Sunday 11 December 2011

We're back! Cyclists, cut paws and paddling



Poor Grey's Days Blog. Can't believe I haven't posted since October. My excuse is that I've been busy building and maintaining other blogs about other things. I shall endeavour to improve things.

Grey is well and in fine fettle. He's just recovering from a badly cut hind paw pad. £64 trip to the vet to find that we were struggling to get him to allow me to stand his foot in a hibiscrub bath or to let me put a plastic bag on it either in an attempt to keep it clean. In the end, following good sense advice from a friend, I took him down to the sea after a few days of rest at home and let him do his favourite thing. Paddle.

While he was off on rest we picked up some silly trick training at home. So he can now do 'take a bow' on cue. This has only taken me 2 years to put on verbal cue! It's taken a long while because he doesn't move well from luring to the lure being faded. We also messed around with front paw targets and we can now have a fun game of switching between running round an object at a distance 'go around' and running out to touch the object with his nose 'touch it'. Keeps us busy in the winter when we 're down to one walk per day. 

He's still a bugger on the lead and I'm thinking about tackling this. But just thinking about it at the moment. Not looking for stress.

His recalls are good and we seem to have 99% cracked cyclist and jogger chasing. Woohoo! I think it has taken about 9 months. I started pairing 'ready Grey!' with a raised arm about to throw a pebble into the sea. Very soon, 'ready Grey' has him stop and watch me ready to come in and chase the pebble. Then I did 'ready Grey' and 'wait' and then throw. I started to do this whenever I saw a distraction like a cyclist. I moved on to having some food he can clearly see. So I have my hand raised, which becomes like a stop sign. The 'ready Grey' works as a recall, but a recall tied to something exciting about to happen. The 'wait' is with the added visual cue of my raised hand. The cyclist passes and then I reward with an exciting 'Go!' and throw of the food for him to chase and eat. He now actively looks for me if he sees cyclists. I've found this a good compromise and better than a 'leave it'. He loves it so much that as it has built up over time, cyclists now equal fun games and food.

Here are some piccies from our walk today.

lovely red apple tree



Thursday 6 October 2011

Project Grey's Nails - positively training to have his nails clipped

I decided to start videoing my sessions with Grey working on him feeling comfortable having his nails handled. The video is titled session 1, but I realise this might make people think it is the first ever session in this training. Sorry! Its actually it's been a few weeks of me teaching him paw and accepting casual touches of his nails. He's also been shown clippers and the dremel and had them out near him and near food.

His nails on his front paws are really are very long now and they simply do not wear down. It seems Slovak nails being dark are very hard. This hardness makes cutting them a harder task. Hard to see the quick and more pressure to actually clip the nail.

Grey gets very stressed if I go to clip his nails. He doesn't growl he jerks away and struggles really strongly. This makes it impossible to safely cut his nails. So I'm trying to condition him to accept me gradually working towards having his nails cut. In this video Grey is not restrained and is free to leave at any moment. When he flinches I go back a step to an area of his body away from from the paw and to work again towards the paw. Have to remember to take it slow.

This first session went on too long and you'll see at the end, he gave up and didn't want to do it anymore. I'll keep future sessions shorter. It's easy to get carried away with this kind of training and to take things forward. But the best and only way really is to go at the dog's pace. I'm not aiming for him to love getting his nails done. Do we love going to the dentist? The aim is for him to be as relaxed so I can get that unpleasant clipping action over and done with minimal stress and without him having a strong pre-emptive fear of the process. This might take a very long while.

 

Tuesday 6 September 2011

Working on the nail handling

We're about day 3 into working on nail handling. I worked on him from his main body, down his legs and on to his paws. He'll now let me touch his nails with a pen, insert the nails into the clip of the pen and generally let me tap the nail with the pen and scrape underneath. I have a feeling he might actually tolerate a dremel more than the clippers. So I'm going to look up dremels. Other than that, we've been back out on our beach today. Tourists have gone and we're back having the whole place to ourselves. Yesterday the car was out of action so we worked on lead walking on the square. I went back to Ian Dunbars method of waiting for sits after a giant step. It gave him lots of time to take in his surroundings. And interestingly, he was calm through loads of his usual triggers: bikes, sirens, lorries.

 

 

Friday 26 August 2011

What's the best trick you can teach your dog?

Have had to start thinking again about improving Grey's grooming and handling stress. He recently had a flare up of the skin infection on his tummy and this then was coupled, as last time, with problems with his anal glands. So the tell tale fishy smell and him twisting round to smell his own bum and then either a sit down or a run away from himself, both with a worried look on his face. Since this started flaring up last summer, he's become a lot more stressed at the vets. So he now won't let the vet touch his back side. This has also meant him being stressed about the vets in general and procedures that he was previously fine about, like vaccinations, he now isn't.

I've started a programme of home training on general husbandry. It's something I wish I'd done a lot more of when he was little. But seeing as I can't turn the clock back, I'll start from where we are now and move forwards. These simple things will make a positive impact on our life and possibly could save it in the future. I've posted about this before, citing the US trainer, Kathy Sadao, with her experiences from working in a zoo environment. Most of the training they do in zoos on a day to day basis is husbandry. She asks why do many people use coercive methods (restraints and force) to groom their dogs. The answer quite simply is because they can. But this simply wouldn't work for a killer whale or elephant. So training plans have to be thought out.

I'm notoriously bad at finishing things that I start. This is the reason that Grey doesn't have a range of tricks he knows. But no matter. What does matter is that he won't keep still to be examined, won't let his anal glands be emptied and won't let his nails be clipped.

So yesterday, we started training on the anal gland task and the front paw handling.

Day 1:

I got the duvet out and we both sat on it. We had a session where he was lying across my legs and relaxing and he would let me touch him all over, including his bum and under the tail. I can touch his legs and take hold of his paws.

Day 2:

I got out a vet bed mat which is a cue for training and for him to sit or lie on it. He was in a sit and I'm in front of him sitting cross legged. I worked being able to hold his front legs and down to his paw. Take his paw and gently squeeze the pads. Developed into him presenting his paw into my hand and then with the addition of a pad squeeze.

 

Monday 22 August 2011

The Road Refresher no spill dog bowl

 

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Thing is with beardy dogs there is an awful lot of spillage. Especially with a dog like Grey who has a helpful habit of walking away from his bowl after having scooped up the water and opening and closing his mouth as he goes as if eating. There is an awful lot of water with a busy and thirsty slovak. This caused some problems with his duvet in the back of the car crate. So today the postman arrived with a road refresher bowl (in grey, of course!) Now we've got rid of the bowl mounted to the side of the crate that tended to slop water over when going over bumps. Happy days. We got the large one

 

 

Sunday 21 August 2011

Tuesday 16 August 2011

Grey portraits aged 3

A few weeks ago while out visiting friends in Surrey, Grey had his portrait taken. Here is aged 3 and looking very handsome. We hope to book in again after his hair has grown back all scruffy in the winter.  Penel has such a way with animals. I think Grey would do anything for her! Such a treat to have quality pictures that aren't of him up on the beach.


More info: Penelope Malby Photography

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Monday 15 August 2011

Too hot, let's swim!

I took Grey down to the river today in the marshes. It was hot and I thought he'd love a swim. After a bit of nervousness initially, he got the hang of having to jump into deep water.  It's amazing to think he couldn't swim until last summer. Very quickly he was jumping in with a big splash and would have kept going and going. He had a mad charge about when the train went by in the distance. It would be great if I could work out a way to stop him doing that. He goes full pelt along a path out of sight and has a look of madness for a few minutes.

Here's a video of hairy boy doing water retrieves.

 

Sunday 14 August 2011

Slovaks make you laugh

Headed over to Surrey yesterday to Dog Communication groups. We left Margate in the rain and by the time we got to Banstead it was bright sunshine. Grey was lovely and relaxed. He's learnt loads since we first went. He's happy go lucky and all the dogs like him. We had a chance to see this in real life a few days ago. On one of our walks a rescue staffie was being walked. The staff was a bit stressed as his owners were shoving his bum down into a sit at the edge of the large field area. I don't know why people do this. It starts the whole offlead part of the walk quite stressfully. But anyway, they were about to put their dog back on the lead and I told them that Grey would be ok if there dog was ok. So the dogs got to meet offlead. The staff was a bit nervous and Grey just stood there nicely with a nice slow friendly wag and a smile. Then a play bow and off they went. The owners were amazed because they said the staff was scared of most things and didn't have any friends. Grey took him off into his gang straight away and lead him astray. I was supposed to be keeping him off the beach while he has a sore tummy (got the beginnings of a skin infection again). So Grey shows Dave the staff his favourite game of running up to the top of the goat track and then charging down the 100m slope and beach down to the sea. They did this about 3 times before Grey said his goodbyes and we went along the fields the other way. Grey rolling in the grass to dry off and  me laughing because he's so bloody funny sometimes. I think I laugh every time we're on a walk at something.

 

 

Thursday 11 August 2011

Having fun with his friend Sprocket

Here are some lovely shots taken of Grey playing with his bestest friend Sprocket after they had finished the Dog Communication group session. Everyone had packed up to leave and Grey and Sprocket had a great play together. They seem to really like each other. Grey is obviously huge compared to Sprocket. Sprocket realises occasionally he might have bitten off more than he intended. I particularly like the photos of them lying down together. They did this for ages. Funny boys.

Makes me very happy to know that Grey can get on with most kinds of dogs. We come across other dogs all the time on our walks, so it's great that he's such a sociable soul. You can see how his coat looks after the handstripping. All the weird hair patches from his operation have gone and his rough coat has grown back.

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Wednesday 10 August 2011

The link between of genetic predisposition and inbreeding or high COI

Someone on the Working HPR forum discussion on Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer health thread posted a link to an interesting article by Angela Helen Harvey. The article is available to read as a PDF here. The discussion today moved on to how possibly insignificant and minor conditions may add up to form a pattern and if a breed is too inbred that risks to these conditions increase.

Here are some excerpts:

"In an inbred individual, the chance that both parents have passed on identical genes...increases. This situation diminishes the body‟s capability to mount an effective immune response. Such dogs are more prone to infections and are more likely to suffer autoimmune disease or allergies... 

Overall the canine population probably contains as much MHC diversity as it ever did, BUT when we begin dividing the species into individual breeds, and then we line and inbreed within these breeds the available MHC allele become limited. 

Without diversity within the MHC, the dog is much more vulnerable to disease. If the disease is bad enough, the dog may die... 

The regular use of popular sires over several generations can play havoc with MHC diversity...if a significant portion of a breed descends from a relative few individual dogs the population may not be able to respond effectively to the next canine plague that comes along. 

Inbreeding has been the norm in domestic dogs for more than a century. As we have said the technique is used quite effectively to “fix” traits deemed desirable. The practice of inbreeding to improve breed traits has inadvertently led to a reduction of MHC diversity within the individual breeds. Unfortunately most Breeders do not appreciate that continued line Breeding is a form of Inbreeding! 

Popular sire use is especially pernicious because each such sire can have only two MHC haplotypes--nowhere near the hundreds that exist in the canine genome. Therefore, when a significant portion of a breed descends from one individual, those dogs‟ resistance to infectious disease or susceptibility to autoimmune disease can be seriously affected. No dog affected with chronic autoimmune disease or serious allergies should be bred. Auto Immune diseases include “Collie nose” which is an autoimmune dermatitis of the face. Another growing problem created by a faulty immune system is generalised Demodectic Mange."

 

 

Tuesday 2 August 2011

Slovakian Rough Haired Pointers Health Debate

Those of you who read about Slovakian Rough Haired Pointers might have been following recent discussions about health, genetics and breeding on forums such as WorkingHPRForum and 'We Love Slovakian Rough Haired Pointers' on Facebook (although the interesting discussion has now dropped right down the wall posts and off the front page).

I was going to write something about it, but you know what? I don't think I can add much more to this excellent blog post from Galody.

Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer population in terms of breeding and health. I do think that the situation needs to be discussed and debated. If you check out the entire Dogsey Slovak thread which has been running over 3 years now (you might have to skim read through 50 pages!), you'll see the progression of a number of young puppies who go on later to have suffered some frightening and serious conditions.  When you track the pedigrees, work out the COIs via Mate Select from the KC, a pattern of some sort starts to emerge. 

A report on UK Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer health  has been written by another owner (See it really isn't only me!) and is currently with the Breed Club who are hopefully going to publish it. I hope it will be out before the end of the summer.  Armed with the facts, this will help people decide whether they really need to breed from their dog or bitch and if they do decide to embark on it, that they are armed with the information to ensure a good match for the progression of the breed.

 

 

Sunday 17 July 2011

Our favourite beach

Grey

We've been enjoying our walks lately.  Our most regular walking spot is at Botany Bay which lies between Margate and Broadstairs. A typical walk will consist of Grey barking in excitement as soon as I stop the car to park. I wait until he stops to let him out. We spend about 15 minutes zig zag walking on the top field changing directions and walking in what must look like a crazy woman with a mad dog. We often see dog friends and their owners up on this stretch. We've been working on an alternative behaviour for bike and jogger chasing which has really pulled off. Grey is cued, 'ready!' which is what I use when I'm going to throw his favourite toy or stones in the sea. So if I see a bike I cue 'ready!' and then 'wait' and then 'find it' for bit of clearly thrown down sausage. So bikes now mean this game, well 95% of the time if I see them in time.

I also use a 'let's go to the beach' cue and run to the direction of the beach path, which also works as Grey loves the run down to the beach. It's one of his most favourite things in the world. This path is really special to us. Every day I climb down, holding on to the chalk with my hands. It's lovely and smooth and organic. I think it's my destress trigger. After that quick climb down I hit soft golden sand, dunes, grasses and then the sea. It's my daily bit of therapy.

Without Grey I wouldn't do that every day. And I like it whatever the weather.  It's a special place for me and him.

Today we went out to near Reculver. Grey found a baby fox cub. Grey left it alone when I told him to. That was quite a surprise.



Monday 11 July 2011

Look at this clever girlie slovak do some lovely water retrieves

I don't think my Grey and I will ever have the patience or dedication to achieve this. But so lovely to see a gundog like the girlie Grey clearly enjoying retrieves and having ham as a lovely treat. Positive gundog training can and does work.


Article: Hounded out: Why dogs are struggling to fit into modern life by John Bradshaw

Dogs are in crisis. We either treat them like rabid wolves, or furry humans. No wonder they're confused, writes animal behaviourist John Bradshaw. But the latest research can now reveal what our canine friends would tell us – if only they knew how

"The first dog that I became attached to was one I never met. He was my grandfather's Cairn terrier, Ginger. Stories about Ginger were, for a while, the nearest I came to having a dog of my own. My grandfather liked to walk. He walked to and from his office in the industrial city of Bradford, on the Yorkshire moors, in the Lake District, or in Snowdonia. Whenever he could, he took Ginger. The family maintained that Ginger had acquired his longer than average legs through all this exercise. Actually, in the photographs he looks quite typical of his breed, and not unlike the Cairn chosen to play 'Toto' in the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz. I doubt many modern Cairns would enjoy the amounts of exercise that my grandfather evidently relished.

What amazed me the most was the freedom Ginger had been given. Every lunchtime, when my grandfather was at work, Ginger was allowed to take himself for a walk around the neighbourhood. Apparently he had a routine. First he would cross the road into Lister Park, where he would sniff lamp-posts, interact with other dogs and, in summer, try to persuade the occupants of the park benches to part with sandwiches. Then he would cross the tram tracks and amble to the rear of the fish and chip shop, where a scratch at the back door would usually elicit a handful of scraps of batter and some misshapen chips. Then he usually headed straight for home, which involved crossing a busy junction. Here, according to family legend, there was usually a policeman, directing the lunchtime traffic, who would solemnly stop the cars to allow Ginger safe passage across.

About 70 years have passed since Ginger was allowed to roam the streets. During that same period, almost unnoticed, there have been enormous changes in society's attitudes towards man's best friend. After many millennia in which the dog has been man's closest animal companion, cats are taking over as the most popular pet in many countries, including the United Kingdom. Dogs today unwittingly find themselves on the verge of a crisis, struggling to keep up with the ever-increasing pace of change in human society. Until a little over 100 years ago, most dogs worked for their living. First and foremost, dogs were tools. Their agility and quick thinking, their keen senses and their unparalleled ability to communicate with humans suited them for an extraordinary diversity of tasks, hunting, herding, guarding and many others, each an important component of the economy. In short, dogs had to earn their keep..."

Full article here:

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/house-and-home/pets/features/hounded-out-why-dogs-are-struggling-to-fit-into-modern-life-2307771.html

 

The article is accompanied by photos of a beautiful female Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer called Billie who sadly passed away in 2009 aged 6. She was owned by animal photographer Dan Burn-Foti.


Saturday 9 July 2011

Grey was ill this last week but ok now

Back to the vets this week. Just when I thought we were going to break the cycle of at least one yearly major trip to the vets. He started being sick lots after meals. Throwing up undigested food. We thought there was a blockage so we took him in. Two hundred odd quid later, 2 xrays and whatever else goes on the bill and we clarified there was no blockage but it might have been caused by pork bones. On the way home in the car, grey had explosive diareah in his crate. Not pleasant for both of us on the half hour journey home. He had another accident in the house so really not a happy slovak.

He spent the next two days resting and eating small portions of chicken and rice. He then quickly bounced back to his full Slovak self.

While under sedation the vets cut his nails and emptied anal glands. The glands were really full. He was sadly really stressed at the vets and really won't let anyone touch his bum there. So we're going to have to really work on vet handling or he will become a dog that always has to be sedated for minor procedures. Such a shame as he used to be fine at the vets.

 

 

 

 

Wednesday 15 June 2011

Litter of Slovak Pups at RSPCA Brighton

8 remaining pups  from the litter of 10 Slovakian Rough Haired Pointers are currently at the RSPCA in Brighton.

http://www.rspca-brighton.org.uk/rehomingdogs.html

Scroll down the page and choose page 14.

The pups are from the mating of sire Rosetinted Octavious (Roulis) x Silver Nova Aischa who is an Austrian import. The owner had previously reported that they were having problems with their accommodation. There is a very grave danger of things like this happening if a substantial waiting list is not achieved before breeding. The RSPCA add is marketing the pups as 'looking for experienced, active homes and will not be suitable for first time owners'.

I hope these pups find their forever homes asap. And that anyone thinking of breeding a Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer in the near future will hold off until they have an over full waiting list.

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Just a few weeks ago these poor pups were still being marketed at a full price of£800 each. Is that the best way to look for the best homes for these dogs?

http://dogs.oodle.co.uk/view/slovakian-rough-haired-pointer-puppies/2584649051-pulborough-wsx-en/

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Edit: Just heard The Breed Club contacted the RSPCA on the 6th and tried to help, but no help was wanted as 6 had been rehomed.

 

Friday 3 June 2011

Pointing Dogs (Volume I) The Continentals by Craig Koshyk

 

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A brand new book on Continental pointing dogs has been published by Craig Koshyk. I've not laid my hands on one myself yet, but from the accompanying blog and preview pages, it looks fantastic. It has a section on the Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer. I'm not sure I'll go the whole hog and buy it for myself because I'm not a hunter and I'm not sure I can spare the cash at the moment. But it looks so beautiful and many dog books aren't. So if you know anyone who's mad about loads of hunting dogs, this is a great present!

You can order the book from here: http://www.dogwilling.ca/volume-one.html

Priced £88 to the UK

 

 

Monday 23 May 2011

Some recent pictures

Just hanging out at Botany Bay as usual.

Grey at Botany Bay

 

At a recent picnic. It was all a bit too much: food on the floor, blankets not to be walked, people waving food around who don't know how quick a determined slovak can be!

Grey and me managing picnic stress

Out at Pegwell Bay nature reserve.

Grey at Pegwell

Grey and the buffalo cow

Thursday 12 May 2011

German magazine article on Slovakian Rough Haired Pointers

A fellow slovak owner posted a link to a German language magazine article on the slovak breed.

http://www.fichtlmeier.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pdfs/060_065_RauhaarweimaranerOriginaldatei.pdf

I've run it through Google Translate and un-edited translation is here. One of the most interesting sections of the article, in my opinion, are the overall numbers of slovaks in the various countries:


Puppies figures in Slovakia
2010-42 puppies in 11 litters
2009-32 puppies in 8 litters
2008-34 puppies in 8 litters
2007-32 puppies in 58 litters
2006-6 puppies in two litters
2005-52 puppies in 10 litters
(Source: MICHAL URBAN)


"Currently be performed in Slovakia about 400 registered SRHP. 18 are used for breeding females and twelve males. 2010 42 pups from in eleven litters. In early 2009 in Austria one and 2010 in Holland two litters (www.merlinhoeve.nl). Living in Germany today, eight SRHP, some hunting, some introduced as a rescue dogs. Even in Ireland, Sweden and America, meanwhile, are found between breeders of the SRHP. In England are already more than 400 registered SRHP, mostly from show breeders. These are now connect to both typical in-breeding problems, because always same stud dogs are used."

It also has a photo of a young male, with the description stating the picture shows the incorrect too light and fluffy coat:



Breed Slovakian Wire-haired
Anton Fichtlmeier
The rough gray


In the early days of breeding silver gray pointer was designated as the beard on lowlands Weimaraner. While he is largely unknown in Germany, the hunting dog enjoys in its home country, Slovakia, however, very popular.

Weimaraner, who is actually Slovenský
At that time several puppies were atypical in litters of the Bohemian Wire-haired (Cesky Fousek). Although the pups had the same structure as the wire-haired coat Fousek, al-lerdings they were gray. Why, can not understand anymore.
One story has it that this first wire-haired, gray puppy dog "Bobi Selle" in a litter the breeder Ladislav Greznarik were minced in sala-
What kind of a dog that has made the pheasant up there? Gray as a Weimara-ner as rough as a wire hair? Unfortunately, there was no opportunity to the dog handlers relating to such questioning. Only some time later, by chance, I discovered a picture of this dog in a breed description of the rough-haired Weimaraner, who is actually Slovensky hrubosrstý stavač to German: Wire-haired Slovak, ie. A partner for a puppy contact persons, agency or a breeder in Germany were not to be identified. Only with further research di-verse, the search led directly to the origin of this dog, Slovakia.
The actual origin of this Ras-se began in the early 1950s. At that time several puppies were atypical in litters of the Bohemian Wire-haired (Cesky Fousek). Although the pups had the same structure as the wire-haired coat Fousek, al-lerdings they were gray. Why, can not understand anymore.
One story has it that this first wire-haired, gray puppy dog "Bobi Selle, was minced in a litter the breeder Ladislav Greznarik at Sala. This breeder was then in the development of Drahthaarviszla very active. It is believed therefore that he in his experimental matings and Pointers of the Wire-haired breeds Boeh-mixing, wire-hair or Weima Raner used.
"Bobi Selle was later with a Weimaraner bitch from Austria combines VER. That in turn will throw another dog ("Hlas for Karpat") another Austrian Weimaraner bitch have covered.

Gray, wire-haired puppies came in a roll of Zigmund Gazi Pila to the world. Michal Urban, font leader and chairman of the Commission of the Slovak Zuchtkommis-breed club, be directed, from a breeder who went with his Fousek Cesky Fousek bitch of a success-ful mating with a male Český home. On the way home he visited a friend who owned a Weimaraner dog. However, his bitch of this a second time was occupied. In addition to this union were typical Bohemian Wire-haired puppies, two wire-haired, gray, which later became a wire-haired Weimaraner to prison-mentioned book.
Very early on was founded by the Slovak Hunters Association, an experimental breeding book in which these de-Hun as the first "Rauhaar Weimaraner" a written (Hrubosrstý further stavač Mářský hill). The Slovak Association of hunters begged the Weimaraner Club of Germany, these dogs recognize as a wire-haired version of Weimaraners on.

The then President of the German-specific Weimaraner Club, Dr. Werner Pe-tri, confirmed the receipt of the request, but this was rejected by a Board resolution of September 1974. The reason: The rough-haired, gray pointers were due to the one-crossing with other breeds not recognized recognized as the third wire-haired Weimaraner version.

In the former Czechoslovakia, the rough-haired, sturdy dogs, however, were very common and popular. For this reason, decided the Slovak Association of hunters to decouple the rough-haired horror of the Weimaraner and Blier as a separate breed eta. She applied for Welthungerhilfe deverband (FCI) for the recognition of the dogs as a separate Slovak Vorstehhundrasse.
As early as 1970 had begun to divide the existing population in three Blutlini-en, which were crossed with each other:

1. Dogs that had fallen Fousek with silver-gray color in litters of second Český Dogs that were originally from Fousek-throws, but which were more time-Weimaraner been crossed
3. Dogs, which mainly came from the Wei-Maran-male "boy v. Zehnthof" ex-(Source: HANS RAEB)

Thus, by 1981 about 403 dogs were entered this new breed in the root directory. In 1982 the first official recognition by the FCI was under the name Slovenský hrubosrstý stavač (SHS). Only after a second attempt at the General Assembly of the FCI in 1983 in Madrid, the "Slovakian Wire-haired" as stand-ge racial classification in the "Group 7 Pointing Dogs, with the standard no. 320 "recognized.
In 2005, the members of the club had begun to create a new blood line for the SHS. Of Health, coat color, coat texture and body perbau were hurt by carelessness in the selection of breeding something hit the rear. Urban took the possibilities of the genetics to help. In addition, all steps have been breeding pedigree-mentioned register, and only after four generations were available for the entry in the pedigree, the SHS were back to normal studbook taken over.

Puppies figures in Slovakia
2010-42 puppies in 11 litters
2009-32 puppies in 8 litters
2008-34 puppies in 8 litters
2007-32 puppies in 58 litters
2006-6 puppies in two litters
2005-52 puppies in 10 litters
(Source: MICHAL URBAN)

After rigorous breeding selection, the population divides into three different lines today, to be held separately. Already, significant results can be seen. The Hun-us are healthy, show very good hunting equipment, and the hair quality has improved again. Also on the hunting services in the country very much valued. Annually organize the Slovak club directors, two exhibitions as well as investment, welding and Club Cup tests.

Currently be performed in Slovakia about 400 registered SRHP. 18 are used for breeding females and twelve males. 2010 42 pups from in eleven litters. In early 2009 in Austria one and 2010 in Holland two litters (www.merlinhoeve.nl). Living in Germany today, eight SRHP, some hunting, some introduced as a rescue dogs. Even in Ireland, Sweden and America, meanwhile, are found between breeders of the SRHP. In England are already more than 400 registered SRHP, mostly from show breeders. These are now connect to both typical in-breeding problems, because always same stud dogs are used.

In a 2008 visit in Slovakia was noted that all dogs presented very friendly and guides related. In the field they showed a nice, brisk search, good for re-Misen Vorstehverhalten. Also retrieve ducks from the reeds gave them great pleasure. It confirmed, everything that previously marked various Hun-lant. Only the coats are not convinced yet. They looked more like Irish wolfhounds Scheme. Sometimes they were the four runners in the stomach almost naked and had only a thin fuzz of hair covering. "We focus first on the color, with the rough ceilings, we also get to grips with," said Michael Urban breed warden. That was 2008, and he was right. Today, fur texture and color seem to actually develop the standard to be established accordingly.

Most members of this versatile transparent Pointers are very socially subsequently compared to other dogs and people. They show a pleasant temperament, which is also for a first-handle-ling good leader. Calm and focused in the way they are biddable and short in the Su-che. They also show large finder's sake and good game of field.
The only breeder of Austria out one of their hunting dogs and rescue dogs in service. For both directions the SHS are working very well. It is only important that they be taken into employment. Dietmar Mauer, contact for SHS in Germany, his dog out to browse on wild boar, and to seek and is enthusiastic.
The lovers and hunting leaders of this race in Germany are still rare. Similarly, the race is not a hunting dog association (JGHV) recognized. The few leaders ever hope, however, that the positive trend in the breeding process and the SHS will establish over the coming years.

Rough beard or Rauhaar?
The correct name
"Slovakian Wire-haired", so this race in the German translation of the FCI, and as such it is usual-tary as well. The original name is "Slovenský hrubosrstý stavač" which is translated correctly "Slovak Rau-hair pointer" means.
In racial descriptions again and again mention the name "Ohare on. "Ohare (Czech) is called as" stavač "(Slovak)" pointer ".


Original German text:
RASSEPORTRÄT SLOWAKISCHER RAUHBART
Anton Fichtlmeier
Der raue Graue

In den züchterischen Anfängen wurde der silbergraue Vorstehhund mit dem Bart als Rauhaar-Weimaraner bezeichnet. Während er in Deutschland weitgehend unbekannt ist, erfreut sich der Jagdhund in seinem Ursprungsland, der Slowakei, jedoch großer Beliebtheit.

Weimaraner, der eigentlich Slovenský
Damals fielen mehrere atypische Welpen in Würfen des Böhmisch Rauhbart (Český fousek). Zwar hatten die Welpen dieselbe rauhaarige Fellstruktur wie der Fousek, al- lerdings waren sie grau. Warum, lässt sich heute nicht mehr nachvollziehen.
Eine Geschichte besagt, dass dieser erste rauhaarige, graue Welpe, der Rüde „Bobi Selle“, in einem Wurf des Züchters Ladislav Greznarik in Šaľa gewölft wur-
Was war das für ein Hund, der dort den Fasan hochgemacht hat? Grau wie ein Weimara- ner, rau wie ein Drahthaar? Leider ergab sich keine Gelegenheit mehr, den betref- fenden Hundeführer zu befragen. Erst einige Zeit später, rein zufällig, entdeckte ich ein Bild dieses Hundes in einer Rasse- beschreibung über den Rauhaarigen Weimaraner, der eigentlich Slovensky hrubosrstý stavač, zu deutsch: Slowa- kisch Rauhbart, heißt. Ein Ansprechpart- ner für eine Welpenvermittlung oder ein Züchter in Deutschland waren jedoch nicht ausfindig zu machen. Erst bei di- versen weiteren Recherchen führte die Suche direkt ins Ursprungsland dieses Hundes, in die Slowakei.
Die eigentliche Entstehung dieser Ras- se begann in den frühen 1950er Jahren. Damals fielen mehrere atypische Welpen in Würfen des Böhmisch Rauhbart (Český fousek). Zwar hatten die Welpen dieselbe rauhaarige Fellstruktur wie der Fousek, al- lerdings waren sie grau. Warum, lässt sich heute nicht mehr nachvollziehen.
Eine Geschichte besagt, dass dieser erste rauhaarige, graue Welpe, der Rüde „Bobi Selle“, in einem Wurf des Züchters Ladislav Greznarik in Šaľa gewölft wurde. Dieser Züchter war damals in der Entwicklung der Drahthaarviszla sehr aktiv. Man vermutet deshalb, dass er bei seinen experimentellen Verpaarungen auch Vorstehhunde der Rassen Böh- misch Rauhbart, Drahthaar oder Weima- raner verwendete.
„Bobi Selle“ wurde später mit einer Weimaraner-Hündin aus Österreich ver- paart. Aus diesem Wurf soll wiederum ein weiterer Rüde („Hlas z. Karpat“) eine andere österreichische Weimaraner- Hündin gedeckt haben.

Graue, rauhaarige Welpen kamen auch in einem Wurf von Zigmund Gazi von Pila zur Welt. Michal Urban, Schrift- führer und Vorstand der Zuchtkommis- sion des slowakischen Zuchtvereins, be- richtet von einem Züchter, der mit seiner Český fousek-Hündin von einem erfolg- reichen Deckakt mit einem Český fousek Rüden nach Hause fuhr. Auf dem Heim- weg besuchte er einen Freund, der einen Weimaraner-Rüden besaß. Dabei wurde seine Hündin von diesem ein zweites Mal belegt. In diesem Wurf fielen neben typischen Böhmisch Rauhbart-Welpen auch zwei rauhaarige, graue, die später als Rauhaarige Weimaraner ins Zucht- buch eingetragen wurden.
Sehr früh wurde von der Slowakischen Jäger-Vereinigung ein experimentelles Zuchtbuch gegründet, in das diese Hun- de zuerst als „Rauhaar Weimaraner“ ein- geschrieben wurden (Hrubosrstý wei- marský stavač). Die slowakische Jäger- Vereinigung bat nun den Weimaraner Klub Deutschlands, diese Hunde als eine Drahthaar-Variante des Weimaraners an- zuerkennen.

Der damalige Präsident des deut- schen Weimaraner Klubs, Dr. Werner Pe- tri, bestätigte den Eingang der Anfrage, die aber mit Vorstandsbeschluss vom September 1974 abgelehnt wurde. Die Begründung: Die rauhaarigen, grauen Vorstehhunde wurden aufgrund der Ein- kreuzung fremder Rassen nicht als dritte, rauhaarige Weimaraner-Variante aner- kannt.

In der ehemaligen Tschechoslowakei waren die rauhaarigen, robusten Hunde jedoch schon sehr verbreitet und beliebt. Aus diesem Grund entschloss sich die slowakische Jäger-Vereinigung, den rau- haarigen Grauen von den Weimaranern abzukoppeln und als eigene Rasse zu eta- blieren. Sie bewarb sich beim Welthun- deverband (FCI) um die Anerkennung der Hunde als selbstständige slowakische Vorstehhundrasse.
Bereits 1970 hatte man begonnen, die vorhandene Population in drei Blutlini- en aufzuteilen, die miteinander gekreuzt wurden:

1. Hunde, die mit silbergrauer Farbe in Würfen der Český fousek gefallen waren 2. Hunde, die ursprünglich aus Fousek- Würfen stammten, bei denen aber mehr- mals Weimaraner eingekreuzt worden waren
3. Hunde, die hauptsächlich vom Wei- maraner-Rüden „Buben v. Zehnthof“ ab- stammten (Quelle: HANS RÄBER)

Somit wurden bis 1981 zirka 403 Hunde dieser neuen Rasse in das Stamm- buch eingetragen. Im Jahr 1982 erfolgte die erste offizielle Anerkennung durch die FCI unter dem Namen Slovenský hrubosrstý stavač (SHS). Erst nach einem zweiten Anlauf bei der Generalversamm- lung der FCI 1983 in Madrid wurde der „Slowakische Rauhbart“ als eigenständi- ge Rasse in der Klassifikation „Gruppe 7, Vorstehhunde, mit der Standard-Nr. 320“ anerkannt.
Im Jahr 2005 hatten die Mitglieder des Klubs damit begonnen, eine neue Blutlinie für den SHS aufzubauen. Ge- sundheit, Fellfarbe, Fellstruktur und Kör- perbau waren durch Unachtsamkeiten bei der Zuchtauswahl etwas ins Hinter- treffen geraten. Urban nahm die Mög- lichkeiten der Genetik zu Hilfe. Zudem wurden alle Zuchtschritte im Zuchtbuch- register eingetragen, und erst nachdem vier Generationen für den Eintrag in die Ahnentafel vorlagen, wurden die SHS wieder ins normale Zuchtbuch über- nommen.

Welpenzahlen in der Slowakei
2010 – 42 Welpen in 11 Würfen
2009 – 32 Welpen in 8 Würfen
2008 – 34 Welpen in 8 Würfen
2007 – 32 Welpen in 58 Würfen
2006 – 6 Welpen in 2 Würfen
2005 – 52 Welpen in 10 Würfen
(Quelle: MICHAL URBAN)

Nach strenger züchterischer Selektion teilt sich die Population heute in drei unterschiedliche Linien auf, die separat gehalten werden sollen. Schon jetzt sind deutliche Erfolge zu erkennen. Die Hun- de sind gesund, zeigen sehr gute Jagd- anlagen, und die Haarqualität ist wieder besser geworden. Auch auf die jagdlichen Leistungen wird im Ursprungsland sehr viel Wert gelegt. Jährlich organisieren die slowakischen Klubvorstände zwei Ausstellungen sowie Anlage-, Schweiß- und Klubpokal-Prüfungen.

Momentan werden in der Slowakei zirka 400 registrierte SHS geführt. Zur Zucht eingesetzt werden 18 Hündinnen und zwölf Rüden. 2010 sind 42 Welpen in elf Würfen gefallen. Anfang 2009 fie- len in Österreich einer und 2010 in Hol- land zwei Würfe (www.merlinhoeve.nl). In Deutschland leben heute acht
SHS, manche jagdlich geführt, manche als Rettungshunde einge- setzt. Selbst in Irland, Schweden und Amerika finden sich inzwi- schen Züchter des SHS. In England stehen bereits mehr als 400 regist- rierte SHS, die überwiegend aus Schönheitszuchten stammen. Dort treten mittlerweile auch typische In- zuchtprobleme auf, weil stets mit
demselben Rüden gedeckt wird.

Bei einem Besuch 2008 in der Slowakei fiel auf, dass sich alle Hunde freundlich und sehr führerbezogen präsentierten. Im Feld zeigten sie eine angenehme, flotte Suche, an den Re- misen gutes Vorstehverhalten. Auch der Apport von Enten aus dem Schilf machte ihnen große Freude. Es bestä- tigte sich alles, was zuvor diverse Hun- deführer schilderten. Lediglich die Fellbeschaffenheit konnte noch nicht überzeugen. Sie erinnerte eher an iri- sche Wolfshunde. Teilweise waren die Vierläufer am Bauch fast nackt und besaßen nur einen dünnen Flaum an Deckhaar. „Wir konzentrieren uns erst einmal auf die Farbe, das mit der rauen Decke bekommen wir auch noch in den Griff“, erklärte Zuchtwart Michael Urban. Das war 2008, und er sollte recht behalten. Heute scheinen Fellstruktur und Farbe tatsächlich dem Standard ent- sprechend verankert zu sein.

Die meisten Vertreter dieser vielsei- tigen Vorstehhunde sind sehr sozialver- träglich gegenüber Artgenossen und Menschen. Sie zeigen ein angenehmes Temperament, das auch für einen Erst- lingsführer gut zu handhaben ist. Ruhig und konzentriert in der Arbeitsweise, sind sie leichtführig und kurz in der Su- che. Daneben zeigen sie großen Finder- willen und gute Wildschärfe.
Die einzige Züchterin Österreichs führt eine ihrer Hündinnen jagdlich und eine im Rettungshundedienst. Für beide Arbeitsrichtungen eignen sich die SHS sehr gut. Wichtig ist nur, dass sie beschäf- tigt werden. Dietmar Mauel, Ansprech- partner für SHS in Deutschland, führt seinen Rüden zum Stöbern auf Schwarzwild sowie zur Nachsuche und ist begeistert.
Die Liebhaber und jagdlichen Führer dieser Rasse sind in Deutschland noch selten. Ebenso ist die Rasse nicht vom Jagdgebrauchshundverband (JGHV) an- erkannt. Die wenigen Führer hoffen je- doch, dass der positive Trend im Zucht- geschehen anhält und sich der SHS im Laufe der kommenden Jahre etablieren wird.

Rauhbart oder Rauhaar?
Der richtige Name
„Slowakischer Rauhbart“, so ist diese Rasse in der deutschen Übersetzung der FCI eingetragen und so wird sie gewöhn- lich auch bezeichnet. Der Originalname ist jedoch„Slovenský hrubosrstý stavač“, was richtig übersetzt„Slowakischer Rau- haar Vorstehhund“ heißt.
In Rassebeschreibungen taucht auch immer wieder der Name „Ohar“ auf. „Ohar“ (tschechisch) heißt ebenso wie „stavač“ (slowakisch)„Vorstehhund“.

Sunday 8 May 2011

Tuesday 12 April 2011

Is Grey the first Slovak on Twitter?

I ran a search today on Twitter for SRHP or slovakianroughhairedpointer and came up with nothing, except us. Ah, well, perhaps more will join us as was the case for Facebook! We are @greytheslovak on Twitter.

I've been sorting through some old photos and videos. Getting them up on Vimeo. There are some new pups on the slovak groups on facebook.
Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer Group
We Love Slovakian Rough Haired Pointers

Interesting to see how alike these dogs were at the same stage. But also how totally varied they are in coat. Some interesting discussions on what to look out for when buying a puppy. These rules really don't just apply to slovaks, but to anyone getting a puppy from a breeder. Your pup should be healthy. Period.

Grey in the kitchen 8 weeks old from Grey the Slovak on Vimeo.




Grey and box at 9 weeks old from Grey the Slovak on Vimeo.



And just this January aged two and 3/4. Just happy!

Mad moments in the reeds from Grey the Slovak on Vimeo.



Monday 11 April 2011

Epilepsy Survey with Glasgow Vet School to 31

If you have an epileptic dog, please help Glasgow Vet School by taking part in a survey designed to find ways to help make the experience a little less traumatic for dogs, their owners and their vets.


The researchers are looking for:

• dogs with epilepsy with either recurrent fits for more than one year with the first fit having occurred between 6 months to 6 years,

• dogs diagnosed by a specialist with the aid of blood examination and MRI.


Questionnaires are available online at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YX7ZXV8
Password: Epilepsy1! (case sensitive)
Starting date: 01.01.2011
Closing date: 31.05.2011

Alternatively Click here to download a PDF flyer including the above details.

"'Idiopathic' epilepsy – when the cause is not known – has a high emotional impact on owners and affected vets too. But not much is known about the impact of this disease on dogs’ and owners’ quality of life," writes Annette Wessman from Glasgow Vet School in the Veterinary Record

“We hope the information we gather will help other owners caring for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy as well as vets in communicating issues associated with [the condition]. We believe that the support given by first-opinion practices is immensely important in the treatment of epileptic dogs and this study will also investigate this question.”

The survey has been extended to the end of May.

Grey's brother, Gunner was diagnosed with Idiopathic Epilepsy at 2 years old.

Videos: Just messing around on the beach

We're enjoying the warmer weather. Well I am, grey probably doesn't mind it at the moment. Soon it will get too hot.

Messing around at the harbour from Grey the Slovak on Vimeo.



Grey at Minnis Bay April 2011 from Grey the Slovak on Vimeo.

Monday 14 March 2011

The Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer Breed Club AGM Questions

There have been quite a few energised discussions on the We Love Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer Facebook Group. In the age of social networking where people hook up and share a common interest, being told that as a member of the Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer Club, the only way, even as a club member, to ask a question at the AGM, is to find another member and get them to second the proposotion, just sounds really weird and restrictive.

Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer Breed Club AGM
Sunday 27th March from 12pm
The Olde Sun
Middle Street
Nether Heyford
Northants
NN7 3LL
http://www.slovakianroughhairedpointerclub.org.uk

A few people seem to want to ask questions at the AGM because their dogs have had health problems. No one is saying all slovaks are in bad health. But this is a young breed. And who knows what awaits. Surely it would be proactive to nip in the bud any potential problems that could wreck the foundation stock now?

A reputable GWP breeder told me they would not have bred from dogs that had parented a dog with a diagnosis of epilepsy. Grey's brother is diagnosed with epilepsy. No one is asking for a refund. Just that information is provided to others already with slovaks and those thinking of buying.

The same goes for bite faults. Dental specialists say it is better to breed out now than deal with more problems later.

How do we slovak owners have access to the stats that are submitted to the Kennel Club? I really don't know. The breed club is publishing even less than it was a year ago.

http://www.slovakianroughhairedpointerclub.org.uk/health.htm

Now it publishes the bare minimum. A year ago it published data on teeth, skin and pain problems. What's the problem in talking about it? I've had lots of people contact me with teeth problems who went on to get refunds off the full £750 purchase price. Me I never got one and ended up paying £1000 for Grey's teeth not covered by insurance as it was a pre-existing condition. I did get a call when he was 4 months old to ask if I wanted to take him back! Charming!

Sunday 13 February 2011

New slovak breeders in Dover?

Just seen new breeders listed on Champdogs. They're based in the Dover area.
Troy & Terri Galt
Dover
Kent
0780 701 7708
t.galt@ntlworld.com


Doesn't say anything about the breeding of their kennel. Will be interesting to see the pedigrees.

Thursday 6 January 2011

Woodland walk 5th Jan 2011


Happiness is a slovak in the countryside. We had an hour's walk around the woods yesterday. It was a bright warm morning. Almost autumnal. Filthy with mud as was Grey within 5 minutes. Nothing that a hosepipe on the doorstep can't sort out. He really loves it here. We were exploring new pathways and trying to build a mental map of the area. We came across a man walking with hat and a walking stick. Grey decided it would be a great idea to sniff his bum as he walked! Glad he was a good sport. We were charged head on by two portly staffies, tails stiff and errect. Grey just waited until they reached him in a friendly way. The tension was diffused and we all went our own ways. One potential difference to dogs meeting in this area is that there are lots of long straight narrow pathways, so dogs tend to approach from head on. If this was his only walking area, I can see this might be an issue. Grey is also more cautious of anyone or anything he comes across in the woods as opposed to open ground. So we'll definitely be still varying our walks across different locations.



He has started to notice a bit more of the wildlife scents around. A section of the woods where on the previous visit his brother was put back on the lead was now very interesting. He started hunting up and down the edge of the fence. I called him back to change direction with me and did some energetic 'this way' cues with fast but clearly thrown down food to stop him in his tracks. This isn't done as a bribe. I mark the successful behaviour with a clickerword and then deliver the food. So he has to come back first. He's not shown the food until it's delivered. The throwing is because it's exciting and encourages a fast halt and stop in his forward motion to pass me and run on. Then I switch to to cue him to walk with me, alongside me (not heeling but connected) off lead for the final 100m to the car. Was really pleased we managed this.



Monday 3 January 2011

Happy Slovak New Year!


We've already been enjoying our new year. We blew away some cobwebs and headed off to some woodland that we've not been to before. It's a 25 minute drive from home; so the same time as we'd normally travel to the other woods we occasionally visit. I think we might end up preferring this area of woodlands to our previous haunt. Mainly because it's less dense and remote. So when I'm on my own, it's less daunting. Also seems very well fenced and no surprise openings onto roads. There are also huge long gravel paths so if its muddy and you're not feeling up to adventuring into the woods it's an easy walk. Also can see other people from a long way off. Oh and no riding of bikes or horses allowed. Phew!

Grey really enjoyed himself. He was relaxed and happy pottering around. I've noticed that he really doesn't go off hunting into the woods. Probably a blessing in disguise seeing as he's a pet and not a worker. But still in this environment he's in his element. I can see us being able to do some nice bits of training in that area. His recalls were lovely. He's been so much more relaxed and tired since trips out there. Much more than the beach trips. It would be nice if we lived nearer than 25 mins each way. That puts almost an hour on top of the walk. But I'd rather have quality time in the right environment than time in an unsuitable environment.

Today we returned and bumped into his brother, Gunner. The boys haven't seen each other in over a year I think, since we did a couple of tracking sessions together. Probably 18 months. Very funny to see how different and how similar they are in all aspects. Grey is a much smaller dog and twice as hairy. I think Gunner looks the more breed standard type with smooth ears. Grey has definitely got the wilder hair do! We'd also met a girlie slovak for a walk at Christmas and that was another example of how much more laid back the girls are from the boys. Grey was a bugger and so over excited. I think he's much better on woods and turf than beach.

Here's some photos and a bit of video of Grey mooching the day before on our own.










Our plans for 2011 are to be happy and stress free. Carry on with training as every good slovak needs an honest days work to be happy. And training really is just every day life. Helping to reinforce habits that make our lives fun and him the confidence to develop skills. We're going to hopefully get a place on the next LADS COLLAR course starting in mid-Jan. Micro-shaping here we come!