Spring 2017  Saber Tails 13    

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America

for us. It started with high humidity, low clouds and fog. 

As the day went on though, the fog cleared and the sun 

tried to peek out on occasion,” she said.

There were six runs started on Saturday; two were packs 

and four were Hunting Instinct Tests (HIT). All six dogs 

that started in the packs qualified. There were 12 HIT dogs 

started, and eight qualified, Lora added.

 “Saturday 

night, a cold 

front moved 

through bring-

ing thunder-

storms, wind, 

and rain. On 

Sunday, we still 

had the wind 

that came with 

the front. This 

made tougher 

hunting con-

ditions for the 

dogs; however, 

we still had suc-

cess in the field 

despite the 

windy condi-

tions,” she said.  

On Sunday, there were four runs started; three were packs 

and one HIT.  Once again, there were many qualifiers on 

the day. At the end of the hunt test weekend, two dogs 

earned PCJH titles; 10 dogs received their HC, and of those 

qualifiers, three received their first leg toward a PCJH.  

 

“Since the dogs had great success, it made the handlers 

very excited to enter another PBGVCA Hunt Test,” Lora 

said.

First-time attendee Mendy Marshall of Austin is relatively 

new to PBGVCA, but she came and supported the event 

despite not having a dog to run. “She was the photogra-

pher, and she caught some great moments in the field 

and the essence of the weekend,” Lora said.

For Mendy, the hunt was a tremendous experience.  “I’ve 

seen PBGVs chase birds, squirrels, and each other, but I’ve 

never seen a group of them on scent and chasing a rab-

bit,” Mendy said. “Seeing a PBGV doing what they were 

bred to do was a very rewarding experience. Plus, hearing 

a group of peebs howl is one thing, but the indescribable 

sound they make when they are chasing a rabbit is true 

joy; it sends chills up your spine.”

Carol and Joe Quaranta came from Leander with their 

peebs, Strudel and Mulligan, and as Carol explained, the 

four-hour drive from their home near Austin was well 

worth it.  

Strudel seems quite happy with her prizes she 

earned by passing her Hunting Instinct Test

Proving he’s not just a pretty face, Top 10 

ranked Cody (2016) passed his HIT

Events like these depend on volunteers - Mendy 

(L) provided the photos and Carol (R) was in 

charge of the raffle and other activities

Thanks to the Toenjes who drove a long way to 

judge and bring this fantastic experience to our 

novices

Cont’d next page

Cont’d from previous page