It's been a while since we updated, mainly because there are so many things happening. Show season for 2018 has kicked in full swing now in the spring and summer, so we would like to share some of the many successes & news of the dogs from our kennel.
In late April, Aludra's family took her off to her very first dog shows (and their first dog shows, as well!) as owner-handlers with UKC in Puppy Class up Northern California. Congratulations to Aludra & the Feng family! And thank you very much to Thurisia Alaskan Klee Kai for helping out 'our' owners and pups at their first shows. Aludra's has also been attending Nosework classes. We had the fine opportunity to evaluate her development in real life recently, and we are looking forward to her future potential here with our kennel Greyfarer.
In early June, Greyfarer Adrammelech & Azov went to a meeting of the Czechoslovakian Vlcak Club of America which was held at World Dog Expo vendor expo in New Jersey. There they held a Meet the Breed. Thank you to their owners for representing the breed there!
Additionally, Adrammelech has been advancing along in his agility training with his family. He already understands the basics of the weave/slalom and can do it pretty reliably! Thank you to the Kastner family for the great work. We can't wait to see him get better and better at agility.
In mid-June Greyfarer Ashira was at her very first UKC shows (we had previously shown her at a weekend of FCI International shows in Mexico) in Southern California. She left with back-to-back Reserve Best in Show placements at just 11 months old. We are very happy with her results and how she is developing as well. She and Aludra are very similar in build, with amazing length of leg and body index. They are nice improvements over their parents. Ashira was shown in Breeder-Handler class, our very first. Additionally, she completed her Barnhunt Instinct title and earned her second leg towards her Novice title with a High in Trial. With that, she became the first Czechoslovakian Vlcak to title in Barnhunt.
At the end of June, Greyfarer Adlon was shown at the UKC Washington Classic. Although he was the only Czechoslovakian Vlcak present, we are happy he was able to represent the breed nicely and he came away with another two Best of Breeds and a group placement. Congratulations to the Baja family!
Lastly, as I write this, Greyfarer Azov is at a show weekend, his very first as well as his owner's very first. We are proud that all of the owners are very active with the dogs and willing to get out there with the Vlcaks. They certainly are not the easiest breed to handle and Azov has definitely given his owner a run for her money today, ha! He came away with three Best of Breeds & is the only Czechoslovakian Vlcak at the set of UKC shows up in Maine. His owner reported that he got a lot of socialization, pets, nice comments, and generally other people were very curious about the breed. Thank you very much to the Azov's family!
I think through all this, our greatest satisfaction is that the owners are happy with the dogs, despite the challenges. Too soon our litter-A will turn one year old and start year 2. So far, the litter has been DNA profiled and parentage verified, and the entire litter has been tested for Degenerative Myelopathy and Pituitary Dwarfism. Results can be seen here. Additionally, 3 of the 5 puppies have received Echocardiograms with cardiologists and all three have normal cardiac results. Eventually we hope the entire litter will have EKGs done, and we hope annually.
On a related note, we have received many inquiries about puppies. At this time we don't have any projected plans for litters until 2020, and that's only if the dogs pass all of the health testing and develop well to our specifications measured against the standard. However, we are happy to refer quality import litters in the fall through spring, as that's when most CSV litters are born. Thank you to our supporters. We take our time to get to know interested owners, so it is never too early to inquire.
In August we will also be attending the XXII. KCHCSV European and Club Specialty Shows for CSV (the Slovak Czechoslovakian Vlcak Breed Club's annual summer camp and shows) in Dolny Kubin, Slovakia. We're looking forward to seeing what dogs are up and coming, how the different lines are developing, and seeing the contemporary breeding and quality in the FCI patron country as well as attendees from all over Europe. 2018 so far as been heartbreaking with the loss of our beloved Morrow, but watching her puppies develop and their adventures in life is a blessing and a great joy.
