tarndair HQ on Saturday. Many congratulations to David, Jane & Flo as well as to proud Leiborschy Dad Mallard – we’re looking forward to watching these babies grow!
Beach ‘n’ Bubbles.
Mingus - a sandy-nosed headshot.
Mingus - watery silhouette.
Bubblicious with Adam.
...and with Fred.
Phoenix & Freddie.
Red Letter Day!
Phoenix in the sunlight.
Saturday was the National Gundog Championship, presided over by Terry Pearson from the Lanspar Kennel – one of the most knowledgeable and experienced HWV judges in the country. There was a fine entry and a very high quality of dogs in the ring, probably the best and most true-to-type selection we’ve seen at any show in fact. The ringside atmosphere was also quite excellent and many existing HWV friends were caught-up-with whilst several interesting new Wire connections were also made.
Team Belatarr was running at near full strength with Tim’s son Freddie manning the camera as well as assisting Adam with the dog-wrangling.
Mingus preparing for stacking....just the tail to go.
Mingus was first into the ring and, despite being a little fidgety, managed to take 1st Puppy Dog. Heading back into the ring later Mingus faced the winner of the very strong Puppy Bitch class and we were delighted and surprised in equal measure when he was awarded Best Puppy in Breed. His first Champ show BP at only his second attempt.
The judges critique for Mingus was:
“What a super puppy, hope he continues to develop as he is doing, but does not grow a deal larger. Moderate skull shape, melting expression, correct earset, good muscular neck into well laid shoulder placement, forequarters straight with chest reaching down to elbows, good topline held on move, great rear angulation & width to thigh, what a super harsh coat, moved with style & purpose, driving from the rear. Best Puppy“
Phoenix - waiting in the wings.
Phoenix, meanwhile, was up in the Graduate Bitch class, where she was the youngest amongst a strong entry of adult Wires. This was her second Champ show amongst the “big girls” and she stood to her usual rock-solid standard and luckily moved well too. Many people had commented to us outside the ring on how mature and beautifully-coated Phoenix was looking, but we were absolutely thrilled when she was awarded 1st Graduate Bitch, definitely her most senior award to date!
The judges critique of Phoenix was:
“well up to size but is beautifully put together, I just thought her lovely, possesses the prettiest of heads, of correct proportion, melting expression, lovely arch to neck, good reach of upper arm, straightest of fronts, with elbows well tucked in, good depth of chest, level topline, good rear angulation, excellent coat, moved so well, with plenty of drive”
Phoenix stacked for Graduate Bitch.
Phoenix - as seen from the front for a change.
Mingus then made his was into the Best Puppy in Show ring where he had the honour of representing the breed in front of a good sized audience of Gundog bigwigs. The weather forecast had said “rain all day”, but actually it had been dry and quite bright and breezy up to now. However, just as the 27 gundog puppies hit the ring, the enormous black cloud that had been looming ever closer decided it could wait no longer and it suddenly started to pour with rain.
Judges, stewards, competitors and audience all ran for it and eventually re-grouped in a new indoor ring. Here, some 11 hours after we’d set off for the show, Mingus managed to stand and move the best he’d done all day, demonstrating his stamina and, we hope, acting as a worthy ambassador for the breed.
Mingus stacked for Pest Puppy in Show - you might need to squint to see this one....
Belatarr Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla. 