Tag Archives: Pumi herding

Catskill Pumis Behind the Case of Southern Discomfort

August 2, 2017

Csinszka’s new grand champion ribbon

I had a busy six days last week. I have traveled with the small contingent of three Catskill Pumis, Anka, Csinszka and Otter, to Greenville South Carolina, to participate at the Carolina Foothills Cluster, sponsored by Purina Proplan.

It was a relatively large entry for the breed, 14 Pumis have been present including us, to showcase a cross segment of the breed in the US. I also had a chance to meet some of the new Pumi owners and reconnect with old ones.

Jan and Anka

The venue, the TD Convention Center was a comfortable place to exhibit and seek shelter from the scorching southern heat. The heat and humidity south of the Mason Dixon line is drastically different than our mild summer temperature Upstate NY.

I was pleased with the strong performance of my Pumis. Anka is gradually regaining her pre pregnancy condition. Her hair is also coming back without complications. Seeing her rebounding so fast after her first litter reassures me that my dogs’ BARF diet is working well and that her body has handled the burdens and challenges of pregnancy beautifully.

our weekend result

Me and Csinszka in the Ring

Csinszka is maturing by the day and she is turning into a beautiful proportional bitch with well balanced movements. She is one of the lightest movers, barely touching the ground.

Otter, the well kept Catskill Pumi secret is out now in the open and keeps winning hearts and minds of those who are looking for quality males. He needs to be traveling and shown more to gain confidence and to become more comfortable in the ring.

Overall, my Catskill Pumis have delivered a steady and successful performance.

Catskill Apacatancos Anka got one “Select,” two BOS and one BOB placements.

Catskill Csucsai Csinszka has earned three “Selects” and one BOS. Csinszka also finished her Grand Championship over the weekend!

Catskill Otter has received two “Select” placements.

This successful week could not have been possible without Jan Kolnik, Anka’s handler, Eryn Glenn who showed Otter, and Marilyn Funke who has shown her group of Pumis and we shared the hotel room and an enormous amount of gossips for four days.

Otter

Home Again…

March 31, 2015

they scanned me, and called Laszlo in New York that I will be home again soon…

Home Again… we said a heartfelt good by with Marja-Leeena and then we checked in with the airline. I could not be happier with the news that Agyag’s fee was only 75 Euro(!) . So I showed Agyag’s receipt from New York. I got a big apology and an even bigger refund for the gross over charge at JFK on the way here. I just love Finnair, I think, they just got a committed new customer. Before boarding, I kept asking one of the flight attendants wether the dog was on the plane yet. She was not too enthusiastic about my persistent inquiry, but finally she called the ground crew. She also asked me what kind of a dog I had. The magic word, “PUMI” finally brought a smile on her face and she told me that one of her colleagues also has a Pumi. “You mean Helena Matilla?” I asked… She said, “yes.” What a small planet to fly the friendly skies…

"Are you ready?" I asked, "are you ready?" she asked.

“Are you ready?” I asked her, “are you ready?” she asked me…

Agyag plans to sign up with FinAir as a sniff sniff dog (we might fly free next year…?)

The plane could not leave for an additional forty minutes. So while we were sitting on the ground, I decoded the airplane charmers’ hand signals on the tarmac watching them through the window.

the airplane charmers code to move those big mechanical beasts on the ground. It is all brain power and focus…

The flight was smooth and dry. It reminded me somewhat the prohibition era. (It took lots of button pushing to get a few glasses of wine out of the flight attendants. )

the airplane charmers’ hand signals to move those giant beasts on the ground…

Finally we landed, and we were home again. While I was enjoying the NYC sunshine in the traffic jam trying to get out of the City en route upstate, the furious periodic mini snow storms in the Catskills made me question the existence of Spring.

New Draconian measures in NYC to collect unpaid traffic tickects. Vialators are burried up to their head in the medians to inhale exhaust fumes so reduce pullution. Look at the heads, it turns out that blond types do not pay their traffic tickets more often than others…

snow flurries March 30, 2015 What is going on Mr. Weather Man?

I hope it will come in the next few days. I am ready…

The Catskill Pumis and Climate Science

Phil, the corrupt ground hog rubbing shoulders with imperialist environmental polluters…

February 21, 2015

who can take this cold and insane amount of snow anymore. We need to slow climate change…

Rising sea level, punctured ozone layer, melting polar icecap and ocean acidification are among the many symptoms of the accelerating rate of climate change.

It also has an effect on the Catskill Pumis on a personal level. The last couple of years, we’ve had longer, harsher and snowier winters than in the past. It has been predicted that our area, the Catskill Mountain Park in NY, will be receiving up to fifty per cent more precipitation annually in the next decade. It is time to weak up folks, climate change has become a reality. We might soon see the days when polar bears knock on our doors and ask us to let them float in our afternoon double bourbons on the rocks to reminisc…

a crucial scientific evidence that the Pumis found in identifying the source of long winters and climate change…

While politicians, scientists, corporations and disenfranchised yourselves are up in arms, fighting over the truth and argue over solutions to stop mankind’s demise, the Pumis has also grown increasingly inpatient in the frigid temperature and deep snow up here in the Catskills.

Environmentalists and economists are arguing over paper towel vs. hand dryer, and try to negotiate slow politically correct solutions, such as changing our behaviors and voluntary emission reduction overtime among other nonsense. In contrast, the Pumis, have concluded that there is only one creature to be blamed for these longer and meaner winters, the God Father of climate change, Phil of Punxsutawney, PA, the groundhog…

By using scientific methods, observation, data collection and thinking outside of the box, they deducted that our current winter has intensified due to the irresponsible action of Phil on February 2, 2015. During their investigations they’ve also found evidence that climate change, long winters and certain bearish tendencies of the stock market are clearly correlated.

classified reconnaissance photo…

Phil the groundhog’s compound at Gobbler’s Knob – classified reconnaissance photo

Phil is captured in a dramatic action… (classified photo)

Winter has been long and exhausting. The Pumis need to herd, run and play that is nearly impossible to do in the big snow and in often subzero temperature.

The main question has been; can Phil, the groundhog be convinced that he should not go back to his burrow on February 2 anymore so winter can be shortened and climate change slown in the future? Finally, the Pumis all agreed that they cannot take the risk anymore; they unanimously said “NO” to dog booties and dog coats… the breed got to the point of no return…

“Geronimo is down…” (classified photo)

Last we’ve heard from unidentified sources that a Pum anti-vermin task force has been created under the name, “Zero, Bark Dirty” and have been embarked for Punxutawney, PA…

Disclaimer: No groundhog has been harmed or mistreated while writing this blog entry – if you ask me… (however, I am not responsible for the actions of the Pumis…)

Phil…? (the end of climate change or at least this long winter…?)

Roadside Drunks, Stray Horses, Crazy Pulis And Pumis – Destination Orlando Florida

December 7, 2014

Goofy is ready for the big annual dog show...

Goofy is ready for the big show…

Today I woke up the sun. He slept in it was Sunday...

Today I woke up the sun. He overslept , I gave him a break it was Sunday…

It is that time of the year again, Eukanuba National 2014 in Orlando, Florida. I packed the truck last night, washed the dogs and went to bed early. The alarm woke me at 2:30AM and we were rolling down the icy drive way in the cold and dark by 3:30AM. I am always anxious to drive on Rt-28 in the dark. Deers crossing, drunken pedestrians walking along the dark road and sometimes abandoned vehicles can create unexpected road hazards late in the nights and early mornings.

And yes indeed, just like any other early Sunday morning in the Catskills, I passed two heavily gesticulating drunken men and further down the road three horses trotting on the center line of the dark road in their nice cozy horse blankets. I guess, someone somewhere left the gate open… Perhaps the two drunks whom I saw earlier?

Agyag and Anka are blocking the door "no more stuff in the car..."

Agyag and Anka are giving some dirty looks while blocking the door “no more stuff in the car…”

Marika just discovered some room in the car for both of us (Anka looks disappointed she hoped for a "dogs only" road trip)

After loading the car, Marika discovered some room for both of us (Anka looks disappointed she hoped for a “dogs only” road trip)

I arrived to Marika’s house in New Jersey before 7AM. We loaded all the dogs and my stuff in her car and we were on our way to Maryland.

We arrived to Cherie and Charlie Green-Johnson’s home at 11:00 for a short visit and to groom Fitz, one of our B-litter Pumis. We were happy to meet again and I was grateful to see what a loving home Fitz has and how happy he has been with his two Puli friends.

While grooming Fitz, our Pumis and Cherie’s two Pulis , Winston and Sophie reorganized the house.

Although, the lunch invitation was tempting, we had to say goodbye and hit the road to be able to finish the planned first leg of the road. We had eleven more hours ahead of us to get to Charleston, SC.

Stupid Quiz #1 (while driving to Florida)

Question: what do Catskill Pumis and George Washington have in Common?

Answer: They all crossed the Delaware…

Then…George Washington Crossing the Delaware

Contemporary Crossing of the Delaware...

Now… Pumis Crossing the Delaware…

: Marika at the wheel

zipping under Baltimore Harbor. Feels like time travel.

Run Pumi Run… – Outruns, AHBA HTD-1

October 8, 2014

Long running Pumis in theaters near you!

Csupasz Fruska Outrun <——– Click here…

Rise and Shine

June 1, 2014

We had an early start this morning. I got up at 5AM (OK, I admit… Laszlo got me out of bed…) and drove to Windsor the third time with Agyag and Anka this weekend.

After two days of smooth sailing, we’ve entered “ruffer” pastures today. Although the girls seemed less perky, thanks to the exhausting roundtrip drives, the heat, perhaps Anka’s tender age, (she is only ten months old) and Agyag’s standing heat, both Pumis earned the second and final qualifying score for their PT (Pre-Trial) Title.

Judge Cynthia Knowlton, Ildiko Repasi and Judge Terry Kenney behind the golden girls, Kaffogo Agyag and Catskill Apacatancos Anka (you might want to put Anka's name down for future reference...:-))

Judge Cynthia Knowlton, Ildiko Repasi and Judge Terry Kenney behind the golden girls, Kaffogo Agyag and ten months old Catskill Apacatancos Anka (you might want to put Anka’s name down for future reference…I am telling you…:-))

Last year, Kaffogo Agyag with her Junior World Cup Winner of Hungarian Breeds win, Raisits Cup victory, and Hungarian Junior Champion title, (three additional wins) in conformation during the World Dog Show in Hungary, has proven, that yes, she is a beautiful “blonde” (Fako) Pumi. However, with this three-day weekend of intense herding in Windsor, NY, she has also proven that “dumb blond Jokes” simply don’t apply.

I am proud of you girls!

Pumi Veni, Pumi Vidi, Pumi Vici…

May 31, 2014

Back to Windsor, NY today for the Susque-Nango Kennel Club AKC herding event. After yesterday’s performance in the AHBA event, I was confident that the girls were going to do well again today. Both Pumis delivered nice solid work and have earned their qualifying legs toward their PT (Pre Trial Test Title).

Although, both dogs have fairly extended farm work experience especially Agyag, one has to remember that herding tests and trials are sanitized versions of farm work where dog vs. sheep skirmishes, that are normal on the farm, are undesirable in the trial/test arena. In our case this is especially relevant because our Shetlands are pretty wild bunch of sheep and Agyag is especially appreciative of any possible physical contact (those of you who saw her in Hortobagy, Hungary, might remember her to give a series of nice work out to the Racka as well as the trainers.)

I am especially proud of Anka who is only ten months old and handles herself very well in the herding arena. She also got a big applause from the spectators after her run.

AKC PT qualifying legs for both Pumis, Kaffogo Agyag and Catskill Apacatancos Anka

Tomorrow , we will be back for the third day of the event. Watch for our report.