The HPRBA’s German Longhaired Pointer Seminar-Sunday Jan. 17th2010

This unique event took place this Sunday at Newchurch, nr. Burton-on- Trent, Staffordshire and was attended by twenty one delegates plus dogs and puppies of the breed. The delegates were looked after by the HRBA chairman, Di Arrowsmith and its committee members who welcomed them with warm drinks & food throughout the day. This was appreciated by all but especially the Scottish friends who had left home at 1:00am to breakfast in the car park in order to attend the proceedings!
After Di had introduced our German guests-Gerd Hornbergs, vice Chair of Club Langhaar (DLV) and ‘A’ panel judge/breeder & professional handler/ trainer, Thomas Berns (our second speaker)and  his partner Birgit who was to do a splendid job translating for Gerd when he judged the confirmation of dogs later in the day, Larry Wilkes (Arany) described the origins of the breed, its chosen breeding pathways before the Club Langhaar was established in 1879& the standards for the future were laid down. He acknowledged that his partner Brenda was the true expert on early breeding lines & encouraged the audience to go to her with any queries they might have.

Thomas, who spoke good English, then went through the German methods of testing dogs
which is very thorough and the results of which go down on the dog’s pedigree and determines whether or not the dog may eventually be passed by the breed master for use in the strict breeding progranme which is followed on the continent. These testing methods are very detailed and precise and each delegate had in their delegate’s pack, a CD, so they could be studied in detail after the seminar. He showed pictures of the early types of dogs who have influenced the modern breed and explained the accepted coat colours of brown, white and brown and brown ‘schimmel’ (trout shadings).Conformation standards with illustrations were then covered. A DVD recording of the day’s proceedings was also taken & will be made available to delegates, & any other interested party for future reference.

After a splendid lunch organized by Penny Simpson with the chance to win the champagne raffle, the atmosphere became more relaxed as we watched  the lovely dogs and bitches paraded before Gerd who studied their gait, head & ears, counted teeth, checked height,

felt the coat and commented on angulations etc.giving close attention to each dog for up to ten minutes. All his comments were written down, a grade was awarded, then Birgit worked hard to give an ‘on the spot’ commentary. Delegates will receive written certificates by post when all the translations are completed. Whilst this was happening, delegates petted the pups present, chatted, exchanged views and ideas and a very pleasant atmosphere prevailed. Then more cups of tea & coffee and it was time to exchange warm thank yous. Invitations to visit the German club were issued and a very informative and enjoyable day drew to a close.
Congratulations must go to Larry & Brenda for their initiative on behalf of the U. K.’s Longhaired German pointers with their original idea for such a prestigious event and to the HPRBA-Di & her committee, for bringing it to fruition and allowing us such insights into this wonderful hunting breed. A delighted Brenda wrote ‘Gerd will be writing a report to the DLV, expressing his approval of how well the day went and his opinion of how this breed is progressing in the U.K.
This will be highly instrumental in the DLV’s future decisions to allow importation (to the UK) of further German bloodlines.’

Joyce Parkes