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***The USERNAME AND PASSWORD CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 20 OF YOUR SUMMER 2011 VDD/GNA NEWSLETTER.***
VDD/GNA Atlantic is a sub-group or chapter of Group North America of the Verein Deutsch-Drahthaar. Founded in 1998, when VDD/GNA organized its regional areas, the Atlantic Chapter is comprised of the following states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
See more about the Chapter membership >>
CHAPTER NEWS : Updated 1/15/2012
2012 Changes to the Breed Standard and Breeding Regs1/1/12 - Group Breedwarden Lynn Whiteley advises that there are some changes to the DD Standard and the VDD Breeding Regulations. The regulation changes are mostly housekeeping issues, to reflect the new requirements for OCD-frei breeding animals, microchipping in Germany, and changes to the standard. The changes to the standard reflect a disqualification that was always in effect, but left out the last time it was updated (white spots larger than about the size of a tennis ball) as well as a reclassification of some faults: open eyelids, i.e. near-ectropion, are now a breeding disqualification, and slightly open eyelids, short and steep croup, and stilted (short) gaits at the trot or gallop are now severe faults. (Dogs with severe faults may still be certified for breeding, but cannot qualify for a ZR number.) These changes are published in the December 2011 DD-Blätter, which is now available on the VDD-GNA website, and Lynn is working on a translation for us.
Litter Registration and Stud Dog Certificate 12/31/11 - GNA Group Breedwarden Lynn Whiteley has made available electronic versions of the Litter Registration Application and the Stud Dog Certificate. While you will have to print them and sign them personally, and then mail them to the Group Breedwarden, this is a major step forward. Typing in the form information will allow more legible and accurate submissions, and help avoid mistakes by making everything easier to read for the VDD Registrar. It will save postage money for the club and make more timely submissions possible - no more waiting for your registration applications to arrive in the mail, just fill and print anytime of the day or night!
Get them now >>
Elmer NJ VJP Full 12/19/11 - Test Director Geoff Mathews announced today that he has received 12 entries for the Elmer NJ VJP and that the test is now full.
Chapter Business Manager Position Changes Hands12/13/11 - It is with regret that the Chapter Board is accepting the resignation of Business Manager Scott Shirey, effective 12/31/11. Scott will be transferring his membership to our sister organization, VDD Group Canada. Scott has worked very hard for our Chapter and GNA for over six years now, serving not only as Chapter Business Manager during that time, but also as a judge, test coordinator, and test director. He has been responsible for organizing the annual Carlisle VJP, and also coordinated other tests for us, such as our 2010 VGP. He has put together numerous Chapter meetings and Breed Shows, and was also instrumental in the organization and success of the 2006 VDD/GNA Membership Meeting. Thank you, Scott!
With Scott's departure, we welcome aboard Ana Barrios Sosa as interim Business Manager. Many of you have met Ana at our tests and training days already. As a member of the Southeast Hunter Chapter, Ana visited us to judge on several occasions, and many of us have worked with her at SEHC events. Ana had been serving as their Business Manager until she relocated to New Jersey this past summer. She has graciously accepted our invitation to serve on the Chapter Board in order to help out her new chapter. Welcome, Ana!
<< Click to View or Hide Previous Entries >>
Newville PA VJP Full 12/08/11 - Test Director Ray Arment announced today that he has received 10 entries for the Newville PA VJP and the test is now full.
Spring Test Schedule Announced 12/03/11 - The Atlantic Chapter's Spring 2012 test calendar is announced! We have 3 VJP's scheduled: one each in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The official closing dates are 30 days before each test, but we strongly advise against waiting this long to enter. You should enter as soon as possible in order to ensure a spot in the test location of your choice, and to give the test organizers plenty of lead time for planning the test weekends. Please remember to include your email address on your entries.
Go to Chapter Calendar >>
See How to Enter a VDD/GNA Test >>
Atlantic Chapter Dogs in the Armbruster 10/30/11 - Congratulations go out to Brian Sturgill and Johnathan Pearson for representing our Chapter at the 10th International Armbruster in Shreveport, Louisiana. And representing us very well indeed! Brian's dog, Furra vom Flusshügel, placed 2nd with a score of 191 HZP points, including a 12 in duck search, and an evaluation of very good (10) / very good (10) in conformation and coat, for a total of 201 Armbruster points. Johnathan's dog, Eddy vom Millerhaus, placed 11th and received 178 HZP points, including an 11 in duck search, and an evaluation of very good (11) / very good (10) in conformation and coat for 188.5 Armbruster points. Twenty-one dogs and handlers from the US and Canada participated in this year's Armbruster. In case you are not familiar with the test, the Armbruster is an international HZP for DD's and includes a breed show. Dogs must receive at least 65 points in VJP, be HD-frei and otherwise meet all breeding prerequisites, and be pre-evaluated with at least good conformation and coat ratings to be eligible to participate. Final scores and placings are computed by adding the dogs' HZP scores to the average of their conformation and coat ratings. Any dogs that do not achieve a minimum of a good rating in conformation or coat receive only an HZP score and rank below those that are qualified for entry into the Breed Registry with ratings of good or better.
Shamong Test Results 10/14/11 - The results from the Shamong HZP are now available online. Congratulations to all of the handlers for training their dogs to HZP level. A big "Thank you!" goes to our great judging team, who made the weekend a positive and enjoyable experience for all involved: former VDD/GNA Director of Testing Geoff Mathews (MA), Atlantic Chapter Director of Testing Bob Secoura (NC), and Chris Jones (MD). Thanks also to Judge Candidate Dr. Francois Aldrich (MD) for his dedication to versatile hunting dogs and his participation in our tests. Go to test results >>
Chesapeake City Test Results 09/23/11 - The results from the Chesapeake City HZP are now available online. Congratulations to all of the handlers - successful or otherwise - for training your dogs to HZP level. Thanks are also due to our judges: GNA Chairman Bryon Beaton (AL), Kevin Snelbaker (PA), Ray Arment (PA), and Brian Sturgill (MD). Special recognition should also go to Brian, who served as Test Director and Test Coordinator, for putting together our first-ever Maryland/Delaware HZP. We've received nothing but good reports about the grounds and organization of this testing venue. Go to test results >>
New Membership Rosters and Email List Update09/17/11 - VDD/GNA Business Manager Jim Wion has supplied new membership rosters for our chapter and for VDD/GNA. As of this month, our chapter has 161 members. The new chapter roster has been used to update the chapter email list. If you did not provide an email to the group when you joined or renewed, and if you signed up on the mailing list yourself, you can renew your chapter email subscription by going to the list subscription page and following the link and instructions given there. You will need the VDD/GNA username and password to access the rosters and the email list instructions. They can be found on page 20 of the VDD/GNA Summer Newsletter.
Rosters >>
Subscribe to Email List >>
Updated Test Programs 09/08/11 - Updated test programs are available for the York Springs VGP, the Chesapeake City (C & D Canal) HZP, and the Shamong HZP. Go to Programs >>
New Jersey Training Day Details8/27/11 - 7 PM Tuesday, 30 August is the deadline to reserve birds and register for the Training Day at Colliers Mills WMA on 3 September. More information >>
New York Training Day Details8/21/11 - Wednesday, 8/24/11 at 6:00 PM is the deadline to sign up for the chapter training day at the Tonawanda and John White Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in Niagara County, NY. Sign-up information >>
Rule Changes for Practice Judging8/21/11 - It's official - the rule interpretation which allowed GNA judge candidates to substitute an out-of-chapter practice test for the JGHV's out-of-group requirement has been nullified. All current judge candidates must practice judge at one out-of-group HZP and VGP. The requirement for an out-of-group VJP will be waived for them only. All judge candidates registered after 1 Jan 2012 must apprentice one VJP, HZP, and VGP with a different group. GNA's Director of Testing, Mark Heuer, has mailed a letter to all current judge candidates and will be coordinating with the other North American JGHV Groups to arrange opportunities for our 3rd and 4th year apprentices. Read letter >>
Chapter Test Updates8/21/11 - Test Calendar Updates: The York Springs VGP has one slot available. The Chesapeake City HZP is now full.
See Chapter Calendar >>
Chapter Calendar Updates and VGP Program Posted8/14/11 - Tuesday, 8/16/1, at 7PM, is the deadline to sign up and order game for the for the NJ training day at Colliers Mills to be held on Sunday, 8/21/2011. Sign up information >>
The York Springs VGP program is available as a link from the Chapter Calendar, the Event Program page or by clicking here >>
See Chapter Calendar >>
Training Day in York Springs PA on 7/23/117/15/11 - Thursday, 7/21/11, at 6PM, is the deadline to sign up and order game for the for the PA training day at York Springs (SGL 249).
Sign-up Information and Directions >>
Pennsylvania Training Day Contact Information7/12/11 - Contact information for the Pennsylvania training days at York Springs and Franklintown has been added to the calendar.
Go to Chapter Calendar >>
Training Day & Armbruster Pre-Evaluations in Colliers Mills NJ on 7/17/117/9/11 - Tuesday, 7/12/11, at 7PM is the sign-up deadline for the NJ training day at Colliers Mills NJ on 7/17/11. Armbruster pre-evaluations will also be offered.
Information and sign-up sheet >>
Chapter Merchandise7/2/11 - Chapter T-shirts are now available in a variety of colors and sizes. Get them now, while supplies last!
Also available: VDD/GNA Jubilee Book celebrating our 40th Anniversary, with information our our history, as well informative articles from our German friends.
And, Atlantic Chapter decals - show your support and affiliation with VDD/GNA Atlantic Chapter!
Merchandise >>
Chapter Newsletter, Summer 20117/2/11 - The Summer 2011 edition of our Chapter Newsletter is available online. Read it here >>
News from the VDD/GNA AGM in Longmont Colorado6/26/11 - This year marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of VDD/GNA. The Jubilee meeting was very well attended with about 90 participants, two evening dinners (Friday's Jubilee and Saturday's casual dinner and auction), a CE Seminar for Judges, a JGHV Introduction Seminar for prospective judges, a feeding and performance seminar from Purina, and an HD/OCD/ED talk by VDD's evaluator Dr. Peter Schunk. Five of the 12 proposals (motions) made to the membership passed, two were withdrawn, and two more were introduced and passed during the meeting. See full report >>
Calendar Update6/16/11 - The breed show scheduled for 7/16/11 in Millmont PA has been cancelled due to insufficient entries.
Chapter Meeting Report5/29/11 - Our chapter's membership meeting and seminar weekend was held on 5/21/11 at the Chemung Rod & Gun Club in Breesport NY, near Elmira. On Saturday morning, we started with a JGHV Continuing Education Seminar, and a Chukar Challenge Hunt. Our Annual Membership Meeting followed in the afternoon. John Martorano's Magnum Computer Recycling sponsored a walk-up chukar hunt after the meeting, and then we all met at the Hilltop Inn for dinner and a Chapter fund-raising auction. We wrapped up the next morning with the Introduction to the JGHV Seminar. Special thanks go out to meeting organizer Flint Brann, Ron Sherman for securing the Rod & Gun Club for our use, and to John Martorano for sponsoring the walk-up. See the links below for the meeting minutes and the Chukar Challenge results.
Meeting Minutes and Board Reports >>
Chukar Challenge Results >>
Fall Test Schedule Posted5/27/11 - Our Chapter's fall test schedule has been finalized and is posted on the VDD/GNA Test Calendar. Two HZP's are planned, in NJ and MD. One VGP will be held, in PA, along with a Btr.
Details can be found in the Chapter Calendar as well. >>
New HD and OCD Evaluation Forms4/23/11 - The new HD and OCD evaluation forms are available here for download. They are fillable pdf files, or you can print them out and fill them out (legibly!) by hand. The fees are $35 per study. Submit films and evaluation request forms, with a check made out to VDD/GNA, to Ken D. Hardman, 295 Cipeta Way, Salt Lake City UT 84108-1220. If you have any questions, email him at ken.d.hardman@Williams.com.
HD Form >>
OCD Form >>
HD Form Instructions and Example >>
OCD Example >>
