We’re here! We made it through 2022!
Comparatively speaking we came through it pretty much unscathed. In fact, there were a lot of positives later in the year.
As we muddled through the early months, still trying to wrap our heads around our losses, we introduced Phyre to our pack, with the amazing help from her older sister Nevr. If the way she taught the baby is any indication of what kind of momma she’s going to be, I would predict she will do Rogue proud. Even today as maturing bitches, they can still get past the dominance dance and play well together. Our hearts are full again.
Throughout the late spring, and summer, and into the early fall, our club members in The Sirius Working Dog Association, busted their butts to pull off a two day IGP trial on the October 1st and 2nd weekend. We were ALMOST completely successful in achieving new titles.
Nevr von der Leidenschaft achieved her BH, but only managed a 61 on her Tracking 1. Flirt aka Fyokla vom Gleinalmblick achieved her BH, a monumental effort by Ron, and our many club members. Zeus vom Goldbergsee achieved IGP 1 with 93, 83, and 79, and then the following day did his Obedience 2 with a score of 78.
Many of our puppy owners had trial successes in 2022 as well.
At the end of September, Tom Zinn and his girl Xena aka Onyx von der Leidenschaft achieved BH at 16 months old!
Ed Nagle and Loek von der Leidenschaft achieved their IGP1 with 80-86-80 score at Schnauzerfest in early October.
Another O-puppy, Orca von der Leidenschaft, with her owner/handler Ala Krivov achieved her BH later in October.
And, at the tender age of 13 months, Gator, aka Poet von der Leidenschaft competed in his first nose work trial, achieving his NW1 with the National Association of Canine Scent Work. Owner/handler Donna Yacovacci says “NACSW is emulating to best of their abilities in real life scenarios, it was developed by police and military persons. I only compete in NACSW as it’s considered the “creme de la creme” of scent work association or clubs.”
If we’ve missed any accomplishments, please let me know. Civilian working dogs, and sport competition dogs take an insane amount of time, energy, and commitment. This in no way takes away from the amazing companion dog owners we have! There really should be titles for those who ensure their families and their dogs live cohesively and in harmony.
With regards to our breeding program, many of you know, losing Rogue left us without a ready brood bitch. That said we are happy to announce Nevr has passed her health clearances and will be bred (hopefully!) on her next heat. To date, Flirt has passed her OFA exams, with Excellent hips and Normal elbows. We are sending off DNA testing this week to determine her status on Dilated Cardiomyopathy. We will schedule her eye exams in the spring. We still have a lot of work to do with Flirt in the home to ensure she will be receptive to whelping a litter with us. We aren’t interested in rushing either of these girls, they are both just two years old. Mental maturity is as important as physical maturity and health clearances. Raising a litter is stressful enough without Mom being an emotional mess with trust issues.
The year ahead will see us continuing to train for our fall trial in October. Goals are BH for Phyre, IGP 1 for Nevr, IGP 1 for Flirt, and IGP 2 (possibly 3) for Zeus. We are also hoping to raise our Q-litter should Momma N see fit.
We hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, and wish everyone the very best for the year ahead.
