oldsite.vdd-gna.orgverein deutsch-drahthaar/group north america executive board chairman: bryon r....

Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar/Group North America Executive Board

Chairman: Bryon R. Beaton: 636 Stuart Lane, Pelham, AL 35124 Phone: 205-664-0083(D); 205-620-5461(E)Fax:205-664-0440 email: [email protected]

Vice-Chairman Ed Carney 2786 N. Arendell Way, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 Phone:850-877-6478(H) 850-877-1470 (Fax) - email: [email protected]

Business Manager: Jim E. Wion 2703 Marble Springs Road., Barnhart, MO 63012-2327 Phone: 314-596-6217 email: [email protected] Treasurer: Fred Turjan: 1218 Foxianna Rd. Middletown, PA 17057 Phone:717-930-3549

email [email protected] Breed Warden: Lynn Whiteley: 5839 S 6700 W., Hooper, UT 84315

Phone: 801-985-5958 email: [email protected] Newsletter Editor: Larry Houck 1206 Skyline Drive, Watertown, SD 57201 Phone: 605-886-9436 email: [email protected]

ASSISTANTS TO THE BOARD Director of Testing: Mike Talbot 909 Menonomie Lane, Madison, WI 53704

Phone: 608-241-0958 email: [email protected] Director of Judge Devel: Mark Heuer 900 Morgan Ranch Rd. Cheyenne, WY 82001

Phone 307-778-9510 email: [email protected] Document Distribution: Lona Kluck, 800 10th St. S.W., Watertown, SD 57201 Phone: 605-882-2210; email: [email protected] National Inquiries Rep. Rhonda and Neal Feazel, 56 West County Line Road Brighton, IL 62012

Phone 618-372-3170 HD Program Coord. Ken D. Hardman, 295 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108-1220

Phone: 801-584-6498 email: [email protected] WebMaster: Dan Wick C: 612.987.6495 H: 952.985.0956 E-mail [email protected] Judge’s Germany Study Roger Green: 11611 East Tom Sawyer Rd., Evansville, Wy 82636 Phone: 307-473-1115 email: [email protected] Audio-Visual Coordinator Jason Abbas 161-315th St Perry, IA 50220

Phone 515-465-2163 email: [email protected] 3/01/2011 Advertising Information: Copy Deadline: 45 days prior to month of publication. Commercial rates available upon request. Inquiries addressed to:

VDD/GNA 1206 Skyline Drive, Watertown, SD 57201 1/4 Page:$15; 1/2 Page$25; Full Page $40; Kennel Ad $30/year

The Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar e.V./Group North America Newsletter is published 4 times a year in Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter and is the official publication of the Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar Group North America (VDD/GNA) organization and is dedicated to fostering, improving, promoting and protecting the Deutsch-Drahthaar in North America and to the conservation of all game. The VDD/GNA promotes ethical hunting and game conservation through breeding, training, testing, and hunting with dogs that are capable of quickly recovering lost and wounded game. The basic annual membership dues are $80 (US Funds). Membership benefits include a quarterly subscription to the VDD/GNA Newsletter, participation in all VDD sponsored events and full voting privileges. A copy of VDD/GNA’s most recent financial report can be obtained by contacting Fred Turjan, Treasurer at 1218 Foxianna Rd. Middletown, PA 17057. The Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar/Group North America reserves the right to reasonable edit or refuse all material (including advertising) submitted for publication. Articles or opinions herein expressed are not necessarily those of the editorial staff or the Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar/Group North America association or its officers or Directors. The material contained in this publication is intended to provide accurate and authoritative information on the subject covered. By their nature, the articles and columns contained herein cannot provide the complete and detailed guidance required by every individual in every situation. The material is thereby offered with the proviso that it is not the intent of the Editor, or authors to render professional counsel on the matter covered and said person(s) cannot be held liable for any use thereof. If specific assistance is required, the services of an expert should be sought. The Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar/Group North America Newsletter (USPS # 019-503) is published, for $30.00 per year by the Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar/Group North America with editorial, and publishing offices located at 1206 Skyline Drive, Watertown, SD 57201. Periodical Postage paid at Sioux Falls, SD. Cover Picture: Photo of FYL, owned by past GNA member and judge Hank Lippert: Born 04/29/1950 Died 05/06/2009 Postmaster: Send address changes to: Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar/Group North America Jim E. Wion, Business Manager 2703 Marble Springs Road Barnhart, MO 63012-2327

mailto:[email protected]





Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar----Group North America Volume 63 Number 2 Spring

Inside the Newsletter

Chairman’s Comments 2 Vice Chairman’s Notes 5 From the Breedwarden 5 From the Business Manager 6 Directions from Judge Development 6 You Be the Judge 7 HD-Results 9 Annual Meeting Proposals 9 Sportsman’s Expo in NY 12 Point of View 15 VGP 101 16 Chapter Happenings 20 Classified Ads 29 Official Test Schedule 32 2011 Annual Meeting Information 33 Calendar of Events 38 2010 HZP-VGP Test Expenses 39 Armbruster Information 40

Chairman’s Comments During early February, I was happily surprised to learn that Group Canada Vice Chairman, Adam Pethick, would also be attending the VDD and JGHV Annual March Business Meetings in Germany this year. Even though our German friends

always go out of their way to do a great job of translating for us and keeping us abreast of the meeting’s progress, having the company of a fellow North America during the off hours and while traveling provided the opportunity to discuss this year’s business, the growth and continuing evolution of our parent clubs in Germany, as well as the role of both GNA and Group Canada have in preparing for the future of the Drahthaar in North America. I was a pleasure to have had this opportunity to get acquainted with Adam. The agenda items for the VDD Annual meeting were first debated during the Friday afternoon Board of Directors meeting and then reviewed again during the Saturday General meeting before being considered for possible vote. Several motions were eventually withdrawn following discussion, several…again following open debate….were delegated to further study by special committee, and several put to vote. Rather than attempt to review all of the scheduled motions and their present status, I will highlight only those that came to vote or were placed with committee for future consideration. Also, I have included a few interesting comments expressed by Executive Board members during their reports. Micro-chipping if dogs in Germany. As of 2012 the federal government of Germany will require that all dogs be micro-chipped. This is in lieu of placing a numbered tattoo in a dog’s ear. Obviously the animal rights people I Germany have been successful in their efforts to ban tattooing of dogs…claiming the act of tattooing is cruel to the animal. VDD has asked for two forms of exceptions (options) to this regulation. The first is that our club can continue to tattoo and not be held to micro-chipping of the Deutsch-Drahthaar. The second is for VDD to do both; micro-chip and tattoo. To date neither option has been accepted by the German government but VDD will continue to lobby for some type of exception that will serve our need for readily recognizable identification of individual Drahthaars. During the discussions of this issue, comments included the need to work with other hunting dog clubs and push for having the combination of both micro-chip and tattoo accepted, the need to set up special seminars to educate those who will be charged with injecting the chips, the cost of buying a large quantity of scanners that must available at tests to identify dogs, and selected those who are authorized and trained to chip dogs….should these individuals be only the Group Breedwardens?....or who? As the situation appears at this time, as of 2012 all Drahthaars whelped in Germany must be chipped and possibly will also have a tattoo number in their ear. If the options for preserving traditional tattooing of the DDs is not allowed in Germany the problem of identifying dogs will expand and


affect us I the United States. Members of GNA have historically imported dogs and puppies whelped in Germany and those Drahthaars will arrive without any visible identification number. While the U.S. does not prohibit tattooing an already chipped dog, the only positive way for us to identify chipped only dogs at our tests will be to scan their chip numbers. Based on the large number of tests sponsored by GNA every year, and the cost of scanners being in the range of $120.00-$180.00 per unit, we can expect to have an unusual, and significant, special-expense addition to our budget. Puppies produced by breeders in the U.S. can continue to be tattooed in the traditional manner but we must all be aware that next year all dogs originating in Germany will require the use of dedicated scanners to identify them. Comments by Bernd Grabert, VDD Business Manager. The VDD Board has some concerns with award nominations of members whose service to VDD has been for only a short time. While the degree of service might warrant special recognition, the length of service as well as the type of service must be considered when applying for VDD awards such as the Silver and Gold VDD Club Pin and the Silver and Gold Hegewald Needle. For me, this was an interesting and also appropriate comment since a motion to amend our rules of Procedure for nominating members for GNA’s awards is an agenda item for this year’s Annual meeting. Comments by Jan Schafberg, VDD Blätter (Newsletter) Editor. Jan mentioned that the templates he supplies for Groups to use when submitting their test scores for publication in the Blätter were working very well and urged all Groups to use only these forms. It makes the job of formulating all the test results a bit easier for him. It was only a couple of years ago that the results GNA tests did not even appear in the Blätter but recently, thanks to the coordination between Jan and our Director of Testing, Mike Talbot, all of our sister Groups in Germany now have the opportunity to review results of tests in the U.S. and compare them with the performance level of dogs tested in that country. Jan also commented on the advantages associated with emailing the Blätter instead of mailing it. Cost is a prime example. About three years ago we proposed that GNA receive the Blätter by email for posting on our website. Prior to that time we were limited to a bulk quantity of the German newsletter that was insufficient to distribute to every GNA member yet the postage was costing us over $3,000.00 per year. The emailing and web posting arrangement has resulted in the Blätter now being available to every GNA member and eliminated the many thousands of dollars of mailing expenses from VDD’s and GNA’s budgets. The success of this method is so dramatic that Jan is now advancing the same procedures for Groups in Germany. Comments by Horst Linnemann, VDD Chairman. I was delighted to hear this comment!.. In front of the general assembly on Saturday Horst complimented Jim Wion, GNA’s Business Manager, saying reports received from Jim were always on time, complete, and accurate. This type of comment is rare and we are extremely fortunate to have Jim continue to serve our Group in such a professional manner. Horst also related that he felt it is not good for VDD to have several Groups in the foreign countries. There is more to

be gained by a single Group representing the Drahthaar movement within a country than by two or more Groups working separately. Obviously, VDD is pleased with the way we have been testing and promoting the Drahthaar in the U.S. 2011 Hegewald. Because the Hegewald is early this year, 31 Aug.-03 Sept. in Hollabrunn, Austria, it is a must that all entries be received in Germany no later than 08 July. For any of our handlers who plan to run their dog in the Hegewald, make sure you forward your entry in plenty of time for it to arrive in Germany before the absolute deadline of 08 July!! It was noted that any dog that fails the required pre-Hegewald water evaluation, either before or after the entry deadline, must be reported and that dog will not be permitted to run in the Hegewald. Following much discussion related to the costs associated with producing the Hegewald and the several options for funding the event, raising the Hegwald dues (a per member fee charged to each VDD Group) by one Euro was approved. This year each of the Groups, including GNA, will be obligated to contribute the equivalent of 3 Euros per member in support of the 2011 Hegewald. OCD and ED. The matter of requiring DDs to be free of both OCD and ED (deficiencies in shoulder and elbow joints) problems before being certified for breeding was hot topic during the course of the meetings. The several hours of debate that were focused on this topic resulted in dropping OCD and ED as a “package” requirement. When presented for vote, an OCD-free motion was adopted by a narrow margin….530 Yes votes to 490 No votes. GNA’s 10 votes were counted in the ‘Yes” margin. As of January 2012 all Drahthaars will have to be free of hip and shoulder deficiencies before they can be certified for breeding. Dogs that have been certified for breeding prior to that date will be grand-fathered but to continue advancing our breed I would encourage owners of all breeding eligible Drahthaars to have them tested for OCD. Comments by Sigurd Croneiss, VDD Breedwarden. Prior to the vote approving testing for OCD, Sigurd talked about concerns that owners whose dog had received a bad OCD rating were not forthcoming in admitting the dog had a problem. In other words- they may have bred the dog and didn’t say anything about a known OCD problem. It’s a shame that some breeders are more focused on producing puppies than doing what it takes to strengthen the breed but some of the problems with what we would term “Loose” breeders will be resolved with the more restrictive regulations beginning in 2012. Sigurd also asked if the membership thought VDD should publish the results of all HD and OCD exams…those that are good as well as those that reveal deficiencies. By a show of hands the majority of those at the meeting rejected making those deficiencies public… I was not in that majority. My position is that we make breeding and even testing decisions based on what is known about a dog and hidden information does not benefit the breed.


Highlights of Proposals VGP dogs must be older to enter test– 18 months proposed….. Dropped. Maybe look at this later. Amend process for accepting new member applications……Committee will study this. Vote next year. Cancel “dog dealer/ dog trader” restriction- not clearly defined…..Written in VDH regulations-refer to those if needed. Petition JGHV to change work behind live duck….Not sure about this-hold for future study. Opinion that there should be a full judges meeting both before and after a test when multi-judging groups are used…..favored that only Test Director and Senior judges need normally be on hand after a test. Petition JGHV to remove fox work from VGP…….Dropped Groups can refuse to accept new member. For instance if individual lives too far away……Approved The Breedwardens Meeting is an official organ of VDD…….Approved Reference: Breeding Regulations, Article 12. Maximum fine is 1,500 Euros…….Approved JGHV meeting. It was a relief that no surprising changes to the JGHV testing regulations were made this year. Those of you who were around in 2006 will remember the shock we had when we were informed that basically we could not communicate with our dog once we had started it on a retrieve. The updated 2006 VZPO books containing an explanation of what was and was not allowed did not arrive until mid September and by that time we had already failed a few HZP and VGP dogs due a misunderstanding of the new restrictions. Even then, the new books provoked some controversy in the translated text. Thankfully JGHV Vice Chairman, Wolf Schmidt-Koerby, and JGHV Director of Testing, Uli Augstein, arrived for the 2006 Armbruster and provided clarification of the VZPO text. I am not aware of any such dramatic changes to the way VJP and HZP tests are to be conducted this year. In conjunction with the JGHV meeting, representatives from four of the North American JGHV clubs; VDD Group Canada Vice Chair, Adam Pethick, JGV-USA Chair, Leonard Baker, NADKC Chair, Rob Engelking, and myself representing VDD-GNA, convened in a special meeting for the purpose of discussing the unique conditions we have in applying testing standards in North America, reporting our tests, and keeping judges current with Association updates by way of timely translations of material appearing in the JGHV magazine. Although each of these clubs is obligated to provide testing to its members, we have many common avenues to travel and many common needs that can be better resolved by working hand in hand and presenting a unified position to JGHV. Of the seven JGHV associated clubs on our continent, the three that were not able to send a representative to Fulda, Germany this year will be contacted and will invited to participate fully in what is intended to become a strong alliance that cannot help but benefit all North American JGHV clubs. Overcoming the handicap of being so far away from Germany and the German hunting traditions is the focus of this new alliance. Also related to our remoteness from Germany and overcoming the disadvantage our judges have in never or only very occasionally being exposed to the way tests are

conducted in Germany is the fund GNA maintains for helping judges who have the opportunity to travel to that country and apprentice or judge in tests. Years ago that fund…termed the Elk fund…was originated by the donation and sale of privileged Elk hunting licenses for the State of Wyoming. Since its inception, the fund has been reduced by helping judges, and apprentices participate in German tests and by sponsoring our prospective Breedshow apprentice judges who must travel to an International Hegewald for their final certification as Breedshow judges. Thankfully, some Chapters have voluntarily contributed to this special fund over the past few years but currently we have no dedicated means of maintaining it to the desired level. A suggestion has been made to place a “Donate” section on our Judge Expense Reimbursement Form that would allow judges who wish to donate a portion of their expense reimbursement to earmark it for this special fund. While we have adopted that suggestion, I am concerned that with only this means of adding to this important fund we will fall short of our goal of providing assistance to judges who want to take advantage of the opportunity to increase their skills and knowledge by traveling to tests in Germany. I ask chapters, and even individuals who treasure their experience with the Drahthaar, to provide regular assistance in maintaining a fund that has been extremely helpful in sustaining the high quality of evaluations provide by our judging staff. With a closing note, I want to bring to your attention a new booklet soon to be available from our distribution manager. “Born To hunt” is a training book written by Dr. Gene Kluck, current Chairman of the Great Plains Chapter, and is based on his many years of experience with breeding and training the Deutsch-Drahthaar. I wish every handler the highest success during your VJP test and encourage you to demonstrate your bond with your dog by participating in the Armbruster this fall at Shreveport, LA. The Big Rivers Chapter has paved the way for another spectacular event highlighting the Drahthaar’s superior ability. For our Drahthaars, Bryon

Website Managers Needed The GNA website www.vdd-gna.org has a need for 2 website managers to assist with managing the GNA website. The reason for 2 people to take this over is because of the amount of information that becomes available and continues to grow the website. One person is needed to manage the members section of the website, and one person will manage the dog section of the website. If you are a person with website development knowledge, can work with very tedious amount of information on a timely schedule. and some time available to help out, please contact Larry Houck, Newsletter Editor at 605-886-9436 or email him at [email protected].

http://www.vdd-gna.org/



Vice- Chairman’s Report Annual Meeting and 40th Jubilee Celebration

It is not too late to make reservations and join the many club members who will attend the 2011 annual meeting and associated 40 year anniversary of GNA’s founding ( June 17,18). The meeting will be in Longmont, Colorado (just above Denver) and our Great Plains Chapter hosts have planned an out standing program. Longmont is near the Rocky mountain parks and an ideal destination for a family vacation. I hope to see many of you there!

I’ve been troubled of late by bickering that seems to go on at the chapter level. Just when one chapter seems to sort things out it seems another chapter develops problems. I suppose this is to be expected in an

organization our size but it is detrimental on many levels. GNA is not unique and a most of you know the entire executive board of VDD resigned this spring seemingly over club “politics”. Now a special election is required in Germany. When one tries to understand such issues most are not substantive questions about dogs and a breed club rather personal matters that have gone too far. When talking to members it is clear that we all wish for the same thing: time with our dog and advancement of the breed. Bill English recently taught me a toast by the late Dale Richards “To the Deutsch Drahthaar, the greatest hunting dog the world has ever known and the fine people they bring together. “This would be a good mantra to keep in mind when hackles rise in member conversations. We have just finished our SEHC annual meeting in La Vergne, TN. I hope all of you had as good spring chapter meetings. We had our meeting in conjunction with an Introduction to JGHV Seminar, a breedshow (thank you Dr. Coffman), a thirty dog VJP (thank you Mike Fortner). Chapter leadership is often not recognized and thanked. Look at your chapter and see how you might volunteer to help. My “Gitta” is now a two year old madchen and having more fun than she deserves. North Florida had a good bob white quail hatch and she had opportunities on quite a few wild covies. We supplement with released birds and worked hard last month to harvest a few more birds before the snakes and gators wake up for sure. I have been very busy working on a 40th year Jubilee Booklet and I would like to thank the chapters for their great support. The book has more than twenty articles and is approaching 200 pages. I’ll provide more information on this project soon. Always remember… To breed versatile dogs is an art To increase their numbers a blessing To maintain the in heritance a duty To improve it, our biggest wish Best wishes and Waidmannsheil, Edward Carney, M.D., Vice-Chairman VDD-GNA

From the Breedwarden The 2011 Breedwardens Meeting was held on February 12 in Wenden-Brün hosted by Group Niederrhein on the occasion of their 90th year as a VDD Group. VDD Head Breedwarden Sigurd Croneiß spoke of a VDH meeting he attended in Dortmund that was for Breedwardens and Breed Judges from many different breed clubs. They pushed for a newer more comprehensive litter inspection form. VDD has developed such a form for the Groups to pattern theirs after. At the meeting there was a seminar on the standards, and it was discussed that we shouldn’t be too exact when judging to the standard or good dogs may be lost. Too many breeders will only go to the dogs with top scores, and some good may be lost.

A Euro court has ruled that clubs cannot require membership to test dogs, but VDH is fighting this in court. There is a new HD form that has a clause where the owner of the dog agrees that VDD becomes the owner of the HD x-ray when it is submitted.

This is because a couple of owners that didn’t like the rating they received wanted the x-ray back and it ended up in court. OCD and ED There was a discussion on the proposal from Group Nordbayern that would change the Breeding Regulations to require OCD-frei and ED-frei for breed certification. Some say that the data comes mostly at a time when the two Kornstube males with OCD were being bred, and they wonder if it is an isolated problem. Was there really good scientific data to support it? There was talk about the expense of certifying HD-frei, OCD-frei, and ED. Some owners had complained of having to spend 2000 euro for all of the required x-rays. In the end a vote was taken on whether the Breedwardens supported the proposal, and it passed with a comfortable margin. 2012 Hegewald will be in Geseke. No date was given. No prior testing with the living duck will be allowed for dogs at this Hegewald. JGHV President Werner Horstkötter spoke to us about some of the proposals to the JGHV meetings. He spoke about the release of game for tests. There is a problem in Germany with protests about this from animal rights groups. In Germany by law they cannot release the game on the same day as the test. He said that it is better to release the game the day before and then go to the area first thing the next morning. He said the most important thing is to comply with the laws of the country in which the test is held.


At the VDD Membership meeting the proposal from Group Nordbayern was debated and only part of the proposal was adopted. Effective 01.01.2012 all DD certified for breeding will be required to show proof of being free from OCD. ED-frei will not be a requirement and is optional. New fillable HD, OCD, and ED forms will be on the website in the Breeders Corner section, along with instructions for submitting them and instructions for the veterinarian. OCD and ED forms and x-rays go to the GNA HD Coordinator Ken Hardman just like with HD. The fee for OCD evaluations will be the same as for HD. Anyone planning to have their dogs evaluated for HD should consider adding the OCD evaluation. Any dog attending a breed show after the first of the year will have to show both HD-frei and OCD-frei. Dogs attending breed shows in 2011 will only have to show HD-frei. If you plan on campaigning your male as a stud dog, or using your bitch for breeding, puppy buyers and other breeders will most likely want to know the OCD status of your dog. I’m sure the price will be cheaper doing both evaluations at once, rather than doing them separately. I wish all of you good luck in the upcoming breed tests. Lynn S. Whiteley VDD/GNA Breedwarden

From the Business Manager The updated translation of the VDD Bylaws, with changes that were made in 2010, is now posted on the GNA website. There is some additional wording in Section 14, 3) a) regarding motions and I suspect that

this is what has led to some previous confusion as to what was changed by VDD, but we now have this translated. Since motions are still being accepted from Groups and from individuals by VDD, GNA will also be accepting motions from Chapters and from individuals at our Annual General Meeting with all other requirements being met. Please review the motions and proposals and offer your comments to your Chapter Chairpersons who will be representing the views of the membership at the meeting. The other change that is now translated is the JGHV agreement in Attachment 1 which was changed in 2008; our previous translation was not current as it was from 2006. At the end of 2010 we reported a total membership of 1,117, which is up slightly from the previous year. As of mid-March we have added 192 new members for 2011 and it appears that we will have another year of steady growth. Jim

From The Director of JudgeDevelopment

Spring testing season is now winding down and it was a pleasure for Group North America to have six new Association Judges for our spring tests! These new Judges are: Wendy Hack – MWNC, Brandt Hardy – BRC, Dr. Gene Kluck – GPC, Jeff Lowe – WWC, Mike McMullan – GPC, Brian Sturgill – AC, Wayne Pitock – GLC. Please pass along congratulations and a thank you to our new judges! These six new judges are in addition to eight new association judges we welcomed in 2010! It is a wonderful to have these 14 new Judges, plus the 111 hardworking, talented and very unselfish Judges that make up the rest of GNA’s judging cadre. However, because of enforcement of JGHV’s Continuing Education requirement we currently have a small portion of our judges in a suspended status. We have also had several Judges decide to not continue as JGHV Association Judges. JGHV’s Continuing Education requirement that a Judge attend a Continuing Education (CE) Seminar every four years, or train and handle a dog through a test every four years is a very good requirement, but with the first four year period ending in 2010 we unfortunately had several Judges put on a suspended status. These suspended Judges are not allowed to judge while in suspended status and if they do the test may be invalidated. As of February, 2011 out of the current 111 GNA Judges, 19 or 17% were in suspended status. Twelve Judges have decided to not continue judging. We hope to have all of GNA’s suspended Judges active again for the fall testing season, and a handful should even be in active status again in time for our spring tests! Current suspended Judges are: Phillip Anderson, Allen, Asherin, Wayne Jeffers, David Bennett, Todd Bowling, Robert Budin, Kit Critchlow, Gerald Hennekes, Michael Kennedy, David Krukar, Bernard Mansfield, Andrei Nicolau, Gary Peyton, Charles Pickens, Scott Seeley, David Stanley, Peter Swenson, Paul Trout & James Webster. GNA Judges: All of GNA’s Chapters are holding an increased number of CE seminars and are doing a great job of being proactive in their scheduling. Please take advantage of these important CE Seminars and attend one every year if at all possible! Not only are the CE Seminars a requirement for maintaining an active judge status, but they are very important in order to stay up to speed on changing regulations and important judging topics. Seminars scheduled through August 2011: BRC AM- April 29th, Continuing Ed Seminar. AC AM – May 21st & 22nd, Intro.to the JGHV & Continuing Ed.


GPC/GNA AM – June 17th & 18th, Intro.to the JGHV & Continuing Ed. GLC- August 6th, Continuing Ed Seminar. *Please contact seminar host Chapter for locations and seminar times. HLC -July 9th Intro. to the JGHV July 10th Continuing Ed. Formblatt 54: Don’t forget the Formblatt 54 replaces Formblatt 53 and is the new Formblatt that must be used for all Apprentice evaluations. Apprentices, if a Formblatt 53 is submitted to the DoJD it will be returned! A printable Formblatt 54 and completed example can be found on the “Judges” page of GNA’s web site. VDD-GNA.org “Judges” Page: I would like to thank Dan Wick for all the work he did in updating the “Judges” page of the GNA web site. With all the Formblatt and regulation changes that occurred in September 2010 the page had become badly outdated. Judges and Apprentices, on the new judges page you will find the new JGHV Regulations on Association Judgeship, all current Formblatts relating to Apprentice evaluations, Intro to JGHV Seminar, and the needed forms and directions for Apprentice applications. You will also find new guidelines for writing Apprentice reports and a sample VJP, HZP and VGP Apprentice report. These reports should be referenced by Apprentices and Sr. Judges alike; to know what is expected of GNA Apprentices reports. While every report does not need to be exactly like the sample reports they should be fairly similar in quality of content and format! Coming up next: In your summer GNA NL look for further information concerning new Apprentice requirements, why JGHV requires some of the things they do and how come Judge and Apprentice character and integrity are so important. Once again thank you to all of our judges and apprentices for the hard work, time, and dedication you put into the DD and JGHV testing system. May you and all of GNA’s members have a wonderful summer of training and fun with your family and friends. Take care and I hope to see you at the 40th anniversary annual meeting in June! Mark Heuer

You Be the Judge Ed. Note: These questions were taken from the Jagdebrauchshundverband e. V. on “Questions on VZPO Test Practices and JGHV Performance Awards. The questions were answered in consultation with the Studbook Commission (Stammbuchkommission) and the Studbookkeeper (Stammbuchführer); After much effort and service this book was translated by GNA member Astrid Geisler, and the Translation Company of New York. Additional translations and editing by Nancy Bohs. VDD-GNA January 2009

Mark Heurer Director of Judge Development is responsible for providing these questions to the NL. Following VZPO Q & A’s taken from 2009 edition, VGPO Q & A’s taken from 2010 edition. The Use of Training Aids at Association Tests Preamble, Para. 2 and § 27 (1) VZPO § 123 VGPO § 111 VPSO Question: Attending an HZP is a handler who has placed a pinch collar on his dog, and wants to run him in the test with it. The senior judge asks him to remove the pinch collar from the dog; the handler refuses and explains that the VZPO nowhere forbids the use of such a training aid. Was the senior judge's action correct? Answer: The answer to the question is affirmative. Even though the test rules do not expressly forbid the use of a pinch collar during the test, the preamble of the VZPO states that the purpose of the breeding tests is to determine the natural abilities of the dog. If a dog is run with a pinch collar, it is impossible to determine the natural abilities, since they are influenced too strongly by the training aid. Thus it can be said in summary that it is impermissible in all association tests to run dogs with training aids such as pinch collars and electronic collars or dummy collars. Search Behind Live Duck in Densely Vegetated Water and Evaluation of Nose §§ 30, 37(1), 44(3) VZPO Question: At an HZP, a dog flawlessly searches behind the duck in densely vegetated water and receives the score very good in this subject. His blind retrieve from densely vegetated water is evaluated with the same score. The water judging team rates the dog s nose as sufficient. The handler claims that a score of very good for the duck search is inconsistent with the nose evaluation of sufficient. Is this opinion correct? Answer: The answer is negative. It is of little relevance for scoring a dog s duck search whether the search was conducted with a very good or a mediocre nose. Desire, endurance, locating and following the scent trail and, above all, tenacity coupled with an independent will to find, are the decisive criteria for the score in Search with a Duck in Densely Vegetated Water. We find parallels in several other instances. A dog with a sufficient nose may very well receive a very good in blood tracking. The dog under judgement, which due to its mediocre use of nose, is forced to search for a very long time during the Blind Retrieve in Densely Vegetated Water, or during the Blind Retrieve of a Shot Partridge, deserves a


very good each time, provided that he also concentrates on this work and searches steadfastly, independently, and persistently, with a perceptible will to find. Finally, a very good Hare Track is not always dependent on a very good nose either. It is therefore entirely possible that despite a very good duck search, a dog can be rated sufficient in nose by the water judges. Furthermore, he has the opportunity to demonstrate the quality of his nose during the field work. The final nose evaluation is established by the field judges, taking into consideration the findings of the other judging teams [VZPO §44(3)]. Evaluation of Search and Obedience at the HZP §§ 31 and 41 VZPO Question: A dog demonstrates a very good, lively and systematic search in a field with vegetation that is not overly tall. He does not want to enter a beet field with very tall and dense growth, although it clearly holds game. The judges have different opinions: one wants to reduce the score for Search, another for Obedience, and the third cannot make up his mind. Who is right? Answer: There is unquestionably a deficiency in Search. It is entirely possible that this deficiency will not last long, and that after having been hunted a while, the dog will demonstrate a flawless search even in tall, dense beets. In fact, this is very likely. However, when the dog fails to demonstrate this at an HZP, it must receive a lower score in the Search subject. VZPO § 31 requires a methodical search, as well as the will to find, for the highest score. A dog which absolutely refuses to enter the beet field despite commands shows faults in obedience as well. However, we must clearly distinguish between the dog which absolutely refuses to enter the beet field and the dog that enters the beet field, but then either does not search at all, or searches only halfheartedly. Extraordinary Circumstances in Drag Work, Pointing §§ 32, 38 Para. 18 VZPO Question: At an HZP, a dog is started at the point of origin on a rabbit drag which was correctly laid in a downwind direction. The dog works the drag until approximately 30 meters away from the retrieve rabbit, where it stands and sniffs the air before returning to its handler. When put on the track a second and third time, the dog does not take up the drag track, but instead makes a free blind search 70 to 80 meters to the left of the drag. In doing so, he flushes two partridges, a pheasant, and a rabbit, which he chases. After extensive consultation, the judges reach the conclusion that extraordinary circumstances that would justify a substitute task are not present in this case. The handler lodges a protest, which is accepted. A replacement drag is performed and is judged good. 1. Were the judges obligated to provide a replacement drag?

2. Up until this time, the dog had been judged very good in Pointing. Were the judges entitled to reduce the Pointing score following this behavior of the dog? Answer: Regarding 1: The answer to this question is negative. § 38 Para. 18 states that it is within the discretion of the judges to allow the dog a new task if the dog is distracted by extraordinary circumstances in drag work or when retrieving. Distraction by game always constitutes an extraordinary circumstance. In this case, however, the dog was not working on the drag, but freely searching the terrain, and only came upon the game as a result of this behavior. Thus, this is definitively not a matter of distraction during drag work. The protest should have been dealt with by a Protest Panel insofar as it was lodged in proper form and within the prescribed time frame. However, it should have been rejected since it was a protest of a discretionary decision made by the judging team, and there was no obvious abuse of discretion here (§ 3 of the Protest Regulation). Regarding 2: the answer to this question is negative. Pointing is usually tested during search, when the handler is handling the dog. Here the dog was started in a downwind direction, left the control of the handler, and it was possible he could not get any scent of game. The handler had no opportunity to handle the dog into the wind as in a search. Obedience; Steadiness to Wing and Shot VGPO: §§ 95 and 98 Question: At the VGP, shots are fired at game birds flying off from the field. The handler blows his whistle; the dog goes into a down position. Which score? Answer: The whistle command definitely lowers the predicate. It depends on whether the whistle command was given before or after the shot, and whether the dog might have wanted to chase after the shot was fired. If the whistle was blown before the shot, the appropriate predicates are “good” for steadiness to wing and “very good” for steadiness to shot. If the handler whistled after the shot (which is equivalent to an intervention) and the dog had thus far not displayed any signs of chasing, the appropriate predicates would appear to be “very good” for steadiness to wing” and “good” for steadiness to shot. Drag; Handler Draws Attention to Self Through Praise VGPO: § 43(1) Question: During the furred game drag with rabbit at the VGP, the dog can be seen returning and carrying the rabbit. During the last 50 m in front of the handler, the handler begins clapping his flat hand against his thigh for a total of 8 times while at the same time walking back and forth. One of the judges objects to the thigh clapping.


Is his objection justified? Answer: The answer is most definitely negative. When a game carrying dog approaches its handler, and the handler does not somehow draw the dog’s attention to himself by hand clapping or praise or walking back and forth, he shows little understanding of a dog’s psyche. The dog considers the game not “his” quarry but “our” quarry. When the dog sees strangers and other dogs, and maybe does not even see his handler among the crowd, the dog rightfully fears for “our” game. For this reason, it is not only permissible but appropriate that the handler shows himself to the dog with praise by hand or verbal signals. This is different from the situation where the dog does not work correctly, for example by dropping the game or stopping midway with the game in its fang. When, in such a case, the handler attempts to influence the dog by hand or verbal signals – even without a verbal fetch command – it is considered an intervention which will result in the predicate “insufficient” for furred and feathered game drags and the manner of retrieve.

HD X-Ray Results Ken Hardman, HD Program Coordinator reports that

the following dogs have been rated HD-Frei.

# DOG OWNER HOME d.Briese Russell Rung210844 Bear v. e210173 Frank vom Elchherz James W. Underly II Elkhart, IN 211744 Ines vom Eisbärteich Steven R. Witten Sioux City, IA 211945 Andra vom windigen Punkt Keith A. Kneser Fox Lake, WI 208833 Sabre vom Moorehaus David Chatellier Spring Lake, NC 209349 Adeluf vom Windswept Jeremy Reese Ellendale, MN 210177 Fritz vom Elchherz James Jay Jones Elkhart, IN 210178 Fay vom Elchherz James Jay Jones Elkhart, IN 211087 Bella vom Cabin-Creek George J. Allen Clayton, CA 202776 Bonnie vom Cinnamon-Creek Aleksandr Tonkonogy, .. ……….Sandy Utah 207975Cully vom Cranberry Creek Jonathan A. Crump Wayzata, ………MN 208165 Josch vom Herbstwind Ryan L. Cole Granger, IN 210209 Lance vom tapferen Herzen Wayne Hurst Georgetown, TX 211315 Fawn vom Gottesacker Donald Zarra Pittsburgh, PA 211583 Casee vom Windenfluss Harold Johnston Rock Springs WY 212022 Berit v.d.Brandenburg Vallana J. Perrault Princeton, MN 212869 Wendy III vom Altmoor Nancy M. Bohs Shamong, NJ 208031 Dante vom Stillwasser Keith M Davis Baton Rouge, LA 210360 Becky vom Dornkaat Thomas McCullick Wauzeka, WI

ED X-Ray Results OCD X-Ray Results

Want to Learn More about HD, OCD and ED? Dr. Peter Schunk D.V.M. of Germany will be at the Annual Meeting to explain

it all. See you in Longmont Co. in June Dr Schunk with his dog

Lanus

Dr Schunk is the Vet who handles the HD,OCD and Ed evaluations for

the VDD

Proposals for AM Voting Proposals to be Reviewed and Voted Upon by Board of Directors and its GNA Members who are present at the

Annual Meeting in June 2011 Proposals submitted to the NL by Jim Wion, Business Manager This proposal is submitted by the GNA EC: RoP 13.3) Vendors at the General Meeting or other GNA sponsored event (eg. The Armbruster Zuchtprüfung) must be approved by the host chapter and the GNA executive committee as well as pay a fee. The fee for GNA member vendors is $25 the fee for non GNA member vendors is $50. Sales sponsored by the host Chapter are exempt from this fee. Such fees do not apply to previously approved sponsors.

GNA is not a vendor and assumes no responsibility regarding local vendor license the payment of state or local

taxes. This proposal is submitted by the GNA EC:

RoP 18 Merit Awards GNA recognizes its members through a system of awards for noteworthy contributions to the organization beyond the acknowledged by general membership duties and responsibilities that are recognized by desiring to be a member of this breed-club organization. GNA Awards are for Distinguished Service and Exemplary Service to the Chapter. The GNA Awards are: Exemplary Service Award This Award shall be presented to any nominee approved by the Board of Directors who has performed one or more single instance services that are of outstanding quality, extraordinary work or exceptional services and importance to GNA and/or the breed, in a given calendar year. This


award shall consist of a GNA Silver Pin and a certificate (Urkunde) The text of the certificate shall read: “presented to John P Doe in Recognition of Exemplary Service to the Deutsch-Drahthaar and Group North America in year. Distinguished Service Award This shall be the highest GNA award, and shall be conferred upon those who have made truly distinguished sacrifices or and/or contributions to GNA and/or the DD breed, usually over a multiple year period. This Award shows how multiple services that are of outstanding quality, extraordinary work or exceptional services and importance to GNA and/or the breed, over a period of multiple years.. This award shall consist of a GNA Gold Pin and certificate (Urkunde) The text of the certificate shall read: “presented to John P Doe in Recognition of Dedicated and Steadfast Service to the Deutsch-Drahthaar and Group North America in year. Those persons who are making the nomination for either Award must request a nomination form from the Business Manager for approval by the Executive Committee and Board of Directors. VDD-GNA Awards must be completed on the GNA Awards Nomination form by a Chairman of a Chapter or any Executive Board member. After its completion it is returned to the GNA Chairman. The Executive Board and Board of Directors review the merit of the nominations for both the Distinguished Service and Exemplary Service Awards. The reviewers are looking for services or acts that are of outstanding quality, extraordinary work, and of exceptional service and importance to deserve the Exemplary or Distinguished Service Awards. The jury process is confidential. This Boards makes a recommendation to approve or disapprove on a majority vote. Voting is done by written or verbal record at the Annual Meeting or may also be done via Internet after the Nomination Form is returned to the GNA Chairman. This voting includes the Executive Board and all Chapter Chairman. The results of the nomination’s voting are then announced to the EC and BOD by the Chairman. These Awards are then presented to the Nominee at the Annual Meeting if possible, and if that is not possible by the Chapter Chairman at its Chapter Annual Meeting or at some time and place where the award can be made in public with proper recognition of the Award Presentation. This proposal is a clean up of the RoP #18 that is currently unfinished in the procedures. The following motions are submitted by the Atlantic Chapter:

1. Biennial Audit In every even year, starting in 2012, allocate the sum of $2,500 for a professional audit of GNA’s finances over the prior two fiscal years; and solicit bids for a basic audit of the organization’s finances to be completed by 1 June of that year; and publish the results and recommendations in their entirety in the next Newsletter of the year. The firm or individual hired may not be a member of VDD/GNA or have any significant relationship with any member. Discussion: The conducting of a professional audit at least every two years was recommended by the 2010 GNA member auditors and by other member auditors in prior

years. Our Executive Committee members are all volunteers, and both they and the Group should be afforded the protection of a best business practice.

2. Repeal of Geographical Restrictions on Chapter Officers

Repeal GNA ROP §6, paragraph 6.1, second sentence which states, “Only members whose primary home of residence is within a Chapter’s boundaries may hold a Chapter Office. (27.01.07)”. Discussion: This ROP is in violation of the VDD By-Laws. The VDD By-Laws allow members to transfer between Groups [§9(3)]; therefore GNA allows transfer between Chapters in an analogous manner. The By-Laws only restrict Executive Committee offices to members of the club (chapter) [§11(6)]. If someone is a member, he can therefore be elected to the Board. If the General Membership of a Chapter feels that any particular Chapter member can help foster the aims and ideals of VDD and VDD/GNA, and suitably conduct the Chapter’s business, then their right to elect the person of their choosing cannot be abrogated.

3. Simultaneous Chapter Board and GNA Executive Committee Positions

VDD/GNA chapters may, at their sole discretion, adopt ROP’s to prevent GNA Executive Board Members from serving simultaneously as an officer in their chapter. Discussion: This does not conflict with the VDD By-Laws. Groups, and therefore Chapters, are allowed to institute their own Rules of Procedure. Since the GNA Board of Directors is comprised of the VDD/GNA Executive Committee plus a representative from each Chapter, normally the Chairman, and the Board of Directors operates on the one man / one vote principle, affected Chapters may have their voting and representational rights abridged if they do not have their own independent representative. Additionally, conflicts of interest arise from time to time since the GNA Executive Committee has oversight of the Chapters and this may adversely affect a Chapter’s interests even if the GNA Executive Board member is serving as a Chapter officer in a capacity other than Chairman.

4. Bring GNA ROP §14 into Compliance with the VDD By-Laws

Add the words “or members” after the word “groups” in the sentence (not yet published) in section 14 of the GNA Rules of Procedure – “Motions from groups for the general meeting must be sent in writing to the GNA business manager at least twelve weeks prior to the meeting,” – so that it reads “Motions from Groups or members for the general meeting must be sent in writing to the GNA Business Manager at least twelve weeks prior to the meeting.” Discussion: This is a housekeeping issue to bring the GNA Rules of Procedure into compliance with the VDD By-Laws dated 3/20/2010. As it stands, this Rule of Procedure


contradicts the VDD By-Laws §14, paragraph 3(a) where it states that motions may come from groups or members.

5. List Large Payees The GNA Treasurer will be directed to publish once each fiscal year an alphabetical listing of every individual or entity to which GNA paid a total sum of $600 or more in the preceding fiscal year, regardless if the payments were made in one lump sum or in multiple payments, starting with payments made during the fiscal year ending 08/31/2009, so that the reports for FY 2009 and FY 2010 will both be published in FY 2011. The reports must include a brief summary description of the reason(s) for payment or services rendered and must be published in both the GNA Newsletter and website. Discussion: The general membership is the highest decision-making body of the Group, and most, if not all, of its votes have a financial impact, and such decisions should be well-informed. The following proposal is submitted by the Heartland Chapter: Proposal: 1. The Heartland Chapter requests the results for Deutsch-Drahthaars that have been x-rayed and evaluated (and determined to be clear) for OCD and elbow dysplasia be printed in the VDD-GNA newsletter and on the website. Objectives: This information will provide prospective buyers and breeds needed information to ensure the health and quality of future DD’s. Proposed Implementation Process: The VDD-GNA will begin publishing results starting in the fall VDD-GNA newsletter and website. The following proposal is submitted by the Heartland Chapter: Proposal: The Heartland Chapter moves that the VDD-GNA waives the double entry fee for non-VDD members/non-Drahthaars but they are however a JGHV member, wanting to run a dog in a VDD-GNA VGP test. Objectives: The proposal will increase the potential to test DD dogs in the VGP test due to the 3-dog minimum, by allowing non DD breeds to participate in the VGP test at a reasonable rate. Proposed Implementation Process: This change will be active for the 2012 testing season and thereafter. The following proposal is submitted by the Heartland Chapter: Proposal: The Heartland Chapter motions that the VDD-GNA waives the double entry fee for non-VDD members/non-Drahthaars but they are a JGHV member, wanting to run a dog in a VDD-GNA 20/40 hr blood tracking test.

Objectives: 1) The proposal will increase the potential to test DD

dogs in the 20/40 hr blood tracking test due to the 3 dog minimum, by allowing non DD breeds to participate in the 20/40 hr blood tracking test at a reasonable rate.

Proposed Implementation Process: This change will be active for the 2012 testing season and thereafter. These proposals are submitted by Wild West Chapter and Great Plains Chapter: Proposal for Breeders Accreditation Breeders are essential to our long term credibility. They are the people who are responsible for improving the understanding of our breed and are responsible for communicating with new handlers and others with interest in our breed. Recently we seem to be witnessing a new trend in our group. We have people purchasing finished females who have no experience or knowledge of the breed or the testing regulations. They are becoming a member and applying for a kennel name and are soon producing litters. This writing is to establish a guideline for breeders without becoming a cumbersome difficult procedure. It will not be intended to alter other efforts ie. pamphlets or individual handler education. Proposal 1. To become a breeder and get an approved kennel name they must attend a seminar for prospective breeders. They must successfully have handled at least one dog through VJP – HZP. Prospective breeders should demonstrate their knowledge about subjects on breeding. This will be an open book test to be kept on file with each Chapter Breed Warden. Certified breeders will be awarded kennel names and a certificate or patch to prove their achievements. Proposal 2. To become a breeder would require that you earn 5 points. One point would be earned for every year of membership and one point for every test they run a dog in and pass. Three years of membership and a dog passed thru VJP and HZP would fill this requirement, or any other mix of years and testing. This would assure that a person would have been to a test and has also been around long enough to know something about the breed. These attributes are absolutely necessary to pass on to puppy buyers. These educational efforts will be held in conjunction with the annual chapter meetings. Those with kennel names now will be grand-fathered in, but would hopefully participate. This is only a proposition and hopefully will lead to a spirited discussion with an instrument to present to the GNA Board of Directors.


Website Managers Needed The GNA website www.vdd-gna.org has a need for 2 website managers to assist with managing the GNA website. The reason for 2 people to take this over is because of the amount of information that becomes available and continues to grow the website. One person is needed to manage the members section of the website, and one person will manage the dog section of the website. If you are a person with website development knowledge, can work with very tedious amount of information on a timely schedule. and some time available to help out, please contact Larry Houck, Newsletter Editor at 605-886-9436 or email him at [email protected].

DD Blitzkrieg at the 2011 Rochester NY Sportsman’s

Expo At first a couple of our Drahthaars did not like the remote control, miniature helicopters levitating well above the back curtain of our trade show booth, but, after praising them for appropriately bringing to our attention the “imminent threat” these buzzing toys posed to both our life and liberty, we gave them the “LEAVE IT” command and they begrudgingly, but quietly, ignored them for the rest of the weekend... A small group of Atlantic Chapter members came together on a blustery winter weekend in Rochester, NY to staff a VDD-GNA booth at The Rochester Sportsman's Expo. The goal was to introduce the Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar to thousands of sportswomen and men in the upstate NY area that came to the show. Except for the last couple of hours each day the traffic to the booth was virtually non-stop. We also did a couple of daily 30 min. presentations on stage with a Drahthaar titled: Introducing the Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar – Germany's most frequently used hunting dog!.

Cathy- Jax-and Kasey

So easy, even a 10-year-old girl can do it!!! Kasey came over to the booth on Friday afternoon shortly after the show had opened. Her dad is a charter captain and had a booth one row over from us. She was enamored by Aly and Jax and asked if she could “train” our dogs. Of course she could…and she just loved working the dogs. She’d toss out the bumper, snap out commands to Jax and wouldn’t send him until he listened to and obeyed her commands. “Jax, HEEL”, “Jax, MARK” and then with a tap on the head she would send him off. On his return she would ready herself and tell him to “Sit”. She even would tap on the training bumper instructing him to “Hold”, something she had seen Jerry do with Aly to be sure the grip was firm on the bumper. A command of “Mine” and Jax would surrender the bumper to her. After an animated “Good Boy” from her and then a kiss on her cheek from Jax, she would always turn to me with a wide grin on her face, raise her eyebrows and say, “Can we do it again?” How can you say no to that? Kasey was able to stop traffic with her performances and folks would always have to ask the question all DD owners love to hear and answer, “What kind of dogs are these?” “White-ticked Giant Schnauzer?” “Chocolate Airedale?” To which we would reply, “These are Deutsch-Drahthaars…….”

Jim Abraham and Nala

Anyone who has ever had to staff a booth at a tradeshow knows how long the day can be when you have a product no one is interested in seeing or hearing about. Not the case at our booth. These dogs were show stoppers. The only thing we lacked was a litter of puppies for people to ogle over. Our dogs were enough to keep the crowds polarized at our booth, but puppies would have been icing on the cake!!! On Saturday, a priest even came by and commented how when he sees a crowd this big, it makes him wish he had a collection plate to pass around!!!




Flint Maedie and Aly

It didn’t hurt to have Olympic Gold Medalist, Cathy Turner in a booth next to ours. As a former Winter Olympian, Cathy won a total of four medals during the ’92 and ’94 Olympics in short-track speed-skating. She struck gold twice, and also collected a silver medal and a bronze medal for her Olympic endeavors. She is a life-long resident of Rochester and is still revered as a hometown hero for her Olympic success. But, that is not the reason Cathy was exhibiting at this outdoor show. On Halloween day, October 31, 2010, Cathy accomplished what many deer hunters only dream of doing. She took a Boone and Crockett buck with her bow and arrow, which was on display at the booth adjacent to us. She also happens to be a close friend to Jerry Merkel, and Jerry just so happens to own a VGP, female Deutsch-Drahthaar named Aly. Per Jerry, “My claim to fame is that: I introduced her to archery 3 years ago, I bought her bow, arrows, sight, quiver and mechanical release, I taught her to shoot, I scouted, I picked the pine tree, I cut the limbs, I put up the stand, I installed the line to pull up her bow and even screwed in the bow hook ....How pathetic is THAT?!? I wish I could say my blood tracking DD Aly was the only reason this buck was ever recovered but it is hard to lie about a heart shot, double lunged deer - which bled out faster than it took me to say this sentence...” After the mandatory 60-day drying period, the deer was officially scored with a gross of 181 6/8” and net of 170 1/8”. Look for Cathy’s story to be featured and told in several upcoming issues of major deer magazines. When people would stop by to visit with Cathy, admire the rack, hear the story, request an autograph, take a picture with her, the rack, and her medals, they would also invariably have to inquire about our dogs.

Jerry Merkel, Cathy Turner, Aly,

Jax, Tammy and Ron Figler What we found out was people were genuinely curious about these noble-looking, coarse-haired dogs with their beards and bushy eyebrows who were sitting/standing next to their owners, lounging on the carpet, curled up in a comfy confines of a chair, or wandering around in our booth space. These “'Drahts” were like magnets, drawing people in for a closer look which then led to inquiries and attempts amongst each other as to what breed of dog they were seeing for the first time. Almost without exception no one knew what breed they were, or much less had ever heard of, or even seen one before. The kids (and their parents) could not keep their hands off the Drahts who loved all the attention they were receiving. The general public was also treated regularly to simple drill work from our Drahts. This always created a bottleneck and by their reaction you would think our Drahts were mathematically proving the theorems of Differential Equations! My guess is that this was the first time many of them had ever seen a well-trained and obedient dog! Jim Abraham with his female pup, Nala, Flint Brann with his female, Maedie and Mark Fedrizzi with his female, Inga were walking billboards and ambassadors for us as they perused the show floor checking out other exhibitors. They couldn’t walk 20 feet without the dogs sparking a conversation. Paul Merkel was not able to bring his female, Lexy due to her being in full-blown heat, but he did staff the booth and was able to enlighten those that stopped to remark on the dogs. We had asked to have our VDD-GNA booth (10’ x 10’) placed as close as possible to the much larger NAVHDA dog training area (20’ x 60’). We thought this would be a good idea so that we could work together with them in promoting the versatile breeds for hunters. The NAVHDA Chapter President and another NAVHDA Chapter Officer graciously offered to let us use their training area to do demonstrations with our Drahts for the general public to see all weekend. Jerry Merkel was the catalyst responsible for getting this venue organized. Jerry presented his plan to Fred Turjan and Fred was instrumental in facilitating sponsorship by the


VDD-GNA Executive Board and also the Atlantic Chapter Board. A special thanks to Lona Kluck for expediting the necessary materials: the tri-fold hand-outs; the breed regulations poster; and also the prominent display banner for the expo.

Mark Fedrizzi and Inga

Overall, the show was a complete success. We planted many, many seeds and directed the vast majority of the people to the www.vdd-gna.org website to get more information about the VDD. We also handed out 150 of the beautiful and professionally done VDD Through Performance to Standard colored tri-fold brochures to the most interested. For hundreds the VDD is now at least on their radar screen for future puppy/breed selection. One young couple, Scott and Emily, came back for a second look, on Saturday, after conversing with Jim and spending some time down on the floor with his pup, Nala. I made a comment to them about being back again for a second visit. The gentleman, Scott said he has dreamt about owning one of these dogs after seeing a water search exhibition by a Deutsch-Drahthaar training on a pond, three years prior. He recounted the story vividly and gave a detailed description of the methodical search the dog made to find the bumper with no direction from his handler, how he sat calmly and delivered to hand. The timing is better for him now and he was going to begin his quest for a DD pup. Later in the day, they circled back for a third time to pay a final visit and say goodbye to his Dream Dogs, aka DDs.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

GNA Annual Membership meeting on June 16-18 2011 in Longmont,

Colorado

2011 Armbruster Shreveport LA October 19-22, 2011

2011 Hegewald Moves to Vienna, Austria

August 31-September 3, 2011--PLEASE NOTE NEW DATES

Anyone interested in entering either of the

Armbruster or Hegewald should contact your chapter Director of Testing about the special entry

requirements and to arrange the necessary pre-test evaluations

Special Raffle to Be Held at Annual Meeting

A special raffle event will be held in conjunction with this years 40th Jubilee at the Annual Meeting in Longmont Colorado June 16-18, 2011. Two items will be raffled off. These include a limited edition Deutsch-Drahthaar painting by renown artist Jim Killen and donated by Jack Wilson , and a cold-cast bronze statue of a moving Deutsch-Drahthaar with Fox which is certified to be the #1 bronze made in this edition. This bronze is donated by Larry Houck. Make sure you look around at the annual meeting for people selling the raffle tickets to purchase you chance at winning one or both of these items. If you are not going to be at the Annual Meeting, have one of your friends who will be there purchase your raffle tickets for you.



Point of View

The Newsletter welcomes “Point of view” letters that have a maximum of 1000 words and are written exclusively to the VDD/GNA Newsletter. Letters are selected for the publication on the basis of pertinent comment and reader interest. All letters are subject to editing and trimming. New writers from the membership receive preference over repeat authors. For verification purposes: Please include your mailing address and daytime phone number. Only your name and community of residence will be published. Larry, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the cover of the newsletter. I don't know who selected the photograph, but as a lifelong friend and former next door neighbor of Hank Lippert's, the photo seemed to say that he has not been forgotten by his Drahthaar friends. We have one of his dogs from his A litter. She is a joy. We loved all of his dogs and kept his beloved Loni until her death. I made a promise to Hank many years ago that I would take care of his dogs if anything happened to him, and I feel like I honored that promise. Thank you again for keeping his contribution to the Drahthaar organization alive through this photograph. Janie McLeod Malden, MO

BORN TO HUNT A Guide To Help In Selecting And

Training A Deutsch Drahthaar

NEW TRAINING GUIDE AVAILABLE FOR NEW HANDLERS AND PERSONS LOOKING FOR DD Dr. Gene Kluck DVM has authored a small training and fact finding book for the new handler and potential DD owner. Gordon Spaete, long time GNA member and judge had this to say about the shirt pocket booklet: “This is a very readable, easy to understand, introduction for the first time owner of a Drahthaar. It explains the important aspects of the pup’s care and training. It is an easy reference that is more complete than the breeder was probably able to provide, or if provided, not easily retained by the new puppy owner. This provides a fast easy reference for the new puppy owner.” All proceeds to this book will be donated to GNA and may be obtained through the GNA Document Distribution Center. Ed.

Elk Fund By Roger M. Green The Elk Fund was established some number of years ago from the sale of Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioner Licenses. This fund was established to provide monetary assistance to apprentice judges and judges who desired to experience judging in Germany at all levels. There have been many GNA judges who have taken advantage of this assistance and availed themselves of judging opportunities at the prestigious Hegewald both as a VRs and ZRs. Many have also experienced VJPs, HZPs and VGP’s in German JGV clubs and VDD groups as well as breed shows and seminars. There are now requirements for apprentices to apprentice in tests held in groups other than the group they are a member of as well as required seminars for breed show judges and apprentices all of which are calling for a wider experience base. This will put a greater financial burden on apprentices and judges alike. Monetary assistance for our judging cadre becomes even more important and is the reason for this article. The original support of this fund from Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioner Licenses has dried up. This fund needs to be replenished to be able to continue supporting our judges. One way that has the approval of GNA Executive Board is to allow judges to donate some percentage of their judge reimbursement to this fund. On future reimbursement forms there will be space provided for donating to this fund. This one source of income for this fund will not be sufficient to meet the demands. The membership and chapters are also urged to make contributions. The ever increasing number of pups being born to VDD registered kennels puts a heavy strain on our ability to provide adequate testing opportunities for these pups. Perhaps a way could be devised for handlers and breeders entering a test/registering a litter of pups to donate an additional amount to this fund. The name of this fund, “Elk Fund,” is no longer descriptive and may even be misunderstood as to how the funds are used. GNA’s Executive Board is looking for a more descriptive name for this fund and would appreciate any suggestions you may have. Please forward any suggestions to our treasurer, Fred Turjan. Roger Green is past chairman of Group GNA and lives in Evansville Wyoming and instituted the “Elk Fund during his chairmanship.

New Password for GNA Website

Effective June 1, 2011

User name: see Spring 2011 NL for new username Password: see Spring 2011 NL for new password

All in lowercase


VGP 101 Part 3: Obedience

By Ken Dinn and Gary Hodson

Gehorsam – obedience – is defined in the VGPO as the expression of proper and thorough training and is a prerequisite for using the dog in the hunting field. It is considered the highest priority of all the accomplishments expected of the utility dog. In the VGP there is a set of specific subjects that are categorized as Obedience on which the dog is scored. In addition, the dog is evaluated on its general obedience throughout the two-day test. Any lapses of obedience during other work or while waiting its turn will be noted and scored at the end of the test. While obedience training is not as intriguing as many of the other subjects and could easily be taken for granted, it is important to remember that according to some long time judges there are more failures on Obedience subjects than any of the other subjects in the VGP. Moreover, if a dog evades the influence of its handler for a long period of time during the test and thus delays the testing, it is not to be tested any further. Such a dog is not considered fit to be allowed in the hunting field. Why is so much stress placed on obedience? First, obedience forms the foundation for ethical hunting. The dog must work within the constraints of the hunting situation, producing and recovering game for its handler. If it cannot reliably do that for you it is of no use to you as a hunter. Second, a disobedient dog presents a safety risk to itself and others, at home and during the hunt. The most common examples are the dog that runs into the road and is hit by a vehicle, or the dog that runs off on its own. In the hunting situation a misbehaving dog can interrupt the hunt or even interfere with safe shooting. And finally, obedience training makes these high energy dogs easier to live with. It gives you methods for dealing with the dog that gets into things around the house, is rowdy and destructive, or is annoyingly noisy. It is helpful to make a distinction between obedience and cooperation. It is often said that cooperation is what the dog gives to the handler; obedience is what the handler requires of the dog. Cooperation is the natural willingness of your dog to work with and for you. Obedience on the other hand is the trained behavior of your dog to comply with your commands. While these are two different factors, it is certainly easier to train obedience with a cooperative dog.

Training Principles Obedience is taught like any other skill by shaping the behavior you want the dog to perform. In any complex behavior there will be a series of steps leading to the finished behavior. Once the dog has reliably mastered the first step you move on to the next one. Reinforcement of some kind should be used to motivate the dog. When required, correction should be brief and to the point. Try to make the learning experience as positive as possible for your dog. Remember that a dog has to learn in many different locations and with different distractions. Start training in a controlled, quiet environment. When the dog is 100% reliable there, start over in another location, and then another. Once the dog has mastered the particular element in different locations, go back to the beginning and introduce distractions. Move the distractions to different locations just as you did when teaching the original command. Many new handlers think that just because the dog is 100% reliable in the back yard the training is finished. This is not the case. Training must be repeated in different locations with different distractions to be fully established. Clarity will be important in your training. If you are uncertain about what you are doing, the dog will be as well. Under these circumstances many dogs will shut down for fear of making a mistake and incurring your wrath. So be sure to take the time to think through what you are trying to accomplish in any given training session before you start. If the training is going sour during a session, finish up with something the dog knows very well, give it a pat on the head and put it up. Then take time to sit back and think about what happened. Determine what went wrong and how you can do it better next session. Likewise, if your mind is not clear or your mood is not positive going into training, don’t train right then. You might only set your training back.

Consistency is equally important in your work with the dog. As you surely know by now, dogs love routine. Use this to your advantage by setting up routines within your training. This can cue your dog as to what you expect of it in a given training or testing situation. To the extent possible, when you begin training a new subject you want to create a situation where the dog cannot escape doing what you want it to do. This often means having a leash or long line of some kind on it. As the dog


becomes compliant with your command you can lessen or eliminate this control. You do not want the dog developing the belief that it can escape doing what you want it to do. Once a behavior has been trained it is important to maintain that behavior. This is particularly true with obedience. Expect your dog to be obedient. Reinforce it when it is obedient and impose consequences when it is not. If you become lax with your expectations your dog will become lax with its behavior and your hard work will unravel. It is typical of dogs to distinguish between who they must obey and who will let them off the hook. We have all seen that differential behavior with our dogs and other family members. This means you can train good hunting obedience even though there are contrary influences in the dog’s life. However, it is still a good idea to get the family on-side as much as possible. Halt: an all around useful Management Tool One of the most useful tools for controlling your DD is the Halt. Once trained, when given the command HALT! the dog immediately drops into a down position with its chin on the ground between its outstretched paws and remains in that position until it is released. Whatever behavior the dog was engaged in has been interrupted and it is in a submissive position waiting for your next command. This command can be used to interrupt any inappropriate chasing; to improve pointing and steadiness to wing or shot; when the dog strays too far from a blood track or drag track; and for teaching the down/stay. You can use it any time the dog misbehaves. Gary used it successfully to break a dog of running the bank when sent for water work. As soon as she began to move down the bank instead of into the water he would immediately command Halt and leave her in the down position for a couple of minutes. Then he would set her up and send her again. It took very few trials with Halt before she reliably entered the water and proceeded with the task. There are two excellent articles on training Halt—written by Steve Kohlmann—on the Group Canada website. Look for them in Members > Resources > Training. Ideally you will have trained this command earlier in the dog’s life at the same time you taught other commands like Sit, Down and Stay, but it is never too late to begin the training. Clarifying Terms There are a couple of somewhat confusing terms you need to understand as you read the VGPO: The first is the difference between the terms “predicate” and “score”. The predicate is the verbal descriptor of how the judges believe the dog worked on a subject: excellent, very good, good, satisfactory, and unsatisfactory. The score is the numerical value they assign for the performance. In the VJP and HZP where a 12-point scoring system is used a range of scores are assigned to each predicate:

excellent = 12; very good = 9, 10 or 11; good = 6, 7 or 8; sufficient = 3, 4 or 5; and insufficient = 1 or 2. The judges determine whether the dog’s performance merits a higher or lower score within the predicate. In the VGP where a 4-point scoring system is used the predicate indicates a particular score: excellent = 4h; very good = 4; good = 3; sufficient = 2; and insufficient = 1. In all three of the tests a 0 is entered when the dog fails to do a required element. A score of excellent is truly exceptional and the judges must write a justification for awarding it to the dog. Another important distinction is made in the VGPO between the meanings of the words “should” versus “must”. When the regulations say SHOULD they mean that ideally the dog will perform at that level and if it does not its score will be reduced to whatever degree it has failed to meet the standard. When the regulations say MUST they mean that if the dog fails to perform to the standard in any way it will fail that subject. It is absolutely required. Note: All exercises in the VGP are judged according to the behavior desired in the hunting situation so the criteria may be somewhat different than you have observed in obedience tests in other types of clubs. The VGP Obedience Subjects The descriptions of the subjects that follow are paraphrased from the VGPO. General behavior – Obedience: This subject covers all instances of obedience not included in the other obedience subjects, which primarily means the behavior of the non-working dog. This includes the willingness of the dog to be leashed after forest, field and water work; remaining calm during the work of other dogs; not pulling continuously at the leash; and not whining, barking or howling, etc. This level of behavior ensures that the dog will not disturb the handler and other hunters during the hunt.

Two things stand out with regard to preparing your DD to meet the general

obedience requirements.

The first is expecting your

dog to be calm, quiet and cooperative during day to day activities. Hopefully you have been working on this from the time you got your pup and those behaviors are well established by now. If not, begin with training Halt and use that as a way to shape the desired behaviors. The second thing you will want to do—if this has not already been your practice—is expose your dog to situations with other people and dogs around. Some of the inappropriate test day behavior may be due to the novel situation. The more familiar your dog is with being in this kind of group situation the better. This is where training with


a number of other people can be an advantage. While other dogs and handlers are working, reinforce your dog for being calm and quiet. Be careful as it is so easy to watch the working dog and handler and forget to keep an eye on your own dog. Be sure to keep your attention on your dog; this is an important part of its training. Obedience during drive hunt [Verhalten auf dem Stand]: All handlers and dogs entered in the test are stationed around a thicket or dense stand of forest as shooters, while a group of people in the woods simulate beaters driving game out of the woods. In addition to making verbal and beating noises, the beaters will fire several shots. Each handler must also fire at least two shots when directed by a judge. The dog is to remain silent and calm during this activity. It SHOULD not whine, and MUST not bark, pull on the leash or leave the handler without command. The dogs may be either on or off leash; a leashed dog may not receive a score greater than “good” (3). During a drive hunt a shooter and dog need to remain in the exact position they have been assigned for safety reasons, and the dog should not make any noise that will distract the hunters or arouse the other dogs. This test subject simulates that situation. This is one exercise where you will need helpers during training, but it can be anyone able to walk through the woods and whack at trees with a stick. If you have already done Halt training, this should be relatively easy as the dog already knows Down/Stay. Next you introduce the beaters going by. At first keep some distance between your location and the beaters. Then gradually move them in closer until they pass approximately 5 m from you and are visible to the dog. Both you and the beaters need to periodically fire shots. The noise during the drive hunt exercise can vary. At some tests it is as described above; at others it may include banging on pots and raucous whooping. You should be prepared for either. It will be good if you can ultimately do this exercise with one or two other hunter/dog pairs positioned along the woods, since that is how it will be done during the test. If possible include a dog that is not trained and barks and/or tugs at the leash. This can be a useful distraction for training your dog to remain quiet and unmoving under any circumstances. You can get no more than a score of 3 (good) if your dog is leashed during this exercise. Remember, however: this is a MUST subject. If the dog breaks and leaves your assigned area it fails the entire test so it may be well worth the sacrifice of one point. We should never forget that dogs do strange things on test day. A low level of whining during the exercise will not fail the dog, but will reduce the score a predicate or more depending on its intensity and loudness. Barking, tugging at the leash, leaving the area—or any similar behavior that could interfere with shooting safety or with other hunters—will result in test failure.

Heeling on leash [Leinenführigkeit]: The leashed dog should follow the handler through a stand of dense forest or young saplings without tangling the leash or hindering the rapid progress of the handler. The handler must pass closely by several trees on both the right and left at least twice, and must stop at least once. Every tangling of the leash or pulling at the leash lowers the predicate for the dog’s performance. Observation of the dog’s behavior on leash throughout the entire test will also be factored in to this score. Heeling off leash [Folgen frei bei Fuss]: Heeling off leash is tested on a forest road or trail. The unleashed dog should follow its handler closely at or behind the handler’s heel for at least a distance of 50 m without requiring any loud commands. The handler must vary the walking speed and stop several times, at which time the dog should immediately stop, too. In the context of hunting, the goal of heeling is for your dog to stay with you in such a way that it does not interfere with your walking stability or the safety of the gun you are carrying. During the leashed heeling the handler will be asked at some points to walk so close to trees that his hip brushes against them. When this happens the dog is expected to drop back behind the handler, but to pass the tree on the same side as the handler rather than go around it. At no time should the dog be forging ahead, walking on the other side of the tree or in any way causing the leash to become tangled. During the unleashed heeling the dog is expected to stay by the handler’s side as he changes pace, changes direction or stops. Contrary to popular belief, heeling is not the easiest skill to teach your dog. By nature the dog wants to forge ahead and lead you. Ideally you will have taught the dog at a young age that this is not appropriate behavior. The prong, or pinch, collar is a good way to teach Heel. Have the dog walk on your left side (or right depending on the handler) and begin walking with the command Heel. When the dog goes ahead of you “POP” the dog with the collar. You do not want to use continuous pressure because the dog will learn to lean into the pinch and accept it. Every time the dog forges ahead: pop, pop, pop until it is back in position. When the dog is in the proper position give it some praise. Continue this until the dog is walking calmly in the correct position. Once things are good in a straight line, introduce turns. Make the turns abrupt so that the dog is taken by surprise. You turn and the leash is slack so the dog continues on only to be pinched by the collar. Not too many corrections or pops by the collar are needed for the dog to start paying close attention to the proper position. Once started the dog always has to be in correct position when walking on leash and told to Heel. Down/Stay (Ablegen): The handler walks alone with the unleashed dog beside or behind him to a point assigned by


the judges. This point must be at least 100 m away from the gallery and the other handlers with their dogs. The handler then commands the dog to lie down either free or close to an object such as a backpack, hunting pouch, folding seat, etc. The handler uses a signal or quiet command for the dog to remain there. [The leash may be attached to the collar of the dog during the Down/Stay, in which case the dog can receive no higher than a predicate of “good” (3).] The handler slowly walks away as if stalking game and goes to a point assigned by the judges where the dog cannot see or hear him anymore (at least 30 m). The handler should not turn around or give his dog a voice signal. From there the handler fires two shots with a shotgun, separated by at least 10 seconds. The dog must remain in its place until the handler returns and picks it up. If it leaves the place, whines or barks, the performance must be assessed as “poor” (1). The dog may raise its head and may temporarily sit up. Moving not more than 5 m is not considered as leaving the place, but lowers the score. Hunt-like behavior and calmness of the dog determine the score for this test subject. Ideally you will have trained Halt before tackling this subject. Then introduce a series of approximations to the required behavior. First, you and an assistant walk the dog to a particular place. Put the dog on Down using a hand signal and a single quiet command such as Down or Halt. You can put a personal item next to your dog if you like. Some handlers believe this article will cue the dog that you are leaving only temporarily and will be back. Stand next to the dog, holding the leash. The assistant goes out of sight as required and fires the shotgun. You reprimand the dog for movement or whining; praise/reward it for remaining quietly in place. The Assistant should return to your side. Next, proceed the same way, this time leaving the leash on the dog, while you move a short distance away. Then repeat the exercise with you moving 10-15 m away. Now repeat the above procedures with the dog off leash, with you standing close, moving a short distance away and finally the greater distance away. Praise the dog for perfect behavior; reprimand it for movement and noise. Take care not to move to the next step until the dog is performing properly at the current step. Once the dog is behaving perfectly on this exercise with the assistant doing the shooting, change your roles and repeat the on-leash and off-leash steps. This time assistant stays with the dog, while you move away and do the shooting for each step. For the final step you should do the exercise alone with the dog—placing the dog on Down, stealthily walking out of sight, shooting as required, then returning to the dog—while your assistant hides nearby to observe the dog’s behavior. As with any training, the location where you do the various stages of this exercise should vary so the dog does not become dependent on doing it in just one place. Another important step in this exercise is never to call the dog to you. Always go back to the dog, pick up any item you left and take the dog away from the position/place you left him

or her. You do not want the dog to anticipate that it can come to you. Like with the drive hunt, you can leave the leash attached to the dog during this exercise, in which case it can receive no better than a score of 3 (good). Steadiness to wing [Benehmen vor eräugtem Federwild]: The dog should not chase flying game birds. The handler should not have to give a command to stop the dog. Steadiness to fur [Benehmen vor eräugtem Haarnutzwild]: The handler should be able to stop the dog from chasing furred game by voice, whistle signals or even repetitive and sharp commands. A dog that is disobedient more than twice by chasing furred game cannot receive a Prize I. Compulsive chasers of fur that cannot be called back by voice or whistle, or that only come back after a long period of time and thus interrupt the testing, must be excluded from the testing. They are not fit for practical hunting. Halt is the command of choice when dealing with a chasing dog. When properly trained you should be able to whistle your dog down at a distance and expect it to remain in that position until you release it. Note regarding Steadiness to Wing and Steadiness to Fur in the VGP: It is sufficient for the dog to be tested for steadiness on either birds or fur. It does not need to be tested on both. Steadiness to shot [Schussruhe]: The evaluation of steadiness to shot can only be tested on flushing or fleeing game that the dog has seen. Game should be shot in front of the dog, if necessary by the judges. Steadiness to shot is considered “very good” (4) when the dog does not chase flushing game after a shot. On birds, the handler should not influence the dog. For the HZP the dog needed only to be steady on point until the handler had walked in. Now it must be steady through the shot and fall of the bird. Ideally this should be accomplished without commands from the handler. Notice the “should”. If you need to give a command you can, but the score will be lowered accordingly. Again, the handler has to do what is necessary to get a score for the dog. Something is better than nothing! Kit Critchlow has written an excellent series of articles on training steadiness to flush, wing, shot and fall—Sure Steps to Steadiness—that can be found on the Group Canada website. Look for them under Members > Resources > Training. Kit’s method is based on the work of Steve Kohlmann and uses the Halt command mentioned earlier. Practice! You can begin many aspects of obedience training right now and work on it steadily through the winter. Obedience can be practiced every day in small ways as a part of your normal routine. For example… Put the dog on Down/Stay while getting the gear out to train or hunt. Heel the dog on leash when going out to the training or hunting


area. Heel the dog off leash back to the vehicle when it is tired. Halt the dog occasionally when it is running in the field or forest on its daily runs. The opportunities for obedience practice are endless. Remember that consistency is important. From now on you want your dog to be obedient and you must take the time to enforce it regardless of the situation. Don’t cut corners, even when hunting. If the dog busts the bird, don’t shoot. As long as you allow the dog a retrieve when misbehaving you will have difficulty changing its breaking behavior. Part 1& 2of VGP 101 was in the previous Editons of the NL. Ken Dinn and Gary Hodson are both Group Canada members. This article was first published in the Group Canada Newsletter and is a courtesy reprint from their Editor Jude Gerstein.

SEVEN NEW JGHV-GNA ASSOCIATION JUDGES!

Congratulations go out to the seven new Judges for all their hard work and contributions to JGHV and GNA. They are:

Wayne Pitock, Brian Sturgill, Michael McMullan, Brandt Hardy, Dr. Gene Kluck, Wendy Hack and Jeff Lowe. They

have received their cards and now are ready to start judging.

Chapter Happenings The GNA Newsletter makes available 2+ pages of newsworthy space for each Chapter to inform their membership of activities that will take place or have occurred within their chapter.

Midwest North Chapter Midwest North Chapter Annual Meeting and

Breed Show February 19 - 20, 2011 The Midwest North Chapter held its annual membership meeting on Saturday, February 19th, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The weekend included a breed show, a continuing education judge’s seminar, an Introduction to JGHV seminar, the annual business meeting, and a banquet and fund raiser. Thirteen dogs were evaluated during the breed show by Ron Nichols, Mike Talbot, and Blaine Eickelschulte. The continuing education judge’s seminar was presented by Mike Talbot and attended by many judges and non-judges. Mike did a great job of demonstrating the intricacies of evaluating retrieving performance. The introduction to JGHV seminar was presented by Gordon Spaete and Chris Schmidt, and provided an opportunity for judge apprentices to receive training that is required of their apprenticeship. During the annual business meeting, members agreed on a budget and planned 8 tests and 6 training events for 2011. This was an election year, with Dave Swanson re-elected as Chapter Vice Chairman and Faith Wood re-elected as

Business Manager. For details of the business meeting, see the minutes posted on the Chapter web page. Thanks much to the approximately 60 members and guests who attended the 2011 chapter meeting and to Dave Swanson and Faith Wood for organizing the events. Except for the storm that dumped over a foot of snow on Sunday, it was a great weekend .

2011 MIDWEST NORTH CHAPTER TRAINING DAYS Following is a list of summer training events sponsored by the Midwest North Chapter. Please check the Midwest North Chapter web page or contact the event coordinator for additional details. MAY 14th & 15th - Force Fetch Seminar and Training Weekend Host: Chris Schmidt and Jack Wilson Janesville, MN. 507-245-3070 [email protected] MAY 14th & 15th VGP Introduction and Training Weekend (4th Annual) Host: Dave Swanson Eau Claire, WI. 715-834-9254 [email protected] MAY 21st & 22 nd - Sonny Piekarz Pro Training Weekend (5th Annual) Host: Sonny and Shannon Piekarz and Joe Aumann Gilman, WI Coordinator; Jerry Schenck 608-837-3843 [email protected] Late June - Pre-Hegewald Evaluation Date and location to be determined Contact: Kurt Haroldson 507-276-7127 [email protected] JULY 16th & 17th - Training and Testing Weekend with Pre-Armbruster Evaluations (8th Annual) Host: Ned Sorley and Kurt Haroldson Kelley Land and Cattle Company Marine on St. Croix, MN. 507-276-7127 [email protected] AUGUST 13th & 14th - Crex Meadows Wildlife Area Training Weekend (6th Annual) Host: Jerry Schenck and Linda Woldt Grantsburg, WI. 608-837-3843 [email protected]

Atlantic Chapter Report Litters are being whelped and some of these pups have already found there way to excited owners. Is this the year you bring that new pup home? Handlers in the Atlantic Chapter have been waiting anxiously for the weather to break…for good. Right now, it is all about the bunny. Trying to get your pup onto as many hot rabbit tracks as you can before your VJP should be on the top of your DD “To Do” list.







Congratulations to Our Newest Chapter Judges Chapter member Brian Sturgill was approved by the JGHV as a Verbandsrichter in December 2010. Only seven people from GNA were approved in this cycle: besides Brian, the list includes one Wild West Chapter member, two from the Great Plains Chapter, one from Midwest North, one Great Lakes member, and one Big Rivers member. Brian joins Chris Jones, who was approved last June, as the two Atlantic Chapter members to join our judging ranks in 2010. Congratulations to both of them for their hard work and dedication! Spring 2011 VJP Testing Schedule VOLUNTEERS APPRECIATED: Plan to spend the day with your fellow DD handlers and their pups. Having extra hands to help out during the event is always needed. Contact the test coordinator and ask what you can do to assist. For some reason, brush-beaters for bunnies are always in demand. The Atlantic Chapter has two VJP test dates scheduled for the spring. Both of these tests are full, and standby entries are being accepted. The first test will be held in Elmer, NJ, on March 18, 19 and 20. The Test Director/Test Coordinator is Roger Smith. His contact info is: 433 Stokes Road, Shamong NJ 08088 [email protected] / 609-654-6005 The second VJP will be held in Carlisle, PA , on April 2 and 3. The Test Director is Joseph R. Secoura. His contact info is: 3205 Buck Run Trail, Wake Forest NC 27587; [email protected] / 919-562-2144. The Test Coordinator is Scott Shirey. His contact info is: 241 North Middlesex Road, Carlisle PA 17013; [email protected] / 717-648-1062 2011 Atlantic Chapter Annual Meeting A reminder to pencil in the date for this year’s annual meeting with the Atlantic Chapter. The dates of Friday, May 20 – Sunday, May 22. The location for the meeting will be Elmira, NY. Flint Brann has offered to host this year’s event and he would appreciate your help. Flint has presented the event planning schedule to the AC Executive Board for final approval. As with any event, there is planning, coordination and execution required for a successful outcome. Make a difference….volunteer to assist Flint. Of interest to the AC members are the following events: 21 May - Elmira NY - Continuing Eductation Seminar for Judges - Retrieving at HZP and Questions on Test Practices 21 May – Elmira, NY – Chukar Challenge - Four bird run and currently limited to 20 runs. Flint has 80 birds reserved, but that could be increased. We just need you to pre-register and let us know how many runs you plan to do. 22 May - Elmira NY - Introduction to the JGHV and the Training, Handling and Judging of the Versatile Hunting Dog Flint wanted me to be sure to remind all of you to make this a family affair. Don’t just throw your dog into the box and drive to the meeting. The Finger Lakes Region has much to offer for all ages. Go to the internet, type in

www.fingerlakes.org and you will be amazed at what makes this area a vacation paradise. Elmira, NY is located in the southern tier portion of the Finger Lakes Region. This area is rich in Native American history. Renowned wineries are world-famous for some of their specialty wines and dot the hillsides of the Finger Lakes. If you are a fan of racing, Watkins Glen is only 30 miles away. The Corning Glass Museum is also 30 miles away and a great experience for children. Cornell University is “just over the hill”. If you are an antique aviation buff, the Glenn H Curtiss Museum is located 40 miles west in the quaint village of Hammondsport at the southern tip of Keuka Lake. Ithaca is just plain GORGEous and breathtaking. I look forward to seeing some new faces at this year’s AC meeting. Summer 2011 HZP and VGP Training Days Schedule Mark your calendars to attend, even if you aren’t training for a test. All of our dogs could use a summer tune-up. What a great way to spend the day with our DD fraternity members. Bring a grill and your family and make a day of it. May 14 May - Training Day - Poolesville MD - McKee Beshers WMA 28 May - Training Day - Colliers Mills NJ June 11 June - Training Day – Baldwinsville, NY – Three Rivers State Game Management Area 11 June - Training Day - Poolesville MD - McKee Beshers WMA 18 June - Training Day - Colliers Mills NJ 18-19 June - Training Days - PA SGL 119 & SGL 40 25 June - Training Day - Colliers Mills NJ 25 June - Training Day - York Springs PA July 9 July - Training Day – Baldwinsville, NY – Three Rivers State Game Management Area 16 July - Training Day - Poolesville MD - McKee Beshers WMA 17 July - Training Day - Colliers Mills NJ 23 July - Training Day - York Springs PA August 6 Aug - Training Day - Colliers Mills NJ 13 Aug - Training Day - York Springs or Franklintown PA 13-14 Aug - Training Days - PA SGL 119 & SGL 40 21 Aug - Training Day - Colliers Mills NJ 27 Aug - Training Day - York Springs PA September 3 Sept - Training Day - Colliers Mills NJ 10 Sept - Training Day - York Springs PA Central, NY to Host 2011 HZP and VGP Training Days Flint Brann and Mark Fedrizzi attended a meeting with officers from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and also members from several retriever and bird dog clubs, back in February to secure training dates at Three Rivers State Game Management Area, in Baldwinsville, near Syracuse, NY, off I-81.




Dates are 11 June and 9 July, both Saturdays. Three Rivers, SGMA holds national dog trial competitions in the field and water of this SGMA. Water areas are suitable for HZP and VGP work. The fields are nicely maintained for top-notch bird training and testing. Unscheduled HZP and VGP Training Days We have several members that train on various weekends but don’t have any dates officially scheduled. Roger Totton lives in Central PA about 30 south of Williamsport. Contact Roger at 570-765-0972, and let him know you are interested in training your dog. He will provide directions and meeting times. Roger has access to private farmland he goes to and jumps rabbits for his pups to run. He also has pigeons and chukars on hand for bird work too!! He said all you have to do is call him and he will set up times for some training. Jenny Horstman lives in the Hudson Valley region of eastern NY, north of Albany. Contact Jenny at: [email protected] to discuss dates and times, if you are interested in training your dog. If any other AC members are looking for training partners in your immediate area, please contact me, and I will get it posted in the newsletter. Breed Show Date 16 July 2011 Union County Sportsman’s Club, Millmont, PA Contact William Miller at 570-922-4287. William’s email is: [email protected] The date and site have been confirmed and William is working on final details with AC Breedwarden, Nancy Bohs. Pre-Armbruster/pre-Hegewald evaluations are also on the agenda. If your pup scores a minimum of 65 on its VJP and you are considering attending the Armbruster or Hegewald, this is a mandatory step towards getting your dog registered to test in these events. Fred Turjan and William Miller are planning to hold a blood tracking seminar, which will run concurrently with the breed show. If time allows, additional blood tracks will be laid and attendees will be given the opportunity to work their dog on a track. If you are planning to enter your dog in a VGP, this is a mandatory task your dog must complete in order to pass a VGP and well worth the drive to attend and participate. Plans are in motion to make this a Family Fun Day. Stay tuned for more details on this. If you have any ideas for entertainment or outdoor games, contact William Miller. There is a restaurant on the premises. Sportsmen’s Expo in Rochester, NY Spotlight on VDD-GNA March 4th – 6th, a group of DD handlers staffed a booth along with their DDs to introduce the breed to Upstate, NY hunters. Jim Abraham and his female Nala, Flint Brann with his female Maedie, Mark Fedrizzi with his female Inga, Jerry Merkel with his female Aly, Paul Merkel minus

his hunting partner Lexy because she was in full-blown heat, and Ron Figler with his male Jax gave hunters a look at a breed of dog most had never heard of or ever seen before!! Look for the recap of this event in our newsletter. Ron Figler Atlantic Chapter

Heartland Chapter Heartland Chapter Annual Meeting

February 19, 2011 Notes by Deb Whitmarsh The Heartland Chapter held their Annual Chapter Meeting and a Sporting Clay/Skeet shoot on February 19, 2011 at the Bi-State Sportsmen’s Club in Colona, Illinois. Chris Strabala won the $50 Sporting Clay high score and the Skeet high score again this year. Congratulations, Chris! Lunch was catered by Hy-Vee and dinner by the Victorian Manor Restaurant.. Once again, the food was fantastic! Everyone enjoyed themselves. Chairman’s report The meeting started at 3:30 pm with Chairman Rhonda Feazel welcoming all members and guests. A motion was made to dispense reading the 2010 Chapter Meeting minutes. Motion was seconded. Old Business: None Business Manager’s report Curt Caldwell reported the Heartland Chapter treasury has a balance of $7,993.08. Vice Chairman’s report Jeff Henke reported Heartland Chapter had tested 27 dogs in VJPs, 18 dogs in HZPs, and 5 dogs in VGPs. The dog participation count is down from last year. Jeff did remind everyone to keep looking for locations to run tests, especially locations with rabbits. We need to spread tests out over Illinois, Iowa and Kentucky. Jeff also reminded members anyone can volunteer to help at tests. Jeff has one blood tracking test and three VJPs scheduled for this spring. Special Presentation As most of you are aware, Chris Strabala had a house fire Christmas Eve. They lost everything including their beloved DD (Bru vom Entenmoor) along with all his test scores & placque. Curt and Jeff reconstructed all the test Urkundes and had another HZP plaque & VGP plate made and engraved with Bru’s test score which they presented to Chris. Chris was deeply touched by their efforts and thanked both of them. Breed Warden’s report Linda Reeves reviewed the Breeding Report of GNA Chapters for the Year 2010. This report will be printed in the Spring Edition of the Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar Group North America Newsletter .



New Business Rhonda Feazel explained VDD-GNA needs to increase the number of judges in our membership. Heartland Chapter has 1 apprentice at this time. To be an apprentice, you must successfully handle a dog through VJP, HZP, & VGP tests and attend the JGHV Introduction seminar. If you are interested, please forward your request to the Chapter Chairman to forward to Mark Heuer. Rhonda advised the recommendation is for each chapter to hold one Introduction to JGHV and one Continuing Education seminar each year. An apprentice must attend two Continuing Education seminars as part of their minimum requirement. Larry Reeves added it is the judge’s responsibility to sign the attendance sheet with their name and judge number. Curt Caldwell asked if Heartland Chapter could “sister” with the Midwest-North Chapter and alternate the JGHV Introduction seminar. Midwest-North Chapter started this year having both seminars every two years. Rhonda advised Heartland needs to schedule both seminars. The approved presenters for Heartland Chapter are Larry Reeves, Leonard Chase, Jason Abbas and Mike Schell. Jason, Mike and Larry will coordinate both seminars and advise Rhonda of date, time and location. Motions for GNA Annual Meeting

Update/revise the new puppy owners’ information—states they will receive 6 newsletters (should be only 4)

Propose any member of DK not pay double entry fee to run blood track 20/40 in VDD GNA test

Propose not doubling fees for DK for VGP if at least 1 DD is running

Propose official results of OCD & ED be published in newsletter & on website VDD Honorary Member Award will be presented to Larry Reeves at the Annual Meeting in Longmont, Colorado in June. Congratulations, Larry!! “Reeves” Award for “Most Valuable Member” was presented to Jeff Henke. Jubilee — Linda Reeves read the article she submitted to be published for the Heartland Chapter in the Jubilee pamphlet. The information she presented was very informative. Special Guests— Roger Smith (Atlantic Chapter), Joseph Lowry (Atlantic Chapter) and Jim Wion (Big River Chapter) attended the Heartland Chapter annual meeting, banquet and auction. CZ Gun — To be eligible to win the CZ 12 gauge over & under shotgun, you had to be present. The proud winner was Linda Reeves.

Great Lakes Chapter

Is it spring yet? The winter here in the Great Lakes Chapter has been long, cold and harsh! Where are those global warming guys when the snow is piling up around my door and the ice is so thick on the lakes that people drive their cars out to the fishing grounds? We have had storm after storm, combining deep snows and crusted ice. Good grief! The guys with puppies for the spring testing season couldn’t even get out in the fields much less find rabbits when they did. Warmer weather, sunshine and gentle breezes are always a welcome experience here in the north, but this year it is twice as sweet. Let’s hear it for spring! Family Fun Days {reminder} The 2011 Family Fun Day will be held at Crusey Farms, 15105 Gandy Eddy Rd. Marysville, Ohio 43040. The festivities kick off on Friday July 22 and continue through Sunday July 24th. Get out your calendar right now and pencil this one in. More information will be forthcoming in our online newsletter, Drahthaar News. Activities will include: Armbruster & Hegewald pre-evaluations A continuing education seminar for judges that will be open to all. Subject: retrieving evaluation at association tests. Hands-on assistance with force-break. Experienced and novice handlers will work together. Cajun style food Kids fishing tournament Bonfire Swimming Crusey Farms is a licensed dog training area Cornhole {bean bag toss} Auction Great Lakes Chapter annual meeting and election of officers. Chapter Election As with all elections, all offices are open. Chapter officers are as follows: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Business Manager, Breed Warden and Director of testing. All offices are held for a three year period. Any member in good standing is eligible for any chapter office except that of Breed Warden. Members interested in this office must first be approved by Lynn Whiteley, the GNA Breed Warden. If anyone is interested in filling this position that person should let me know so that the process of approval through VDD-GNA can begin. Incumbents Martin Ryan {Chairman}, Christian York {Business Manager} and Bill English {Breed Warden} do not intend to seek reelection. The Great Lakes Chapter election will be held at the Family Fun Days activity as a part of the Chapter Annual Meeting. All chapter members are eligible to vote and election will be


by the majority rule. Succession will take place on 1 January 2012 marking the beginning of the three year term of office. Fall testing Seem a little premature does it? After all we haven’t even had our first spring test yet at this writing. Nevertheless, it is time to turn our eyes toward the coming fall season and the HZP and VGP tests that must take place. International notice requirements necessitate an early publication of Chapter testing plans – three months early to be precise. We must be prepared to identify fall testing venues, test directors and test coordinators by June in order to meet our approval deadlines with VDD in Germany. All of this prompts me to make a request of our membership. The people and places that commonly are associated with our Great Lakes Chapter fall testing haven’t changed in a long time. We need to find new grounds and people to bring our club into the next few testing cycles. Please. If you are eligible to be a test director and haven’t been one for a couple of years, please volunteer your assistance. If you have access to grounds that would allow an HZP or VGP to be conducted, please volunteer to be a test coordinator – we will help you. If you are a judge and haven’t judged in a year or two, please volunteer. Our organization needs the help of all of its members. Training days The experienced members of our club need to reach out to its new members. Most new people have just acquired their first Drahthaar and are in need of help in its training. No topic is more in demand than retrieve training in preparation for fall testing. If you are willing to host a training day between now and the fall season, please contact me. I’ll help if I can, and I’ll find others who will assist you. Training days are a big commitment it is true, but they are fun and rewarding for all involved. Our organization needs the help of all of its members. Facebook This thing is amazing. Our site only has 39 members, but that doesn’t tell the tale; not even close. Since I signed on, I have accumulated an amazing array of “friends”. Many VDD members aren’t on our site, but they have found their way into my list just the same. Give our chapter’s Facebook a page a look. The only people authorized to be on it are the GLC members in good standing as listed on the VDD-GNA web site. Frank Green, our Facebook page administrator, typed in all of our addresses and has limited all other’s access. Merchandise Spring is here and it is time for t-shirts. Check out these and more on the Great Lakes Chapter web page. Make a good gift for someone you know?

Great Plains Chapter Dedicated to finding the dogs better than we found them. Can you help? The GPC invites all to help with their labor and ideas to make this year’s GNA meeting the best ever. Our team of Tony and Phyllis Johs, Larry McNeese, Ed Hollowed, Mike McMullen and Matt Ptak and their spouses all deserve a huge “THANK YOU”!!!!!. They are planning a wonderful meeting and 40th Jubilee, meetings and music and more for all to enjoy. Coupled with excellent speakers and educational opportunities, this should and will be a time to remember. Activities that the GPC is considering for the year 2012. Proposal for AI in our dogs. Proposal for Breeder Certification. Proposal for the mentor program. FCI “Shoot to retrieve” in February 2012. Holding the GPC annual meeting in February in Grand Island, Nebraska. Pheasant Fest 2011 Lona Kluck organized the booth for the2011 Pheasant Fest. She did all the arrangements from getting the booth to lining up all the equipment needed to make it run. The dogs and I went along for the ride. The “Parade of Dogs” was a special event. I think most all sporting breeds were there. The dogs seemed to sense their moment in the sun and made the most of it. The official count for the three days was 22,700. Our mission was to inform the attendees about the DD. Our crew of Berny Korf, Jack Wilson, Brenda and Phil Mitzel, Ken Gill, Jim Pfieffer, Mark Riessen with his daughter Morgan and Jill Manring did a super job of telling the crowd about the DD. The most asked questions were: What is the difference between the GWP and the DD and What is the difference between the DD and the Wired haired pointing Griffon? The third most asked question are these dogs good family dogs. We answered the first two and our DD ambassadors applied licks and kisses to all who would stand still!!!!!!! That seemed to be the best sales pitch. We had one special evening meal with our German speaking guide, Berny Korf. Bernie took us to the authentic Bohemian Café in south Omaha for a wonderful meal. We


all ate a meal that none of us could spell or pronounce, but wonderful to eat!

Left to rightPhil Mitzel ~ Morgan Riessen ~ Gene Kluck ~ Jill

Manring ~ Brenda Mitzel ~ Lona Kluck ~ Ken Gill. The testing season is started and soon our ten foot snow banks will be gone and we can get at the business of training and testing. I hope all of you that have a dog will get to run your dog. The testing of our dogs gives all a good idea of how to make better dogs physically, mentally and for hunting. Most of us own these dogs for hunting partners. I say own these dogs, but it seems after you have one for a while, they own us!

Morgan Riessen, daughter of GPC member Mark Riessen with

DD pup Katarina at the 2011 Pheasant Fest in Omaha

Lastly, I just received my judging card and wish to thank all the handlers that allowed me to apprentice their dogs and a special “Thanks” to all the judges for their help and guidance. I hope I get to help you one day with your dog. Dr. Gene Kluck

Southeast Hunter’s Chapter

The leadership for the SEHC decided to mix things up a bit this year. Trying to take advantage of our traditionally well attended March VJP, we decided to hold our annual meeting as well as a breed show, as if we didn’t have enough going on, all on the same weekend. Under the superb coordination of Mike Fortner, our director of testing and his able group of judges, we were able to provide testing opportunities for 29 young dogs. A special thanks to our out of chapter judges Shane Loveland and Ed Hallowed for helping out. I’ve run at the La Vergne TN, VJP in March for several years now and we’ve had everything from snow, to pouring rain, to 80 degree temps,

but this year not a single complaint about the weather. I think even the rabbits had a good time. Clear blue skies, mild temperature and just enough breeze to carry the scent cone of a bobwhite quail to the middle of a mowed strip, we had some very nice weather to evaluate the puppies. A special thanks to Larry Reeves for jumping in at the last minute to help out with the breed show. The team of Ed Carney and Ron Nichols had 9 entries providing an opportunity for many first time handlers and DD owners attending the VJP and Annual Meeting, to also experience there first breed show. Our focus this year within SEHC has been to provide more opportunities for involvement among the membership. Several of the chapter officers were also serving as State representatives. We appreciate those willing to serve our membership and coordinate club activities in their specific states. The following is our current list of State Representatives.

Jim Smith North Carolina Robert Holland South Carolina Mathew Coffman Tennessee Glen Bridges Alabama Peyton Atchley Mississippi Chris Wigley Florida Ron Allison Georgia

In addition to spreading the leadership responsibilities, we were able to replace a crucial position that has remained vacant for some time as well as create a new position. Mike Schlapa has agreed to serve as our merchandise coordinator and his first order of merchandise was basically sold out before the annual meeting even started. To


improve communication and provide better distribution of information, Julie Hilton has agreed to serve as the SEHC Website administrator. None of us is quite sure exactly what all Julie will be doing but we’re certain she’s up to the challenge. We also had the opportunity to congratulate two former chapter officers on an excellent term of service. A special thanks and debt of gratitude to Terry Page our Newsletter Editor who has served in that roll for several years as well as our business manager, Anna Barios Sosa, who will be relocating soon to the New Jersey area. Jason Pardue as agreed to serve as the Newsletter Editor and Jeff May has agreed to serve as Business Manager. Both were elected unopposed during the meeting. Despite all the dog testing, dog showing and business conducting, we were able to demonstrate quite clearly why we southerners are known for our connection to “FOOD”. Ron Crabtree provided the grill, the chapter provided the burgers, and grill master Richard Shell provided the flames, smoke, and technique for all to enjoy. We gave Richard a break for the annual meeting dinner and went to a local caterer (southern style pork barbecue, baked beans, smoked wings, potato salad, cole slaw, sweet tea, and ‘nanner puddin’) who was exceptionally well assisted by Cindy Fortner, who did a great job coordinating most of the food related tasks throughout the weekend. It was a busy weekend but much was accomplished and I think at least the bulk of the 60-70 members and guests in attendance had a great time. Thanks to all and we hope to see everyone at our VJP in La Verne TN in April. Scott Crabtree Chairman, Southeast Hunter Chapter The SEHC is off to a flying start this year. We are just coming off of VJP training weekends in Vonore, TN and Demopolis, AL; which by the way are the first VJP training days held in the South. We also held a 5 dog VSwP in Aberdeen, NC which saw 1 dog pass a 20 hour VSwP and 2 pass the 40 hour VSwP. Next came a 28 dog VJP and Breedshow in Lavergne, TN and our Annual Business meeting. Bryon Beaton and Ed Carney conducted a well attended “Intro to the JGHV” seminar for prospective new judge apprentices and we are yet to host our second VJP also at Lavergne TN. All in all we have had a very busy start to the year. The minutes to the Annual Business Meeting will be published in an SEHC Newsletter to be published sometime in the next month. The minutes will also be published in the next GNA newsletter. There just wasn’t time to get it in this Newsletter. I will hit the highlights of the meeting here. Jim Smith was awarded the Distinguished Service Award for his years of service to the club in the conduction of the annual HZP/VGP in North Carolina. Thanks again Jim. Ana is being forced to relocate to the Atlantic Chapter. She has been instrumental in our Chapter as handler, judge and Executive Committee member for several years now. She will be sorely missed. Our loss however will be the Atlantic Chapter’s gain. Ana currently holds the position of business manager for the Chapter. To replace her, Jeff May has volunteered to fill her vacancy. Good luck Jeff and welcome.

Terry Page has been the editor of the SEHC Newsletter since its inception. Terry has done a great job but now wishes to turn the job over to someone else. Jason Pardue has stepped forward to take on the job.

The SEHC website webmaster has evolved into a full time position. Julie Hilton is up to the task and we are looking forward to adding her to the team. We are indeed lucky to have so many great people willing to give their time to serve in the Chapter.

The SEHC will again pay the Armbruster entry fees for the top two SEHC VJP pups tested in the South.

Plans for the year. There will be a VJP in Lavergne in April. Forrest has volunteered to host a training day at his house on Memorial Day weekend. The Aberdeen NC HZP/VGP is posted on the website for the weekend prior to the Armbruster. Ana has volunteered to be the test director. Martin Coffman will again host an HZP/VGP in Demopolis in November. We will also have a VSwP tentatively in March 2012.

We have an ambitious plan in place for everyone at all levels so my advice is to get plugged into the system, train and participate. Mike Fortner

Big Rivers Chapter Well 2011 is off to a big start. We have a lot ahead as we are preparing for a busy year that includes the 10th Armbruster to be held in Shreveport, LA on 19-22.10.2010. This is our big event but we also have about 50 VJP puppies running this Spring. Here is the update for upcoming events that you won't want to miss. BRC Annual Meeting with Auction and Breed Show Shreveport, LA April 29-May1, 2011 We have a full schedule planned for you and your DD for the weekend. Please plan on attending to participate in a seminar or two, enter the Breed Show and see the Armbruster Test grounds first hand. Yes we will have one of our fun auctions again this year. Please donate your items through Chad Crissup. Mark Crowder we want an item donated from you this time since you win all the big prizes anyway. The schedule is as follows: Friday April 29 Holiday Inn West 7:00 Judges Seminar JGHV VRs and Apprentices along with all Test Coordinators should attend 8:00 Breed Show Pre-Evaluations Saturday April 30 Qua-Paw Farms 8:00 Breed Show Lynn Whiteley, Jim Wion and Cal Bambrough 8:00 Obedience Circle Training All handlers and their dogs welcome 8:15 Force Fetch Seminar All HZP level dogs should attend Kevin Sherrodd 8:15 VGP Seminar Pt.1 Brandt Hardy and Zane Brown 10:00 HZP Seminar Zane Brown 10:00 VGP Seminar Pt.2 Brandt Hardy Noon Lunch On your own Picnic on the grounds encouraged


1:30 Breeders Seminar and Round Table Discussion Lynn Whiteley along with Cal Bambrough and Forrest Moore This will be an informative seminar and lively round table discussion. All members including breeders and non-breeders will gain a lot of useful information regarding the DD and where we are going as a Breed organization. 6:00 Dinner and Auction Qua-Paw Farms Sunday May 1 8:00 BRC Chapter Meeting and Armbruster Overview 10:00 Adjourn 10:30 Informal Training Day Qua-Paw Farms Administrative Changes with BRC Board and Armbruster Leonard Baker has stepped down from both roles primarily due to increased responsibilities with JGV-USA. We want to thank Leonard for his time of service. The BRC Board acted quickly by securing experienced leadership to fill the vacancies. Jim Wion has stepped into the role of BRC Director of Testing on an interim basis. Additionally, Cal Bambrough UT has agreed to be the Test Director for the 2011 Armbruster. We value these men stepping up to take these important roles for us. They are both extremely well qualified and their positive approach will insure equally positive outcomes for our handlers and their DDs. Please introduce yourself to these men and give them any assistance they need please. Thanks Jim and Cal. Welcome. Upcoming Events We will continue to hold training days and schedule 2 HZPs and a VGP in addition to the Armbruster this Fall. If you don't plan on running a dog in the Armbruster please join the volunteers being co-ordinated by Chad Crissup. Let him know about your availability. We will be able to use all the help we can get in order to have a successful event.We will send out notice about the Armbruster Pre-Evaluations to be scheduled later in the Spring and early Summer. Please let your board members know what you need our how we can assist you more effectively. Work hard now to have your DDs ready for the Fall test. We will have a VGP mentorship program starting this Spring in conjunction with the articles that Jim Wion has been forwarding through the chapter. We must do a better job developing judges within our chapter. On that note we have added a new apprentice within BRC. Zane Brown is a green card carrying JGHV Apprentice. Thanks Zane for your commitment to the learning process to join our JGHV Judge ranks. I also received my VR card and am now an official JGHV judge. I will start judging this Spring. Important to highlight our need for more judges, I am the first VR produced since BRC has been in existence. Surprised? We have had some transfer VRs but none produced from our membership. This point highlights we are behind and need to catch up. Let's get those VGPs done new handlers. We will support you in this process. You can do this. I look forward to seeing all of you in Shreveport at the BRC Annual Meeting April 29-May 1. Brandt Hardy BRC Chairman

Wild West Chapter The Wild West Chapter held its Annual Meeting in February. The minutes of that meeting are included in this newsletter. Congratulations to Zac White, our new Vice Chairman. We expect Zac will be a valuable addition to our board. Jeff Lowe has finished up his apprenticeship and is now a qualified Judge! We commend him on his hard work and achievement. Great Work Jeff! See you at a test soon. 25-year member award is presented to Scott Hegestrom for his dedicated years in our club. Thanks for the support Scott; the WWC appreciates your long-term membership. State Rep’s The chapter is in the works of putting together State Representatives for each state. These Reps will help in the facilitation of events and training days in their respective state. Also they will serve as a contact point for new members and puppy owners, to help assist them on the path to training and testing. We are still looking for volunteers or nominations and will then vote and assign these reps. More information and volunteer/nominee forms are available on the chapter website or you can contact Chazz Holt at [email protected] VDD GNA Wild West Chapter Board Meeting Minutes: February 25th 2011 6:30 PM, Cal Bambrough’s Residence Board Members: Chairman – Paul Trout Vice Chairman – Jason Wilde (stepping down) Business Manager – Chazz Holt Breed warden – Cal Bambrough Test Director – Jason Wilde Quorum Present? YES Proceedings:

• Members were greeted and Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair, Paul Trout

• Discussion and Presentation by Paul Trout of 25 Year Member Award presented to Scott Hegestrom (not present) – Cal took possession of award to give to Scott

• Discussion by Paul Trout of need for replacement of Vice Chairman position, Jason Wilde has held position along with Test Director and stepped down in order to concentrate on Test Director duties within the chapter.

• Vice Chair Nominations presented by Chazz Holt, the only volunteer and nominee within the chapter was Zac White. A brief explanation of Zac’s history within the club was given and Brandon Parks seconded the nomination for Zac.

• Voting for the VC nominee of Zac White was unanimous among all present members along with 8 email votes (yea) from members that were not present. Zac White was voted in as Vice Chairman to the Wild West Chapter.

• Paul Trout began the discussion of State Representatives for our chapter. The needs for State Rep’s have grown throughout the chapter with new breeders, new members, and lack of communication or contact for these new members.



Rep’s would be a contact point, coordinate training days, or help new pup owners within their state. We are a large chapter and some large states may require more than 1 representative. Communication is difficult and it would benefit the chapter to have members in the state rep position that knows the area and can assist other members in training, testing or any questions they may have. Although the VDD GNA website has a form for new puppy buyers, somehow we are still losing new members who are not aware of the website or form and turn away from testing and have problems in training and so on. State Representatives could cure this problem as long as there is communication from breeders and VDD GNA as to new members in their area.

• Chazz Holt presented state Rep nominations. At the time the chapter had volunteers from Utah and Washington. No voting happened at this time. We are still in the process of gathering volunteers / nominees and after more discussion will inform members in each state of the nominees in their state and will proceed to vote and appoint the State Representatives.

• Chazz Holt presented Treasurer Report. The chapter income and expenses were discussed as well as information from last year’s balances to the current balance. At the beginning of last year the chapter balance was below 1500$, after the Armbruster in Boise Idaho, and selling of merchandise, auctions and raffles and splitting the funds with VDD GNA the chapter balance is currently over 5000$. Also included was discussion of new merchandise, and events to raise money for the chapter.

• Test entries / GNA Policy was brought to attention by Lynn Whitely. We are finding demand for more tests as the chapter grows. We have already had 60 entries between UT & ID for VJP alone. The VGP in October already has 12 entries. The feeling is it is unfair to new pup owners and members who may not be as informed as current and long established members as to test dates and entry practices. We are working hard to organize more tests so there is no need to turn any interested testers away due to overcrowding. However, we are running out of judges and need more members to join the apprenticeship or for current apprentices to finish. With chapter growth, there are more pups testing and not enough people to spread around. The current judges we have work very hard and travel a lot just to pick up the slack and make sure everyone has an opportunity to test. The struggle is in posting the tests and assuring all those that want to test can; it is a high priority of our breed club and in our best interest to inform all members in a timely manner of upcoming testing. Apprentices were informed of the rule change of Senior Judges signing off on them and of the need to assign different Senior Judges at tests to aid the apprentices.

• Jeff Lowe was recognized for becoming our newest judge in the chapter.

• With the chapter growth, new members, breeders, and pups entering into the system, we are becoming aware of what may become an issue in judging tests. The test directors/coordinators need to spread out the judges so as we do not run into any judging conflicts. Most of our judges are also very active owners and handlers in the testing system. With more judges it would ease assigning judges, handlers and keep test free from judging conflict.

• Test Practice Manuals were printed and distributed to all current judges and apprentices, as well as a Continued Education Seminar scheduled for the following day. The manuals have discussions on issues that have arisen in the past and how they should be judged. This along with seminars on Manner of Retrieve and Open Judging by Mike Talbot and Mark Heuer will aid in judging tests correctly and evenly throughout the club.

• Breed Warden Report was given by Cal Bambrough, Total Litters 20, Total Puppies Registered 160, Braun m.Brfl pups 3, Brsch pups 122, Schwsch pups 37, Performance Breedings 8. The Chapter produced the most litters and registered dogs with only 2 pups born not being registered.

• Instant Breeders was a big topic of discussion on the agenda. We have noticed a trend with newer members purchasing finished dogs, joining the club, becoming a breeder and announcing litters all at once. These new breeders have never tested or have minimal testing and handling experience. It is in the responsibility of the breeders to mentor puppy buyers to train and test. Without proper knowledge of the breed, or the testing system this cannot be accomplished. Registering as breeder should not be so easy. As of now, it requires more experience and is tougher to become a judge than a breeder. Discussion needs to involve other chapters to see if the same concerns exist and if so than the chapter is ready to propose a few options. This is a problem that will only grow unless we address it now. Due to cultural differences in Germany they do not have the need to regulate the breeding as we do. Therefore the purpose for a proposal to VDD GNA.

• Breeder Qualification was discussed in motion with the Instant Breeder topic. We would like to see some information on breeders posted on the VDD GNA website. Either a Gold Drahthaar stamp of approval for breeders who have been in the system, or have acquired their breeder status after years in the system. Also discussion of a list of questions to ask a breeder before purchasing a pup would be a good addition to the VDD GNA website.

• WWC Breeder Award - The chapter decided to adopt an idea currently in use by the Great Lakes Chapter of rewarding our breeders for helping and


assuring many or all pups from their litters are tested in VJP and HZP. The idea is to provide incentive for the breeders themselves to test throughout the system and assist their puppy buyers in doing the same. When accomplished the award will be presented to the breeder each year. WWC breed warden Cal Bambrough has already put together an award program and calculated points for the 2010 award.

• VGP Award was an idea also discussed. Giving the breeder an award within the chapter for having a high number of dogs pass a VGP. South East and Great Plains chapters already have such an award and it would be a great addition to our program. We are currently looking into the details more before we continue.

• Shane Loveland presented the 2010 VGP plates to the handlers that completed and passed the test that year. Brandon Park was acknowledged for having the highest score within the chapter for a VGP.

• GNA Breed Warden report and developments from Breed wardens meeting in Germany. This included information on the talks of OCD and ED testing, costs and how it would affect Armbruster testing, BOD meeting in Germany, May 8ths elections, and the proposals for testing that were brought before the board.

• Fund raising options was next on the agenda and ideas of raising money for the chapter was discussed. Ideas for new and more merchandise, clay shooting tournaments and raffle/auctions were the major points by members.

• Ideas and location for the 2012 GNA Annual Meeting hosted by the WWC was the next to last item on the agenda. We will continue to discuss more, as we get closer, but believe we have a good location, and plans for activities and meeting agendas.

• Jubilee ad donation and purchase of programs was motioned and passed. Fred Turjan was informed of the WWC donation and finances were moved accordingly.

• The WWC annual meeting was adjourned at 9 pm. Minutes submitted by WWC Business Manager Chazz Holt

Judges Judges are needed desperately throughout the chapter. The current judges work very hard to keep us on our feet but we cannot expect them to hold the torch forever. If you are a member that is eligible to enter the Judge Apprentice program, please get your forms filled out and sent in. With chapter growth, comes more breeders, puppies and tests, we need to be prepared to handle the demand. Chapter Website & Merchandise Last but not least, the chapter website is running strong, test dates, news, event information, past events, pictures and test scores as well as chapter merchandise are all available. Right now there are hoodies, long and short sleeve t-shirts available. Check it out! www.wildwestchapter.com Don’t forget, the Wild West Chapter will host the VDD GNA Annual Meeting in 2012. Plenty of help is needed to make it all come together.

ALTMOOR.COM Versatile Gun Dog Supply Specialists

Expert selection advice and super deals on remote trainers Tri-Tronics Dogtra

Everything you need to train your DD Source for the Drahthaar Puppy Manual –

DD raising & training from 8 weeks to beyond HZP

Authored by owners Roger and Nancy, GNA & Group Canada members since 1984, VR’s since 1990,

handlers in 15 NAVHDA and 82 VDD/JGHV tests, including 7 VGP’s, the Armbruster, and the Hegewald.

Celebrating our 76th DD Litter in 2010

Toll Free: 866-ALTMOOR

Roger Smith Nancy Bohs


Jan’s Hanging By A Thread Embroidery

We have a new website that you can order stock items from www.janshbat.com

We have stock shirts hats and can coolers

Thank you for business Terry & Jan Huebbe

Newly Commissioned Deutsch-Drahthaar with Fox in Cold Cast Bronze

SIGNATURE SERIES – DD Moving with Fox Measures 11.5x6.5x3.5” on base.

The #1 production of this statue will be available for raffle by GNA at the Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado in June 2011. Monies raised to help support the 40th Jubilee.

Configured for DD’s.The newest stripping tool. Unlike small strippers, the Coat-King Blade strips large areas FAST!!! It works by quickly and easily removing loose and dead and

matted hair. Leaves the coat full and healthy -- gives it that "show quality" look. All have curved, sharpened blades with rounded ends for safety, and wooden handles for easy gripping. “I have never used one before and was very impressed! Up to this point, I had used a small flat stripper and it would take forever. Send

$50.00 which includes shipping in USA

Grill Dogs For the front grill of your car! Looks better than most car emblems! Show off your DD wherever you go Silhouette of a DD on point--standing atop a Wolf’s Angle Made from high quality heavy duty stainless steel, polished to a nice sheen. Size: 4” high X 6” wideStainless steel bolts (1 1/2”long) welded into back of Grill Dog for attachment to your vehicle grill. Order Now: $20 plus $5.00 shipping.

For information on any of the above items: Contact Larry Houck 1206 Skyline Drive, Watertown, SD 57201 (605) 886-9436

We also do custom work like coat backs, quilts, chair backs. We now offer leather work like collars, tracking collars and leashes.

We have some stock items like shirts, hats, tees, and can wraps.

http://www.janshbat.com/


Great Hunting Dogs ll DRAHTHAARS

Price $135.00 + $20.00 shipping To order email Dr. Jack Wilson

[email protected] To see color print go to vomwiredhaus.com (click litters)




OFFICIAL GNA TEST SCHEDULE Eligibility for the VJP and HZP: Your dog must be born between October 1, 2009 and September 30, 2010, it is then eligible to be test at the 2011 Breed Tests (VJP and HZP. If it was born October 1, 2010 or later, it will be tested in 2012. Any dog is eligible for a VGP or BTR anytime after its first year.

Submit ALL paperwork to the TEST DIRECTOR. VJP: Test Fee $85 DEADLINE to ENTER: 30 days prior to test

DATE CHAPTER / PLACE TEST DIRECTOR and Coordinator COMMENTS8 -10 Apr

Southeast Hunter Lavergne TN Percy Priest

TD: Mike Fortner, 2055 Justice Rd, Afton TN 37616, 4234834496 [email protected] TC: Mike Fortner, [email protected] 4234834496

extra judging group added

9 -10 Apr

Great Plains Grand Island NE

TD: Jill Manring, 47305 375th Rd., Ravenna NE 68869, 308-380-8419 [email protected] TC: Jill Manring, [email protected] 308-380-8419

Test Full

9 -10 Apr

Great Lakes McConnelsville OH AEP Power

TD: Frank Van Dresser, 139 Fitchville River Rd., New London OH 44851, 419-929-8103 [email protected] TC: Gary Stephens, [email protected] 724-652-5871

Test full -closed-

9 -10 Apr

Big Rivers Walton KS Muth Farm

TD: Jim Wion, 2703 Marble Springs Rd, Barnhart MO 63012-2327, 314-596-6217 [email protected] TC: Trinity Muth, [email protected] 316-253-6632

Test Full

9 -10 Apr

Wild West Boise ID Boise BLM

TD: Joe Kelly, 11120 Mohawk Dr., Boise ID 83709, 208-867-5351 [email protected] TC: Paul Trout, [email protected] 208-454-8271

email with entry

15 -17 Apr

Wild West Malta ID Malta BLM Lands

TD: Lynn S. Whiteley , 5839 S 6700 W, Hooper UT 84315-9768, 801.985.5958 [email protected] TC: Lynn S. Whiteley, [email protected] 801.985.5958

Test Full at 25 Entries

16 -17 Apr

Midwest North Nekoosa WI Private Land

TD: Gordon Spaete, 17215 Lake Ct, Galesville WI 54630, 608 582 4216 [email protected] TC: Mike Hack, [email protected] 715 886 5999

test full

16 -17 Apr

Great Plains Cheyenne WY private lands

TD: Ed Hollowed, P.O. Box 1106, Meeker CO 81641, 970-878-5133 [email protected] TC: Mark Heuer, [email protected] 307-778-9510

test full

16 -17 Apr

Great Lakes Pioneer OH Private farms

TD: Jim Jones, 23482 CR 4, Elkhart IN 46514, 574-206-9465 [email protected] TC: Donald , [email protected] 419-237-2410

TEST IS FULL

22 -23 Apr

Midwest North Janesville MN private land

TD: Chris Schmidt, 61405 187th St, Janesville MN 56048, 507 245 3070 [email protected] TC: Chris Schmidt, [email protected] 507 245 3070

date change

29Apr -1 May

Great Plains Harrold SD Krull Lodge

TD: Lynda Krull, 31848 207th St., Harrold SD 57536, 605-875-3383 [email protected] TC: Lynda Krull, [email protected] 605-875-3383

Test Full

30Apr -1 May

Great Plains Watertown SD

TD: Larry Reeves, 1647 Greenbriar Dr., Metamora IL 61548, 309-822-8346 [email protected] TC: Lona Kluck, [email protected] 605-882-2210

Test Full

30Apr -1 May

Midwest North Amidon ND private land

TD: Ned Sorley, PO Box 206, Loretto MN 55356, 763 479 6760 [email protected] TC: Ned Sorley, [email protected] 763 479 6760

HZP: Test Fee $100 DEADLINE to ENTER: 30 days prior to test

DATE CHAPTER / PLACE TEST DIRECTOR and Coordinator COMMENTS8 -9 Sep Great Plains

Harrold SD Krull Lodge


with hare track

16 -16 Sep

Wild West Logan UT

TD: Shane Loveland, 262 West 1025 South, Garland UT 84312, 435-237-9266 [email protected]

w/o track, email address


Cutler Marsh TC: Shane Loveland, [email protected] 435-237-9266 17 -18 Sep

Great Plains Torrington WY private lands

TD: Ed Hollowed, P.O. Box 1106, Meeker CO 81641, 970-878-5133 [email protected] TC: Mark Heuer, [email protected] 307-778-9510

w/hare track

24 -25 Sep

Great Plains Grand Island NE

TD: Jill Manring, 47305 375th Rd., Ravenna NE 68869, 308-380-8419 [email protected] TC: Jill Manring, [email protected] 308-380-8419

10 dog w/o hare;email

VGP: Test Fee $150, day or overnight track DEADLINE to ENTER: 30 days prior to test

DATE CHAPTER / PLACE TEST DIRECTOR and Coordinator COMMENTS10 -11 Sep

Great Plains Harrold SD Krull Lodge


TF/UF; drip method

17 -18 Sep

Wild West Logan UT Logan Canyon

TD: Shane Loveland, 262 West 1025 South, Garland UT 84312, 435-237-9266 [email protected] TC: Shane Loveland, [email protected] 435-237-9266

dab TF/ÜF, email address

Breed Show: Test Fee $75 DEADLINE to ENTER: 30 days prior to test



TD: Linda Reeves, 1647 Greenbriar Drive , Metamora IL 61548, 309.822.8346 [email protected] TC: Lona Kluck, [email protected] 605-882-2210

30 -30 Apr

Big Rivers Shreveport LA

TD: Lynn S. Whiteley, 5839 S 6700 W, Hooper UT 84315-9768, 801.985.5958 [email protected] TC: Kevin Sherrodd, [email protected] 979.798.2359

17 -17 Jun

Great Plains Longmont CO GNA Annual Mtg

TD: Linda Reeves, 1647 Greenbriar Road, Metamora IL 61548, 309-822-8346 [email protected] TC: Lona Kluck, [email protected] 605-882-2210

provide e-mail

16 -16 Jul

Atlantic Millmont PA UCSC

TD: Nancy Bohs, 433 Stokes Rd., Shamong NJ 08088, 609-654-6005 [email protected] TC: William Miller, [email protected] 570-922-4287

Union Co Sportsmen's Club

BTR: Test Fee $35 DEADLINE to ENTER: 30 days prior to test



TD: Larry Reeves, 1647 Greenbriar Dr., Metamora IL 61548, 309-822-8346 [email protected] TC: Lona Kluck, [email protected] 605-882-2210

provide e-mail

Submit ALL paperwork to the TEST DIRECTOR. IMPORTANT! There have been numerous complaints from Test Directors of incomplete test entries. Keep in mind that acceptance priority is given to

entries based upon when they were received, and that incomplete or inaccurate entries may be rejected.

Important Dates Happening in Germany 2011 Hegewald Zuchtprüfung. Hollabrunn, Austria

Deadline for advertising from Groups...........................02.05.2011 Registration of foreign participants..............................23.06.2011 Deadline for Groups to nominate Hegewald judges.....30.06.2011 Deadline for Hegewald entries....................................14.07.2011 Formation of judging groups.......................................30.07.2011 Board of Directors meeting........................................31.08.2011 Hegewald testing............................................31.08-.03.09.2011


2011 Group North America Annual Meeting and 40th Jubilee Celebration Longmont, Colorado June 16, 17, 18, 2011

Don’t miss out on the FEST: Fun, Education, Seminars, Testing This year’s Annual Meeting is hosted by the GPC and headquartered at the Plaza Hotel, 1900 Ken Pratt Blvd., in Longmont, CO. A room rate of $95.00 per night, plus taxes, will be guaranteed only until Monday, May 16, 2011, 5:00 p.m. For reservations, call 303.776.2000 or 800.843.8240 and refer to VDD GNA.*If you have questions, please contact Tony Johs at 970.535.4433 or [email protected].

Meeting Agenda Thursday, June 16th Time TBD: Executive Board Meeting at the Johs Homefollowed by a BBQ for Ex. Board and Board of Directors Friday, June 17th

8:00-4:00 at Plaza Hotel: Board of Directors’ Meeting 8:00-2:00 at Plaza Hotel: JGHV Seminar Introduction, Roger Green and Lynda F. Krull 8:00-9:30 at Plaza Hotel: Seminar on “How to Use the Breed Book”, Lynda F. Krull 10:00-12:00: Water Work and Armbruster/Hegawald Pre-Evaluations at local ponds, Ed Hollowed, Mike McMullan** 12:00-1:00: Demonstration of “Chiropractic Work and Conditioning on Young and Older Working DDs” at local ponds, Dr. Rod Brandenburger 12:30-5:30 at Johs Residence: Breed Show, TD: Linda Reeves, TC: Lona Kluck 1:00-4:00 HZP Training Session available for interested handlers with dogs, Mike McMullan 1:00-5:00 at Berthoud Gun Club: Trap Shooting*** 2:00-5:30 at Plaza Hotel: Continuing Education Seminar, Mike Talbot and Mark Heuer 6:00-7:00 Cocktail Hour at the Plaza Hotel 7:0040th Jubilee Celebration(Dressy Casual) Saturday, June 18th 8:00-12:00 at Plaza Hotel: GPC Annual Meeting 8:30-10:30 at Plaza Hotel: Seminar on Dog Diet and Health, Dr. Brian Zanghi from Purina 11:00-12:30 at Plaza Hotel: Featured Speaker from Germany, Dr. Schunk, on X-rays for HD, OCD, and ED 12:30-1:15: No Host Lunch at Plaza Hotel 1:15-2:00: Continued lecture by Dr. Schunk 2:00-5:00 at Plaza Hotel: GNA Annual Meeting 6:00-7:00 Cocktail Hour at the Plaza Hotel 7:00 DD Buffet Fest & Auction (Casual) A meeting program and maps with directions will be available at the front desk at the Plaza Hotel. *Alternative facilities for room reservations: (no rooms have been set aside so reserve soon!) Super 8 Motel, 2446 N. Main St., 303.772.8106, dogs allowed…$72.80 plus taxes and a one-time dog fee Victorian Apartments & Executive Suites with kitchen, 2400 17th Ave., 303.772.4667, dogs allowed…$84.92 plus taxes and a one-time dog fee **If you are interested in an HZP Training Session, please contact Mike McMullan at 303.229.9360 or [email protected] ***Please indicate your interest in trap shooting by including your name on the back of the meal registration form or call Tony Johs, 303.746.7498

AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED! GOAL OF 20-30 ITEMS NOT YET MET! We want to thank all of those who have donated items for the joint GNA/Great Plains Chapter Auction at this year’s annual meeting. Your support makes a real difference for our chapter and Group North America. We are still in need of some nice auction items to help us make this 40th Jubilee celebration a night to remember. If you can help, please contact Mike McMullan, or any one of the GPC officers. If you can’t make the meeting but have an item to donate, it can be mailed to Mike McMullan at 8271 Counter Drive, Henderson, CO 80640. We thank you and hope to see all of you at this summer’s milestone event! Larry McNeese Business Manager, GPC

RSVP TODAY FOR MEALS AT THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL MEETING, JUNE 16-18, 2011



EARLY BIRD Registrations received by May 7, 2011 (extended one week!),will receive a free Commemorative Bottle of Wine and a raffle ticket for “A Sporting Life,” (a value of more than $100.00

worth of items that complement your DD pursuitsRSVP DEADLINE: MAY 31, 2011* FRIDAY GNA 40TH JUBILEE CELEBRATION DINNER

Name:___________________________________Spouse:___________________________ Number of Children age 5 to 12: _____ Names: _____________________ Colorado Prime Rib of Beef $40.00: Slow Roasted to Medium, Baked Potato with butter and sour cream, Asparagus Spears Boursin Chicken Roulade $34.00: Chicken Breast rolled with Garlic Boursin with fresh basil and buttery crisp breading, Scallion and Artichoke Mashed Potatoes, Zucchini Ribbons Portobello Wellington$35.00: Marinated Portobello mushroom topped with fresh Spinach and Bell Pepper Stuffing wrapped in flaky puff pastry, with roasted Red Bell Pepper Cream Sauce, Asparagus Spears Children’s Meals$12.00: _____ Chicken Total: ________Prices include the 20% service charge and tax All dinners come with salad, dessert, coffee and hot tea

SATURDAY DEUTSCH-DRAHTHAAR FEST & BUFFET Name:__________________________________Spouse:________________________________ Number of Children age 5 to 12: _____ Names:_____________________ German Buffet $34.00: Tossed Green Salad, Creamy Cucumber Salad, German Potato Salad, Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, Drunken Chicken with Red Wine Sauce, Red Cabbage, Apple Strudel Children’s Meals $12.00: _____ Burger Total: ________ Prices include the 20% service charge and tax Grand Total: ____________Please make check out to VDD/GNA, memo Annual Meeting Please mail check and RSVP form to: Larry McNeese, 17510 East Caspian Place, Aurora, CO 80013 *If your registration is late(after May 31, 2011), please RSVP by email to Larry McNeese at [email protected] or call 303-745-0323 with meal reservation numbers.

RSVP FRIDAY AFTERNOON TRAP SHOOTING Number of Shooters:__________ Names:________________________________________________________________________

BREED SHOW If you are planning to enter a dog in the BREED SHOW, please contact Linda Reeves, Test Director at 309.822.8346 or [email protected] Name:________________________________________________________________________

BRINGING AN AUCTION ITEM!!! Name:________________________________ Item:___________________________________

By attending this year’s 40th Jubilee Celebration you will:

Meet breeders, judges and fellow Drahthaar owners, Have the opportunity to meet your GNA and Chapter Officers,

Learn about the early days of Group North America, Increase your test and training knowledge,

Keep up-to-date with current VDD-GNA information, Realize you’re an important link in maintaining and improving the Deutsch-Drahthaar breed!

What’s more – there are always just a few hunting and dog stories!




This page was left unprinted on purpose so that You may tear out the registration form on the previous page

To register for the GNA Annual Meeting in Longmont Colorado On June 16, 17, 18, 2001


Group North America Chapter Officers 1 March 2011 ATLANTIC: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia Chairman- Fred Turjan, 1218 Foxianna Rd., Middletown, PA 17057, (717) 930-3549, [email protected] Vice Chairman- Bob Wasylyk, 529 Provinceline Rd., Allentown, NJ 08501, (609) 351-6963, [email protected] Bus. Manager- Scott Shirey, 241 N. Middlesex Rd., Carlisle, PA 17013, (717) 245-9808, [email protected] Breed Warden- Nancy Bohs, 433 Stokes Road, Shamong, NJ 08088, (609) 654-6005, [email protected] Dir of Testing- Bob Secoura, 3205 Buck Run Trail, Wake Forest, NC 27587, (919) 562-2144, [email protected] BIG RIVERS: Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas Chairman- Brandt Hardy, 1914 Pericles St., Baton Rouge, LA 70808, (225) 344-2195, [email protected] Vice Chairman- Chad Crissup, 10915 S. Winston Ave., Tulsa, OK 74137, (918) 299-6964, [email protected] Bus. Manager- Dan Brown, 2486 FM 2297, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482, (903) 885-8306, [email protected] Breed Warden- Kevin Sherrodd, 7098 Gupton Rd., Brazoria, TX 77422, (979) 798-2359, [email protected] Dir of Testing- Jim Wion, 2703 Marble Springs Rd., Barnhart., MO, 63012, (314) 596-6217, [email protected] GREAT LAKES: Indiana, Michigan, Ohio Chairman- Marty Ryan, 4320 E. Reading Road, Osseo, MI 49266, (517) 320-2820, [email protected] Vice Chairman- Jim Jones, 23482 CR 4, Elkhart IN 46514, (574) 206-9465, [email protected] Bus. Manager- Christian York, 8128 Hollopeter Rd., Leo, IN 46765, (260) 627-5124, [email protected] Breed Warden- Bill English, 8831 Skuse Rd., Pittsford MI 49271, (517) 523-2042, [email protected] Dir of Testing- Jim Jones, 23482 CR 4, Elkhart IN 46514, (574) 206-9465, [email protected] GREAT PLAINS: Alaska, Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, , Wyo ingm Chairman- Dr. Gene Kluck, 800 10th St. SW, Watertown, SD 57201, 605) 882-2210, [email protected] Vice Chairman- Tony Johs, 16118 Summit Peaks Drive, Longmont, CO 80504, (970) 535-4433, [email protected] Bus. Manager- Larry McNeese, 17510 East Caspian Place, Aurora, CO 80013, (303) 745-0323, [email protected] Breed Warden- Lona Kluck, 800 10th St. SW, Watertown, SD 57201, (605) 882-2210, [email protected] Dir of Testing- Ed Hollowed, P.O Box 1106, Meeker, CO 81641, (970) 878-5133, [email protected] HEARTLAND: Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky Chairman- Rhonda Feazel, 56 West County Line Road, Brighton, IL 62012 (618) 372-3156, [email protected] Vice Chairman- Jeff Henke, 6442 - 114th Ave., Wapello, IA 52653, (563) 299-4435, [email protected] Bus. Manager- Curt Caldwell, 1316 Lourdes Rd., Metamora, IL 61548, (309) 798-7287, [email protected] Breed Warden- Linda Reeves, 1647 Greenbrier Dr., Metamora, IL 61548, (309) 822-8346, [email protected] Dir of Testing- Jeff Henke, 6442 - 114th Ave., Wapello, IA 52653, (563) 299-4435, [email protected] MIDWEST NORTH: Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin

Chairman- Kurt Haroldson, 518 Summit Avenue, New Ulm, MN 56073, (507) 276-7127, [email protected] Vice Chairman- Dave Swanson, 5901 North Shore Drive, Eau Claire, WI 54703, 715) 834-9254 [email protected]

Bus. Manager- Faith Wood, 3654 East Martin Ave., Cudahy, WI, 53110, (414) 744-1929, [email protected] Breed Warden- Chris Schmidt, 61405 187th St., Janesville, MN 56048, (507) 245-3070, [email protected] Dir of Testing- Dave Swanson, 5901 North Shore Drive, Eau Claire, WI 54703, 715) 834-9254 [email protected] SOUTHEAST HUNTER: Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee Chairman- Scott Crabtree, 5412 Old Farm Rd., Gastonia, NC, (704) 865-9971, [email protected] Vice Chairman- Mike Fortner, 2055 Justice Rd., Afton, TN 37616, (423) 483-4496, [email protected] Bus. Manager- Ana Barrios-Sosa, 3675 Yarborough Rd., Olanta, SC 29114, (843) 659-2688, [email protected] Breed Warden- Martin Coffman, DVM, 22378 County Rd. 34, St. Stephens, AL 36569, (251) 247-2358, [email protected] Dir of Testing- Mike Fortner, 2055 Justice Rd., Afton, TN 37616, (423) 483-4496, [email protected] WILD WEST: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Washington Chairman- Paul Trout, 18369 Chicken Dinner Rd., Caldwell, ID, 83607, (208)454-8271, [email protected] Vice Chairman- Jason Wilde, 4977 W. 2100 S, Taylor, UT 84401 (801) 732-1751, [email protected] Bus. Manager- Chazz Holt, Jr., 1546 W. 8740 S., West Jordan, UT, 84088, (801) 915-5780, [email protected] Breed Warden- Cal Bambrough, 3673 N. 2225 E., Layton, UT 84040, (801) 791-5250, [email protected] Dir of Testing- Jason Wilde, 4977 W. 2100 S, Taylor, UT 84401 (801) 732-1751, [email protected]




mailto:%[email protected]

mailto:%[email protected]































Planning Ahead for ALL GNA TESTS & CHAPTER EVENTS

March 11 18-20 Elmer NJ

Area Farms Atlantic VJP: Roger N. Smith 609-654-6005 [email protected] Full; accepting standbys

25-27 Boise ID Boise desert

Wild West VJP: Paul Trout 208-454-8271 [email protected] FULL

25-27 Wapello IA Area Farms

Heartland VJP: Jeff Henke 563-299-4435 [email protected] test full

26-27 Decatur TX Public land

Big Rivers VJP: Kevin Sherrod 979-798-2359 [email protected] test full

April 11 1-2 Marysville OH

Private farms Great Lakes VJP: Dan Crusey 937-578-8090 [email protected] Test is full

2-3 Canton IL Area Farms

Heartland VJP: Curt Caldwell 309-798-7287 [email protected] provide e-mail

2-3 Carlisle PA Weary Property

Atlantic VJP: Joseph R. Secoura 919-562-2144 [email protected] Full; accepting standbys

8-10 Lavergne TN Percy Priest

Southeast Hunter VJP: Mike Fortner 4234834496 [email protected] extra judging group added

9-10 Grand Island NE Great Plains VJP: Jill Manring 308-380-8419 [email protected] Test Full

9-10 McConnelsville OH AEP Power

Great Lakes VJP: Frank Van Dresser 419-929-8103 [email protected] Test full -closed-

9-10 Walton KS Muth Farm

Big Rivers VJP: Jim Wion 314-596-6217 [email protected] Test Full

9-10 Boise ID Boise BLM

Wild West VJP: Joe Kelly 208-867-5351 [email protected] email with entry

15-17 Malta ID Malta BLM Lands

Wild West VJP: Lynn S. Whiteley 801.985.5958 [email protected] Test Full at 25 Entries

16-17 Nekoosa WI Private Land

Midwest North VJP: Gordon Spaete 608 582 4216 [email protected] test full

16-17 Cheyenne WY private lands

Great Plains VJP: Ed Hollowed 970-878-5133 [email protected] test full

16-17 Pioneer OH Private farms

Great Lakes VJP: Jim Jones 574-206-9465 [email protected] TEST IS FULL

22-23 Janesville MN private land

Midwest North VJP: Chris Schmidt 507 245 3070 [email protected] date change

29 Watertown SD Great Plains Breed Show: Linda Reeves 309.822.8346 [email protected]

29 Watertown SD Great Plains Btr: Larry Reeves 309-822-8346 [email protected] provide e-mail

29-May 1

Harrold SD Krull Lodge

Great Plains VJP: Lynda Krull 605-875-3383 [email protected] Test Full

29-May 1

Shreveport LA Holiday Inn Wst

Big Rivers BRC Annual Meeting: Brandt Hardy 225-252-2195 [email protected]

30-May 1

Watertown SD Great Plains VJP: Larry Reeves 309-822-8346 [email protected] Test Full

30-May 1

Amidon ND private land

Midwest North VJP: Ned Sorley 763 479 6760 [email protected]

30 Shreveport LA Big Rivers Breed Show: Lynn S. Whiteley 801.985.5958 [email protected]

June 11 17 Longmont CO

GNA Annual Mtg

Great Plains Breed Show: Linda Reeves 309-822-8346 [email protected] provide e-mail

http://www.vdd-gna.org/members/chapters.php?Chapter=atlantic

http://www.vdd-gna.org/members/chapters.php?Chapter=wildwest

http://www.vdd-gna.org/members/chapters.php?Chapter=heartland

http://www.vdd-gna.org/members/chapters.php?Chapter=bigrivers

http://www.vdd-gna.org/members/chapters.php?Chapter=greatlakes

http://www.vdd-gna.org/members/chapters.php?Chapter=heartland


http://www.vdd-gna.org/members/chapters.php?Chapter=southeasthunter

http://www.vdd-gna.org/members/chapters.php?Chapter=greatplains





http://www.vdd-gna.org/members/chapters.php?Chapter=midwestnorth













July 11 16 Millmont PA

UCSC Atlantic Breed Show: Nancy Bohs 609-654-6005 [email protected] Union Co Sportsmen's Club

September 11 8-9 Harrold SD

Krull Lodge Great Plains HZP: Lynda Krull 605-875-3383 [email protected] with hare track

10-11 Harrold SD Krull Lodge

Great Plains VGP: Lynda Krull 605-875-3383 [email protected] TF/UF; drip method

16 Logan UT Cutler Marsh

Wild West HZP: Shane Loveland 435-237-9266 [email protected]/o track, email address

17-18 Torrington WY private lands

Great Plains HZP: Ed Hollowed 970-878-5133 [email protected] w/hare track

17-18 Logan UT Logan Canyon

Wild West VGP: Shane Loveland 435-237-9266 [email protected] TF/ÜF, email address

24-25 Grand Island NE Great Plains HZP: Jill Manring 308-380-8419 [email protected] 10 dog w/o hare; email

Test Expense Reports for VGP’s & HZP’s 2010

VGP’s for 2010 Location Test Expenses Judge Expenses Total Dogs Entered Cost per dog Carlisle, PA $530.69 $2,258.50 $2,789.19 8 $348.65 Carthage, IL $75.00 $273.01 $348.01 4 $87.00 Eau Claire, WI $700.00 $2,253.07 $2,953.07 8 $369.13 Evansville, WY $742.18 $2,701.18 $3,443.36 8 $430.42 Fayetteville, NC $317.90 $1,485.79 $1,803.69 3 $601.23 Harrold, SD $338.06 $1,164.27 $1,502.33 4 $375.58 Hugo, MN $440.00 $390.88 $830.88 4 $207.72 Levering, MI $1,452.43 $1,993.90 $3,446.33 9 $382.93 Logan, UT $458.60 $1,143.28 $1,601.88 6 $266.98 Nekoosa, WI $0.00 $321.76 $321.76 4 $80.44 Wapello, IA $205.15 $65.04 $270.19 3 $90.06 Total $19,310.69 61 $316.57









HZP’s for 2010 Aberdeen, NC $500.00 $800.32 $1,300.32 7 $185.76 Bixby, OK $222.00 $702.54 $924.54 9 $102.73 Boise, ID $0.00 $1,259.72 $1,259.72 8 $157.47 Demopolis, AL $622.00 $799.99 $1,421.99 6 $237.00 Eau Claire, WI $104.78 $0.00 $104.78 1 $104.78 Giddings, TX $0.00 $570.27 $570.27 8 $71.28 Grand Island, NE $249.45 $970.30 $1,219.75 9 $135.53 Harrold, SD $687.65 $1,015.30 $1,702.95 8 $212.87 Janesville, MN $354.00 $0.00 $354.00 9 $39.33 Logan, UT $200.00 $668.27 $868.27 11 $78.93 Marysville, CA $800.45 $1,896.04 $2,696.49 15 $179.77 Nekoosa, WI $0.00 $315.37 $315.37 9 $35.04 Pioneer, OH $525.50 $420.90 $946.40 8 $118.30 Seneca, IL $326.00 $343.84 $669.84 8 $83.73 Shamong, NJ $416.18 $1,553.21 $1,969.39 7 $281.34 Torrington, WY (1) $660.00 $487.87 $1,147.87 10 $114.79 Torrington, WY (2) $159.87 $358.13 $518.00 2 $259.00 Wapello, IA (1) $339.75 $959.37 $1,299.12 8 $162.39 Wapello, IA (2) $589.30 $180.00 $769.30 5 $153.86 Watertown, SD $667.01 $1,085.56 $1,752.57 19 $92.24 York Springs, PA $685.45 $317.80 $1,003.25 15 $66.88 Zanesville, OH $373.00 $819.56 $1,192.56 10 $119.26 Total $24,006.75 192 $125.04 Submitted by Fred Turjan


10th International Armbruster Zuchtprüfung Shreveport, LA October 19-23, 2011

VDD/GNA, the Big Rivers Chapter, and Shreveport, Louisiana would like to welcome you to the 2011 Armbruster Zuchtprüfung. The Armbruster is the premiere testing and social event for the Deutsch-Drahthaar breed in North America! The Waterwork and Form/Haar Judging will be done west of Shreveport in the Greenwood area.

This year the Armbruster will include a test and social gathering to be admired for years to come. Our test grounds are in pristine condition and all aspects of the test can be viewed atop many of the rolling hills overlooking our incredible water sites and many of the fields. The test grounds are nestled amongst one of the most gorgeous farms in the Shreveport area, surrounded by tall pines and breathtaking scenery, you will want to make sure you bring the entire family. The test locations are all 15-30 minutes away from our hotel headquarters. We anticipate this will make a more leisurely afternoon after testing and a more relaxed informal social time in the evenings on test days. We want to enjoy the fun Cajun Party experience in bringing the Armbruster to Louisiana.

Prüfungsleiter (Test Director) 2011 Armbruster Zuchtprüfung

Cal Bambrough 3673 N. 2225 E. Layton, UT 84040 Tel: 801.791.5250 Email: [email protected]

Coordinator 2011 Armbruster Zuchtprüfung Brandt Hardy 1914 Pericles St. Baton Rouge, LA 70808 Tel: 225.252.2195 Email: [email protected]




Entry Requirements Dogs eligible to enter the 2011 Armbruster must meet the following requirements

1) Have scored a minimum of 65 points at a VJP. 2) Have a clearly visible beard 3) Meet minimum Form/Haar standards of G/G (Determined at pre-evaluation) 4) Be certified HD-frei 5) Have the HN designation 6) Be gunfire tolerant in water (Determined at pre-evaluation) 7) Be willing to freely enter the water and search (Determined at pre-evaluation)

Entries

Anyone interested in entering the Armbruster should contact the Prüfungsleiter Cal Bambrough by email or phone to let him know of your interest or intent to enter. By doing so you will be sent a packet containing entry forms and all information needed to complete the entry. Most chapters will offer Armbruster Pre-Evaluations at training days this summer. If anyone is having trouble getting qualified, or has any questions, contact Brandt Hardy or Cal Bambrough.

For up to the minute Armbruster information click here www.vddgnabrc.org

Hotel: The host hotel for the 2011 Armbruster will be

Holiday Inn West 5555 Financial Plaza Shreveport, LA 71129

Tel: 877-859-5095

http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/shreveport/shvfp/hoteldetail Both Pets-Allowed and Non- Pet rooms are available

The discounted room rate is $69 and includes a one time $50 pet fee for the event. Mention VDD/GNA when making your reservation to receive this rate

http://www.vddgnabrc.org/

http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/en/shreveport/shvfp/hoteldetail

oldsite.vdd-gna.orgverein deutsch-drahthaar/group north america executive board chairman: bryon r....

Documents