Blog Archives
Lyle
~And Mesquite
Well Mesquite has been living in Prosser for two years today. She is celebrating by getting a bath! She doesn’t like it but she lets you do it. She sure likes to prance after she gets out of the tub. She wants you to know how nice she looks.
She is doing well! Can’t wait for her morning walks, especially if she can find a cat or Quail.
I am taking her to Montana hunting in October. I am sure she will go for that. She has become a darn good bird dog. What I like about her she isn’t ramie, she doesn’t chase the birds off before you get there.
She has her annual check up next Wednesday.
~Lyle
Breeder Comment
We are beyond happy to hear that Mesquite is doing well. You did great to teach he to hunt–she comes from a good hunting lineage, but we could not guarantee anything. And, thank you for giving her an excellent Golden Year Placement.
Ashe
~ Bernie X Boone 2019
~Just wanted to update you on our not so little anymore Ashe!
We just back from the vet earlier this week and weigh in was just at 30lbs!
She is certainly growing into her own and has no lack of personality.
She’s not the most graceful pup, she tends to barrel through just about anything and falls down constantly but she has no fear and we love that about her!
She loves her brother Chase (Australian Sheppard) so much, and he is finally warming up to her and playing with her.
Hope all is well over at OwyheeStar!
We are loving Ashe more and more every day, even when she won’t leave one of us alone ☺️.
Much Love,Jett and Chauntel
Breeder Comment
People like you make what we do a joy! We truly appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to share these photos and some insight into your life with Ashe.
NAVHDA Natural Ability Prize One
~ Our Score 112
Hi guys just wanted to drop a quick note. Me and Luna were first alternate and luckily got into the NA test yesterday.
We surprisingly got a prize 1 – 112 score! Wow. I’m still shocked but she did it all and we trained hard. Now just getting ready for hunting season.
Mike and Michelle
Information
–The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA)
NAVHDA chapters sponsor four kinds of tests:
The Natural Ability Test is designed to evaluate the inherent natural abilities of young dogs and gain insight into their possible usefulness as versatile gun dogs. It rates seven important inherited abilities: nose, search, tracking, pointing, water, desire and cooperation. Dogs are eligible for a Natural Ability Test up until, and including, the day they reach 16 months of age. Dogs over 16 months may be run for evaluation only. Dogs over 16 months may only be run if space is available. No prize classification can be awarded the dog run for evaluation.
The Utility Preparatory Test measures the dogs’ development midway through their training toward the Utility Test. No previous testing required.The Utility Test evaluates trained dogs in water and field, before and after the shot, as finished versatile hunting companions as well as many other specific tasks. No previous testing required. The Invitational Test is our highest level of testing. Only those dogs that have achieved a Prize I in Utility are eligible. This limits the entry to exceptional animals who have demonstrated a high level of training and tests their skills in the advanced work.
Breeder Comment on Points Earned
The maximum possible score for a dog running in the NAVHDA Natural Ability Test is 112 Points. You must earn a minimum of 99 points to net a Prize One. Luna got a perfect score–we cannot tell you how difficult it is to achieve this goal. Honestly, it is even more remarkable with the Weimaraner–who can potential flake out at the wrong moment.
To Learn More about competing your Weimaraner with NAVHDA click here!
Jorga
~At Seven
As you know, a lot has happened since we returned to the Pacific Northwest, from Belgium. Frisbee- I love it, She plays it in the house too.
I’m unpacking and finding things…Jorja will be 7 in March, the picture of her and the little lady is who she named after. 🇷🇴 Romanian spelling, Pronounce “Georgia” /Jorja.
Breeder Comment
Thank you, Eileen. We think Jorga and her name spelling is pretty cool, too!
Stone
~The Little Blue Guy
We just got the results back from the 16 week Titer test. Stone tested positive for both antibodies, which is great! However, the vet technician warned me that Stone could still be at risk and that they suggest the 16 week vaccination. I am holding strong.
Stone is very much at home here, loves his big brother, Blue, tolerates his crate, devours his food and then heads for Blue’s bowl (and shock of shock, Blue lets him eat from his bowl!), and continues to be the world’s best snuggler. Everyone stops me on our daily walks to coo over how sweet he is. Stone is really smart too – and we start Obedience Classes in May.
But who leaves out dog treats when a Weim is waiting for the vet???
Thank you for our little angel. We love him so.
Best,
Victoria
Breeder Comment
As I always say–thank you, Victoria, for the update on Stone. You have been so excellent as sending things that I can share on the Blog. It means a lot to us.
We love to hear that Stone has settled into his routine and that he is doing well in every way. These photos are precious. I know everyone is going to appreciate seeing them.
House Rules
~Regarding–the Furniture
We try to have strict rules so all the furniture doesn’t get taken over by the dogs since both Jim and I are allergic to big loads of dog dander.
Our compromise is this: One ancient sofa near the front hall is all theirs. Sucia and Patos know that they can wrestle, scratch, jump on, chew toys and rough-house all they want on “their” old couch. The rule for the rest of the furniture is off-limits. The one exception is this gray couch, and by invitation only, in this picture is that it is off-limits, UNLESS it is covered with one of their fleece blankets. they can only be on it when it is covered with one of these fleece blankets, usually when one of us is on the couch and want a pup to snuggle next to us. Clearly, this was an afternoon that Sucia and Patos discovered that the fleece blankets were left on unattended…….😊
Breeder Comment
Every household has rules–spoken or unspoken. Sometimes we humans fail to keep our end of the bargain, and it is either confusing or allows bending the rules a bit. (Haha) Weims have a way of working things to their liking. We all know that. Don’t we adore them for their shrewdness — for the challenge they present? I think we can agree, we do.
Thank you, Megan, for this fabulous update. We truly appreciate it!
Lucy and Toby
Has been a while since I shared anything. Toby and Lucy are doing great!
The two shed pics are Lucy’s last week and a pretty funny one of Toby’s very first she’d find! It’s a beauty. Had a good laugh in the forest at that one! Do t worry, you’ll catch up to Lucy someday!
The picture of the rock behind them. That was about 15’ high and straight up and down and I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it myself; Toby ran straight up it like a billy goat and then Lucy followed and I had to run and catch her when she fell back. The look on to Toby’s face was right after that. Tell me a dog doesn’t have a personality!
Who doesn’t like car rides and sometimes we get to share the front seat!
Love the first snowfall of the season.
We even get to help dad with the firewood.
Out of the two, Lucy has the best nose and Toby’s the most athletic. He must put 25% more miles. Sure is wonderful having two energetic and cuddly furries again!
Have a Merry Christmas!
Breeder Comment
We are so happy to hear news of Toby and Lucy. They look fabulous–like they are enjoying life. What a great share. It gives people a feel for what it can be like. There is nothing we can say other than seeing the Weims involved in the family activities brings us joy. Thank You–Merry Christmas to you and the Weim kids.
PS: We love your smiling Weimar photo–Toby you are adorable.
Our Milly
At 6.5 Months
Just wanted to send you a quick update on Milly (Bernie and Boone 18 litter). She is 6.5 months old now, wow where did time go? She is such a joy and we fall more in love with her every day. She is in level 4 (out of 4) in obedience training on her way to getting her canine good citizenship certificate. She does so well in class and we are working hard to enforce all her commands into everyday life. She is still growing like a weed and I believe is now around 45lbs. We love this spunky, smart, cuddly girl so much! Here are some recent photos!
(Milly and her Weim “cousin” Sky are best of friends)
(She is learning to enjoy playing in the rain, she’s a Seattle girl after all! This has taken much coercion but she’s getting used to it)
(Sometimes she thinks she is a cat! Notice her blanket which is spread out that she chose to ignore)
(She has daddy wrapped around her finger)Thanks again for a wonderful pup!Deanna
Breeder’s Comment
The Stackhouse Sisters
Sucia and Patos
~Part Two
Breeder Comment
I often say that if you can get through the initial phase–the pouting, the acting out, the punishing looks, etc. it gets easier. It can be easier to have two instead of one. The best way to achieve your goal is not to react to the utter disdain. Keep things on an even keel and try to be unfazed by their reaction. You can do this because soon they will be the best of friends–inseparable. They don’t love you any less either.
I do believe that two females (in this breed) are trickier than a male and a female. Typically a male will let the female be the queen bee of the castle, whereas, the first female may not back down. It is essential to get a less dominant pup or possibly the first female will allow the new kid on the block the upper paw. Something has to give. Regardless, if the humans remain calm, consistent, and non-reactive; I believe this will almost always work out without exception with a puppy. Bringing in an adult might not work at all. Certain dynamics make this tricky–sometimes impossible. There are those situations where it has worked, but my suggestion is to proceed with caution. Make sure it is going to work. Good intentions do not always make for a positive outcome. No one wants a fur-flying scenario. (OMG)
I love this example of the two girls. They get along but have a healthy sisterly interaction. They share everything and entertain each other in a way that could never happen otherwise. Sucia went from disdain to love for her sister. You did a lot right, my friend.
The Stackhouse Sisters
Sucia and Patos
~Part One
Time has flown! Sucia (Cindee x Stackhouse 2013) and Patos (Livee x Stackhouse 2017) are the best. They are both the perfect size — at 4 years old, Sucia is hovering at 50 pounds, and Patos is just under 50 pounds. From paws on floor to shoulder height, Patos is about 22 inches high and gorgeous!I won’t lie….. it was a bit of a challenge adding baby Patos to our established routine, but well worth it.
Our First Blue
I must admit, I was hesitant to get a blue, after having 4 sequential silver weims in my life. Now, I am so thankful that Patos is blue so I can tell them apart! They are both so distinctive and beautiful. It also helps that I have a tiny bell on Patos’s collar so I can tell which dog is wandering through the kitchen or other potentially tempting places.
The Two–Each is Unique
After raising two separate single Weimaraners, however, I can say that it was a totally different experience introducing a second weim puppy into a house. They have very different personalities — Sucia was always sweet and loving and eager to please. Patos, on the other hand, is an energetic spitfire and took much more consistency and discipline and repetition than Sucia did.Patos has an exquisite nose, much more developed that Sucia’s. She loves the water and took to swimming after tennis balls much easier than Sucia did. In fact, if I am driving by the lake or ocean, and Patos catches a sniff of it, she starts moaning in her kennel in hopeful anticipation. She also has a funny-willful streak in her. For example, when we are walking in my gardens, she will look at you with her big innocent face, and then lightning-hop like Tigger and rip off a flower or leaf and prance ahead, and then look back at you with the big innocent face again, as if to say, “oh wow, who did that?”
Breeder Comment
Well, we are not surprised in the least. This compact style Weimaraner tends to be the pocket-rocket type. They also can be super friendly, loving, and whatnot. Nevertheless, managing them can be a challenge.
The idea of having two Weims if fantastic–if you can live through incorporating them into the family. It is an entirely different situation when you add a second Weim–there is no way to explain it, but a person has to stay in the process, as well as remember not to overreact. Eventually, things typically work out if you take a breath and keep after the training thing. We think you did a great job.
For all those wondering–there will be a couple more segments (featuring Sucia and Patos) over the next week or so. Thanks, Meg, we appreciate you taking time from your hectic schedule to drop us this fabulous update. We don’t take it lightly. Tell, Jim we appreciate his work during this process too.
We don’t know how many compact Weims are in OwyheeStar’s future. It is complicated. We have put a lot of planning into weaving the DNA to get the best possible outcome. It remains to be seen if we can keep producing a few smaller Weims, or not.
Owyheestar Weimaraner's News 