The Start of it All.
My love of the Doberman breed began in 1981, when my parents purchased our first Doberman as a family companion and protector. As a child I had no idea how this small seemingly insignificant event would effect my whole life.
We took "Lisa" with us everywhere, from family picnics to school functions. She possessed true Doberman qualities. Super temperament, wonderful personality and strong protective instincts of the children. It would be almost 10 years before I purchased the second Doberman that would enrich my life. "Rica" was 100% American Show bred, a daughter of one of the top winning Dobermans from the late 1980's and early 1990's. While Rica was a stunning show dog, and possessed superior pedigree and a very sweet disposition she lacked the natural protective instincts that we had seen in our first dog.
The Beginning of Something Big.
In 1988 while attending an obedience class I met a local police K-9 Handler who introduced me to the sport of Schutzhund. The moment I saw a well trained Schutzhund competition dog work, I was hooked. I spent the next several years reading every book I could find on Schutzhund sport, attended Schutzhund training seminars and begin training with the officers of our local K-9 unit, as we didn't have a local SchH club in my area. The trainers not only taught me about training but also the important aspect and roll that genetics plays in a working dog.
This led to even more research about Dobermans. I soon learned that in Germany a Doberman couldn't get a Certificate of breeding eligibility until they had achieved a SchH title, passed genetic health testing, Successfully passed a temperament test and had a confirmation critique. This impressed me, Because in the AKC the only requirement is that both dogs be AKC registered. The more I learned about the European dogs and the breeding system requirements the more I wanted to follow this same path.
Our First German Dog.
In Oct. 1995 my wife and I moved to Boise, Idaho. Where we met Doberman breeders Dane and Debbie Lyons of Kennel "vom Lowenhaus". That same year we became members of the Treasure Valley Schutzhund Club (USA Club) now called the Southern Idaho Working Dog Association, a SchH USA member club since 1984. The vom Lowenhaus foundation female was Anna vom Haus Jagens BH SchH 3 FH IPO 3 AD. Anna was bred to International Champion Adlercrest Danzip SchH 3 IPO 3. The Lyons' had taken a female pup back from that breeding when she was about a year old.
This pup went on to become our foundation female Cajun vom Lowenhaus BH SchH 2 AD. Cajun was High in Trial, SchH 1 under USA Judge Glenn Stephenson in 1998 and again High in Trial- SchH 2 under USA Judge Willie Pope in 1999. While attempting her SchH 3 in April of 2000 Cajun suffered a devastating neck injury. This injury ended her Schutzhund career. She passed away in 2002 as a direct result of this injury. While she was only with us a short time.
She left us with a lasting impression of what the perfect dog was. On the SchH field she was an incredible working dog, off the field she was the most polite and wonderful house dog. Companion to our children, protector of the home, a true ambassador for the breed.
