| Vizsla
Quick
Facts |
| The
Vizsla is
also called the Hungarian Pointer. At the end of World War I, the
Vizsla
was all but extinct. The importation of the breed into the United
States began in the 1950s. The breed was admitted into the American
Kennel Club in 1960. |
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| Agility |
Overview
Agility began as an exhibition sport in Great Britain as entertainment
between sessions at the Crufts Dog Show and then at other local shows.
It developed quite a following there and was introduced in the USA in
1977. The FCI in Europe sponsors a World Agility Championship in which
the US has been represented many years. Agility is patterned after
equestrian events and includes control, agility ability, and
confidence. Agility is comprised of a numbered course made up of many
different obstacles including jumps, obstacles to climb over/run
across, and obstacles to go through. It is a timed event and faults are
accrued for going over standard course time, taking obstacles in the
wrong sequence, and refusing obstacles or running by them. No leash or
other physical contact is allowed, but the handler is allowed to direct
the dog with both voice and signal commands. Qualifying depends on the
number of faults in a run and the type of organization entered. There
are 4 different national clubs in the USA: USDAA, the first agility
organization, NADAC, AKC, and UKC (old NCDA). There are 2 organizations
in Canada: AAC and CKC. All these organizations have different rules
and means of qualifying, as well as some differences in equipment used.
It is best to go to the sites listed below for more detailed
descriptions of each organization.
There are generally 3 levels of expertise and, depending on the
organization, several different games or classes. Some organizations
have junior handler classes and veteran classes for older dogs, and
other organizations have a championship level and a lower performance
level. All in all, with all the different varieties, agility is
available to all breeds of dogs including mixed breeds. Local clubs
hold weekend events and each organization has a year end championship
trial for which you and your dog can qualify throughout the year.
 Agility
and the CVC
CVC has not had much opportunity to become involved with agility at
this point. Equipment is very expensive and cumbersome and hard to
store. CVC did include agility at a training day a few years ago. CVC
also was host club for the first agility trial held at the VCA
Nationals in Hagerstown a few years ago.
My goal as agility committee chairperson is to promote the sport of
agility in all 4 national organizations. I am also a strong proponent
for safety in agility, for maintaining a positive attitude and training
methodology, and for ensuring one’s dog is in excellent
physical and structural condition for this very demanding sport.
Upcoming Events
Agility events are sponsored by several different organizations--the
links below should help you locate agility events of interest:
Clean Run - this website will
display events from ALL agility organizations
AKC
USDAA
NADAC
Agility Links
Clicker Training Links
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| Vizsla
Mantras |
"Lack
of a blanket and pillow is
serious abuse." - ROMEO
Source: VizslaTalk
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