We are frequently asked why we import dogs from Europe, as there are surely plenty breeding dogs available in the USA, too.
Breeds like the German Wirehaired Pointer or the Dachshund/Teckel are originally from Germany. So it is no wonder that the oldest working lines of these two breeds are found in middle Europe. In addition, the European Kennel Clubs are keen to sustain the working abilities even in breeds that are mostly kept only as house dogs, like the Dachshund. There are plenty of working tests throughout Europe and also many opportunities for the dogs to proof themselves in various hunting situations. Blood tracking is legal in all European countries, and most of them allow underground fox hunting and flushing game with hounds. Thanks to the records of the German Kennel Clubs, we are able to track the working abilities of every hunting dog line we use many generations back. Exspecially when it comes to spurlaut (voicing on scent) and prey drive, many American breeding dogs lack these crucial abilities. That is why we closely observe the European breeders and choose stud dogs or puppies suitable for our kennel.
Why do we train dogs in other countries?
We breed our Dachshunds in the German Dachhund Kennel Club (DTK), so every dog has to fulfull their requirements to become a breeding dog. This requirements include a Formwert (evaluation of anatomy, movement, teeth and tail) of minimum good (in combination with hunting tests) or very good (in combination with a obedience test) and either two working tests or the BHP1.
As there are not many possibilities to do these tests in the USA, we give some of our dogs to hunters in Germany in order to do the required testing.
Also, we need to evaluate every breeding dog in real hunting situations. Some of them, like driven boar hunts or fox den hunting, are not very common in the USA - others, like blood tracking, illegal in some States. Still, we want our dogs to be absolutely versatile and keep all the abilities of their forefathers.
How are the dogs trained and kept abroad?
Our dogs are under the care of hunters and dog handlers and get exersice and training on a daily basis, veterinary care and premium dog food. A well cared for dog has a good muscling, a firm shiny coat and do not shy away from humans.
To fulfill the requirements for a breeding dog, the tests include how the dog behaves when touched and handled by strangers. None of our dogs show signs of aggression towards people, what is not only the result of good breeding but also of optimal handling during the crucial first months of life - including many interactions with children.
Our breeding dogs are no show and trial dogs only - they are hunting dogs and are used as such. They attend driven hunts, fox hunts and small game hunts.
