JF = Jason Farrish
RC = Ray Carlisle
JF: You are looked at by some as the father of the UDC how is it living up
to your expectations?
RC: UDC continues to grow and educate the fancy in more ways than originally thought possible. The need for responsible owners, and breeders has never been greater than it is now. We see the right to even own working dogs being challenged all over the world. UDC's programs offer valuable educational opportunities to it's members and the Doberman community at large.
JF: What is the status of the mental/ physical health and working temperment
of the american doberman?
RC: IMO, the status at best has remained about the same for the pass 15-20 years and in some areas it has deteriorated. Mentality has gotten weaker in lines that have done little or no work with their breeding stock. This is very evident if you follow the results of the "WAE" tests each year. The average pass rate is 33%. It maybe higher now with UDC dogs now being tested, resulting in much higher pass rates. Physically the American dogs are very elegant with better than average heads, better than average croup's, smooth, dry body types, but tend to be straighter in their front angulation while over angulated in their rears. Exaggerated length of neck is very common. Compared to the European dogs who have more bone and substance, less exaggeration, and better balance front to rear. Common problems in European dogs and bitches are they tend to be course and over weight, lack elegance, with croup's that are round. Health is getting better in America or at least we are testing for several different things and breeders have the opportunity to improve the health if they do the testing and research before breeding. Europe is far behind in testing breeding stock. They don't place enough importance on health testing. They still think the American dogs are the source of Cardio. They rarely test for VWD and eye problems are much more of a problem than in American dogs.
JF: You started off with a 50/50 cross of american and european lines, it
seems you have switched to 100% european why is that?
RC: That is not completely true! I did start by breeding "Alida" to two different American Champion sires, Ch. Electra's The Windwalker and his son Ch. Akela's the Vindicator, also to another American dog that worked in the club I was training with. He was a "Windwalker" grandson which was a good line breeding. I have continued to blend the progeny of these breedings together while mixing in several other European show and working lines. IMO, I have blended the best of both worlds and will continue using this method for several generations.
JF: It seems that at least on the surface a lot of American breeders despise
the European dogs. Why is that and is it justified or am I just crazy?
RC: No your not crazy! Many of them feel the European dogs are just ugly. European dogs are different in type and many proud breeders refuse to look outside these shores. Since few people work dogs in America the benefit of better mentality is discounted completely. You don't miss what you never used or had!
JF: Some have criticized the UDC as becomming too soft, too far removed from its original purpose what do you have to say to them?
RC: I can agree in some cases. UDC has not done as much as it could or in some case should, but the reasons are justified. UDC MUST be for all the people and while I am in solid support of Schutzhund and all elements of the working dog, I also know how important structure is to our breed. A National breed club must have the ability to represent it's membership and all their interest. UDC offers all Doberman owners the ability to learn and participate in all aspects of the Doberman's heritage.
JF: The quality of dogs from working breeders in the U.S. on average would you say is better, same, or worse than europe?
RC: You can find quality in Europe and in America. It's the consistency that counts and this is not found very often anywhere. Most breeders don't have any idea of what they are doing. That is true in Europe as well as in America. Breeding requires a solid understanding in the genetic makeup of the dogs mentality and structural components. You must know the pedigrees and health of both breeding pairs. Then whelping and raising the puppies correctly while testing the aptitude and evaluating their structure is just as important as selecting the right combinations.
JF: What is to you a total doberman?
RC: A Doberman that has proven it is structurally and mentality superior!
JF: This is from forum member Robin Green
(
http://hometown.aol.com/dogtraink9/myhomepage/business.html)"What> do you feel has been your greatest achievement in your kennel? Looking at the dogs both past & present is there a particular dog (male or female or 1 of each) that stands out as your ideal dobermann? From both a breeder & a
handler's point of view?"
RC: The most amazing dog I have ever owned was "Alida v. Flandrischen Lowen, Sch. 3, FH, ADPr, ZTP V1A." She had everything I wanted in a dog but I was not her breeder. I keep trying, but they don't make dogs like her anymore. For the present, as a breeder, I would be hard pressed to find a better dog than Ch. Cara's Skeeter, Sch 1, ZTP V 1A, and my bitch UDC Ch. Cara's Midnight Porsche, Sch 3, ZTP, V1A. I think my greatest achievement has been providing new owners with dogs that fit in their lives and perform at the levels they want them to. I am proud of helping others learn to respect the working ability of our dogs as well as the beauty and versatility of our breed. I have had many proud moments in my breeding program, but the one that stands out is when the UDC Doberman team won the "AWDF Battle of the Breeds" and 2 of the three team members were "Cara" litter mates. Cara's Miss Talon, and Cara's Midnight Porsche.
JF: This is from forum member Larry Glisson: "He has done a number of crosses between Ameican and European dogs. In each of those litters, were the temperaments very 'consistent' from puppy to puppy, or was there a lot of variation?"
RC: They were very consistent. The drives were dominated by the working background of the European lines and this has proven to continue with line breeding of the progeny. The only time I have had inconsistency is when I have not line bred using European lines.
JF: How does a UDC ZTP stack against a Eurpoean one in terms of accurately rating a working doberman?
RC: Difficult to say, I have not seen very many European ZTP's. I would say we have learned a lot about mentality and structure, but the ZTP or AFFB is a work in progress. We need much more experience to be as good as needed at administering the ZTP or AFFB.
Thats it in its entirety, please remember to keep it respectful but do post your honest feelings. I do not know if Mr Carlisle will visit or post here but assume he is reading this thread when making your comments.
Cara Dobermans website is: http://www.caradobe.com/caratop.html
