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Alida v.Flandrischen Loewen - Dobermann Review

Alida v.Flandrischen Loewen - Dobermann Review

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and I beamed with pride; she and Jens looked very goodtogether. Even though I knew I was nowhere near hisstandard as a handler or trainer, I was looking forwardto working with <strong>Alida</strong>.So I went home with my dog and began to workwith her, and we entered our first Schutzhund trial inPennsylvania. Believe it or not we went High in Trial…and nobody could take their eyes off her.<strong>Alida</strong> was such an outstanding performer that to beworking with and training with this dog was an experiencenobody could ever explain. She just begged me towork with her. She hadsuch excitement, suchenthusiasm. <strong>Alida</strong> wouldpull me on a bicycle, that’show she kept in condition.We would go for milesevery day. She was withouta doubt the strongest bitchI have ever seen and couldpull me 5 miles non-stopon a bicycle without myhaving to pedal; if you don’tthink that’s a lot of work,go out and try to road worka dog for 5 miles, muchless have one pull you on abicycle for 5 miles.By her mannerismsand personality, <strong>Alida</strong>built confidence in meand anyone who saw herperform, because she wassuch a spirited performer. Her protection skills and herpresentations were really animated and fast. She was,without a question, extremely intense; I guess that wouldbe the best word to describe <strong>Alida</strong>, intense.<strong>Alida</strong> was a playful dog who enjoyed running andplaying, having a grand old time. When I would goplaces, I would bring her too. I used to bring her withme to the office, and she’d make friends with everyone,then just lie down by my side and never be in the way.She would go with me to the job sites (I own a constructioncompany), run around and make friends with theguys at the site. She was very protective of the car, soany time I’d leave her in the car she would certainly leteveryone know to stay away from the car. Yet she wasthe kind of dog that made friends with everyone anddrew attention to herself. She just commanded attentionand respect.<strong>Alida</strong> was very strong in character and had veryhigh drives. Her prey drive was extremely high, and herguarding work was just spectacular. She wasn’t a reallyhard dog; you couldn’t go banging around on <strong>Alida</strong>. Shewas much too sensitive for that. I call it intelligence, notjust sensitivity: sensitive to the handler, and intelligentto avoid the pain. This type of intelligence, this type ofdrive personifies the type of dog she was.I bred <strong>Alida</strong> twice to American stud dogs (Ch.Electra’s the Wind Walker and Ch Akela’s the Vindicator)to blend together the best of the best, offeringthe American public a high quality alternative. Unfortunately,most American breeders don’t realize whatthey’re missing because they have never had what <strong>Alida</strong>offered. You don’t miss what you never had.<strong>Alida</strong> produced twolitters for me, and itwas really educational.I’d watch her teach herpuppies how to play andsocialize with each other,how to hunt and be competitive…butshe neverallowed them to fight.She taught them to usetheir noses to find foodand would hide their toys,forcing them to use theirnoses to find them. It wasa learning game.I have her grandchildrenaround me all thetime, and they re allspecial to me. But <strong>Alida</strong>Ch Akela’s The Vindicatorwas my “once in a lifetimedog,” my best friend andteacher. She was the dogthat really taught me about European stock, the result ofgenerations of breeding for working ability, beauty, andconformation, what depth of pedigree really means. It’stotally different from breeding for generations only forphysical beauty. She was a dog who “walked the walkand talked the talk,” as the saying goes; <strong>Alida</strong> lived herlife as an example of excellence.She had such dignity and, even during her lastdays, she loved life and wanted to live. I made a gravemistake. I let her suffer over a weekend because I justdidn’t want to give her up. The mistake I made washaving a tumor removed from her breast; 30 dayslater she was dead. I wish now that I had it to do overagain…maybe she would have lived longer.I sorely miss <strong>Alida</strong>. She’s buried underneath theold oak tree on my property in Washingtonville, NY,where she loved to run and hunt and play. I’m sure thatif there’s a heaven for dogs, <strong>Alida</strong> is there.<strong>Alida</strong>’s get include 12 champions, 9 schutzhundtitles, 4 CDs and 1 CDX so far…page 6 packet 1

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