Gallery 29 - NAVHDA Weekend Nov. 21-22 '98 at Hustle VA Click on a Thumb-Nail Picture on this page to see the full-sized image.   Use your browser's back button to return to this page.

Jaeger and the NAVHDA Natural Ability Test A NAVHDA Weekend - November 21-22, 1998, Hustle, VA A letter from Deborah L. Stern to the SCOA Mail List (Nov. 26,1998)

I have not had the energy to write of my trials and tribulations from this past weekend until now.
Where do I begin?

Chapter 1 - Lost in America

Chapter 2 - Jaeger (aka Kati) the Honorary Spinone

Well, everyone was late to the site; it turns out that we were the first ones there (at 10:00). I do not remember the couple's name but they had two Spinones-Micha and Lucy. For the next hour or so, Spinone people kept showing up. By the time everyone had arrived for training, there were approximately 15 Spinones there. Jaeger was the only "outsider" so I gave him the honorary Italian Spinone nick name of "Kati" (which means Jaeger in Italia). Many people commented on his spunk and thought they needed to get a V. to exercise their Spinones. (Spinones are verrrry calm dogs - with great noses, apparently.)

Jaeger, Cleo and Fredericks' Vito

 We went though the entire test with all the dogs who were entered.  Jaegie went first as we were running second in the actual test and the first dog was not there. First we swam; no problem (except he took off with the dummy, which left mommy screaming, "Jaegie you're embarrasing me in front of strangers!" That was good for a laugh and an ice breaker.) Then we hunted. Awesome. Then came time for the tracking. 

Jaeger had never tracked nor had he seen a pheasant. Well, needless to say, he started hunting right away. Ooops. The group went through the order and then, bless his heart, Jim Channon who set up the "event" worked with us until Jaeger started tracking (at least enough to Prize). Well, basically we were crossing our fingers. Jim left to do some more swim work and came back and offered to lay a few more tracks with a fresh bird. What a guy! Everyone was encouraging, saying that with a little rain (cross your fingers) the scent would hold better than the dry field on which we were practicing. That is all I needed. I did a little rain dance and got in my car to go find a hotel. I had not planned on staying but the reality hit when I found out I would have to drive allllll the way home and then turn around and come back at 4:00 am the next morning. Several people offered me "Kati" food so we were all set. The group even included us in their dinner plans but we turned them down, knowing that tomorrow would be a long day. We settled in and it started to rain. :)

Chapter 3 - Be Careful for What You Ask & the Spinone Olympics

Well it rained all night, quitting sometime in the early morning. The warmth of Friday had completely vanished and near freezing temperatures greeted us at the water's edge for the swimming portion of the test.   Jaeger HATES the cold. On arrival, Jaeger waded in to check out the water and then could not stop shivering. I knew he would not go in when our turn was called. There were 12 dogs total (including 3 for Sunday); 8 Italians (Spinones), 3 Germans (1 GWP, 1GSP, 1 Weimie) and then Jaegie, the lone Hungarian. I told him to make his homeland proud; he was their sole representative at these "Olympic" Games.

I knew Jaeger was cold so I put my jacket on him and then ran him around to try and warm him up but to no avail. He was still cold to the bone.    When it was our turn the judges were all very nice trying to help me but Jaeger turned mule and became stubborn. He was NOT going in that cold water. The judges explained that they would call us back after the order to see if he would go in after a dead quail. We really needed that 4 for a good score and the dead bird meant the best we could do was a 2. A no swim, a zero, was a sure No Prize. I put Jaeger in the car with the heat full blast to try and warm him up. Then I joined him for a brief cry (and my sweet boy licked the tears away). 

4 of 9 dogs refused the water on the first try. When Jaeger was called back, I was soooo sure NOTHING would make him get in that water but we were going to try. Jaeger got one whiff of that bird and VAROOM! he was off and swimming (and retrieving). I was THRILLED and SCREAMED, "Oh, My Baby!!" with my arms wide open to hug him. The entire gallery was about 20 feet behind me cheering and clapping for my beloved little V. especially my new friend Tina. (Hi, Tina. :) It was such a moment that even the judges commented on it at dinner later that night. "How many place can you go and have total strangers on their feet cheering for you and your dog?" *sigh* I am truly blessed.

Chapter 4 - The Field of Dreams

The bird field was thicker than anything we had been in before. And it was glorious. Jaegie had several nice points (a 4 for pointing) and demonstrated honorable team work. He is not the most obedient dog but he is "cooperative," which is required for the test. We really were a team in the field, Jaeger watching me and taking direction from my course without a spoken word. We received a 3 for cooperation, a score for which I am most proud.

Chapter 5- How to "HUNT" a Pheasant

The dreaded pheasant track was last. Jaeger only had the previous day's "experience" on tracking and I had no idea what he'd do. We came to the pile of feathers and Jaeger seemed a little interested. My fingers were crossed, Jaegie looked like he had the scent, and then . . . he was off hunting. The judges and I waited and waited. One judge had me call Jaeger back to the feathers to start him again. As a newbie to all this I really thought he hunted the whole time. As I walked out of the field to my new found friends I yelled "Zero." I though maybe he'd get a 1 because it looked like he may have picked up a track somewhere; I mean, he did have his nose to the ground. Regardless, I went over to where the primary flight feathers had been plucked from the pheasants and made a "bouquet" of feathers for my dog. It was my prize for him.

Renzi & Caruso, Margaret with Cox and Guido & Cleo

Bandit, who received a Prize II, getting a "pep" talk from Argentine

Wells' Odie Walker would have prized (I?) but for lack of water work! at 5 months!

Chapter 6 - Knock Me Over With A Pheasant Feather

It was already dark. We gathered around the judges to hear the scores.   Ours were read second. I was hiding behind someone because I did not want the entire group to see my disappointment when we No Prized. The scores were read:

Jaeger-15 Month Old Vizsla. Male.
Eyes, okay.
Teeth, okay.
Testes, okay.
Coat-(whatever they said about the coat). 
Temperment, normal.
Nose (3),
Search (2),
Water (2),
Pointing (4),
Desire (2-had he gotten that 4 in swimming his desire would have gone up to a 3),
Cooperation (3)
Tracking (2). WE GOT A TWO IN TRACKING!!!

Lawson with Simon, who prized with little preparation and exposure - all natural! and new younger "brother" Spencer

Guido and Cleo received a Prize I

Applegate's Macchia and Lucy

I gasped. The heartbreak of the swim was catching up to me and I decided I was going to fork over the $ and run Jaeger again on Sunday.   Then the judge said, "For a PRIZE III." All eyes were on me as I once again made a spectacle of myself. I raced to my car to get my wonderful boy and my new friend Tina (Hi Tina, again) and the bird planter (wish I could remember her name) came running over to give me a hug.

My boy got a Prize III!!!

The Epilogue

I had to get the scores from the judges again and after the Thrill of Victory, the failed swim hit me like the Agony of Defeat. If Jaeger had gone in the water like he has every warm day of his life he would have had a Prize II. I decided against running him on Sunday as I am satisfied with his ability and am PROUD of his accomplishment with so little training. I stayed to have dinner with the gang and walked in the restaurant to find the judges had save me the seat of honor at the head of the table. We chatted about the test and I was forever teased about my "unique" handling reactions. They KNEW that my dog's true title is Jaeger p.e.t.

Channon giving swimming lessons!

Marlene Hanna with Denise Hanna-Nosko's Maria (who received a Utility Prize III) and Isabella who has already received a Utility Previously.

Nelson's Mariah would have received a prize but for water work - still time for repeating as she is very young shown here with Applegates's Lucy - future hunter newly arrived from Italy

Before leaving the restaurant, I bought Jaeger a steak, medium rare, and not one person laughed. A judge even said he'd done it before. We arrive home at midnight still smiling, having survived the trials and tribulations of a NAVHDA weekend.

Zawadoski's Orion waiting his turn!

Lisence Plates

Page added 12/22/98. Updated 12/29/98.