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The FCI Dobermann standard was changed relatively recently.
Do you think this change was to improve the working capabilities
of the dogs or a concession to the breeders?
In my humble opinion I don`t believe that the changed of
the Dobermann standard has anything to do with the working
capabilities. I believe that the changes made in order to
meet the "reality '" in the judging rings, these
changes are only cosmetic.
As you have judged many ZTPs over the years is there one issue
that pops up the most for the Dobermann. Anything that Dobermanns
who are lacking share in common?
In my opinion the Dobermann in general lacks the strong
bite ability, of course there are Dobermanns that have the
strong bite.
As a working dog what is the Dobermann's
greatest strength.
In my opinion as a working dog, the Dobermann`s greatest
strength is his speed and his ability to maneuver very fast.
Most of us have always looked towards
Germany as the ideal. Germany was the capital of the Dobermann.
Has there been a change in that?
Yes I agree that Germany is the ideal, however since the
prohibition against docking and cropping dogs in most of
the countries in Europe and particularly in Germany confusion
spread around and breeders stopped breeding and many other
Dobermann fans are waiting to see how this prohibition will
affect the breed. I know several breeders who stopped breeding,
I was told that the new comers to the breed in Germany want
Dobermann as a pet...they don`t want to listen about working
with the Dobermann...Even the numbers of the entries to
the dog shows dropped...we must wait and see.
Since the end of the cold war we have
seen many working dogs come out of eastern Europe. What are
your thoughts on the dogs coming out of Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia,
Russia, Poland etc.
Since the "fall of the iron curtain" in Europe
we face the high quality of the Dobermanns in Eastern Europe
especially in Russia and Yugoslavia. Being F.C.I International
All Breeds Dog Judge I believe that soon Russia will be
the "Doggy Empire "of Europe not only in Dobermanns
but in all breeds. When discussing the Dobermann breed in
Russia I must say that the Russian breeders are very smart,
they know how to work together in-groups to use smartly
each others bloodlines successfully. Russian breeders usually
win everywhere in Europe. They also train their Dobermanns
and they have the Schutshund trial and the German ZTP...Another
big and nice surprise is the Dobermann breeders from Yugoslavia.
They did to the Dobermann breed what Bill Gates did to Microsoft...They
are the wizards, they have most of the beautiful Dobermanns
I have ever seen physically and mentally and they win a
lot. They use smartly line breeding with high percentages
of inbreeding and the product is of very high quality.
I have been hearing a bit of Schutzhund
backlash lately. The criticism is that Schutzhund has become
too much sport and the real world working abilities of the
dogs is suffering. What are your thoughts?
Yes I agree with the criticism that Schutzhund has become
too much sport and as a direct result of it the real working
abilities of the dogs is suffering. A new trend has evolved
lately in Europe, regulations and different laws against
holding and keeping working dogs. The dog fans are easy
target for the politicians soon they will ban the protection
section in the Schutzhund...
Have you had much contact with American
line dobermans? If so what are your general impressions?
Sorry I have not had that much contact with American line
Dobermann and I can not express my impression.
We now have a growing community of people
in this country who are importing European blood and working
Schutzhund here. You judged a ZTP for the United Doberman
Club recently, how do the "American European"
Dobermanns compare against Europe?
I still believe that the European Dobermanns are a little
better than the American European Dobermann. I believe that
the Handler/Owner plays a significant role in raising training
dogs especially Dobermanns, I believe that the Dobermann
belongs to the specialist and not to the amateur. First
we have to train the owners how to train the Dobermann and
if we succeed than maybe the Dobermann breed will be benefited.
Pelangistamm Armin, I am a fan of this
dog in that I admire his look and his accomplishments, also
that he is here in the United States. You judged him V1A what
kind of a dog is he?
Pelangistamm Armin
I like Aramin he got what he deserved the V1A and I think
he did well in the FCI World Dog Show in Portugal. Of course
every dog has some mistakes but I like this dog especially
his relations with his owner and I saw him in his natural
surrounding...(I saw him of course after the show and the
ztp) and this explains everything. This dog can compete
in any European ring and win...
What do we need to do in order to bridge
the gap in quality between the US and Europe?
The question is what quality? The owner`s quality? So in
this case we must "upgrade" the owner personal
hard disc and to train them how to train the Dobermann we
must teach them discipline, discipline you can get in Germany...If
quality means blood lines, right import etc., first you
must learn to pray to all gods and for luck, and for the
honest breeders, well I believe that you understand me and
if not you are already in deep trouble.
Are there any breeders in the US that
have really impressed you with their stock.
I was impressed by Linda and Philip Calamia and Ray Carlisle.
How has the anti cropping anti docking
laws throughout most of Europe affected the popularity of
the Dobermann as a pet and working dog?
In the Scandinavian countries the numbers dropped to half,
I don`t have correct numbers but it affected the entries
to the dog shows in most of the European countries. Many
serious breeders stopped breeding and they are sitting and
waiting to see the outcome. However many new comers to the
breed are buying the Dobermann as a pet and they refuse
to hear about training.
Italian Dobermanns seem to be very popular
right now as stud dogs, to what do they owe this success?
Italian Dobermanns are very popular in all respects breeding
and working, they owe this success to one man who "works"
very hard and uses PC to map the blood lines his name is
Dr Pezzano.
What is the greatest threat to the Dobermann
today?
The greatest threat to the Dobermann today are the various
laws and regulations against keeping and training dogs,
needless to say the prohibition against cropping and docking.
Have you worked much with Jivago Van
het Wantij? If so what is your opinion of him?
Jivago van het Wantij
Sorry my knowledge about Jivago v.h. Wantaij comes from
various sources so I can not express my private opinion,
I have not seen this dog in a dog show.
Same question but with Gino Gomez del
Citone?
Gino Gomez del Citone
The same answer.
Where are the strongest Dobermanns coming
from today?
I believe that the strongest Dobermanns coming today from
the following countries: Russia, Italy and Yugoslavia.
Is there a large difference between
a dog that will excel in Schutzhund and a dog that will excel
in police work?
I must confess that I have seen Dobermanns that competed
successfully in both works but I am not that expert to tell
the differences.
Are the Dobermanns in Europe considered
serious Schutzhund competitors at the championship level?
Yes.
Any words of advice to someone in the
US thinking of breeding, titling, or showing Dobermanns?
Well first you must look around carefully, you must keep
records on the Sire and the Dame to see where they won their
titles who were the judges that judged them how many Dobermanns
competed. You have to keep record on their offspring's (if
they have), you must see them in their natural surrounding,
to follow their health records and if you have decided to
buy a puppy you can pray a little maybe, maybe it will help...
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