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Vom Speicher Lane; A Site For Pudelpointers

The next installment of Atze's story is ready for you. Just clink on the link "Atze II vom Centralhof" to continue along.

Meet ATZE II vom Centralhof
pudelpointer Atze 8 months old

This is a site about Pudelpointers. There is some history about the breed, what the breed is about, a look at our experiences in Germany with our friends and our dogs,several slideshows to show you our special moments, dogs and friends, and some interesting links.

Here you will also find the ongoing story of Atze II vom Centralhof. Follow the story of his growth from young pup to finished adult dog, as it unfolds. But it is not only the story of his growth, it is the story of our growth as well. We are Jude Gerstein and Jeremy Kellough.

With Atze, we will be taking our dog with our friends in Germany, from early puppyhood through to his final test. Each chapter brings us a new understanding of how the progression flows within the framework of the JGHV German Hunting Dog system. Atze will be trained in the steps of exposure and discipline mirroring his littermates in Germany. The difference will be that Atze will be trained on both sides of the Atlantic. It is not the smallest of undertakings. This is the commitment we have made to our PP Family... without them all of this would only be a dream.

For more information on the JGHV, please see some of the sites listed on the Links page listed below.

Now begins our story.

It was Wednesday, November 28th 2007. We had arrived in Germany the day before to spend some time with our friend, Michaela. We were sitting at the table, relaxing after dinner, when her mobile rang. It was Werner Rohe, head of our LG Westfalen ( our Landesgruppe or chapter, of the VPP e.V.) Werner is one of those people who carries an encyclopedic knowledge of pedigrees in his head. He is truly a gentleman and a wonderful person. Werner was calling to say that the litter he was expecting had been born.

To say this was a special litter is the height of understatement. It was the culmination of a 25-year breeding program. Werner's female was PPS WENKE vom Centralhof out of PPS FLAX vom Grünen Weg, Michaela's dog. Wenke had been bred to PPS MOGLI vom Orsoyer Land, also Michaela's dog, her special PP.

Now to be awarded the title of PPS is a great honour and a feat of itself. The dog must have passed all its tests with at or above a set of very strict criteria. Just because a dog meets the criteria, it does not mean that the dog will automatically become PPS - it is awarded from the VPP. This litter could boast three such titled dogs in their immediate bloodlines, with both parents carrying the PPS before their names.

Not only was there strong blood behind these pups, but they were also the fourth generation to be bred where all the puppies in the litters had full furnishings. Beards and furnishings are a primary requirement for breeding in Germany. Our Otter is a smooth-coated PP. and it seems, that smooth-coated gene is still making regular appearances. Having said that, dogs without furnishings are NO less of a hunting dog - they are just not eligible for breeding. Statistics in Germany give a pup a 50/50 chance of having no beard. That said, over a litter, a breeder is bound to have at least 1 pup without furnishings... to have 4 consecutive generations with furnishings is a remarkable feat. This litter of Werner's has showed the great forethought needed to be a great breeder.

Grandfather PPS FLAX vom Grünen Weg and his daughter, PPS WENKE vom Centralhof

Of course, we took a special interest in this litter. Not only did the pups have a historic breeding program behind them, but they were in effect, nieces and nephews of our Otter. Wenke was out of Otter's father and Mogli was out of Otter's mother.

We went to see them when they were 5 days old. That all the pups had furnishings was evident. The litter was uniform in size with a consistency throughout. I had always hoped some day to breed our Umea with Mogli, but her heat intolerance made that dream impossible. But here I was looking at "Mogli puppies." I wanted one!

PPS MOGLI vom Orsoyer Land

A day or so later, while again sitting at the table, talking about dogs and training and testing, I mentioned that VDD-Group Canada was going to be holding a Judges' seminar early this summer. I said that we had both "signed up" as it were. I was going for the information and knowledge I would learn, while Jeremy was hoping some day to be be able enter the Judge's apprenticeship program, and eventually become a judge. Michaela must have stored this tidbit of inforamtion in her brain.

A few days later, Michaela asked us if we really were going to take the seminar and if Jeremy really wanted to become a judge. We answered in the affirmative. Then it came. Michaela had the option to take a pup back in lieu of stud fee. She was willing to do this, IF we agreed to take the dog, run him inall the tests so that Jeremy would not have to wait until she had another breeding to start the process. The two females were spoken for, but there were males available. I have a soft spot of male dogs, and this was a Mogli son, and a remarkable breeding. .

Michaela was always a very unique lady. She and her husband graciously opened her house, their world of Pudelpointers and the German hunting / testing system to us in friendship. We considered ourselves very fortunate to have had the opportunity to have other Vom Osoyer Land PPs and learn from some of the greatest dog trainers that we have ever seen or heard about. Yet, to to be offered such a pup under such terms was truly a memorable moment that we will always treasure. Once again she opened the door to the next chapter in our world of PP's..

And so it was that ATZE II vom Centralhof entered our lives and hearts.

We recieved Atze on Monday Febuary 4,2008. From Tuesday to the following Sunday, Atze was expected to attend the Pudelpointer booth representing our VPP e.V. Westfalen chapter at the "Jagd und Hund" expo in Dortmund. It was a lot to ask any pup to be exposed to; the thousands of people passing by the booth, the other dogs that were everywhere, and walking with some semblance of manners of a lead while parading around a stage with other dogs. This pup took it all in stride like a true little champion - if anything it only made him more confident.

Before we left Germany, Atze had experienced several hare tracks, tore apart a dead fox with his father Mogli, discovered water, and pointed his first wild pheasant. Every possible form of exposure is given to the pup before he left Deutchland. There are many trips back to Germany planned for the year ahead, with new photos and stories to go with them, I am sure. Stayed tuned for more updates.

pudelpointer Atze II vom Centralhof 8 weeks

But none of this would be possible, were it not for the wonderful friends we have come to know in VDD-GC. Not only did they keep the fire for training in us, they are making the possibility of preparing for a Judge's apprenticeship possible. Of course, we will be relying on our Group Canada friends like Adam Pethick. Yet, I think Atze's godfather, Mickey Ristic will be keeping the closest eye on his godson. Mickey was the first from North America to see Atze.... and Atze left a lasting impression on his dog Junebug.