New litter of Slovak pups born 26/03/11

From Field Trial winner Endi (DANGVORD DIDO AT BRAKABREEZE) x DASKO Z MILHOSTOVSKY'CH POLI

Details of the litter

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!

New slovak breeders in Dover?

Just seen new breeders listed on Champdogs. They're based in the Dover area.

http://www.champdogs.co.uk/breeder/30026.html

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.

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.

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!

Happy Hairy Christmas!

Happy Hairy Christmas from the two of us. We had a freezing walk on Botany Bay. Managing to dodge the fair weather dog walkers who were on our favourite beach. Also managed to not have a disaster around the chuffing quad bikers. Hopefully our beach will be back to normal next week.

I brushed Grey's hair the other day. Not sure he was that impressed! He could see though, which is one thing. I'm promising not to let scissors near him as it will ruin his coat.

Silly running

We managed to get out today to Botany after two days on lead hanging on for dear life while the roads were too icy to get the car out. Grey ran round and round in silly circles very happy to be off lead again. He had a nice bone for his tea.

Silly running 2st December 2010 from Grey the Slovak on Vimeo.