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1997 October
01
Dear Sir/Madam,
With a staff of 15 trainers/instructors (probably 20 by next Fall),
Human Dog Leadership Inc. has had a very large clientele of dog
handlers coming to us to learn how to train their dogs for practical
performance purposes. All our classes include at least 50% Nosework
(starting with tracking - one of the fundamental - and most efficient
- search disciplines) and prepare both handler and dog for Search
and Rescue type work, culminating with our Elite class. Students
in this class (who typically have close to 2 years training behind
them in our lower classes) are not only capable of passing the BC
Governments certification for Search & Rescue dogs, but learn in
addition to that how to work together in team in order to optimize
the integrated performance of all dogs in the team.
Over the years
of educating dog handlers how to train their dogs to perform reliably
and effectively in search disciplines (the principals of Human Dog
Leadership Inc. have more than 17 years of experience with Search
& Rescue dog training in Europe before coming to Canada in 1990),
it necessarily becomes apparent that some dogs are more apt for
this kind of work than others.
Acknowledging
the fact that, in order to get the maximum performance out of any
dog, the handler must possess a personality that matches the dog's
need for leadership, we have no hesitation stating that the Norrbottenspetses
in our classes have proven to be very qualified for Search & Rescue
work. Some of the reasons include the following:
1. |
They
are very social and bond very strongly with their handler when
given correct imprinting of humans, adequate socialization to
human superiority, and firm leadership; |
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2. |
They are extremely willing to learn from their "pack leader",
and they learn considerably faster than any other breed traditionally
trained for Search & Rescue work, particularly the breeds used
as police dogs and for hunting; |
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3. |
They
are fast, small, and agile which enables them to gain access
to almost any desirable check-point in a search area; |
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4. |
They
are very persistent and can work tirelessly for hours after
most other dogs are exhausted, both mentally and physically;
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5. |
They
are - without comparison - the breed of dogs that most easily
and effectively can be taught to bark consistently and reliably
for indication of finds - which is completely paramount for
any effective search! |
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6. |
They
are generally very healthy (extremely few and low vet bills
over a lifetime), and with about 2 - 3 years of training, they
can easily be kept actively working for at least 15 years before
old age problems start to impact their performance - more than
twice as much as a German Shepherd or Golden Retriever! |
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7. |
They
cost only a fraction to feed, compared to more 'traditional'
working breeds; |
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8. |
They have a natural 2-layer coat that gives them great protection
against most Canadian weather conditions, including wet weather
and extreme cold, and the coat needs no grooming by humans;
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9. |
They do not need any special facilities to thrive - they just
need a membership of a human family and a lot of opportunities
to work! |
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10. |
They are very gentle and affectionate and are great companion
dogs, also for somebody with children in the family. |
During the past
4 years, we have had more than 30 Norrbottenspetses bring their
handlers to training in our classes, and at present, three out of
the six dogs in our Elite class are Norrbottenspetses - and they
are all performing very well!
It should be
noted here that all the Norrbottenspetses we have seen in our classes
have been bred by Valhallasun Kennels, and we do not have any experience
with dogs of this breed from any other breeders.
Based on our
experience, it is our firm belief that anybody who seriously considers
using dogs for Search & Rescue work - or for any other type of search
work where high endurance and reliable indications of its many advantages
compared to the investment and maintenance, measured in time, money,
space and other responsibilities following a dog ownership.
Sincerely
HUMAN DOG LEADERSHIP
INC. Mogens Eliasen President
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