Page 262 - Showsight December 2020

THE
VERSATILE
VIZSLA
BY CAROL C. SOMMERFELT
The incredible Vizsla has been a significant part of my life ever since I was first introduced to the breed in the mid-1970s. While attending The Ohio State University, my college roommate invited me to her home where I was intro- duced to the Behi Vizslas of her parents, Bernard C. (Clif) and Hilda Boggs.
Going back to the 1960s, the Boggs were active and influential members of the Vizsla Club of America as well as founding members of the Miami Valley Vizsla Club in Ohio. Clif and Hilda were very active in the breed, finishing many early champions as well as numerous field champions and dual champions. Active and prominent promoters of the breed and its versatility, the Boggs were always available to help anyone interested in learning more about the breed. I learned a great deal from this couple and consider them my first mentors and the ones most responsible for my involvement in the breed and in the sport of purebred dogs. Not only were they great promoters of the breed, Clif was also the author of the book, The Vizsla, which was first published in 1973 and has since had several revisions. That book is, in my opinion, still a great resource for anyone interested in the breed today.
Growing up in rural Northwest Ohio farm country, we always had dogs. I was exposed to numerous breeds and other farm animals. Until I was introduced to the Vizsla, I had never met a breed with so much desire to please their owner—regardless of the task. This versatility is what attracted me to the breed. From the beginning, I was hooked and I have continued to be for over 40 years. I was especially fortunate that my first Vizsla was a quality bitch that went on to become my first champion and, although she was only able to produce one litter, she blessed me with versatile puppies that excelled in the field as well as in the show ring; the foundation of the Lorac line of Vizslas.
When I began competing at AKC events there were only three major areas of com- petition for Sporting breeds; conformation, obedience, and field trials. So, I trained my dogs in all three areas. In those early years, the breed was pretty much an owner-handled breed with most owners competing in all three areas. Breeders bred not only for a good representative of the breed, but also one that was obedient and performed well in the field. Back then, many of the competitors in the area would gather to work their dogs together by holding “fun days” where we could improve our skills in the ring as well as for the field. Much knowledge and various techniques were shared, something that is rarely seen these days.
It was through Vizslas that I met my husband, Walter, over 38 years ago. Through him, I was able to see the Vizsla as well as other breeds from a new perspective. After our marriage, I became a student of many different breeds, learning about their various types and structure as it relates to their function. Through our experiences together and his encouragement, I applied to AKC to judge in 1997. I was approved to judge Vizslas, Pointers, Weimaraners, and Bearded Collies, which we had bred together. From that initial application, I have gradually applied for additional breeds while raising a family and maintaining my professional career as a world-renowned Human Embryologist.
260 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 2020