Bundessieger 2009

von Sascha Rühl

Die VDH-Bundessieger Ausstellung ist jährlich die größte und letzte der drei deutschen Titelschauen. Der Bundessiegertitel ging an die beiden KfT-Klubsieger und FCI-Weltsieger 2009 Jerez von der Emsmühle und Darren von der Emsmühle. In der Jugendklasse setzte sich der schwedische Importrüde Red Wire Excalibor durch und Bundesjugendsiegerin wurde Dizzy´s Fae Fairly, eine Tochter von Darren von der Emsmühle.

Für den dreijährigen Darren von der Emsmühle war es nicht nur der dritte Bundessiegertitel in Folge, sondern der Abschluss einer beispiellosen Karriere in Deutschland, wie man ihn sich schöner nicht vorstellen konnte. In den Jahren 2007-2009 dominierte er konkurrenzlos die Ausstellungen und wurde dreimal in Folge KfT-Klubsieger, VDH-Europasieger und VDH-Bundessieger. Er gewann fünf der letzten acht Gruppenwettbewerbe in Dortmund und stand insgesamt weit mehr als zwanzigmal als Sieger der Terriergruppe auf dem obersten Treppchen. Viele, viele Best in Show, der FCI-Weltsieger und- Europasiegertitel und zahlreiche nationale Championate kommen hinzu.

Aber das ist nur eine Seite, ein kleiner Ausschnitt eines großen Champion der der Öffentlichkeit bekannt ist und wahrgenommen wird. Deshalb entsteht natürlich immer wieder die Frage wie wird ein Hund so erfolgreich, wie wird er gehalten, welches Training ist erforderlich? Stimmt es, dass die erfolgreichen Hunde abgerichtete Ausstellungsmaschinen sind, die in kleinen Boxen leben? NEIN! Es gibt ein ganz einfaches Rezept das man vor, während und nach der Ausstellung beachten sollte. Es stammt von Darren´s Züchter Hans Grüttner und war die meist gebrauchte Antwort auf meine Fragen: MACH DEINEN HUND GLÜCKLICH! Der Rest kommt von allein.

Darren kam mit zehn Wochen in unsere Familie, wuchs dort auf und lebt seit dem mit uns. Am Anfang machte er einen Welpenkurs, danach die Begleithundekurse war immer an allem hoch interessiert und so leicht zu erziehen, wie wir es bisher nicht kannten. Er geht dreimal täglich spazieren, hasst regen und liebt alles was fürchterlich stinkt. Tagsüber „arbeitet“ er im Wechsel mit seinem Halbbruder in der therapeutischen Praxis meiner Frau und abends spielt er bis zur Erschöpfung mit unserer kleinen Tochter. Ein ganz normaler Hund also. Und für uns der beste Hund der Welt!

An vielen Wochenenden ging es dann zur Abwechslung auf Ausstellungen woran Besitzer und Hund immer große Freude hatten. Die Vorbereitung erfolgte vielfach auf der Emsmühle und war immer klar strukturiert: Kaffee trinken, trimmen, drei Runden im Kreis und schnell wieder rein um weiter zu feiern.

Wenn Sie fragen was sich nun für uns ändert, wir haben noch mehr Zeit zu spielen und zu feiern und vielleicht gibt es ja doch noch das ein oder andere Mal die Möglichkeit im Ausland „den besten Hund der Welt“ zu sehen. Wir freuen uns darüber, dass Darren´s Nachkommen seinen erfolgreichen Weg auf Ausstellungen weiter gehen, aber was für uns noch viel wichtiger ist, sie sind genau so gesund und perfekt im Wesen wie er selbst und viele Besitzer erzählen immer wieder noch nie so einen Hund besessen zu haben. Wir auch nicht! Und so werden sie mehr, „die besten Hunde der Welt“

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„Machen Sie ihren Hund glücklich!“ Der Rest kommt von allein

Here is the original article which was published in the german issue of the magazine "Der Terrier" in 8/1998:

Frank jones is britains most qualified terier specialist: a former professional handler; owner and breeder; columnist for dog world, author and international judge.

Robert leighton wrote in the new book of the dog (1922) described the irish terrier thus; some breeds are more aesthically beautiful; others are more peaceful, but our rufous friend has the unique way of winning his way inte the owners heart because it is gained by sincere and undemonstrative devotion. He is just tall enough to rest his chin upon ones knee and look up with all his soul into ones eyes. And yet he is known for his feisty courage and devil may care attitude. Surely that is the reason owners love this somewhat old breed. History relates the irish terrier was first shown in dublin in 1874, and the classes accounted for irish terriers over and under 9 lbs in weight. A motley lot no doubt. The breed has taken massive steps since those formative days.

Elswhere in this epistle the breeds history is revealed, along with breed standards. They make entertaining reading for the devotee and aspiring judge. Modern day books, paricularly those from america, are merely replicas of previous tomes. They add little ones education, that the original editions have. When asked has the breed conformation changed the answer would be in the affirmative. Accepting that poin, who has acquitted this ill conceived deed. The answer lies across the atlantic ocean. American breeders has changed the head shape. Making it long and leaner, and in doing so has ruined the essenail expression that makes the irish terrier what it is, an o´rish terrier. This type of head shape does not conform to the irish kc or kc breed standard. Why meddle with conformation that has stood the test of time. But then the question arises. How has this been achieved? Has other breeds been introduced? Then we might ask the all important doubtfulness. How accurate are the pedigree of such animals? Mindful that sheep have recently been cloned!!!

But why, is this interference with a long established breed carried out. For what purpose? The crass answer is to smarten up the breeds. Is it really, albeit the "new" version are oustanding terriers, smart,colourful in tight red jackets, and of racy appearance but are they irish terriers... The purist say no.

Having read the preamble according to robert leighton, the irish terrier temperament is one of uniqueness i quote once again from this well read author; he is above all things a dog for a persons companionship, equally suitable for town or country life, he has a hardy constitution, requires no pampering, and if taught to be obedient and gentlemanly there is no better housedog. He is naturally intelligent and easily trained, an ideal companion for children. His boisterous spirits lead him sometimes to trail his coat and is never found wanting when challenged. A demon for sport, as capable on land as in water, he will tackle anything with four legs and furry shin. Rats are his mortal enemy. A discription few could write better.

And then we come to the question that often is put to me at seminars. What comes first...type or soundness...? Devotees and aspiring and established judges should think hard on what this question solicits ... And its implications. No one has yet argued with my answer which is put subjectively. A cross-bred could pass the test of soundness. Then ask the pertinant qestion. Is it of that breed?

Type is misunderstood issue that lies in most breeds. Type; is that, which well exemplifies the characteristics of a breed; a kind; the general character of a breed; the essence....the qualities which make an object what it is. The essence of a breed; the very core or signature, it is like no other. To add further to the confusion, judges my write a critque or state "this dog is not of my type" every breed has type, but the majority of judges are prone to prefer a specific type. Perhaps one they have previously shown themselves, or been education about. Yet all the remainder are actually acceptable, sometimes of outstanding qualita. So what it comes down to is the judges personal prefferende, and his or hers application of the breed standard, which after all is merely a guide line.

Showing or handling each breed differs. Each individual dog differs. Each handler/owner/exhibitor differs in their approach when exhibiting a dog. The rudiments of showing depends on a number of related matters.;self confidence, attitude, knowledge, experiance and training, and the dog on the end of the lead. When in the show ring stringing up (choking) a dog tells me a number of things when judging. Its a difficult animal to control. A bad handling habit has ensued, or the exhibitor has something to hide, perhaps extremely poor movement. Correct training can restore the first tro items. No person can improve a dog that moves badly no matter how much they try to do so.i much prefer, as i did in my exhibiting days show a dog on a loos lead, but that can be brought under instant control should this been needed. Showing a dog on a loose lead is an art form, which requires self-confidence, and the understanding of your charge. Which has been trained to your ways. Dogs that are strung up especialy when asked to move, with its front legs lifted of the ground totally unbalances the animal. Its much better to accept and hope the judge is the forgivingsrt t move the dog naturally, or at least not strung up. A showy dog plainly catches a judges eye.

The matter of what constitutes a correct coat is a subjective matter. A matter which often separates knowledgeable judges from assumptive judges. Showing irish terriers in the shortest of coats. I was once a poacher and now a gamekeeper (pro handler....international judge) and fully aware of all the reasons why many terriers are shown in short coats. Here are just a few. Insufficent time and work put into prparing the dog for show. Lack of correct coat texture, followers of fashion, judges preference. To make a heavy dog appear lighter in construction. Many have to resort to colouring their exhibit, in attempting to deceive the judge. The expert colourist can deceive some of the judges some of the time. However experiance know there are parts that should never be the same colour as the body. In my adjudications, i`m never a follower of fashion. I whant dogs shown in correct length of coat. The mature colouring of the irish terrier is something that the colourist cannot possibly acheive.

Coat preparation deceives many probable fanciers. Stripping and trimming is an art form and in the fullness of time novice owners can acheive the echelons of this craft. But it requires a great deal of patience, tolerance and understanding. As a closing thought. Those at the top today, once started at the grassroots. They had the will to succeed.

And now comes the commercial. Last year my book on the lakeland terrier was published obtainable from mrs sue holroyd. Ballroyd house, longwood hudderfield west yorkshire. Hd 3 4tb. Price 16 pound including postage. Trimming, along with carts and timing of coats is fully explained and should prove an invaluable means of learning for novices and beginners.

Trimming the Irish Terrier

The correct care of an Irish Terrier already starts in his days as a whelp. As soon a young Irish Terrier comes to live with us his breeder should have trimmed his coat for the first time. By this the whelp will be used to the trimming-table already in his first ten weeks of life. Every Irish should be presented in the public well cared; thus each of the dogs will make good publicity for our breed. And this especially applies to dog shows for at those places - beyond other aspects - the Irish should be trimmed according to the Standards.

The trimming of a dog is of great advantage as to fact that by manual moult an extreme loss of hair in the house may be prevented. Trimming should be proceeded two to three time a year at least and by controlled tugging the fully developed coat in the direction of its growth in small tufts and systematically. Please note, the coat of the Irish is not to be cut as by cutting the dark red tops of the hair the coat will loose its intensity of colour and its strength too. Above all, a first class conditioning for a show never has to reveal any use of scissors.

To get a nice and harmonic over-all impression you need a certain skill, the correct trimming tools and a lot of experience. The art of trimming in its perfection cannot be learnt within a short time.

At first the beginner should visit as many shows as possible to get to see the Irish in perfect condition. It will be of help to get information from the top representatives of the breed. Alternatively you may train your eyes by examining and looking at excellent photos. Yet, practice is better than theory. Therefore you should take all occasions to watch an expert at work and to ask him to begin to work at halve of the dog. Then you should try to copy the trim on the second part and to approximate your side to the impression of the first side. Then at the latest, you will find that trimming needs a lot of practice. The experienced usually works with an as much as possible blunt trimming knife and with thumb and fingernails. As condition and growth of the coat may be quite different with the single Irish there unfortunately cannot be given any splendid formula as to the intervals of trimming the coat

In the case of private use a complete trimming down of the dog will be sufficient; but to prepare a dog for a show you will need - as a rule - more than two months. With regard to a perfect condition for a show the main motto should be: "Often not much will be more!" Brought into good condition once, you will not need much work but regular doing to keep the Irish in good show condition. It is advisable to have the Irish on the table every ten days and to always tug out a little bit of the re-growing longer coat. In doing so the hair should be shortened only little by little. Technically looked at the knife is to be held parallel to the coat, and you should not tug strongly but let the hair run constantly through the recesses of the knife. It is important not to work on singles parts but all over the body. A further point in the art of trimming for shows is to model a dog as favourable as possible, e.g. to emphasise his advantages and to cover his disadvantages as far as practicable.

Professional handlers do trim their dogs every ten days, may they be shown or not. Always to the principle "trim not much but regular", for this results in dogs being always in good condition.

It goes without saying that a good trimming result is also based on a good physical condition depending on correct feeding and regular coat care such as daily combing. It is furthermore quite essential for every young Irish getting used to the trimming table already in his early days as a whelp. This is necessary to prevent becoming every trimming procedure a constant wrestling between the trimmer and the dog.
Thus good trimming is an art that can be learnt with patience and by study and experience. If the final result is okay, it will be fascinating to look at a perfectly trimmed Irish Terrier. And take it for sure: Everyone had started to learn the art of trimming once - and in this case too this is valid: No man is born a master of his craft!

Karina Kirch