Star's pedigree reminds me of a joke I used to hear about hunting dogs, "The mama is a purebred and the daddy comes from a good neighborhood." In Star's case, her mom is from world renowned sporting and conformation certified Dobermans, while her dad comes from actual working dog lines. These are most certainly not conformation type show dogs you see at the Westminster Dog Show. These dogs have initials after their names, that certify working and sporting titles, rather than initials before their name, which rewards how the dogs look compared to the "breed standard". I've always been more impressed by what someone can do rather than how good they look.
Her mom Lena has an astonishing pedigree with about 90% of her ancestors back 6-8 generations that are all Schutzhund/IPO 3 multi- titled dogs. Level 3 is the most difficult tracking, obedience and protection testing of the Schutzhund (now called IPO or IPG) evaluation. In addition, there are several that are German ZTP certified dogs and well as earning the German Korung lifetime achievement certification for breeding. In Germany, Dobermans cannot be bred and registered without attaining the strict ZTP certification. An even stricter evaluation is the Korung lifetime certification that critically evaluates both conformation and temperament. Among her Korung certified ancestors are Bingo Von Ellendonk, Ali Von Lagenhors, and his daughter Cora Von De Mooriche, Graaf Quirinus Neerlands Stam, Feus Von Nymphenburg, and Hargos von het Wantij.
In addition, Star's great, great grandfather is the foundation Doberman of Swift Run, Alexander von Haus Jagen Sch3, FH, IPO3, ZTPSG1A, AD, WAC, CGC, who has produced the most Schutzhund titled Dobermans in the US. Alex's father was the renowned Doberman Arras Vom Wehebach Sch3 FH, Angek, KL-1, ZTP V1-A, Bdsg-Vize-Sieger, HD -1, who you can see in action here.
Star's dad Wapi is a real honest to God working Doberman, which is exceptionally rare these days. He is a search, criminal apprehension, narcotics and cell phone detection dog at a correctional facility. Not only is Wapi certified by the American Working Dog Association (AWDA) in Wilderness Trailing and Human Remains Detection, he is also certified by the AKC as a Canine Good Citizen, which evaluates dogs for stable temperament. His pedigree is also populated with many Swift Run Dobermans that share a similar ancestry to Star's mom Lena. In addition, he has a legendary Doberman in his background, Agir Miss Jakoso. I first heard of Agir in 2006 in the training forum of leerburg.com and he was one of the few Dobermans that impressed almost everyone in that forum. Agir was the American Working Dog Federation (AWDF) National Champion in 2004 and you can see his Schutzhund/IPO protection routine here.
What does all of this mean? Not much to me really, as I'm not interested in developing a sporting or true working Doberman. I was looking for a genetically sound, working companion dog for the rural/wilderness area where I live. I needed a real Doberman that has the drive and temperament to thrive in this environment, not a champion show dog that is a couch potato and scared of gunshots. The most important aspect of Star's pedigree is not the titles her ancestors have earned, it's how long they live. There are currently 6 Swift Run Dobermans who have achieved Longevity Certification from the Doberman Pinscher Club of America (DPCA) for living more than 10 years. Star's grandmother Eischa is one of them. Unfortunately, because of horrendous and ignorant breeding procedures that valued form over function and money over ethics, Dobermans are plagued by numerous genetic health issues that make 10 year old Dobermans a rarity. Tammy Marshal-Weldon's commitment to health and longevity is clearly evident in the breeding program at Swift Run and I thank her for allowing me the opportunity to develop one of her Dobermans up here in the mountains.
I have been fortunate enough to acquire a Doberman that possesses the genetic characteristics I was looking for. It is now up to me to provide the correct training and environment that will allow Star to realize her full potential as a true working, companion dog to our family.