Gone Swimming

Pi just learned how to swim, and I think he likes it :)

Pesh's Rally Video

As promised, here is a video of Pesh's first rally run. She still has a lot to perfect, but it was a great first effort and her owner Jairi says that she improved with every run over the weekend. Well done Pesh and Jairi!

New Rally Title!

On May 12th 2013, Peshamba became the first Magyar Agar to title in Rally Obedience! She and her person, Jairi, have been training hard for this moment and all their hard work has paid off! Pesh is now CH Stouthearted Babes in Toyland RL1. Congrats Pesh and Jairi on making breed history! In addition to making scores of 181 and 189 in her first two trial runs, she finished out her third qualifying run with a score of 200! I'm hoping there will be videos to share later, but for now, here's a photo of Pesh with her ribbon and new title medallion.

Pi Tries Barn Hunt

Thanks to Cathy Thomas and Lyndy Banducci, Pi got a chance to try barn hunting! For those not in the know, Barn Hunt is sort of like nosework but with a live animal as the target. They put live rats inside cages made out of PVC pipe and hide them around a barn or enclosed paddock area. The dogs have a set amount of time to find a certain number of rats and they get ranked by time.

This video was taken April 28th. I can't remember exactly, I think Pi found all three rats in 1:20.

UKC Show Updates: New Titles and Awards

Two of the Operetta puppies finished their UKC Championships in September 2012. Pi and Peshamba both finished at the Galt shows, with Pi also taking a RBIMBS award to go with his new title!

After the regular coursing season was over, we decided to attend one more show in early February before heading to the Grand Course. Entered were Gil, Pi, Pesh, Patti and Belle. Pi took champion of champions in both shows, earning his first Grand Champion leg! Papa Gil was not to be outdone by his kids, however, and took home BOB awards in both shows along with some Top Ten points.

Gil's Trip to Georgia

Gil accompanied his kennelmate, Hattie, on her return trip to Georgia for the annual ASFA National Greyhound Specialty. Whenever the specialty is hosted by the Southeastern Greyhound Club the second day is designated for the all breed lure coursing trial dubbed the Fullerton Cup trial, in honor of the great Waterloo Cup winner, Fullerton. Since the inception of the National Lure Coursing Club, the Fullerton Cup has been run under NLCC rules, and since the NLCC recognizes the Magyar Agar breed I thought it would be fun to make breed history by being the first Magyar Agar to run under the new rules.

Since there were no other MAs entered (of course), Gil was drawn into a brace with the lone lurcher entry of the day, Strider. Strider is half Greyhound and half Labrador Retriever; an interesting mix to say the least, but a very good runner and good match for Gil.

Both dogs put in two good preliminary runs, and although they were not officially being judged against one another Gil raised the flag in both courses as the winner.

For Best in Field the entries were an Ibizan Hound, a Greyhound, Strider and Gil. Gil drew the Ibizan and ran the 900+ yard course for a third time that day. He was not lacking for energy or enthusiasm, and at the end of the day both judges agreed that Gil should go home with the Fullerton Cup Trophy and BIF honors!

All in all it was a great weekend of sport, put on by a great group of hardworking sportsmen. Thanks SEGC, we hope to return again soon!

LGRA & NOTRA Nationals 2011

We were lucky to have the LGRA/NOTRA Nationals hosted so close to home this year, so of course we had to go.

We had three Agars running in the LGRA portion on Saturday (Gator, Luna and Fecni) and three running in the NOTRA portion on Sunday (Gator, Gil and Luna).

Gator ended up being both the LGRA and NOTRA National Champion, putting in some brilliant runs both days.

Photo credit Dave Mills

Luna placed second on Saturday and Gil placed second on Sunday. All the MAs ran really well, and even Pi and Patti got a chance to run a practice or two.

Photo credit Dave Mills

Photo credit Dave Mills