What a great finish!

This past weekend in Camrose Alberta, Blaze earned his last point for his Canadian Championship title.  Blaze was Mr Blue in our June 2008 litter between our Miska (BIS (Veteran) Am/Cdn/Int'l/UKC CH Varazs Kiralyi Kedvesem FDJ, FD, NAVHDA NA Prize III, JH, Am/Cdn CD, Am/Cdn RE, Am RAE, CGN) and an Australian import named Ozzie (CH Hubertus Quality Control FDJ). Not only that, Blaze also took a Group 4th placement in the Sporting Group under Puerto Rican Judge, Roberto Velaz-Pico!  Taking a group placement is like having icing on a cake.  It was a great way to finish a championship weekend! Congratulations to Blaze's owners and to Blaze.


Blaze is almost 3.5 years old and it took a while to complete his championship because there are very few Vizslas being shown in conformation in Alberta and one needs to beat other Vizslas in order to pick up championship points.  Well, technically dogs can become Canadian champions by never seeing or beating another dog of the same breed but they would have to always get group placements and that's tough in our breed at the best of times. The other reason it took Blaze a little while to get his points is that he is a slow maturing dog.  Males need more time to mature and develop physically (and mentally) than females but this is actually a good thing. One noticeable feature with Blaze, however, is a lighter eye colour. Although all the puppies in this litter developed a dark ring at the outer edge of their irises which supposedly means their eye colour will darken when become adults, it doesn't always happen and sometimes it just takes a long(er) time. I usually expect our Vizslas to have a dark eye by the time they are two years of age but Blaze is still showing a lighter eye colour.  His irises may never darken completely but one never knows.

The owners don't have a show photo of Blaze earning his Group 4th or Championship yet but here is an earlier shot of Blaze in the ring with a pro handler.  I have always loved Blaze. He's got very good bone and structure; good forechest and depth of chest; a correct tail set; nice topline; and strong muzzle.

So Blaze's official name is now:  CH Varazs Kedves Quaser NAVHDA NA Prize III.  And kudos to his mom Miska and dad Ozzie and this litter of puppies born in 2008, ALL six of which are now CHAMPIONS and four of which had group placements:

• Am CH Varazs Kedves Quizmark "Andras" (M) (Mr Red) - Multiple AKC group placements
• CH Varazs Kedves Quester "Quest" (M) (Mr Green) - Group 2nd
• CH Varazs Kedves Quinn "Piper"  (F) (Miss Lilac/Purple)
• CH Varazs Kedves Quasar NAVHDA NA Prize III "Blaze" (M)  (Mr Blue) - Group 4th
• CH, Int'l & UKC CH Varazs Kedves Quickstep FDJ JH "Diva"  (F)  (Miss Yellow) - Multiple group placements CKC & UKC
• CH Varazs Kedves Quincy "Gunner" (M)  (Mr Black)

Postscript:  At the same Camrose shows, Blaze's daughter, Sydney (Blackbullet's Waltzing Matilda NAVHDA NA) was also being shown. She beat Blaze on Saturday and took Best of Breed and a Group 4th placement and then Blaze beat her on Sunday with the same win.  So it was a wonderful family affair at this dog show.