December 13, 2006
There are many wonderful emails, updates, and pictures to attach so get ready. We may be dividing this Update up into several emails. You have all been super about keeping in touch. It means so much. For those of you who are new, these are the most recent updates from people who have our puppies and dogs. This litter, Litter F, are the pups from Gerta and Imo, who were born July 21, this last summer, 2006. These updates will be significant for anyone looking at the current Baccara/ Imo pups as Baccara, being Gerta's daughter, is likely together with Imo to produce pups similar to these. Alan in Ohio who has Falcon sent the following pictures, taken when Falcon was four and a half months old.
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Only 18 weeks old, this boy is looking good! Alan, you have done good by me in sending me pictures regularly. Thank you for your faithfulness. Alan writes: " I tell ya, Elizabeth, he's sure beautiful and right by my side. People will stop by and he'll play with them but if I move he runs right back by my side-I kind of love the heck out of that. "
Bill also from Ohio who has Lexa, the bright eyed black female pup highlighted on the litter page of the Candle Hill website writes: " Hi Elizabeth, Lexa is doing great. She has more than doubled her weight to 48 pounds. She is tall, long, and very lean. She is also the smartest dog I have ever seen. She learns fast, comes when called, and is a great member of the family. She still has the unlimited puppy energy and enthusiasm, but is learning not to jump too much.
She is a real delight to have around, especially without the other dogs. I talk to her when I am doing things, explaining what I am doing. She sits there and listens and tilts her head from side to side as if she is understanding ( or perhaps she is saying to herself, doesn't this idiot know I am a dog and don't care about shaving cream).
She walks in town with me into stores and greets people without hesitation. I am going to start taking her to training with the other Sheriff's dogs now that she has her rabies vaccination. I can't wait to get her into the school building we use. I will also be taking her to Cleveland for training with our Regional Transportation Agency K-9s. She will be exposed to a wide variety of surfaces and situations in those trainings.
So, we are delighted with our little girl and she is a perfect fit. Have a wonderful week, Bill"
Most of you know how much we agonize over puppy placement, so hearing words like this means so much to us. We really care to get you the right puppy for you. Speaking of Lexa, I had the privilege to see Koda, the other solid black female from that litter, just last week. She has a beautiful head and stands out already. She is being raised by one of the the top trainers in the region to be a Search and Rescue dog. He is quite tickled with how well she is coming along.
John of Southern Idaho who has a male pup, Friar, writes:
Elizabeth - Friar is four months and one week old today. I was later taking him for his regular weigh-in this time around because of Thanksgiving schedule problems. Our young friend weighs fifty two pounds - hard to believe. He is is still lean - some people have actually told me he looks skinny - but he is solid. He met a four month old Great Pyrenees yesterday and they were almost the same size. Anna, the Pyrenees, was the same height, but broader and not as long. She was shaped something like a toaster, actually. I'd estimate the two puppies at about the same weight. Before we go overboard about how big Friar is getting I should say last week he met a three month old St. Bernard named Molly. Molly was about the size of a HumVee. Friar gets along well with other dogs. He has had no socialization problems at all. Congratulations on the success of your dog Hero. I also enjoy following the exploits of young Leo, having met him way back when. JohnSpeaking of Leo, just wait until you hear the latest from Ashley. We are sending the pictures of her working Leo (Gerta and Imo Litter F 2006) and Hank (Tag and Dagger Litter C 2005) in a separate email to give them the special attention they deserve. Ashley had a photographer come by, and the pictures are fantastic!
She writes: I have to tell you. I am so in love with this dog. There are no words to describe little Leo. The only way for you to see it is if I video tape him during a training session, and send it to you. I guarantee you would fall out of your chair. He gives me goose bumps when I watch him work, it is really unbelievable. I am now taking him every Saturday to a trainer in Maryland who trains police K9's and narcotics detection dogs. He wants to start Leo next week with his beginning narc detection skills. This guy is great--however he is a Malinois person, so is always making cracks about GSD's (all in fun, however) and how hard it is to find a good one. He is so impressed with Leo (he's only been working with him 2 weeks), yesterday several other new people came out and he put Leo on as a demo for them. He said "If any of you plan on training up a puppy, I strongly recommend you have one that looks like this." The guys couldnt' believe he was only 4.5 months. In front of everyone he said, "Yeah, for a GSD he is awesome, and he's even really good for a Mal..." haha which is a high compliment from him! He has me doing runaways (I hold Leo on the long line on his harness while he teases him and runs downfield with the tug, then I let Leo go free after him), which is Leo's favorite thing. He is literally screaming at the top of his lungs and leaping full force into the air when the decoy is running away, and when I release him--WOW. NO fear--the trainer took out the stick, tapped him with it, made lots of noise--didn't even phase him. There was also a jug w/rocks in it for Leo to jump over before gripping the tug--NO hesitation, just full 200% into it like always. He is truly amazing to watch--you really were 100% with your pick for me--you would be so amazed to see this little guy work. This man has trained hundreds of patrol/dual purpose dogs, and said there is no way I will have a problem with him becoming an awesome K9 partner. He says I will definitely have my hands full though, as his drive is off the charts. He is all business when we get there....I am just so pleased. Maybe one day soon I will have someone take a video with the digital and send it to you...you really have to see it to believe it. Are you sure that one of his parents wasn't a Malinois?? Haha--theres that much drive in this guy.
Anyhow, as always my boys are the best part of my day.
One more littermate update and then I'll send you the Leo and Hank pictures. We had the wonderful privilege of a visit from Patricia and Tove from Colorado here with a friend to pick up the friend's pup from Litter G. Here is Tove, a female pup from Gerta and Imo. Tove walked right into my house, with no fear, even as the dogs barked and raised a ruckus over her presence. You can see how relaxed she is.
This is Tove, female, five months old out of Gerta and Imo. What a beauty.
More updates coming.
Elizabeth
December 13, 2006
We now have several families who have recently acquired their second Candle Hill Shepherd. Ashley in Virginia is one of these. Her emails about her dogs deserve special attention. Not only is Ashley a great trainer, but her emails communicate so much about the character of our dogs. Her black and tan puppy is Leo, Ashley's second Candle Hill Shepherd pup selected to be a K9 Police Dog, is from Gerta and Imo's recent F Litter, 2006. Second in the photos, is Hank, from Litter C, Tag and Dagger, 2005. Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for the pictures. Ashley writes: Elizabeth,
Here are the pics as promised. I know you will love them--I certainly do. It was such a beautiful day out for the lady to come shoot some training pictures.
There's all sorts of different ones. That was the hard part--picking out which shots I liked the best. There were over 500 taken! I got some of Hank in the tire, and the awesome ones of him in the weaves!! He looks like a pretzel! Such speed he has when going thru those. Also some shots of him doing our obedience routine when heeling. He has such focus on me during that. The head shots of him are gorgeous as well--I couldn't decide, so I had to send you a bunch! Feel free to update his pic on the website with one of these new *better* ones. The same w/Leo as well.
Now Leo's...wow. The 2 of him just laying there--let me tell you. The woman had set her camera and stuff down on the grass and he promptly took his tug right over and laid down behind her things--she couldnt' resist that picture. Also the same for him in front of the bushes--he stole my clatter stick and laid it down next to him. Such a ham. I believe there are also two of him heeling as well--his focus is amazing too, especially for being so young. He looks right at me the whole time. The other one I thought you would enjoy is the Leo airborne shot! He leapt for the tug right as I turned out of the way--kind of cool that she got that one. I know he's not supposed to be jumping (try telling him that when I'm holding the tug out of his reach...), but that just goes to show you his 110% attitude--always full force, and always determined to get that darn tug. He sure is something...I'm more in love with him everyday. Anyhow just wanted to share some pics with you--once I sort thru the rest I may send a couple more. But that should be good for now--let me know what you think! Talk w/you soon, hope all is well,
Ashley Ashley, thank you so much for sending these. You are doing so well with both dogs. It makes me smile everytime I think of the rich life they are having with you. Way to go, girl! Elizabeth http://candlehillshepherds.com 208-683-3857 208-818-3099
December 13, 2006
Introducing DAKOTA VOM HAUS KOHL
Dakota is a Gerta/Imo D Litter pup, born July 20, 2005 We expect to add her to the breeding program after her hips have been certified. Isn't she beautiful! Elizabeth
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