Picture Dog
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Valhallasun Reg'D Kennels
     

HUMAN DOG LEADERSHIP INC.
818 Miller Avenue, Coquitlam, British Columbia, V3J 4K6 (CANADA)

     

Re: Usefulness of Norrbottenspets as Working Dog
     

 

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;
   
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;
   
3. They are fast, small, and agile which enables them to gain access to almost any desirable check-point in a search area;
   
4. They are very persistent and can work tirelessly for hours after most other dogs are exhausted, both mentally and physically;
   
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!
   
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!
   
7. They cost only a fraction to feed, compared to more 'traditional' working breeds;
   
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;
   
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!
   
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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