MFSDA SPOTLIGHT on member:
Meet Chrissy Daniel and her Wire Haired Vizslas!
In 2015, we put down our last Doberman. I had owned Dobermans for 23 years and husband was ready for a change. I sold my speech therapy practice and wanted to give back by volunteering with my other passion; dogs!
I began my research of breeds and came upon the wirehaired vizsla. I tuned into Westminster Kennel Club and observed breed judging. With a life expectancy of 12-14 years, agreeable/ easily trained temperaments, and those cute beards, I was hooked!
In July 2016, my first whv was Ona, a pup from an AKC "Breeder of Merit." Ona came to us sick and proceeded to infect my other 3 dogs with what was later determined to be corona virus. A natural hunter, she began ‘pointing and tracking’ our Florida chameleons. However, with Ona’s personality, horrible allergies, faulty coat and having HUU (Hyperuricosuria), it quickly became apparent she would not excel as a therapy dog or in the fields. That being said, Ona is the most loving dog I have owned! She wakes up every morning licking me and Husband, with her wagging tail thump-thump-thumping the mattress.
I resumed my search for a quality whv overseas in the country of origin :Hungary. February 2017, I connected with Zsofie Micsek, owner of Zoldmali Kennels. I told her my desire for a healthy, well rounded dog to use for therapy visits and to take anywhere! She asked if I wanted a puppy but I clarified I preferred a well socialized dog was welcomed. She had 2 boys she had bought as pups from a French breeder (Antoine Poupinet who I have come to know through Facebook!). She trained both for hunting but felt Dante was best suited as he always stuck close by. Dante was also a Hungarian Junior Champion that enjoyed laying on the lap of children. Zsofie asked if I had a timeframe as she was planning on using the dogs for stud in coming months. I was happy to wait for the ‘right dog’. Photos of Dante cemented the decision and I patiently waited.
Fast forward to August 2017 and final arrangements were made. In the meantime, Dante completed his Hunt Test in Hungary scoring 261 of 264 and achieved Hungarian Show Champion. Zsofie mentioned in passing that I should consider showing Dante as his bloodlines were not yet in this country. I had never even attended an AKC dog show!
Dante arrived shortly after Hurricane Matthew and turned 2 years old on his flight from Hungary. He has been more than I could have ever expected! All his training was done in Hungarian and I jokingly tell people he learned English while we listened to Audible on our thousands of miles driving to shows! I wanted to do as much as possible with Dante. From the show ring to lure coursing, to Farm Dog certification, to temperament title, to therapy dog certification, and trick titles; We have learned so much together! We have attended several judge’s education seminars. Dante has been a ‘volunteer model’ at the Chi Institute in Reddick, Florida where veterinarians learn chiropractic care and acupuncture. We have taken classes for scent work. Dante even tried dock diving! It's safe to say he is a belly flopper and prefers sticking to water retrievals in ponds, lakes and rivers.
Dante has excelled in the show ring being the First WHV to be RBIS, First/ Only to become Gold Champion, more Variety Group Placements than any other WHV, and has won 4 consecutive Best of Breeds at Westminster. Honestly, what makes Dante the most attractive is his personality. He is an amazing ambassador for his breed and a complete joy to live with.
Husband, Dante and I attended only one hunt training day in Florida for us to see exactly what is involved. We hope to get back to the fields soon as it really is something Dante enjoys! We recently purchased a summer home in Utah and have deer and quail traversing our property. Dante has been in heaven! Come spring 2022, we welcome the opportunity to learn more about hunting in hopes of earning some NAHVDA titles. We need to show others that Dante is more than just a pretty face.
I began my research of breeds and came upon the wirehaired vizsla. I tuned into Westminster Kennel Club and observed breed judging. With a life expectancy of 12-14 years, agreeable/ easily trained temperaments, and those cute beards, I was hooked!
In July 2016, my first whv was Ona, a pup from an AKC "Breeder of Merit." Ona came to us sick and proceeded to infect my other 3 dogs with what was later determined to be corona virus. A natural hunter, she began ‘pointing and tracking’ our Florida chameleons. However, with Ona’s personality, horrible allergies, faulty coat and having HUU (Hyperuricosuria), it quickly became apparent she would not excel as a therapy dog or in the fields. That being said, Ona is the most loving dog I have owned! She wakes up every morning licking me and Husband, with her wagging tail thump-thump-thumping the mattress.
I resumed my search for a quality whv overseas in the country of origin :Hungary. February 2017, I connected with Zsofie Micsek, owner of Zoldmali Kennels. I told her my desire for a healthy, well rounded dog to use for therapy visits and to take anywhere! She asked if I wanted a puppy but I clarified I preferred a well socialized dog was welcomed. She had 2 boys she had bought as pups from a French breeder (Antoine Poupinet who I have come to know through Facebook!). She trained both for hunting but felt Dante was best suited as he always stuck close by. Dante was also a Hungarian Junior Champion that enjoyed laying on the lap of children. Zsofie asked if I had a timeframe as she was planning on using the dogs for stud in coming months. I was happy to wait for the ‘right dog’. Photos of Dante cemented the decision and I patiently waited.
Fast forward to August 2017 and final arrangements were made. In the meantime, Dante completed his Hunt Test in Hungary scoring 261 of 264 and achieved Hungarian Show Champion. Zsofie mentioned in passing that I should consider showing Dante as his bloodlines were not yet in this country. I had never even attended an AKC dog show!
Dante arrived shortly after Hurricane Matthew and turned 2 years old on his flight from Hungary. He has been more than I could have ever expected! All his training was done in Hungarian and I jokingly tell people he learned English while we listened to Audible on our thousands of miles driving to shows! I wanted to do as much as possible with Dante. From the show ring to lure coursing, to Farm Dog certification, to temperament title, to therapy dog certification, and trick titles; We have learned so much together! We have attended several judge’s education seminars. Dante has been a ‘volunteer model’ at the Chi Institute in Reddick, Florida where veterinarians learn chiropractic care and acupuncture. We have taken classes for scent work. Dante even tried dock diving! It's safe to say he is a belly flopper and prefers sticking to water retrievals in ponds, lakes and rivers.
Dante has excelled in the show ring being the First WHV to be RBIS, First/ Only to become Gold Champion, more Variety Group Placements than any other WHV, and has won 4 consecutive Best of Breeds at Westminster. Honestly, what makes Dante the most attractive is his personality. He is an amazing ambassador for his breed and a complete joy to live with.
Husband, Dante and I attended only one hunt training day in Florida for us to see exactly what is involved. We hope to get back to the fields soon as it really is something Dante enjoys! We recently purchased a summer home in Utah and have deer and quail traversing our property. Dante has been in heaven! Come spring 2022, we welcome the opportunity to learn more about hunting in hopes of earning some NAHVDA titles. We need to show others that Dante is more than just a pretty face.
