Vizsla Breed Magazine - Showsight

THE VIZSLA

MARISSA CLARK A native of California, I realized my childhood dream, three years ago, by moving to Washington State. We live on Fox Island, which is an extension of Gig Harbor. I enjoy ANY outdoor activity. Being in the PNW, there are endless opportuni- ties to be with nature. This is where I find true peace and happiness. I also love theatre and anything involving animals. I have been involved in the sport for 45 years. Boy, I am dating myself! Our initial breed was Irish Setters. Then we decided to downsize to the English Cocker Spaniel. I have been judging since 2004. PLUIS DAVERN I live in North Monterey County, California and my whole life revolves around dogs and numerous dog activities includ- ing obedience, conformation, field events, agility and ther- apy work. I started off in obedience training in 1960; I’ve been breeding and showing since 1968, started handling in the 70s and judging in 2000. I have been breeding Vizslas since 2001. RICHARD HILDERMAN My wife and I live on a barrier island off the coast of North Caro- lina. Outside of dogs I spend a lot of time kayaking in the marshes. I am active in protecting the sea turtles and birds that nest on our island along with protecting the natural environment that surrounds the island. We got involved showing and breeding Vizslas in 1975. We no lon- ger breed or show dogs. I started my judging career in 1985 when I was approved just for Vizslas. BRITT E. JUNG DR. DANA MASSEY

in Weimaraners since 1950, showing since 1985 and judging since about 1998. KATHY RUST I live in Walcott, North Dakota, a rural community south of Fargo. I’m a Chief Master Sergeant in the North Dakota Air National Guard serving as the Domestic Operations Senior Enlisted Leader and also fill the Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness position. I’ve been in dogs since the day I was born, growing up in a pet loving family. I started show- ing dogs over 35 years ago and have been judging for 13 years. WALTER SOMMERFELT 1. What five traits do you look for, in order, when judging Vizslas? What do you consider the ultimate hallmark of the breed? BJ: When I first look at a class of Vizslas, I’m looking for the breed typical outline. That’s number one. Outline starts at the tip of the nose and goes to the tip of the tail and is largely what defines the breed. It includes the topline and the underline, fore chest, substance, and musculature. The Vizsla outline is clean and demonstrates athleti- cism without any excess; hence the word “moderate” describes many of the breed’s features. Second, I want to see if the dogs that appear to have the correct, balanced outline are able to maintain it when in motion and if they have the appropriate clean, balanced, and far reaching movement. Third, temperament. You can tell something about a dog’s temperament in the short time it’s in your ring. Vizslas should be joyful, friendly, and positively engaged with their handlers and the world around them. Fourth is substance. Substance encompasses bone as well as fill; I look for fore chest, rib spring, and devel- oped thigh muscles in proportion to the size of the dog. Fifth is front assembly because a good front is difficult to find. Many of these attributes overlap. For example, I can usually see a good front in a good outline and strong movement. When it comes down to making choices and weighing tradeoffs, I may reward a dog with a strong front that might be too long or a little bigger or smaller than desirable. WS: When judging the Vizsla I think of a medium size, gold- en rust-colored dog that is first and foremost symmetrical in its natural stance. It must be “robust, but lightly built”. For me that means substance without coarseness. Even though it is slightly longer than tall, the standard says it may appear square. A moderately broad chest reaching to the elbows with well sprung ribs. I believe the tail set is very important in this breed and often overlooked. It is to be set just below the level of the croup and carried at or near “horizontal”, not vertically or curled over the back S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , J ULY 2018 • 235

I live with my husband, Billy and dogs (Paula Deen, Suzie, Ballot, Dav, Betty Ann, George and Lloyds of London, a rescue Terrier). I’ve been

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