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Archive for June, 2009
Monday, June 29th, 2009
 Jim and Sue, clients of mine (and also good friends) called me after hearing the news about the successful cloning of Trackr, an exceptional search and rescue German Shepherd famously known for his work at the World Trade Center. They were excited to find out that there is an option for cloning the excellent genetics of their own protection dog, a CCK9 Level II German Shepherd named Dexter, and plan to investigate.
Cloning mammals is not new. The technology, called nuclear transfer, involves transferring genetic material into an egg that has been stripped of its own DNA. It’s a method that has been around since the 1950’s and has resulted in the cloning of rats, pigs and even sheep. Dog cloning, however, has proven more difficult since canine ova are less mature when released from the ovary than other mammal’s. Unpredictability of the canine ovulation cycle made egg collection complicated. The material is hard to work with and thus dog cloning was stunted – until now.
The first clone was an Afghan Hound in 2005. The South Korean firm that accomplished this is now partnered with the California business Bioarts International. Together, they are responsible for cloning Trackr, which resulted in five doppelganger puppies. I’m excited about the new technology, especially the implications it has for other types of cloning such as human organs.
Genetics plays a vital role when it comes to selecting dogs for protection work and really is the foundation on which our training rests. I like to think that all of our CCK9 dogs possess the genetics to make them ‘cloneable’.
Cloning is expensive and not within everyone’s reach yet. The technology costs about $140K. Jim and Sue are aware of it but it doesn’t make a difference. And really, with a German Shepherd like Dexter, how could it?
Tags: Bioarts International, canine ovulation, CCK9, Dog cloning, dog genetics, German Shepherd, German Shepherds, Level II German Shepherd, nuclear transfer, Protection Dogs, search and rescue dog, Trackr
Posted in CCK9, German Shepherd, Guard Dogs, Protection Dogs | No Comments »
Friday, June 26th, 2009
The focus of CCK9 has always been on providing elite, executive German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherd protection dogs for sale. Frequently, I receive calls and emails asking exactly what the difference is. A hundred years ago, not so many differences. Now? They are a breed unto their own.
We’ll focus on the Dutch Shepherd in this post and in the coming weeks the other varieties will be detailed (promise).
Dutch Shepherds have been distinguished from the other varieties of working line shepherds in a relatively short period of time, a little over a hundred years. Originally used by human shepherds to herd, guard and defend flocks of sheep on the flat fields of Holland, they were prized for their workability and guard drive.
The late nineteenth century brought a reduction in the amount of sheep herds in Holland and therefore a loss of work for shepherds and their Dutch Shepherd dogs alike. Interest started to develop in owning and showing these highly intelligent dogs and the Nederlandse Herdershonden Club (Dutch Shepherd Dog Club) was formed as a result. Early members included founders of the K.N.P.V.
Attention started to be paid toward creating standards for the breed, including color, coat length, bone density and size. Formal breeding practices evolved to produce dogs that met the criteria. “Undesirable” traits, especially pertaining to coloration, were bred out as much as possible. As a result, Dutch Shepherds became more common in appearance.
Traits that have always been a part of the Dutch Shepherds’ genetic makeup include a high degree of intelligence, adaptability, courage and natural born guard drive. With the proper training foundation, they make excellent protection dogs. Also great with children, they love to socialize and especially exercise with their handler.
I do not receive as many requests for Dutch Shepherds but a small percentage of my clientele insist on owning nothing but. One of my clients has four CCK9 Dutch Shepherds and claims that they are more watchful and alert than her human bodyguards.
Versatile, beautiful and most of all protective, Dutch Shepherds have proven themselves to be among the best of the working line shepherds. CCK9 only breeds or imports the cream of the crop; please contact us if you have any questions.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, CCK9, Dutch Shepherd, Dutch Shepherd Dog Club, German Shepherd, German Shepherds, guard drive, Holland, K.N.P.V., Nederlandse Herdershonden Club
Posted in CCK9, Dog Breeds, Dutch Shepherd, German Shepherd, history of dogs, K.N.P.V., Protection Dogs | No Comments »
Friday, June 5th, 2009
 Life is about choices.
So CCK9 respects the fact that not all of our clients prefer a German shepherd as a personal protection dog. I often receive calls requesting information regarding Belgian Malinois as well as Dutch shepherds.
It seems every time I turn on the television, there is a show or documentary regarding the military and police department’s use of the highly intelligent Belgian Malinois. The extended media attention and availability of information have increased the demand for “Mals” from civilians as well.
One of the main reasons some clients request Malinois dogs is that they have a shorter coat, and therefore shed less. This is true. Don’t be concerned that their short coat won’t allow them to acclimatize though; generations in the wet, windy climate of Holland makes them highly adaptable. Robust in many ways, they also experience less health problems than Dobermans or Rottweilers.
We at CCK9 are particular about the Belgian Malinois we supply our clients with. Individual genetics are the most important factor; we carefully select each dog by looking into his or her background. All of our dogs are purebred. We source most from Holland instead of France. French “Mals” don’t meet size standards and do not possess the guard drive necessary for defense. This is why they are often trained for French Ring Sport (at which they excel) due to their high degree of prey drive. Their temperament is not balanced and the average family would have a difficult time dealing with their off-the-wall frantic energy.
A CCK9 Belgian Malinois, however, must live up to our citeria. Levelheaded, emotionally stable, and aesthetically pleasing with a dense bone structure are just a few phrases to describe our extraordinary dogs. Their balance is such that we never have issues with placing two or more males together in the same household. Animal aggression is strictly not tolerated for any reason with any of our dogs. In fact, I have a male German shepherd and male Belgian Malinois (along with my female shepherd) who all live peacefully in my household.
We are willing to obtain a sporting dog from France if our client desires, but we always ensure that they understand that French bred Mals are not suitable protection dogs. We also have our own line of outstanding dogs and currently have Belgian Malinois puppies available for reservation. All are qualified for our Level III program.
CCK9 does everything it can to ensure that our dogs have the proper background and genetics to do their primary job: protect.
Tags: Belgian Malinois, Belgian Malinois Puppies, CCK9, dobermans, dog training, Dutch Shepherd, French Belgian Malinois, French Ring Sport, German Shepherd, guard drive, Holland, prey drive, Protection Dogs, rottweilers
Posted in Belgian Malinois, Belgian Malinois Puppies, CCK9, Dutch Shepherd, German Shepherd, Protection Dogs, Sporting Dogs | No Comments »
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