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A Dog for All Seasons
continued from page 11 dachshund (or any hound for that matter). Sure, it’s instinct, but folks like Teddy Moritz, Deb Rowe, Jill Chidlow and Jessica Campbell will teach a newcomer how to bring out that instinct and make it work to the dog’s best advantage.
With Sly having previously mastered virtually all of the individual skills required to be successful in the field, he amazingly earned his field championship in a few weekends this past fall.
For his third birthday, he presented me with the gift of being seven-way titled (plus fast cat, CAT, barn hunt and therapy work) – he was now a Dog for All Seasons, a true Renaissance dachshund, and my best friend.
He is a truly remarkable dog. With all the recommended health and genetic clearances in his pocket, Sly is making his presence felt as a sire of some really viable performance-capable MW pups. Several litters are growing up and are started in the conformation ring, at earthdog tests and field trials. Some other pups are being introduced to groundhog and fox and we’re especially proud of these kids’ accomplishments.
Incredibly, as a newcomer to the dachshund world, with the help of Angela Lloyd, Alan Bower, Cassandra Vargas and Cyndi and Alex Branch, we produced a purposefully bred dog that can and does fulfill the purpose for which it was (and still is) bred.
All that’s required is some reliable foundation stock, a working knowledge of the conformation and temperament you are trying to produce, and the able assistance of a whole village of instructors, professionals, friends, experts, and mentors. Oh! And a whole lot of luck!
Thank you to the Dachshund Club of America for recognizing Sly and his accomplishments.
While preparing this article we learned of the passing of Sly’s great grandsire, GCHB Gleaneagle’s Who’s Famous Now, “Noah”, a dog that brought so much to the pedigrees of so many of our MW Dachshunds. Our deepest sympathy to Angie and to all who knew him.!
February 24, 2007 – October 6, 2022
...walking down that river road
I saw crystal tear-shaped droplets
Silver beads of love sparklin’ on the river side
And I’ll just bet they turn to diamonds
For the love that was behind ‘em
There were tears in the Holston River
When Mother Maybelle died
Lyrics by Johnny Cash
Forever loved and missed by Julia, Joe, Sobe and all the many friends you made along your way.
Julia Slatkiewicz doxiesx3@comcast.net
