Thursday, June 6, 2013

Family Tree

While I don't know anybody who has known the dogs in Elka's pedigree, I still find her pedigree very interesting. Granted, I met her sire (deceased as of December, apparently. Rest in peace, Gabriel; you seemed like an awesome guy) and dam, but I don't know them. I knew that Elka's dam loved babies, and her sire would "Smile" on command. Precious little information, when you get fixated on things in the way that I do.

However, I'm lucky in that there are some very good online resources for Dobermans, including Dobermann-Review.com and Dobequest.org. There, provided the information was uploaded, I can find birth dates, titles, health testing, and dates of death. Elka is spayed, and I never intended on breeding her, but it's interesting to see what's "in her woodpile".



For instance, this is Hertog Alpha v. Le Dobry.


He was a conformation Champion and also had the Schutzhund III title (that's the final one, so's you know), among others. This guy was a very influential sire in his time. As one of my best Doberman Talk buddies said recently, "He doesn't reproduce, he replicates." I know what you're thinking "Well, Jen, Elka's a Doberman and looks like Dobermans." That's true, but the Dobermans in her family tree, especially the ones on her sire's side? She looks a lot like them.

It's funny, to be a "breed person", and come to the realization one day that you can tell that Doberman pictures are not pictures of your Doberman. Heck, there's somebody on Doberman Talk with two red girls from Old Drum Dobermans, and I can tell those girls apart. They aren't even mine!

Elka's Great-great Granddam on her father's side is Dea Dolores v. Franckenhorst.

Like Hertog Alpha v. Le Dobry, Dea Dolores v. Franckenhorst (aren't the European names fun? It's one reason I'm happy that Elka is Elka V, which while it really means 5 according to the AKC's accounting of Doberman Elka's, it's a bit like she's got one of those Czech or German or Yugoslavian names as well) has both conformation and performance titles. She only had SchI, but was up to IPO 2 (I'm a little unclear on how the sports differ, but both are protection, anyway). If interested, you can read more about Hertog and Dea Dolores in the Dobermann Review article on Graaf Quinirus van Neerlands Stam (he's Elka's great grandsire).

(picture from above linked article on Dobermann Review)

These dogs seem rather like Doberman royalty when reading about them online, which make me happy about my girl! It's also worth noting that Hertog lived from 1979 'til 1992, passing away of old age. Graaf Quinirus lived from 1987 until 1998, with his cause of death also listed as old age. This kind of longevity, 11-12 years, while not enough time (it's never enough time) is reassuring. Many dogs have lots of "sudden deaths" in their heritage, which points towards cardio. I don't see a whole lot of that when I research Elka. I worry, obviously. 

This seems like a lot of information, and it's only three dogs in her five generation pedigree. Granted, once her family "comes to America", the titles (both conformation and working) stop, which is a shame. 

10 comments:

  1. It's cool that you have information on Elka's ancestors. I'm happy to hear that Elka's pedigree has some amazing dogs that lived a long life. Beamer is an adopted mutt. He was seized from a puppy mill, so I have absolutely zero information on his background. He might not even be shepherd/lab like I tell people.

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    1. Looking at the post, I realize that I left off the fact that I shelled out to the AKC for her 5 generation (electronic) pedigree. Ah well. I am lucky that there are online resources to be used, though, provided you have information.

      In a way, Beamer's questionmark lineage just means you can make up fantastic stories about him, and his forbears. They could've been circus dogs before the puppy mill downturn ;) (and he's lucky to have you!)

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  2. I find this type of information interesting too.

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    1. It is really fascinating, and I can spend QUITE a lot of time on it!

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  3. I tried to get pictures from Easy's anchestors, but it's very difficult. But I'm still working on his family tree. It's very interesting to read hear and learn more about our dogs family :o)

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    1. It is interesting! I like seeing Olde Tyme dog pictures, too (Granted, the ones I shared aren't ALL that old, but super old ones are out there!)

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  4. I'm glad Elka's family tree doesn't turn up too many suspicious incidences.

    Sometimes it makes me sad that we don't know more about Silas. Like, even a guess as to his breed background, so that we would know what conditions to keep an eye out for.

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    1. Knowing about his breed background to watch out for things would be a big bonus for you with Silas! I feel sad that he had quite the beginning that he did....though I guess being found by you was one of the best things for him!

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  5. Oh, Ma knows all abouts my family tree ~ then again, I came from a pawsome breeder so there is really no mystery there. Butts Elka seems to have a pawsome tree too!! I bets it was fun to find all that out.
    Ma can tell every Airedale apart...then again, she thinks that it's easier with a longer haired dog than a short one.
    I still thinks your one of the bestest lookin' Dobbies ever Elka!! BOL
    Kisses,
    Ruby

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    1. I'm glad that your breeder is pawesome, Ruby! I think that really helps put one's mind at ease.


      I think Elka is very pretty too ;) I didn't get her to be a show dog, but she sure is a pretty dog!

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