U-GRCH Blitzhund's Legend of Griselda CGCA CA TKN SPOT TT RATI RATN
How It Started
My love of Doberman Pinschers started early but growing up in the military, we didn't really have dogs; especially not "large" breeds. When I was six, my mom adopted a purebred Dalmatian from the Humane Society. As it turns out this was the breed my mom fell in love with and at six years old I was happy to have any dog. Due to complications with my youngest brother's allergies, our Dalmatian was rehomed and we didn't have another dog until seven years later. We found him in the woods, eating a pop can and chewing on a battery. In 2012, my husband and I purchased a cute little doberman from Craigslist. We didn't know any better but, we knew we loved her. We named her Zelda. Despite being less than reputably bred, she taught me about the breed. Without her, I wouldn't be where I am today. I probably wouldn't even be showing dogs, less alone breeding them.
New Adventures
Zelda was three years old when, through a local rescue event, I met a local dog trainer with American Pit Bull Terriers. The rescue coordinator I was there with introduced her as a trainer and breeder. It was this new found friend who took me to my first UKC show and it was that hosting club, The Michigan American Pit Bull Terrier Club, that encouraged me to show. I started with Zelda, I registered her under Blitzhund, which was my original idea for a kennel name. I knew I wanted to breed but I knew then I had much, much more to learn - and not just about the dogs. Zelda was called many names through the three years we actively showed her in UKC. "The bitch with the funny ears" is the one that, still to this day, sticks most in my craw. Zelda sports a working crop, it was my decision as an ode to the original dogs of the breed.
While we worked on her UKC conformation titles we pursued other sports as well. Adam and I found she is most fond of Lure Coursing and Barn Hunt. We tried weight pull but it just wasn't something she was into. This Craigslist special wormed her way into my heart and has embedded herself there. She keeps me humble and reminds me everyday that we all start somewhere, it's not the starting point but the choices you make along the way and the goals you set, that determine your destination.
Zelda at Nine years old in Feb 2021
UMJ UJJ UWP U-CH Benchmark's Dark Waters STAR CGCA CA SPOT TKN DS DMA BH-VT
Looking Forward
Zelda proved herself as a true guardian dog time and time again and over the years I decided I wanted to get more into the protection work side of Dobermans. I wasn't experienced in living with working dogs but had handled many. I found Benchmark Dobermanns in 2016, Savannah took a chance and sold me Dougie. At the time I didn't realise just how "in over my head" I truly was but, we overcame our struggles and he has grown into the most amazing dog. I showed Dougie in UKC, and obtained his Grand Champion. My focus with him was elsewhere. He excels in Lure Course, Dock Diving, Weight Pull, Rally Obedience and Protection Sports but he really just loves to do anything as long as he's with me.
It was Doug who cemented my decision to blur the line between "Show" Dobermans and "Working" Dobermans. I wanted (and still do) it all. It is my belief that there isn't a need for this line and it's time to put the "guardian" back in the Doberman Pinscher
