A zuchtschau (breeder's show) of the North American Teckel Club was held today in Loves Park, Illinois. Our judge was Andreas Tornau from Germany. I found Mr Tornau professional yet fun in his demeanor, informative yet succinct in his commmentary, and strict yet fair in his judgements. I enjoyed the day and I know others did, too!

The primary purpose of a zuchtschau is for dogs to be evaluated by a DTK judge so they may receive an official conformation rating. A rating of Vorzuglich (Excellent) or Sehr Gut (Very Good) is required for a dog to be used for breeding in the DTK system. People not breeding in the DTK system, however, may still show dogs for ratings. It is an informative experience to show to a judge from the country of origin of the dachshund; it serves to broaden perspective. It is also fun!

My FC Alpine Owl von Dorndorf was rated Vorzuglich (Excellent) which means he is now V rated x 4.

Maxine Brinker's 14 month old Sage v Dorndorf L receieved an SG (Very Good) rating because she is presently way out of coat. But Maxine was so happy that the judge liked her Nutmeg that she hardly noticed! (Nutmeg is spayed so she did not receive a rating.)
Tina Knoll's FC Bob's Babe von Knobydox was rated SG for the very same reason. The Germans are strict on coat. They are strict on a number of things about which we are rather lenient. And they are rather lenient on some other things about which we are more strict. Like I said, it is an interesting and educational experience to show to a judge from Germany. It tends to tweak the mindset.

Following is a video of Stan Knoll in the ring with his six year old FC Audi Oslo von Dorndorf. This is their first time in  the conformation ring together.  I showed Oslo at a zuchtschau one time a few years ago where he was rated SG because he weighed half a pound over 22 pounds, the weight limit for a V rating. Today, Oslo weighed 9.5 kg which is 21 pounds. We figure that a weekend of field trials before Oslo's weigh-in today must have been a good thing! He showed well for Stan.

Before I began recording, Oslo had been on the table you'll see on the right side of the screen. He was weighed on the digital scale, his chest was measured, he was briefly examined for two testicles, and thoroughly examined for all his teeth and for no malformations of his bite or of any of the vertebrae in his tail.

Beginning this year, the DTK (of which NATC is a member club) also requires each dog to undergo a basic temperament test. First, the judge pays close attention to the dog's behavior during examination on the table. Then after the dog has been shown, it's reaction to  the loud noise of metal hitting metal - dog off lead - is observed.

NATC's zuchtschau guidelines tell us to remember that the dachshund is a hunting dog. Handlers' dress is casual and grooming of the dogs is minimal. There is no 'stacking' of the dogs, very little baiting, and dogs are shown in a variety of leads and collars, including flat buckle collars. Nothing fancy, this is all about the dogs.

Here's Stan and Oslo. They have already gone around the ring a few times. This clip begins after about a third of their time in the ring.

Out with Marietta Singleton just three weeks and shown two times, Nexus FINISHED requirements for Champion title which also, of course, makes him a Dual Champion. This was at the Owensboro River City Kennel Club all-breed show, day after the Louisville Dachshund Club specialty.

It is so nice when everything comes together so well.

I am very thankful to Marietta. I am glad there are people out there willing to show dogs for other people. I am working this weekend (I work every other weekend) and I simply would not have been in Kentucky to begin with, much less had Nexus groomed as well and shown as well as Marietta did.

So many, many THANKS to Marietta and to Vicki Spencer who is keeping Nexus at her home in Owensboro until I drive down Monday and bring him home.

That's two generations now of dogs that I have nearly finished when they were young, stopped showing for years, then were easily finished by other people when they were eight years old. I don't intend to make it three.   :  )

Owl's father came from Sweden and his mother is American breeding.

Alexandra's bitch is from German bloodines on both sides.

Best smooth was a black/tan standard bitch bred, owned, and shown by Anke Masters. This bitch has a German pedigree.

Best wire was a wild boar standard bitch bred, owned, and shown by Joyce Wilson. Her father is a Norwegian dog and her mother is American.

So just from this small sample of all the dogs present, you can already see that it was truly an international affair!

Best dog of the zuchtschau was the wire bitch and a very well deserved win it was.

I know that Jolanta got some nice photos of the three Variety winners as well as other photos that she will post soon.

Congratulations to all who participated! It was so good to see many people again and to meet others for the first time.

And what a surprise to see John Robinson again! In years past, John, owner of standard wires, was a very active Deer Search member, field trialer and field trial judge from the east coast. It was not difficult to figure out how long it had been since I'd last seen John. His 25 year old daughter Beth was with him, as was Beth's husband, and about the last time I remember seeing John, four year old Beth was riding on his shoulders at a field trial. Now Beth and her husband Gentian are field trialing and showing wirehairs!

The generations of life are good.