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
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.
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.
© Copyright
February 2009 by Jude Gerstein.
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