Hi All,

As you can see by my number I’ve been around for awhile, but I’ve only posted a few times. I read the posts almost daily, especially the ones written by my favorite posters. I won’t mention any names, I wouldn’t want your hat size to get any bigger than it probably already is. But this story is just too good to just sit on, plus it will allow me to get on my soap box a little.

This past weekend was our local kennel club AKC all breed dog show and obedience trial, which my wife and I are members. We don’t show in the breed ring, we’re not breeders, we joined to meet other obedience people to train with. We volunteered to help out with the obedience ring so we weren’t entered. The first day we were just on hand to help out any way we could.

It was a small trial, only about 30 dogs. About half way through I noticed a very striking mostly black GSD with his handler who picked up an arm band for the Novice B. I couldn’t help but keep my eye on them because this wasn’t the typical GSD I normally see at the trials I go to. It was even more evident that my suspicions were correct when the team entered the ring. The dogs attention while heeling was not typical of a novice dog and the handlers sure stride and confidence was also not typical. I moved closer to hear the commands and sure enough they were in German. As soon as the team left the ring I went over to congratulate him on his excellent performance and what a good looking dog he had. He immediately stuck his hand out with a big smile and said thanks. I then asked if this was also a Schutzhund dog and he said yes. My name is Scott Rowan and this is Vyck Von Haus Antverpa SchH 3, IPO 3. He told me that Vyck had recently taken high in trial in obedience at the WDA and DVG National Schutzhund Championships. About that time Scott was called back in to the ring for the group exercises (long sits and downs).

When Scott left the ring this time, I noticed he was immediately approached by Terry Irvin, one of the top competitors in AKC obedience in the Pacific Northwest. Actually Terry took high in trial both days and high combined on the second with her Border Collie, Rio. Just then the judge was calling the qualifiers back in the ring. Out of 9 dogs 3 qualified and Vyck was one of them. Scott & Vyck took second place. When they made there way out of the ring I went over and congratulated him and commended him and thanked him for showing his Schutzhund dog at our AKC trial. I went on to say that I wish more would do so that I thought it would be good for all. Scott told me he thought there would be more doing so in the future and that he planned on taking Vyck on through the Open and UD and possibly even a tracking title.

I think Scott was somewhat surprised and disappointed about only getting second and I can’t say as I blame him. But then again I’m not a judge and there are differences in the two styles of handling and obedience for scoring purposes. This was just another reason I was so impressed with Scott. A lesser handler might have gotten mad and left in a huff, but he excused himself from our conversation for a moment to speak with the judge and find out where and why he lost points.

The second day of the trial was pretty much the same. Out of 10 dogs 4 qualified and once again Scott took second. Although after only speaking to the judge briefly on the first day and a few tips from Terry, their score improved several points on the second day. I actually believe he got knocked out of first place the very last second of the last exercise when Vyck popped up to a half sit during the return from the long down exercise just before the judge finished the exercise.

After the trial I got a chance to speak to Terry and our conversation quickly turned to Vyck. Terry told me how impressed she was with the way this dog worked and that she too assumed it was a Schutzhund dog. She didn’t want Scott to get discouraged with AKC obedience no matter how the trial turned out and offered to get together with him for training to get the most out of his dog for AKC type trials.

So the moral of my story is that most of us AKC handlers and competitors are just dog loving people and can appreciate a good working dog no matter if it’s Schutzhund, ring sport, or lap dog. For the naysayers and opponents of the biting sports how great it was for them to see him not trying to eat Fluffy that was next to him during the stays and that he didn’t try taking the judge’s arm off and instead conducted himself in as good of a manner in and out of the ring as any dog there. As far as the breed ring goes, I believe change can only come from inside (inside the ring). If those of you who have good working line dogs started competing in the ring in large enough numbers, sooner or later the judge is going to give a nod your way and that will be the beginning.

I also believe that experience is the best teacher and I would like to think that a person wanting to get involved in the working sports would not be discouraged because they don’t have a working line dog. Letting them see why their dog doesn’t measure up is more educational than just being told your dog is no good. The person can still most likely gather valuable training experience for obedience and maybe tracking and be prepared and more knowledgeable for their next dog. I know from my own experience I’ve gained more training knowledge working with my weak nerved, handler soft little girl than my very balanced confident male.

Craig & Tami Hawkins
Proud owners of two Standard Schnauzers:
Von Rehders Woody Hawkins CGC, CDX
Skansen’s Sadie Mylady Hawkins, CGC, CD

Schnauzerman,I think this dog comes from a very good Line. Orry von haus Antverpa, (world champion I think) and then there's Scott von Haus Antverpa (34 X'x IPO3. I would call this strong working line GSD's. Some high caliber DDR dogs in this Line. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Question:How old was Vyck?
Was he a tri-color?
Need contact for Scott Rowan
Thanks,

Schnauzerman--

Excellent post with a great deal of food for thought.

Pete Felknor

Vyck is a bi-color. I don't think he has any DDR blood in the pedigree.

Here is the link to Vyck's pic and pedigree:

http://www.schroederhaus.com/vyck_pedigree1.htm

His dam line is from the old DDR. Nice pedigree overall. I feel that v Haus Antwerpa has been most successful at utilizing DDR lines to preserve good working qualities.

John

VanCamp:

Gunda Scheiferschloss was also DDR.

See I am not the only one.....

Thanks and welcome Craig and Tami!!!!!!!

Crabtree--

If you haven't already learned from Scott's website, he told me Vyck was 4 yrs old.

John--

Thanks for posting Scott's website, I refrained from doing so in my original post, din't want anyone to think it was for promotional purposes.

Pete--

Thanks for the kind words.

Once again I want to say what a treat it was to see a dog like this. There aren't any sport clubs in our area so I only get to see dogs like this on video or read about them on sites like this.

Another thing that surprised me is how well this dog handled the environment that our ring was in. We were in a small gymn. On one end of the ring was a set of bleachers where spectators were sitting. On the other end of the ring about ten ft away was an elevated stage about five ft tall. There were a few spectators and competitors coming and going from the stage area. On the back corner of the stage was a photographer set up doing portraits. He occasionally would use a squeaker or toy flute to get the dogs attention (not the dog in the ring). On the other side of the ring about ten ft away was a breed ring for the toy group. There were three entrances to the room that were open and people were coming and going constantly. What I'm trying to say is that there was alot of stimulus in a small confined area and I would have thought after reading about these high drive sport dogs that it would have been too much. Definitely not the case.

Craig

I know this will make me look stupid but Im here to learn. I have 2 female GSD one is an antverpa and the other one has it in her pedigree. But Id like to know what DDR lines are

Deutsche Demokratische Republik, or former East Germany.