We are Meryl and Bill Fiedelman, and we reside in Manhattan. We are active members of the Vizsla Club of America, Vizsla Club of Greater New York, Connecticut Valley Vizsla Club, Conestoga Vizsla Club, and Vizsla Club of Long Island. We have been involved with vizslas since the early 1990’s, when we fell in love with this wonderful breed. Our daughter had been working at a vet’s office at that time and came home one afternoon with this piece of news: “I saw the most gorgeous dog today and he was called a vizsla.” After researching the breed and attending a few dog shows to see vizslas first hand, we were referred to Pat Boelte. One of her males had just been bred to a nice bitch of direct Hungarian origin, and we were thus able to obtain our first boy, Dexter. At the time, I (Meryl) showed Dexter myself and met many of the vizsla people I have the delight of knowing to this day. Sadly, after a long and wonderful life, Dexter left us, and we had to deal with the emptiness of a home without our vizsla. That being unacceptable, we investigated getting a new puppy and had the good fortune of contacting Carol Phelps of Szizlin Vizslas, Reg. Ripley was to be our new boy, and he stole our hearts immediately. He was born on January 13, 2006 - the result of a lovely breeding (BISS AM & CAN CH Copper Creek Szizlin Kestrel JH ROM x CH Jim Mar’s Tarot). Appropriately, Ripley’s AKC name is CH Szizlin Ripley’s New York Groove.
Ripley is a beautiful boy - full of energy, yet loving and biddable. He is 24” from withers to the ground, weighs 54 pounds…and of moderate bone. Actually his moderate size has garnered favorable comments from numerous judges in the conformation ring: they have complimented him on not being “a clunker.” That terminology implies being “overdone” in size. Ripley is a very proper vizsla. His color is that of a new penny – rich and consistent without any white. Seeing him glisten in the sunlight is an impressive sight to behold. He has a perfect bite with strong white teeth in a headpiece that can best be described as elegant. His eyes (quite expressive) and nose are the appropriate matching shade to his coat. His ears reach the corners of his mouth, which is what our standard requires. His lips (flews) cover his teeth and are not pendulous, another requirement of our standard. He has a lovely set on of tail, which maintains the ideal position when gaiting and when in point. He has paws like that of a cat - also as required by our standard. He is, in our opinion, the poster boy for vizslas - totally versatile and eager to do whatever is asked of him. His high energy is expended each day romping on Ward’s Island, a large area of mostly open fields and parkland adjacent to Manhattan (under the RFK Bridge for those who know the area). In the conformation ring, Ripley became a champion at the age of 19 months under the training and presentation of Michelle Porfido. Since receiving his championship, he has been expertly shown as a special by Kimberly Pastella-Calvacca. With Kim at the end of the lead, Ripley has garnered multiple Best of Breeds, Awards of Merit (Specialties), and Group placements (See: Ripley's Page)
In July, 2009, Ripley’s first litter was whelped, and all 7 puppies were consistently lovely. We have great expectations for them and hope to see several in the conformation ring or pursuing a field title. Ripley stands at stud to qualified bitches.
For those of you not familiar with Manhattan, the area where we live is called “Yorkville.” Yorkville was originally settled by Hungarians and, to a lesser extent, Germans. Much of Yorkville retains its Hungarian flavor as seen in the local shops, restaurants, small food markets, and churches. Many a person of Hungarian descent has stopped us on the street and attempted to address Ripley in Hungarian. He’s not that smart, we inform them, but Hungarians will never believe that a vizsla is “not that smart” in any area! Lastly, Ripley’s good fortune was ensured 2 years ago when, at the “blessing of the animals” in early October, we brought him to St. Stephens of Hungary Church, and he was given a special blessing by the Hungarian pastor. That’s why we’re Yorkville Vizslas, and that’s the part of Ripley’s heritage which will endure.
Kim Pastella-Calvacca and Ripley: A great team in his living room as well as in the show ring
