A-Z Challenge 2014 - 'V'

V - Vizsla

I'm only able to show one breed of dog for the letter 'V' and I had to go to Hungary for that.

Vizsla
(12.11.06; by Plepie 2000 - CC BY-SA 3.0)

Vizslas originated in Hungary; sporting dogs they are the smallest of the Pointer breed. Classed as a gun dog they are used for hunting fowl and upland game. Although they are sporting dogs a Vizsla makes a good household companion and a family dog.

Excellent swimmers, they love the water as Rosie demonstrates.

Rosie dives in.
(21 April 2007; by Bryon Realy - CC BY 2.0)

A Vizsla bred in Australia was Best in Show at Crufts in 2010. Known as Yogi, his show name was "Hungargrunn Bear It'n Mind."

There is a Wire-haired Vizsla also, but it is a separate breed developed in 1930 by interbreeding of a Vizsla with the German Wire-haired Pointer. 

I have yet to see either in the flesh.

Going to the dogs again - Sunday Stamps

I was going to post something quite different this week, until I came across these stamps on my favourite market stall.

Poland

The poodle and the Airedale terrier were immediately recognisable but not the bulldog.

I had some trouble with the next set too.

San Marino

The Pointer (top left) and the Boxer (btm right) were easy enough. I've seen several Salukis which are also known as  Italian Greyhounds (top middle) and this matches up with the English Greyhound (btm left). Knowing that San Marino is a republic in Central Italy helped with the 3 lire stamp.

My pocket sized dog book tells me that Maremma is a region by the Tyrrhenian Sea and that there is a breed called Maremaner Herder dogs. The picture in the book can only be the same type of dog as on the 3 lire stamp (top right) where it is identified as Pasture Maremmano. So I'll settle for describing it as a large sheep dog.

As you could post whatever you wished this week you should check out others' choices at Viridian's Sunday Stamps-62