Interview with Kris Kotsopoulos “Von Forell Kennels” Dobermans & German Shepherds

Dec. 30, 2009 - PRLog -- This interview was conducted by:

Total Canine Sporting Club (T.C.S.C) & The National Dog Trainers Federation (N.D.T.F):

T.C.S.C / NDTF: Good morning Kris.

Kris: Good morning.

T.C.S.C / NDTF: Thank you for taking the time to speak to us. Could you please tell us a little about your background?

Kris: Certainly, it all began when a very good friend of mine, Jim Tokis, picked up the Trading Post in 1981 pointing out a Doberman litter that was available. I was in the market for a protection dog because my parents’ home had been burgled four days prior, and so I convinced my father to take me to view the litter, I ended up taking a male puppy home with me. That day was to change my whole life.

I began training my new dog for family protection and he served us well. My hunger for information about dog training increased over time and, I began to realise that my dog was a nice natured pet with only a medium desire to work. This realisation came to a head when I began working as a Security Officer and called upon my dog for support. Unfortunately he was unable to offer me the support I required and I realised, that he was not a courageous animal. This incident was a lesson I would never forget and it propelled me into breeding working dogs.

Living in Australia in 1982 meant it was difficult to obtain information on the training or breeding of working dogs and everything I learnt at that stage was simply through trial and error.

At the age of eighteen, I started a dog training school called the Diamond Valley Obedience & Protection Dog Training Centre. It operated for five years on the grounds of Loyola College Bundoora, Melbourne. I recall the grounds manager instructing me that the maximum number of vehicles permitted, within the grounds, was 25. Within a year he counted 65 cars at one time and so his tolerance ran out and I was asked to find an alternative ground. The school I then moved to was Parade College, Bundoora, Melbourne and was located there for another five years.

During this period a great deal of progress was made in the training of working dogs in Australia. This was partially due to a number of international trainers visiting Australia to conduct seminars. Some of these events were extremely beneficial, and simultaneously destructive. The destruction was in part, due to the fact that everyone attending these seminars was at a different stage of training with regard to their knowledge and abilities. Some attendees only had 2nd or 3rd hand knowledge without any practical experience. This caused conflict within working dog training groups around Australia. With time and numerous discussions, it became clear that the direction I wished to take the training and breeding of working dogs was different to many others.

In 1987 I went to Europe in search of the elusive super dog. I was introduced to a Doberman in Belgium, which I imported into Australia. At the time he was quite a good dog compared to those in our country and he went on to produce some nice dogs. A few years later, other Dobermans were brought into Australia offering some genetic diversity. I incorporated appropriate dogs into my breeding program.

One soon realises that as your knowledge increases so do the expectations you place on your dog. After many disappointments and expectations, you realize that there are not many dogs or bloodlines that can give you the type of animal you desire or expect.

I had experimented with many of the Doberman lines around the world and I had not been entirely satisfied with what they produced in character. I did see some amazing dogs from a particular bloodline that worked the way I wanted, but they were small animals and their conformation was not sufficient. This particular breeder, whom I visited again in March 1999, has since improved the conformation of his dogs to a very good level as well as maintaining the superiority of his dogs’ working temperament. Looking back, I believe I knew what I wanted and have since found what I was looking for.  

FOR FURTHER READING PLEASE GO TO www.vonforell.com or email info@vonforell.com

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www.detectordogs.com.au     Email:   Kris@detectordogs.com.au
            
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