IDC Congress
2004, exposure by Dr. Pierluigi Pezzano
Translation from Italian
by Renata di Fazio

In summary only working dogs
will be able to win big titles |
Mr. President of the congress, Members
of the Presidium of our International Club, Congressmen,
and you Mr. Wiblishauser: first of all let me welcome
you in Desio today and let me thank you for your attendance
here and for your many foreign show entries.
I wish you a pleasant permanence at the world cup Dobermann
IDC 2004, and I wish you to keep many good memories
of this great event that we are honoured to host for
this year.
Please feel free to interrupt at any time if my speech
is not clearly expressed, if you have problems with
the simultaneous translation, or if you have questions
of any kind.
Today, in quality of the AIAD president, on behalf of
the AIAD National Board and in representation of all
our peripheral delegations and all the Italian breeders,
I'm here to submit an official request to this Committee
to modify the rules and regulation about awarding the
IDC titles. Starting from next year we would like to
assign the IDC titles only to those dogs that have accomplished
the Ztp and have also a minimum of working grade.
Among the reasons that induce someone to choose a pure
breed dog there is one very important, that we all should
keep in mind, and it is the foreseeable of certain morphological
and characterial attitudes typical of the breed. This
concept should always be a cornerstone in the pure breed
dogs' selection.
The dogs' domestication started about 14000 years ago.
During this time men decreed certain breeds favouring
the reproduction of certain subjects that mostly express
and respond to those working necessities like hunting,
herding, watching...
For this reason we can consider a direct selective system
done on the temperament and behavioural attitudes but
there was also an indirect system of selection for the
morphological characteristics (for example the coat
colour or the ears shape). The population division in
relation to their working attitudes was the first constitution
of the "primordial breeds". This first division
constituted the genetic pool on which is now based the
modern selection of the pure breed dog. For this reason
it is fair to say that the modern breeds descend from
the primitive working dogs.
The working attitude together with the research of the
ultimate harmonic dog, was the main selection goal for
a long time.
When the morphological aspect became the main goal,
the dogs working attitude seemed to become of less importance.
During the breed standard layout and the advent of the
first 'registry data' (stud book) (toward the end of
1800) most of the importance given to the working attitudes
was lost.
Luckily, for the Dobermann breed that did not happen.
The standard layout kept in high consideration the dog's
working attitude and even in the third and last edition,
the standard strongly refers to the natural (innate)
endowments and the docile temperament of our dobermanns.
The high consideration of those characteristics has
been, and is, a big help for the selection work done
during the zoothecnical demonstrations as well as for
breeding.
The Specialized Breed Clubs' main work is to select
those dogs that are physically and psychically healthy
and stable keeping in mind those specific breed 's characteristics
described in the official standard, with reference to
the whole breed population.
Any officially organized zoothecnical manifestation
has the main purpose to pick out and exclude from the
breeding those dogs that do not meet with the standard
codes, and to point out those subjects that meet with
the standard in all parts and that could be a positive
improvement for the breed.
This can be possible with the consideration of a predetermined
work that is: judging- breeding- selecting.
It is necessary to follow this exact order because the
judgment can condition the breeding and these two together
can operate toward the selection that is concreted by
picking out the next generation reproducers.
The phenotype control has a key role for the selective
goal's evaluation and it covers several different fields,
like: health, behavioural and working attitudes and
morphological aspects.
I always remind myself that the in cynothecnique the
judgement is an expression of a critical evaluation
done on every single subject in consideration not only
of the breed standard but also of the past, of the present
and of the future turn that is to wish to be taken within
a single breed.
At this point the specialized breed clubs provide specific
selection programs to protect and divulgate the pure
breed dogs.
The European judging method always ends with the subjects'
qualification and in the case of several competitors
also with a classification among them. This classification
is not and must not be an arbitrary interpretation but
only an application of the breed standard. The judgement
is the most important aspect of it. A wrong judgement
can bring to wrong conclusions regarding the temperament,
the conformation and the natural endowments of the single
subject. The wrong conclusion can bring to wrong mating
and can take us away from the breed standard. The breed
standard describes the Dobermann as the ultimate dog:
beautiful and useful. It means that the standard requires
our Dobermanns to be at the best of their functionality
as well as at the best of their beauty. The qualities
that express the 'functional beauty' are the most important
to determinate the Dobermann singularity. That is why
it's better not to even consider for breeding a dog
that is not an expression of the dobermann type. The
Ztp is based on this very simple concept.
Thanks to the Ztp we can verify and control the temperament,
the conformation and even the health of our dobermanns.
(hereditary pathologies could jeopardize the breed,
but we need to consider also the incidence and the frequency
shown in relation to the entire population). |
The criterion dictated by the Ztp rule and regulation
is rigid and scientifically planned not only on the
experience of the German Dobermann breeders but also
in coherence with studies done by many important experts
as prof. Seiferle and prof. Menzel (specialized and
experienced researchers of the watch dogs behaviour)
Applying to the dobermann all the studies done we can
derive that:
The
basic general characteristics of the dobermann breed
are:
Disposition/Temperament: goes
from average to high
Braveness in a calm (peaceful) situation: very
high
Braveness in a fight situation: very
high
Docility: average to high
Hardness: average to high
Physical resistance: average
to high
Psychic resistance: average to very high
Fearless
of the shot gun
Hedigher's critical distance: very
reduced
Guard and fight complex:
Defence impulse: very high.
Fight impulse: high or very
high.
Aggressiveness: mild.
Other impulses:
tracking attitude med-high,
very high .
Search impulse: med-high
very high.
Retrieving impulse: med-high
.
Watch instinct low or absent.
Motility attitude: high-very
high.
Hunting qualities: low -absent.
Undesired
characters: anxiety, fear,
low temperament, poor connection with the owner.
These are the Dobermann's moral endowments so as expressed
and defined by the science. This is the Dobermann nature
where for nature is intended the whole of the characteristics,
the inclination, the innate and acquired abilities (either
bodily or psychic), that define manage and regulate
the dog 's behaviour in relation to the external world.
I'm sure all of you have already in mind the exact scheme
of judgment for the Ztp. I have just exposed few scientific
concepts to confirm such scheme.
All of us are aware that to guarantee a real improvement
in our Dobermann population we should admit for reproduction
only (strictly only) those dogs that have successfully
passed the Ztp test.
|
Nobody here can deny that the winners of an important
show like the IDC world cup are automatically recommended
for reproduction. Someone can object this to be true
for male dogs and that could be a point right there
but I have never seen any kennel born from a male. On
the other side I can easily affirm that there are not
good kennels that did not come from a good bitch and
this is not only because of the mitochondrial Dna's
aspects.
Today we can proudly affirm that the European Dobermann
made giant footsteps and all was possible thanks to
our teachers who, in the past 30 years, showed us the
turn and the breeding criterions to follow. I 'm referring
to the Dobermann Verein &v. thanks to whom we were
able to select a unique and very typical breed with
an homogeneous population that meets with most of the
standard codes.
For many other breeds (like Shepherds, hunting dogs
)
we have witnessed a different reality, that led the
breeds toward a " genetic disaster".
Such disaster, that I'm always afraid could concern
us also in the next future and especially in those Countries
where there are no breeding rules, is given by the co-existence
of 2 different breeds, two negations belonging to the
same standard but selected in two different ways: the
sport- working dog and the conformation-show dog.
For many of these breeds this process became irreversible
because even within the same specialized club there
are different mentalities coexisting and consolidated
. There are breeders that select morphologically corrected
dogs but with a weak, insecure and timid temperament.
These dogs are to be considered " problematic dogs"
. On the other side there are breeders that select only
focusing on the temperament, leaving behind the conformation
characteristics, raising sport and competition 's proper
dog, but that sometimes are excessively nervous and
aggressive. These dogs are to be considered " problematic
dogs" also because of their not easy (and not for
everyone) manageability.
Our Dobermann are very successful in national and international
working competitions, but they are also very typical
dogs with good conformation, stable temperament and
a good expression of the standard in the whole meaning.
Most of these dogs have accomplished the Ztp and a good
part of them also the Koerung.
These are the dogs that were the cornerstones of our
kennels; their genes and their offspring are the accomplishment
in our present.
Just for a minute let me recall your memories to some
dogs like Alva von Franchenhorst and her offspring :
Chrystel van der Elannd and Baron Cesar von Resloo,
to Bronco von Zenn to Ero von Franchenhorst, to Esta
and Bingo von Ellendonk, to Icarus von der Kollau Bingo's
nephew , to Helena von Eshenhof, to Ali Von Langhenhorst
and his son Castor von der Mooreiche, to Hertog Conan
Manesheide, to Orson van Roveline and allow me to say
also to Gale del Citone.
All these dogs that I've mentioned in a very small portion
only are to be considered an example to follow to ensure
a genetic improvement for the Dobermann breed.
It is my believe that the IDC represents the main and
the best place to operate strategic choices and to address
the new breeding criterions to all the affiliated National
Clubs and to all the breeders worldwide.
The IDC should also become the main reference for discussing
and resolving breeding problems and those issues related
to several laws and absurd prohibitions that lately
we have been tormented with.
An other remarkable issue that I would like to expose
to you is related to the world evolution. In the past
years many breeders quitted producing and selling pups
and we saw new kennels rise (especially in certain Countries).
I guess this can depend also from the fact that there
is no much personal relationship anymore between breeders
and breed passionates.
It is hard to believe but the market is now days ruled
mostly by Internet.
There are several web sites that are publicizing dogs
in a unmentionable way and even with the good faith
of the site's managers, there are very incorrect advertisements
especially in relation to the hereditary pathologies.
We already know that in many Countries there are no
official veterinarians that could perform clinical or
radiological diagnostic conformed to the FCI regulations.
There are not hip dyspalsia certification centres that
are approved by the DV & v either. Well, apparently
all the dogs that I've seen advertised on these web
sites, are free from all the possible pathologies existed
in the past years.
I believe that we cannot ignore this issue either and
the IDC should dictate some rules, we should inform
and publicize the name and the location of those authorized
diagnostic centres and all the National Clubs affiliated
should be taking care of the correct and specific information
divulgation.
AIAD edits its own magazine " I Nostri Dobermann"
published in Italian language as well as in English
language wrote it out in 25000 copies, distributed to
all the members, the subscribers, and available at the
magazine stores also.
If the IDC Presidium thinks that our periodical magazine
can be useful to divulgate information we are more than
willing to print a copy, in English only if necessary,
to distribute to all the IDC dobermann's friends worldwide.
Our tasks and our experiences are at your disposal with
the hope that all our efforts can contribute to a better
dobermann protection and divulgation.
I believe all of us can contribute and give more strength
to our International organization by providing a better
and more technical IDC championship with more official
controls for those dogs that are aspirant for breeding
champions
This position would also permit us to answer to all
those social and Governor worries that are afflicting
many Countries.
The public attention regarding the " dangerous
breeds" and the several prohibitions for the ear
and tail cropping, keep us with a constant doubt regarding
the future of our breed. Nationwide and in several Countries
many are the laws that have been proposed due to incorrect
information or to political opinion regarding the animal
health and the animal well -being.
This historical moment we are going through is a big
danger for the breed. The Dobermann breed is under a
spot light for several reasons. In Europe we are risking
a biological genocide of the breed and it would not
worth much if only a couple of Countries are exempted
from it
We need to fight together because there is still a lot
that can be done.
We cannot give up or give in to an uncertain future
for our breed.
There was a considerable birth loss in those Countries
that laws passed against the cropping or the "dangerous
breeds". This is a significant symptom that should
worry us all. Shortening the dobermann numbers available
for the breeding will inevitably bring us toward a genetic
drift. This phenomenon is strictly related to the drastic
reduction of the breed genetic pool.
This is one more reason to believe we do need an official
central international breed direction.
Some decisions taken from the DV & v and our President
Hans Wiblishauser allow us to keep fighting and keep
hoping, and I'm referring to the issue related to the
change of the breed Standard in relation to the ears
and tail cropped.(That alone is a lot!!)
The IDC together with the breed specialized club need
to be coherent with their choices and address the turn
for the breed future (short term as well as long term).
The Dobermann verein &v. are already doing their
part of work with not easy sacrifices. We all should
do the same. All the IDC affiliated countries should
take their responsibility and show their coherence by
following the same politic choices.
Our choices can positively influence our Government.
Please do not forget that some National Kennels (for
example ENCI, DKC
) are already considering a strategic
reinstatement of the pure breed dog co-operating with
the specialty clubs.
In Italy about one year ago we had to face a new ordinance
that saw the dobermann listed with other 92 breeds as
a "dangerous breed". We had been forbidden
to perform any kind of training to all the utility dogs.
AIAD worked very hard to prove that, in the past 20
years, we have been selecting our Dobermann temperament
as well as the conformation and we have the full control
of our breed. We were granted back then of a moratorium
regarding the training and today, one year later, the
Government and the kennel ( ENCI) recognized our selection
work to be positively effecting the breed and the ordinance
was changed excluding the dobermann from the dangerous
breeds list. It was not an easy battle.
I believe we can still do a lot more for the breed.
I believe the new politic should be based on:
1) Utilizing for breeding only those dogs that meet
with morphological, temperament and health 's codes.
These single subjects will guarantee a real selection.
2) Protect and improve the breed aptitude and behavioural
characteristics
3) Protect and divulgate the dobermann docility and
affability
4) Protect and improve the breed constitutional type.
Those are the priority goals that I'd like all of us
to consider in our breeding programs.
If we analyse the worldwide breeding situation we can
realize that half of the breeders have good faith but
they are not very well informed or instructed and the
other half act like small businessmen. That is why there
is an urgent need to centralize the choices and to establish
strict rules. There is the need to inform and teach
our breeders. Without addressing the choices, in a proper
central way, every single breeder can diverge and go
far from the genetic improvement that we all worked
for.
We have often witnessed litters born from unchecked
parents. These litters can jeopardize the future goal
of the Dobermann entire population. A good breeding
conduct is to consider the population best interest
over the single subject one. Only by going this direction
we can guarantee a future to our breed. This is the
breeding goal. This is the reason of our controls and
our shows. All of you here today know that the selection
we are operating is not just morphological. It is easier
to select one factor at the time (like height
).
A total selection is to breed in consideration of the
conformation as well as the temperament. For these reasons
it is very important to understand which ones are the
factors that need to be improved and work on every single
one by planning selection goals and strict action rules.
This would be the right scheme to pick out the next
generation reproducers.
From a genetic point of view the selection goal is to
improve the average quality for the entire population
and not just producing few subjects that are out of
the average level. Many specialized clubs and many Kennels
are already using the basic breeding criteria I have
exposed. There are many breeders that for years have
been producing only with this criterions and I believe
we should all sacrifice a little to reach their level.
Thank you very much for your attention. Please give
the right consideration to my proposal. I 'm here to
answer all your questions.
Long life to the Dobermanns! Long life to the people
that love and protect them.
Pierluigi Pezzano |

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