WHY AN IMPORT?

VA Janos von der Noriswand SchH. III, Kkl I

Superior by Design

Unlike the United States where anyone can breed their AKC registered dog to another AKC registered dog and receive registration papers, it is not so in Europe. In Europe breeding is controlled by each breed's registry. As most registries for working breeds have similar structures we will use as the example the system established by the German Shepherd Dog registry of Germany (Verein fur Deutsche Schäferhunde).

The Hurdles

There are what initially seems like countless hurdles which a dog must overcome, or pass, in order to be "approved" for breeding. These hurdles are made up of a comprehensive program of testing, trials and evaluations. To by-pass such requirements is possible but registration papers will not be issued.

Free of Hip Dysplasia

To start with a dog's hips must first be certified free of hip dysplasia by a board certified radiologist appointed by the breed registry.

Correct Temperament, Character,
Drives and Instinct

A dog must then pass an initial temperament test to insure sociability and soundness in character. Once this initial test is passed, and title earned, it is then followed by competing in a working dog sport, like the German sport of Schutzhund.

These working dog trials where created specifically as a breeding tool to evaluate the inherent drives and instincts expected within the breed, and to insure overall soundness. In recent decades these sports have developed from just a breeding tool into competitive international sports as well.

Physical Condition

Once the working titles have been earned they are followed by earning an endurance title which requires a dog to jog along side a bike for 20 kilometers with a 15 minute break midway, and a short obedience routine at the end.

Correct Structure

A dog must also be shown at a conformation show and obtain a rating of at least "Good" in conformation to qualify for entry into the Breed Survey, and be approved for breeding.

Finally Approval!

Once the temperament test has been passed, working titles, conformation title and endurance degree earned the dog has the right to go before a Breed Warden to be approved for breeding.

Breeding

Once the approval for breeding is achieved the owner of a female chooses a suitable stud to breed with her dog. Once the litter is born the local Breed Warden must come to examine the litter within the first few days. This is done primarily to insure the litter is healthy with proper conditions for both mother and puppies. The Breed Warden then returns with a Tattooer (person approved by the registry for tattooing) when the puppies are 8 weeks. Assuming the puppies are in good health the Tattooer will place a tattoo in each puppies ear for identification purposes. The tattoo numbers are issued by the registry and appear on each dog's registration papers.

From Puppy to You by way of the Training Club

Once a puppy is purchased most people in Europe, like in the U.S., look for help in raising and training them. Unlike the U.S., in most places in Europe there are dog training clubs to be found everywhere. They typically have club houses and training fields which include lighting for training at night. As they are very visible everyone knows where to go for help with training.

Once at the club the novice, interested only in raising and training there own dog to have basic obedience and manners, is introduced to dog sports. They usually become inspired by off-leash control and intrigued with the fact that the same dog that they were just petting is now on the field doing protection work. They have been bitten by the training bug, so to speak.

What comes next is usually finding out that these new found friends who train their dogs at the club actually each have 2 to 3 dogs. That they typically purchase a puppy once every 6 to 9 months. They do so to not only enjoy training and competition but so that once the dog is trained he or she can be sold to law enforcement or to trainers like ours in France and in the Czech Republic. Most people make the decision to keep one dog as their personal dog and to enjoy dog sports with the others until eventually selling them. Normally it is decided to keep the dog with the greatest ability and sell the others. Of course it is these dogs which are not for sale that are usually of interest to us. Through persuasion, persistence and often large sums of money we are able to purchase the exceptional dogs.

This process, foreign and perhaps difficult for many Americans to understand giving up one's companion, enables these individuals who become dog sport enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy so many wonderful dogs, while their hobby contributes to their family's income.

The Benefits without the Work!

The owner's of these amazing dogs have endured the challenges (chewed rugs and furniture as puppies, housebreaking, etc.), labors of raising their dogs (10 hours+ a week of training at the club not to mention training at home daily, socializing, etc.) as well as the heartache along the way (raising a dog only to find he or she doesn't have sufficient ability, has bad temperament or worse - great temperament, great personality, amazing performance but has dysplastic hips and elbows). Their efforts provide you with the benefits of enjoying a healthy, well socialized dog without the challenges, labor or sacrifice.