23 Rough-Hairs

[CaroleBoaz]

I am happy to say that the count of Rough-hair Dutch Shepherds in the US has increased by 2 to a total of 23!



Looking forward to many more!

(This is not an ad. I believe both pups are spoken for.)

[Dutchringgirl]

[alspyce]

Hope they find their way to us and post lots of pictures!!!!

[Christie M]

It still cracks me up that about 10% of the countries rough hairs are in my working dog club

[vneerland]

It still cracks me up that about 10% of the countries rough hairs are in my working dog club

Especially since that is not usually their thing! (work)
And let's see. With a total population of approx 500, 23 is about 4% so you have 0.4% of the total population right there in your club? Wow!

[Christie M]

Especially since that is not usually their thing! (work)
And let's see. With a total population of approx 500, 23 is about 4% so you have 0.4% of the total population right there in your club? Wow!

I'm honored to have them. They have great personalities. They can be silly and goofy, but the older male can be quite serious when asked. The female is still pretty young, but she shows great prey drive!

Carol, are the newcomers babies? Or imports?

[CaroleBoaz]

They are new babies in your former state. Only 2 in the litter.

I just got a bunch of photos from another owner of her pair of RHs living in Wisconsin and the photos are so funny! I think I would like a bunch of those RHs if I had the space and money.

I'll bet they are just like Balto (Laekenois), really funny and goofy, but very serious when they need to be. One of the reasons I don't do the protection sports with Balto is because he has so much natural protection, that I don't want to make it a game with him. But we play tug all the time (and he always wins).

[Christie M]

I'll bet they are just like Balto (Laekenois), really funny and goofy, but very serious when they need to be. One of the reasons I don't do the protection sports with Balto is because he has so much natural protection, that I don't want to make it a game with him. But we play tug all the time (and he always wins).

We haven't made it a game so much, as just tried to build his confidence in the situation. When he came to us, the owners had recently gotten him from a working kennel who washed him. He was 9 months and in straight up defense.....which to me is too early to feel that much pressure. He would bite, but it was to get a shot in and get out. So we spent a long time teaching him that he could be successful and stay in the fight.

Seriousness and defense is often a mechanism to deter threat. Or like I said, with a really serious dog, there might not be the backbone or confidence in the situation to see a threat through. So through work, we have taught him that he can successfully defend his owner and stay in the confrontation. I think we made him a stronger overall dog in doing so.

I haven't met Balto, so please know I am not commenting on his temperament. I just think for this individual dog, it will never be a game. But I don't know that he would have had the overall ability to stay in a fight without some additional training.

[Christie M]

They are new babies in your former state.

Did Carol Day have a litter? They are Rufus's siblings? Or half siblings?

[CaroleBoaz]

Not Carol's, Mary B's. None of the same parents as Rufus. The father, Kobus, lives in PA. The mother is Mary's Tess. Both parents are imports.

[Christie M]

Not Carol's, Mary B's. None of the same parents as Rufus. The father, Kobus, lives in PA. The mother is Mary's Tess. Both parents are imports.

Kobus has been in the calendar quite a bit I think. He is a handsome guy. Isn't he a long hair? Or am I thinking of a different dog?

[CaroleBoaz]

Nope, they don't interbreed the coat types, except with permission from the NHC. Kobus v. 't-Loksterland is a RH, bred by Nellie. http://www.loksterland.eu/ruwhaarnesten/index.html

I don't know if I've ever seen a photo of him, myself, but I'm sure he must be handsome!