About the NADKC
'95 NADKC Summary
'96 Deutsch Kurzhaar Verband - Kleemann Prüfung
In 1993 a small group of dedicated Shorthair fans from across the U S & Canada were looking for a better way to test, breed, enjoy and improve their Shorthairs. To that end they invited Claus Kiefer, the long-time President of the Deutsch Kurzhaar Verband (DKV), to come to the USA.
On a Monday, April 26th, Claus Kiefer flew over the pole from Frankfurt to Chicago where he was met by Herb Hasemann of California and Willy Engelking whose Kings Kennels are only 20 minutes from O'Hare. Claus and Herb stayed at the Engelking place. Tuesday all three headed for the well-know field trial grounds at Bong Recreation Area to run dogs and Wednesday after showing Herr Kiefer a few of the Chicago sights, they headed northeast some 300 miles in Engelking's motorhome to Port Huron (MI) at the southernmost tip of Lake Huron, arriving about 6:30 PM.
Most of Thursday was devoted to a very enlightening and educational indoor seminar lead by Kiefer and held at the Blue Water Sportsmen's Club Many questions were asked. The detailed answers and discussion provided considerable knowledge and a much greater understanding of the training, testing, breeding and hunting of the Shorthair.
Friday the seminar moved into the field at the nearby Smith Creek Hunt Club where Herr Claus Kiefer demostrated and explained all that had been discussed on the previous day. He showed how the Derby -- for pups up to 15-16 months of age -- are tested for nose, search, pointing and cooperation. The same characteristics are tested in the Solms/AZP but because of the increased age and experience of the dogs, the standards are set much higher. Additional Solms/AZP field work includes a variety of retrieving tests, a feather drag, a rabbit drag and crippled duck search. The retrieve of a fox over an obstacle and blood tracking (not part of the Solms) as well as conformation (part of the Solms) was also demonstrated. In many instances animals with faults were available for side by side comparison.
On Saturday four pups were officially Derby tested and the practical aspects of the testing process were shown. The Derby is the "youth test" or the "natural ability test." As Kiefer judged, he kept up a running commentary on the reasons for his judging decisions This added greatly to the learning process. Herb Hasemann and Dave Peasley assisted Kiefer since three judges are always required. Herr Kiefer was greatly impressed when all four American-trained Shorthairs received a Prize I. He reported to his DKV compatroits when he returned home, "All four (Derby pups) were extremely well prepared and showed outstanding ability . . . just like what we expect of an excellent dog in Germany." " . . . all those attending (the seminar) proved to be very knowledgable . . . " "Some of the dogs presented would have satisfied even the greatest demands in Germany."
Sunday, May 2, 1993, the NADKC was founded. The group, 18 strong, met back at the Blue Water Sportsmen's Club to elect officers and organize the North American Deutsch Kurzhaar Club. Kiefer's input also added much to this process. The group set these aims and goals: promote, breed and improve the Shorthair in accordance with the principles originated by the Deutsch Kurzhaar Verband; test and breed as recommended by the DKV; sponsor, promote and participate in tests designed to evaluate all of the hunting qualities of the Shorthair and all versatile hunting breeds; familiarize hunters with the history, use, value and characteristics of the Deutsch Kurzhaar. Last was a request to President Kiefer for the NADKC to become affiliated with the Deutsch Kurzhaar Verband. That request was taken back to the DKV governing body and after a year's probation NADKC was unanimously granted that affiliation in March 1994.
The club has stuck closely to its original goals. After the original Derby test in Michigan with Kiefer, a Derby, Solms & AZP was held in Iowa in the fall. The AZP is the "older dogs breeding test." If for some reason a dog was unable to take the Solms at about two years of age, the AZP permits dogs up to six years of age to be tested. More is expected of the older dogs including obedience. In Germany the Derby is a spring test while the Solms/AZP is a fall test. However, the DKV granted the North American Club a special dispensation to hold their tests without regard to those seasonal restrictions because we had so few DKV tested dogs. Starting this year (1996) the Derby must be tested in spring and Solms/AZP in fall. Only tested dogs can officially be bred and registered.
In 1994 the first Derby/Solms/AZP test was held along with the first Annual Meeting in Selma, Alabama. Two of the three judges came over from Germany. The second test was held at the Bong Recreational Area in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin and the final test was held at the Banner State Wildlife Area near Fort Collins, Colorado.
In September ‘94 five NADKC members attended the Dr. Kleemann Auslespruefung (the German National) in Bellheim, Germany. Two members (Rob & Willy Engleking) entered dogs both of which gained the coveted K.S. (Kleemann Seiger / somewhat like a National Championship) title.
In November Claus Kiefer and his son, Robert, who had for a time been a stock broker in New York, came to the US for a Kansas pheasant hunt with several NADKC members. The Kiefers were much impressed by the wide open spaces and the abundance of pheasant. Some great dog work was exhibited.
For a quick email reply contact: 70451.3363@compuserve.com -- or -- jmcq@srv.net. For more detailed information about NADKC write or call: Tom Skinner, 21721 O’Conner, St Claire Shores, MI 48080. (810) 445-9665.
Submitted by Jim McCue
17th IKP - Austria, September 1995 Left to right. Rene Gerlet, President of the French Kurzhaar Club; the next dog & handler
were Hungarian and took 2nd in the special Field Search, names unknown; next, partially obscured, is Claus Kiefer, President
Deutsch Kurzhaar Verband; in front of him is Willy Engelking, USA, with Graf vom Vehner Moor, winner of the "Search Championship"
and the most decorated Shorthair in the world. Far right, Dieter Kowarovsky, President Austrian Kurzhaar Club, host of this year’s IKP.
In 1995 the organization continued to grow and prosper, almost doubling its membership. Derby and Solms/AZP Tests were held in Indiana, Colorado and Illinois. The final formal event of the year (before the hunting season) was the IKP which was held in Ried Im Innkreis, Austria, September 22-24, 1995.
The (IKP) International Shorthair Test, International Kurzhaar Prüfung, is truly international. 176 Shorthairs from 11 countries underwent the most rigorous testing during the three days using judges from 10 different countries including the USA. 110 dogs gained the coveted Prize I, 34 were awarded a Prize II. Amost 1000 shorthair fans from around the world including six NADKC members from the USA attended this year’s event. The IKP alternates annually with the Kleemann (the National Shorthair Test).
After gaining their K.S’s in 1994, K.S. Lester von Pöttsiepen, Derby I, Solms I, HZP, VGP, VBR, BTR, MS and K.S. Graf vom Vehner Moor (the most titled Shorthair in the world) Ch, MH, CD, CGC, Derby I, NAVHDA Ut Prize I, AZP, VBR, MS, VGP. In addition to the outstanding performace in the IKP, Graf was also awarded the Search Sieger Trophy (Field Search Champion). Judges select the top searchers from among the dogs they judge, there were 27 dogs chosen. These compete on Sunday for the Search Championship. Graf won that event. The four titles immediately following Graf’s name are AKC (American Kennel Club) titles: Ch is a show or conformation award, MH is the Master Hunter Award, CD & CGC are obedience titles. NAVHDA, the Hunting Dog Association, Utility Award; Derby I, natural ability test, AZP is the Solms Test for older dogs; VBR, "lost bringing test;" MS, sharpness test; VGP, a complicated JGHV Utility Test.
These two world-class Kurzhaars are owned, trained and handled by Rob and Willy Engelking of the Kings Kennels near Chicago.
Thanks again to Jim McCue for contributing this piece.
The German National Championship
Maindreieck, Germany
Setember 20-22, l996
