Working Dog Website

Monday, September 28, 2009

The Shepherds Speak

To be a fly on the wall or a flea in the grass really, today was exceptional. I got to witness a lesson from Karl Heinz, expert Sheep herder, and ovelooking as usual was Karl Fueller ( on the right) with his dog Urie vom Kirschental. Marion Fueller, helpeed alot with the translations, but Karl made it easier with his gestures and him showing the young American shepherd, who visited just for a lesson, how it's done. Much excitement as at one point, I thought the sheep didn't perceive my presence and might run me over. But the German Shepherd Dog, from Karl Heinz, rescued me by making them stop. Amazing dogs, amazing people.... I am off to see Xito my dog for the competition and my friend Frederick Garbo - his owner, in a little bit. And tomorrow we go to the Doellenwiese Kennel....

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Alot at the BLH

Historic occurences today at the Sheepherding Championships. The first ever female Shepherd to win the trial. I got a surprise interview with her and her coach. Also, I got to sit with Dr. Wolfgang Henke the president of the WUSV and it was a blast. He shared his breeding ideas from his kennel, and some more stuff about the ethics of the club and his vision. I also got to see many breeders and competitors. Tomorrow, I will see Karl Füller's kennel and then I am off to start the training with Xito vom connefrode in our final leg before the WUSV. Also look out for interview updates with Bernhard Flinks as he gives me training tips he used in the Bundessieger Prüfung many times before.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Grabfeldau- A family affair


Many have said that the German Shepherd Zamp vom Thermados is the living example of a dog with perfect anatomy! Well, last evening after all the travel time, I had dinner with the Dieterich family, and Zamp was right there at our side. Just a regular guy hanging with the family. But it was truly amazing to sit with them and hear of their efforts as a family to work with the dogs and achieve such a high level of success, including Zamp as the World Champion, and now Quattro his son as a youth Champion.
I am now off to see http://www.fax-vom-adelmannsfelder-land.de/ in LangenselBold and tomorrow to Bamberg.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

On the Road

From Viernheim to Bad Neustadt, I have been on the road. I was able to do my first Interview with the wonderful Sobek family and got to see the newest litter vom Morfelder Land. Then when I visited Tina Martin of Arminius 2000, I was surprised to get a group interview with cousins, Mike and Britta from the Winereau kennel. Up till late last night I was speaking with Mr. Maxein from Hassenborn kennel. I am off today by 4 trains to visit the great Zamp Thermados. And still I will have pictures for you from the BLH- Sheep herding trials this weekend.I will keep you posted

Friday, September 18, 2009

Passport Ready! 1st Stop - Mörfelder Land kennel


Fresh off the Plane I will be visiting Brigitte Sobek and her son Sebastian, who kindly agreed to shuttle me from Frankfurt airport, to the famous kennel. Their most famous bred dog being Caro, who won both the World Championships and BSP in 2006. Caro was handled by the famous Friedrich Biehler. The kennel continues to produce wonderful dogs that are both pleasing to watch and to watch do their work.
Take a look at the latest video from Eyko vom Mörfelder Land below. I am looking forward to meeting him, he's just what I need to get me to recover from my flying, totalling, when you add it all up -almost 2 days with connections ! Enjoy.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Mohnwiese Kennel - agrees in the final moments


I had said I had reached my limit of kennels and breeders as my list is over 30 persons already. But I had to make an exception for the kennel that bred the E-Litter von der Mohnwiese. Including the duo Eros- WUSV winner 2004 & 2005, and Ellute who was 10 years old at the kennel this year.

I have finally tied up all the loose ends for my visit to Germany this year and I found what Georgois and Sandra have on their website to be quite accurate - they are thanking everyone for all the support with regards to Ellute and how difficult it is to come to use him: "Nothing did stop you, neither to get around the bureaucracy to get a visa, nor for lasting for days journeys, to influence from the breeding of the German Shepherd according to the breed standard."
I know they understand how important these events, and dogs are to us. So I will see you at the WUSV !

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Vom Rosseleck at the BSP


I have been watching Quasimodo vom Rosseleck for 2 years now as he goes onto BSP 2009. I had always liked his father Joker vom Schmiedegarten and heard many things about the breeding. So now I can ask all my questions at the BSP when I get to sit with Gabi Batista. Gabi pictured here with Celly vom Ecke, has persuaded Vom Ecke's Anja Lindenblat to join in on the Interview. Thanks Gabi, see you on October 2-4th.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Advice from Bernhard Flinks


Bernhard Flinks has graciously invited me to his facility in Albersdorf, not very far from my training base at the Conneforde Kennel. So this is one interview and opportunity I didn't know if I would get, and cannot let pass me by. Bernhard ,not only is a respected international trainer of handlers and helpers, but is also an accomplished competitor. Having amassed a career in the Police with K-9, he also had some of the most impressive protection scores with his dog Packo.


He seems to like a tough dog, and so do I. So I am sure he has a lot of advice he can share with me. If I can bring Xito along for the ride, maybe I will get some of the magic Bernhard always displayed in his competitions.




Sunday, September 13, 2009

Q&A at the BSP- with Schmiedegarten

The Picture says it all. Ute Razcak has maintained a strong breeding program with a solid foundation on her female lines. They have produced some strong working dogs and continue the tradition to this day. At this year's BSP I will have a chance to sit with her and ask her questions about her using one of my all-time favourites Lasco Westfalensproß for the J, L, P, Q andR litters! Thanks Ute for being part of my project. See you at the BSP




Ute with Paya!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Q&A at the BSP

Because of the overwhelming responses that I have received from Breeders, competitors and enthusiasts alike, I have had to chunk some of my Interviews with some of the events. So when I go to the BSP, there are a couple of key interviews I will be doing, in addition to capturing some footage of the dogs before the competition to get a sneak peek into the pre-trial routines and some insider secrets of the competition. This week I got confirmation from the . Waldwinkel Kennel .Guenther Poerner was very accommodating, when I told him I have many questions about the Q and V litter, about his choice of studs, and of course about Dixi - his foundation bitch


Wednesday, September 9, 2009

The Döllenwiese Kennel and owner of Yoschy



It is rare that the Kennel producing the dogs and the owners of the dogs that go on to 'fly their flag' come together in one place. And that is what is happening with the Döllenwiese kennel. Frank Hennicke has arranged a visit to the Döllenwiese kennel and also to sit with Martina Mosdorf- owner of the famous Yoschy vom Döllenwiese. We will discuss the changes in the kennel and the dogs produced over the many years and the plans for the future.

Martina Mosdorf with Yoschy

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The List is almost complete

Vit Singh is the first competitor from Trinidad and Tobago to qualify for the WUSV World Championships. Together with Xito von Conneforde, the team will make history in Krefeld in October 8-11.



The List of Interviews is almost complete and I have a plethora of information to share with you. The prominent Working, Show and Utility Breeders have agreed. Joined by some competitors with careers starting in the '60's and even the ones that are much more recent. Owners of not just famous dogs, but dogs that have shaped the breed. I also, have confirmed to do a couple surprise Interviews at the Bundesleistungshüten and the Bundessiegerprüfung. The List of Breeders is still up and we actually added another breeder, just because of so many requests, so let me know and I will try to add them, or just leave a comment.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

ALL ACCESS PASS TO TEAM FIEMERECK


Jürgen Wicht has granted me access to do an Interview with him about his kennel. A great kennel with over 45 years of teamwork with a clear idea of what they want to produce. Thanks to them I will get to peek inside this collaboration to see how they have produced such excellent dogs like Melinda, and Solo pictured above.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Remembering Asko von der Lutter

Hübner Werner owner and handler of the Legend- Asko von der Lutter will share with me all his stories about one of the most famous working GSD's of our time. Asko competed in both the BSP and WUSV from 1998, 1999 and 2000.









He was Bundessieger in 1998 and won the WUSV championships in 2000! Asko had 800+ progeny, including the Q Waldwinkel litter, and many other notables. Asko passed away at 13 years of age in 2007 and has made a huge impact on the breed. Thanks to Volker Hildebrand owner of Dasko vom Wolfsblick- another great Asko son, for setting up this meeting with a renowned GSD personality.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Working kennel Del Lupo Nero

Elke and Nell del Lupo Nero

Del Lupo Nero Kennel seems to have a lot going for it. A combination of friends, family, teamwork and dedication - resulting in well conformed working dogs. The kennel though started in 1999 seems to have made its mark on the working competitions and shows alike.

Not to mention their network of colleagues that includes Youth Champion - Carina Wagner!
Together Elke and her husband have produced some super dogs and continue to progress in their career. They are close to Kresfeld, where I will be in preparation for the WUSV Championships, maybe they could share some competition tips for my big weekend Oct 8-11!
Carina and Isy at the Deutscher Jungendmeister 2007

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Judges Chambers- Jürgen Ritzi is on board!


Thanks to the help of my friend Koos Hassing of the Tiekerhook Kennels, Jürgen Ritzi who was a Chief Judge at last year's WUSV Championship is going to be part of my Interviews. Mr. Ritzi is also the tracking supervisor for this year's WUSV in Kresfeld.Even more impressive than his Judging career, is his breeding and training career under his kennel name Koerbelbach !
A HUGE name in the working world - even my Axel's father is linebred on the famous Gildo vom Koerbelbach !

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

TEAMSPORT JOGI ADDED



Jürgen (Jogi) Zank and Jenny Seefeld aka 'vom fluchtweg ' have been added to the list of interviews. Jogi will be in this years BSP with 2007 Vice Bundessieger Eric vom Sportpark. Here he is with an all time favourite Janko vom Vorwerkswald. Jenny Seefeld has helped put this together and I thank her for all the coordinating efforts. I am really looking forward to some extra coaching from this team as I shape up for the championships.