The German Longhaired Hunting Dog
 

Newsletter Summer 2005                                Deutsch Langhaar Jagdgebrauchshund  Group North America                                              Summer 2005          Performance First     Group North America Newsletter      -2-      &nbbsp;                        Summer 2005 ______________________________________________________________   Officers   President..................................Del Peterson, 11 McKee Rd.,                                                  Selah, WA 98942                                                  phone (509) 697-3972                                                  e-mail dlanghaar@aol.com   Vice President..........................Bill Wichers, 4211 Deer Run,                                                  Casper, Wyoming 82601                                                   phone (307)778-4887                                                  bwiche@state.wy.us                             Secretary Treasurer ................................Milt Cobb, 715 Bittner Rroad                                                 Yakima, WA 98901                                                  phone (509)457-4276            Newsletter Public Relations ..................... Erika Ponelies & Del Peterson                                                   452 Old Chicopee Trail                                                   Kitchener, ON N2A 4H2                                                  e-mail eponelies@gto.net   Testing .....................................Hermann Rohling                                                   37575 Blue Bird Lane                                                   Elizabeth, Colorado 80107                                                    phone (303)646-0292                                                    e-mail rohling@uswest.net   German Connections ..............Eike Behrens                                                  Forsthaus Druffelbeck                                                   Tina Fritz                                                   Gruppe Rheinland ____________________________________________________________________   Please become a member of the German Longhair Group North America to support our breed in North America. The membership includes also the membership in the Deutsch Langhaar Verband in Germany. Membership applications you will find at the back of this newsletter. Thank you.    Editors Note: Please send your articles and pictures to the Editor. We are always interested in hunting experiences with our German Longhairs. We appreciate your help.     DL Group North America Newsletter     -3-      &nbbsp;                        Summer 2005  ______________________________________________________________   President’s message   President Message,       This was another good one for the Deutsch-Langhaar in North America due to the increasing level of interest in our breed. The elevated level of interest is partly the result of the excellent web site that Erika has built and maintained as well as two breeders who also now have web sites.      There is a down side to increasing interest of any dog breed here however. The down side is that there will always be those who want to become "breeders" without doing the work that it takes to produce the high quality performance now found in our Deutsch-longhairs. We now have several of these breeders in North America and they have already produced some dogs that are at best below standard.      Our approach to this must be to maintain our standards and also to screen those who intend to get D.L. pups from us.      The best new owners are hunters with some experience dealing with versatile gun dogs. This does not mean that an interested person with no experience should not get a pup. We have in fact one new member who has done a first class job with her first D.L.      Prospective owners need to be made aware of what they are taking on when they get a D.L. The Deutsch-Langhaar is not for the Sunday hunter or for someone who just wants something different. Waidmannheil   Del Peterson     First page: Moni v. Lönstein                    owned and trained by Del Peterson, Washington   DL Group North America Newsletter    -4-      &nbbsp;                         Summer 2005 ______________________________________________________________                   Ulrika Larsson, Kennel Önskans THE EARLIEST OF THE GERMAN POINTERS The German Longhaired Pointer (GLP) is considered to be the earliest of the German Pointers. Copperplate engravings and oil paintings from the 16th century shows longhaired gundogs of wachteltype in diverse types of hunting situations, both bird- and big game hunting.    They were relatively small dogs with brown fur, broad heads and docked tails. At that time one had not yet begun to use the dogs pointing ability.   During the 16th and 17th century this gundog developed into a large, sturdy dog with narrow and slow field work, hunting with GLP compared to today’s hunting with spaniels.   DL Group North America Newsletter     - 5 -                        Summer 2005 ____________________________________________________________    BRITTISH SAUCE TO THE MARMELADE Eventually one started to glance at the British pointing dogs and around 1850 one started to import British pointing dogs, among others Gordon- and Irish  setter. Impressed by their litheness and ground covering movements and to gain these traits one started to breed these dogs to the GLP.   Since no breeding plan existed this did not only result in a swifter dog but also in a chaos of types and colors that were named "The old German Marmelade with English Sauce".  FIVE PROGENITORS To structure the breeding one did once again turn to Britain and decided to use the British way to pure bred dogs.  The first breeders association for GLP was formed in 1878 in Berghausen, Germany.   The following year a big show took place in Hannover, Germany, and the breed standard for GLP, and also German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP), were established.  A dog named Mylord-1 set the standard. At the start there were five lines of GLP´s, each from a certain progenitor-Job, Don, Roland, Kalkstein and Mylord - 1.          Roland 1879     DL Group North America Newsletter     -6-      &nbbsp;                       Summer 2005 ______________________________________________________________      Kalkstein 1879    One of these dogs, Kalkstein, brought the white/brown pattern to the breed. It is also worth mentioning that Mylord-1 were bred to an English Pointer bitch and so ancestered several fine GSP. ABOUT LARGE AND SMALL MÜNSTERLANDER At that time many black n´white GLP´s were to be found. They were considered undesirable. The brown n´white and the black n´white dogs were not to be mixed and the latter were registered separately in the book of pedigrees.  This system existed as late as 1943. The black n´white dogs were the base for Large Münsterlander and it were recognized as a separate breed 1919.  In the 1960th and 1970th GLP´s were bred to the Large Münsterlander. As a matter of curiosity one can mention that the roan color of the Small Münsterlander is a result from that GLP´s was bred to Small Münsterlander in the 1920th.   DL Group North America Newsletter    -7-      &nbbsp;                         Summer 2005 ______________________________________________________________   DEUTSCH LANGSAM? - GERMAN SLOW? In the early 1900 the GLP had developed to a large and heavy dog called "Deutsche Langsam/German Slow". Now one started a purposeful and planned breeding using midsized dogs with good hunting skills. Also, once again, Gordon Setter was bred to the GLP.  Fast progress were made and with the combination of the British pointing dogs excellent field qualities and endurance, together with the inheritance of the German Pointing dogs; water passion, ability to retrieve, sturdy trailing and sharpness towards predators, one thought to have gained the ideal gundog.       DL Group North America Newsletter   -8-      &nbbsp;                          Summer 2005 ______________________________________________________________       Test scores   1994        Hubertus Donna                  AZP 179 pts.         Greg Torquinio 1995        Cati vd Hasenheide             HZP 182 pts.         Del Peterson Conny v Siegbogen             AZP 164 pts.         Milt Cobb 1996        Daisy v.Lindenhoff              HZP 164 pts.         Donna Wichers 1997        Ike Nelha                               VJP 69 pts HZP 184 pts           AH award               Del Peterson Eike v. d. Pfauheck               VJP 70 pts HZP 188 pts Schorlemer 182 pts                    Erika Ponelies 1998        Cati vd Hasenheide             VGP 281pts III       Del Peterson 1999        Balda v Ahrensnest             VJP 67 pts HZP 178 pts           Jeff Obrecht 2000        Solojaegers Mistel               VJP 65 pts              Bill Wichers Eyla Stellfelde                       VJP 61 pts              Dave Avey Lady vom Hulsebusch        VJP 71 pts              Hermann Rohling                                                HZP 177 pts 2001      Anton vom Haselrath         VJP 66 pts          Hermann Rohling                                                           HZP 183 pts               Elvis vom Paradies             VJP 71 pts          Del Peterson   2003       Leo v. Lönstein                  VJP 68 pts                Moni v. Lönstein                VJP 74 pts                Hero v.d. Hasenheide         VJP 62 pts                Muck Chamavia                 VJP 65 pts Hermann Rohling                                                                   HZP 175 pts                 Lexis von Lönstein             VJP 68 pts                                                            HZP 186 pts   2004                                                   VJP 66 pts         Bill Wichers     Congratulations to all of our handlers. Well done !     DL Group North America Newsletter    -9-      &nbbsp;                         Summer 2005 ______________________________________________________________   Litter                                     Group North America Newsletter     -10-      &nnbsp;                    Summer 2005 ______________________________________________________________     Statistic about litters in Germany According to VDH e.V. Germany     There are several different kinds of hunting dogs which are used frequently by  hunters in Germany. The number of litters represents the availability of those hunting breeds.   Official numbers of litters in Germany (according to VDH e.V. for the year 2002-2003)     Breed Number of  pups           2002 Number of pups          2003     Deutsch Drahthaar German Wirehair               3117            3111   Deutsch Kurzhaar German Shorthair             1193            1137       Deutsch Langhaar German Longhair                701              612       Big Münsterländer Große Münsterländer                334             443           DL Group North America Newsletter         - 11 -       p;        Summer 2005   Who should own a Deutsch-Langhaar ?   We recently received an e-mail from someone who had gone to the effort and expense of importing a DL from Germany and now wanted to give this dog to anyone who would take it.   This dog was from one of the best bloodlines and one of the Best kennels in Germany and was neutered here in the U.S. Given the fact that only 600 pups are available in one year this is a big loss to the gene pool of the breed, especially here in North America.   The reason for the owners wanting to get rid of this dog Was that it had gotten in a fight with the neighbors dog.   The problem in this case is that the owner and the breed were not a good match. Deutsch-Langhaars like many other gun dog breeds are bred to perform during the hunt.   I don’t know anyone who does not value their DL as a companion but they need the handling that only a hunter can employ.   The DL is not a pet and is not a show dog it is a gun dog.   Prospective DL owners need to understand what is involved in owning a DL.   Del Peterson   DL Group North America Newsletter      -12-      &nnbsp;                   Summer 2005 _____________________________________________________________    Owning and Training my first Deutsch Langhaar by Sharon A. Krull    What started as a new hobby quickly grew into a passion, due in large part to the rewarding experience of working with such an exceptional dog. Breeze vom Illertal earned a Prize I in a NAVHDA Natural ability test and is on her way becoming a finished gundog.   I feel there are a few key factors contributing to her success. Her solid foundation was established through the integrity of her breeding. Proven ability and performance can only be proven through evaluation.   That foundation was built upon through training. Without training you have an uncontrollable dog that has no sense of purpose or direction. Training and then hunting will allow the German Longhair to happily live to its fullest potential.   I must admit, in the beginning I really didn’t know what I was doing. My training techniques have developed and will continue to develop through supportive help, advice, observation and trial and error.   I started with a beautiful, intelligent, affectionate and submissive puppy filled with cautious curiosity and exuberant enthusiasm. I’m already missing the gangly puppy days of watching her fall on her head at full out run.   In the beginning it is important to match training style to the personality of the dog. There are several methods for achieving the desired result and a more structured disciplined level of training can be implemented as the pup matures.     DL Group North America Newsletter    -13-      &nnbsp;                         Summer 2005   Breeze has been a joy to watch. She approached everything with thoughtful consideration then leapt into it wholeheartedly. Not shy, but submissively sensitive, I was careful to allow her find her own way. Almost everything, including swimming was a confidence building exercise. Fortunately, she was a persistent pup intent on conquering her fears. Breeze didn’t mind getting her feet wet, but she was not going to enter the water with me standing on shore. So I donned the waders and encouraged her to come out to me. Not a chance. Next I threw a dummy a few feet in front of me and then she was ready to swim. I guess her retrieving instinct is stronger than the one that will save me from drowning.   Use encouragement instead of pressure to perform. Every dog develops at a different rate. Training with anything less than encouragement and patience will only hinder the process.   Exposure is everything. Exposure to new sights, sounds, people, birds, and other game is extremely important to the gundog’s development. Frequent regular exposure is best. Due to her inherited abilities, pointing was never a problem for Breeze. But in the beginning she spent more watching me look for the bird instead of finding it herself. Mistakes are learning experiences and part of the process. Of course I would prefer to avoid them and thus eliminate the dog’s confusion. But despite the little mistakes along the way, Breeze has grown into a confident dog filled with desire. Her persistence has developed into a single minded intensity. Her enthusiasm exhibits itself in her drive and passion for hunting. I have gone from encouraging her to range out to reining her in as she borders on becoming too independent.   Finishing a gundog requires a lot of discipline on both the part of the handler and the dog. But I’m enjoying the next phase of our development. Now the hard work begins…        DL Group North America Newsletter    -14-      &nnbsp;                        Summer 2005 ______________________________________________________________  For further reading please visit:                                                     DL Group North America Newsletter     -15-      &nnbsp;                       Summer 2005 ______________________________________________________________   3 German Longhair in Ontario  Matthias, Steve (Emil v. Westerrode) and Erika (Eibe v. d. Pfauheck) near Barrie, Ontario      Thank you  We would like to thank our new member Sharon Krull, who lives in Pacific, MO with her dog Breeze vom Illertal for this interesting article.  DL Group North America wishes all DL owners a good hunting and training season.  Ho Rüd Ho !     DL Group North America Newsletter                                       Summer 2005 ______________________________________________________________   Membership Application   ( includes the membership with the Deutsch Langhaar Verhand, Germany)       Last Name: ............................................    First Name .....................................   Street .................................................................................................................   City ........................................................   State ...............................................   Home phone (.........) ..............................  Work phone (........) .........................   e-mail .................................................................................................................   dog ..........................................................  hunter since ....................................     Membership Fee: $ 50. 00 Member     I understand that if I want to terminate my membership in DL Group North America I must notify the club Secretary in writing prior to December 1st of the year proceeding the new membership year. If I do not I am obligated to remain in the club and pay the fees due for the new year.     ..................................................................                    .....................................  Signature                                                                       Date     Mail check payable to “DL-Group NA” to Erika Ponelies, 452 Old Chicopee Trail, Kitchener,ON N2G 4H2 Canada