Corrinne Miklos | Grouse Point Vizslas

Corrinne Miklos of Grouse Point Vizslas

 

Interview with Corrinne Miklos, Breeder of Grouse Point Vizslas

 

Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

Corrinne Miklos: I live in Ford City, Pennsylvania. I have been in dogs for 48 years and breeding for 45 years.

 

What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?

Corrinne Miklos: My kennel name is GROUSE POINT. I currently have four Vizslas that live with me, but I co-own and co-breed numerous dogs that do not live with me.

 

Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners?

My past winners include:
  • MBIS/MBISS/2xNBIS GCHG Artisan Grouse Point Pink Panther JH ROM, aka “Kato,”
  • MBISS GCH Derby’s Pink Tie Affair AT Grouse Point JH ROM, aka “Tux,”
  • BIS/MBISS CH Grousept Semperfi Bougainville JH ROM, aka “Eve,”
  • MBISS/NBISS CH Grouse Pt Semprfi Voros AKA Pink ROM, aka “Ruby,”
  • MBISS CH Grouse Pt Semper Fi Chu Lai JH, aka “Julie.”

 

Which have been my most influential sires and dams?

Corrinne Miklos: All of the above-mentioned dogs and bitches have been influential sires and dams.

 

Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Corrinne Miklos: Since I consider myself a preservation/hobby breeder and NOT a volume breeder, all of my puppies are whelped in my home. The entire lower level of my house is dedicated to the dogs. It has a kennel area, kitchen, and TV room where I spend quality time with the dogs when I am not working, showing, or at field trials. My puppies are raised in a home setting with lots of socialization and exercise.

 

What is my “process” for selecting Show Puppies? Performance Puppies? Field Puppies?

Corrinne Miklos: All of my puppies are watched very closely from birth. There are many things I look for, including personality, temperament, natural instinct, independence, confidence, etc. Once they are on their feet, I watch how they are put together and how they use themselves naturally when standing, gaiting, and running. Once I have a good idea of each puppy’s individual needs or skills, then I can place them accordingly.

 

Do I compete in Companion Events? Performance Events?

Corrinne Miklos: I compete in Show and Field Events.

 

Are Field Trials or parent club Hunt Tests important to me?

Corrinne Miklos: Field competition in any venue is very important to me. I am a firm believer in preserving the natural ability of what dogs were originally bred for.

 

How would I define “conditioning” as it relates to my breed?

Corrinne Miklos: A well-conditioned dog should have a beautiful, healthy, shiny skin and coat that covers a well-muscled body. The dog should have the appearance of strength and endurance.

 

Are there any health-related concerns in my breed? Any special nutritional needs?

Corrinne Miklos: The nutritional needs of this breed are basic. There are health concerns such as cancer, epilepsy, hip/elbow dysplasia, and disproportionate dwarfism, etc. Fortunately, there is testing available for some of these concerns.

 

Do I think my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders?

Corrinne Miklos: It seems that there were so many more preservation breeders when I started in the breed in 1975. The number of dogs with show and field pedigrees dominated the show ring. Sadly, I think we are trending towards dividing field and show dogs just like the Setters and Pointers have done. The growing popularity of the breed is leading to mass production of puppies to supply the demand, with little regard to preserving correct conformation and the qualities of the “Dual Dog.”

 

Is my breed well suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed?

Corrinne Miklos: Vizslas are great family dogs as long as you understand that they will see themselves as a family member. The best candidates for a Vizsla are active adults or families with older children. This breed is extremely active and intelligent, so they require lots of exercise and discipline. They want to be with their people 24/7, hence the nickname “Velcro Dog.”

 

What is the biggest misconception about my breed? What is my breed’s best-kept secret?

Corrinne Miklos: The biggest misconception about this breed is that field dogs are crazy… it is quite the opposite. Dogs with a balance of show and field champions typically have the best temperaments and trainability. I don’t really think there is a best-kept secret with Vizslas… they are pretty much “what you see is what you get.”

 

If I could share a comment or two with judges of my breed, what would I like to say to them?

Corrinne Miklos: Ahhh… I need more pages! I think Vizslas are one of the Sporting breeds that judges struggle with.

Judges should remember three VERY IMPORTANT things:

  1. The Vizsla is a medium-sized, MODERATE breed. The description “moderate” or “moderately” is mentioned nine times in our Breed Standard.
  2. Vizslas are a series of gentle curves, one part flowing into the next. We DO NOT have a flat topline, high tail set, or lots of angles.
  3. Vizslas should have a very light-footed, single-tracking, “clipping the grass,” far-reaching gait that is balanced front and rear. It would be nice to have a quality Vizsla place in the Sporting Group more often. It is a hard battle against all the flashy, coated breeds.

 

Do I have any words of wisdom to pass along to newer breeders?

Corrinne Miklos: Learn dog anatomy, understand the Breed Standard, go and watch Breed judging as much as you can, and most importantly, find a really good mentor who has had a great deal of success in the breed.

 

For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with a Sporting Dog?

Corrinne Miklos: There was this one Vizsla that was flying home with me from the national for a friend. He was obsessed with rolling on towels, clothes, anyone wearing cologne, etc. I was in the hotel room trying to pack, and this dog kept emptying out my suitcase and rolling on my clothes.

Finally, I decided to spray some cologne on the carpet to see if that would keep him busy rolling while I finished packing. It worked!

 


 

Are you looking for a Vizsla puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder?

Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

 

Want to help rescue and re-home a Vizsla dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

 

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