I have been meeting up with a friend of mine to walk our dogs for over a year now.  She has a 1.5 year old Vizsla who has enough energy that I think she would wear out even the energizer bunny!

Normally we meet up during lunchtime at a nearby reservoir where the dogs can run free.  Typically the Vizsla runs up and down, back and forth while my Yellow Lab motors along trying to avoid the sneak attacks by the Vizsla.  This usually results in my dog ending up in the water, regardless of the temperature.  Recently, due to me being under the weather, my friend and her dog have been coming over to my house to have a puppy playdate in the backyard.  Now, I don’t know if it is because my dog is on her “home turf” or what, but she turns into a much more interactive dog.

Here is a summary of typical backyard playdate: Upon arrival, the Vizsla makes a few rounds of the backyard, warming up for the “games”.  Then my dog comes out and they engage in a friendly race around the yard.  Then if one of them finds a toy or stick, it becomes a game of keep away with one in possession of the toy taunting the other.  Occasionally the chaser gets the toy away or they end up in a bout of tug-o-war.  They  then compete in what I can only compare to the extreme fighting shows  I have seen on T.V.  This it not just wrestling, but also includes punching, kicking, biting, take downs, and frequent body slams. At some point, they take a water or potty break, but then resume the chase until they end up rolling around in the dirt again.  I do find it interesting that whenever they begin wrestling they are in the dirt as opposed to the grasss so they get quite dirty rolling around.  I guess it is a dog’s life  to have so much fun and get dirty without having to take a bath each night!

Below are a few pictures from today’s playdate that were caught on film.  So far, no blood has been drawn, but I think that may only be a matter of time! Click on any image to go to the gallery, and if you want to see some of the funny faces, you can click the picture to get the HUGE shot!