|
These superlative genetics of German, Italian and Dutch breeding
were all brought together in the German-bred Prinz v. Norden
Stamm - a virtual outcross product. Conformation-wise, he
didn‘t particularly favour any of his immediate forebears.
He was more a genetic blender – an attractive animal of understated,
even unremarkable proportions. No one part distracted from
the other.
Harmony of form is part and parcel of a correctly built
Dobermann. In many countries today the Dobermann is too often
a dog of extremes. In the USA the term elegance has almost
become synoymous with a widespread degeneration of bone and
substance. And too often in the USA correct working character
remains an undefined mystery to the bulk of its Dobermann
breeders. Nor do nearly enough European breeders concern themselves
with understanding character and working ability either. Leaning
on the ministrations of professional trainers and the sport
of Schutzhund to assume their responsibility for them. People
don‘t miss what they never use and breeders can’t select without
a concept of what they are selecting for and access to a test
platform to make their evaluations from.
Europe has its own defeciencies to worry about; dogs with
overbuilt chest proportions (front heavy), or undersquare,
almost Boxer-like bodies. As in the USA far too many oversized
European dogs are winning their classes, and also dogs whose
front and rear angulation is totally out of balance. Internationally
seen though, correct breed type is probably most threatened
by the predominence of straight shoulders and upper arms.
When any single physical feature jumps out at the observer,
then that dog is out of proportion and out of type. Just
as a dog that is out of balance in its drives is impossible
to develop into a fully rounded working animal, faddish extremes
of conformation is also not conducive to achieving a functional,
effective, well balanced Breed Type. Aptly summed up in the
words of Mark Twain when he wrote, moderation in everything,
including moderation.
Beautiful, long, chiseled heads are a hallmark of this most
noble of canine breeds, and true to Prinz‘s family inheritence,
his own head is a crowning feature. Masculine, wedge shaped
with a powerful muzzle that is well filled under the eyes,
a classic expression. Conformation wise his neck is dry, arched
and strong, flowing smoothly into a lovely high wither and
a firm enough backline. He is a dog of medium size and medium
strength. The croup was long, but slightly rolled, a legacy
from both his sire and his granddam, Alida.. His forechest
and depth of chest were moderate and harmonious. His underline
was long and well shaped, with a correct tuck-up that is often
missing in descendants of Alva v. Franckenhorst. His shoulder
angulation was well laid, but the upper arm could have been
longer and much better angulated. The rear was sufficently
angulated, broad and well muscled. Tight, cat feet, dark eyes
and clean, rich markings put the finishing touches to the
optical overview.
Prized for the depth of quality found in his pedigree as
much as for his individual phenotype, Prinz probably produced
his best progeny most consistently from bitches who supported
his own blood. A product of an outcross himself, his own outcross
matings could actually be quite patchy, depending on the individual
quality and genetic dominence of the bitch involved
Hertog Alpha Le Dobry
Character wise Prinz is and has the right background to
produce firm, clear-headed, highly energetic high-prey offspring
– dogs with plenty of can-do attitude. In this regard he not
only offered a viable supporting role alongside the genetic
dominence of Hertog Alpha Le Dobry/1979 (Don
Dayan v. Franckenhorst x Tanja v.d. Kunnemaborough) in the
showrings, but also provided an timely alternative to counterbalance
the high incidence of assorted character problems also attributed
to Alpha, and far too many of Alpha‘s descendants. It has
crossed my mind many times that what Alpha and his children
gave the breed in conformation, all too often got taken away
in the character. Consider the inordinate number of his descendants,
many from good character bitches, that are either too soft
and insecure, low drive, handler agressive &/or nervous.
A whole gambit of unwanted, oft debillitating mental defects
that have become all too commonly associated with dogs coming
from this bloodline.
And although no one stud dog could possibly compete with
the all-encompassing genetic monopoly exerted by Alpha and
his many successful sons and grandsons the last two decades,
Prinz was certainly a right dog on the right spot at the right
moment to lighten things up a bit. Influencing more from behind
the scenes, he successfully took the breed a step towards
achieving a better balanced Dobermann.
Kept basically as a family pet precludes any possiblity
of sensibly evaluating any sort of a serious working career.
He left home only long enough to do his Sch.H. 2 and the obligatory
ZTP, passing with V1A. He then attended conformation shows
to became an international and Italian Champion, also wining
the AIAD (Italian Dobermann Specialty Show) Sieger title.
Later he made a small encore when he won Best Veteran at the
same event. Otherwise he has maintained a fairly low profile,
and yet has been quite the quiet achiever. Look around and
today his winning progeny and their descendants inhabit the
four corners of the earth. Amongst them many champions and
illustrious Siegers and Siegerins.
Alfa Adelante del Citone
Unfortunately prostrate problems as he aged meant Prinz
has missed settling some premier bitches the last years. A
tragedy, coming at a time when the breed sorely needs fresh
new super sires with the individual quality, character and
depth of pedigree neccessary to take the it forward into the
next decade. So far his brown Italian–bred son, the multi-Sieger
Alfa Adelante del Citone/1994 (Prinz x Tequila Mali
del Citone) has proven the most prepotent propagator of his
blood, consistently producing type and quality in his offspring.
|
