Interview with Avi Marshak.

It is our great honor to have Mr Avi Marshak, world resepected Dobermann judge. Mr Marshak judges ZTP's and conformation for Dobermanns the world over and is considered one of the worlds top experts in Dobermann conformation.

JF = Jason Farrish
AM = Avi Marshak

JF: The FCI Dobermann standard was changed relatively recently. Do you think this change was to improve the working capabilities of the dogs or a concession to the breeders?

AM: In my humble opinion I don`t believe that the changed of the Dobermann standard has anything to do with the working capabilities. I believe that the changes made in order to meet the“reality” in the judging rings, these changes are only cosmetic.

JF: As you have judged many ZTPs over the years is there one issue that pops up the most for the Dobermann? Anything that Dobermanns who are lacking
share in common?

AM: In my opinion the Dobermann in general lacks the strong bite ability, of course there are Dobermanns that have the strong bite.

JF: As a working dog what is the Dobermann's greatest strength?

AM: In my opinion as a working dog, the Dobermann`s greatest strength is his speed and his ability to maneuver very fast.

JF: Most of us have always looked towards Germany as the ideal. Gemany was the capital of the Dobermann. Has there been a change in that?

AM: Yes I agree that Germany is the ideal, however since the prohibition against docking and cropping dogs in most of the countries in Europe and particularly in Germany confusion spread around and breeders stopped breeding and many other Dobermann fans are waiting to see how this prohibition will affect the breed. I know several breeders who stopped breeding, I was told that the new comers to the breed in Germany want Dobermann as a pet...they don`t want to listen about working with the Dobermann...
Even the numbers of the entries to the dog shows dropped...we must wait and see.

JF: Since the end of the cold war we have seen many working dogs come out of eastern europe. What are your thoughts on the dogs comming out of Czechloslovakia, Yugoslavia, Russia, Poland etc

AM: Since the “fall of the iron curtain” in Europe we face the high quality of the Dobermanns in Eastern Europe especially in Russia and Yugoslavia.
Being F.C.I International All Breeds Dog Judge I believe that soon Russia will be the “Doggy Empire “of Europe not only in Dobermanns but in all breeds. When discussing the Dobermann breed in Russia I must say that the Russian breeders are very smart, they know how to work together in-groups to use smartly each other bloodlines successfully.
Russian breeders usually win evry where in Europe.They also train their Dobermanns and they have the Schutshund trial and the German ZTP...
Another big and nice surprise is the Dobermann breeders from YUGOSLAVIA They did to the Dobermann breed what Bill Gates did to Microsoft...
They are the wizards they have most of the beautiful Dobermanns I have ever seen physically and mentally and they win a lot. They use smartly line breeding with high percentages of inbreeding and the product is of very high quality

JF: I have been hearing a bit of Schutzhund backlash lately. The criticism is that Schutzhund has become too much sport and the real world working abilities of the dogs is suffering. What are your thoughts?

AM: Yes I agree with the criticism that Schutzhund has become too much sport and as a direct result of it the real working abilities of the dogs is suffering. A new trend has evolved lately in Europe, regulations and different laws against holding and keeping working dogs. The dog fans are easy target for the politicians soon they will ban the protection section in the Schutzhund...

JF: Have you had much contact with American line dobermans? If so what are your general impressions?

AM: Sorry I have not had that much contact with American line Dobermann and I can not express my impression.

JF: We now have a growing community of people in this country who are importing european blood and working Schutzhund here. You judged a ZTP for the United Doberman Club recently, how do the "American european"
Dobermanns compare against Europe?

AM: I still believe that the European Dobermanns are a little better than the American European Dobermann.
I believe that the Handler/Owner plays a significant role in raising training dogs especially Dobermanns, I believe that the Dobermann belongs to the specialist and not to the amateur. First we have to train the owners how to train the Dobermann and if we succeed than maybe the Dobermann breed will be Benefited.

JF: Pelangistamm Armin, I am a fan of this dog in that I admire his look and his accomplishments, also that he is here in the United States. You judged him V1A what kind of a dog is he?

AM: I like Aramin he got what he deserved the V1A and I think he did well in the FCI World Dog Show in Portugal.Of course every dog has some mistakes but I like this dog especially his relations with his owner and I saw him in his natural surrounding...(I saw him of course after the show and the ztp) and this explains evrything. This dog can compete in any European ring and win...

JF: What do we need to do in order to bridge the gap in quality between the U.S. and Europe?

AM: The question is what quality? The owner`s quality? So in this case we must“upgrade” the owner personal hard disc and to train them how to train the Dobermann we must teach them discipline, discipline you can get in Germany... If quality means blood lines, right import ect, first you must learn to pray to all gods and for luck,and for the honest breeders, well I believe that you understand me and if not you are already in deep trouble

JF: Are there any breeders in the U.S. that have really impressed you with their stock?

AM: I was impressed by Linda and Philip Calamia and Ray Carlisle.

JF: How has the anti cropping anti docking laws throughout most of europe affected the popularity of the Dobermann as a pet and working dog?

AM: In the Scandinavean countries the numbers dropped to half, I don`t have correct numbers but it affected the entries to the dog shows in most of the European countries. Many serious breeders stopped breeding and they are sitting and waiting to see the outcome.
However many new comers to the breed are buying the Dobermann as a pet and they refuse to hear about training.

JF: Italian Dobermanns seem to be very popular right now as stud dogs, to what do they owe this success?

AM: Italian Dobermanns are very popular in all respects breeding and working, they owe this success to one man who “works” very hard and uses PC to map the blood lines his name is Dr Pezzano

JF: What is the greatest threat to the Dobermann today?

AM: The greatest threat to the Dobermann today are the various laws and regulations against keeping and training dogs, needless to say the prohibition against cropping and docking.

JF: Have you worked much with Jivago Van het Wantij? If so what is your opinion of him?

AM: Sorry my knowledge about Jivago v.h. Wantaij comes from various sources so I can not express my private opinion, I have not seen this dog in a dog show.

JF: Same question but with Gino Gomez

AM: The same answer.

JF: Where are the strongest Dobermanns comming from today?

AM: I believe that the strongest Dobermanns coming today from the following countries: Russia, Italy and Yugoslavia.

JF: Is there a large difference between a dog that will excell in Schutzhund and a dog that will excell in police work?

AM: I must confess that I have seen Dobermanns that competed successfully in both works but I am not that expert to tell the differences.

JF: Are the Dobermanns in Europe considered serious Schutzhund competitors at the championship level?

AM: Yes.

JF: Any words of advice to someone in the U.S. thinking of breeding, titling, or showing Dobermanns?

AM: Well first you must look around carefully, you must keep records on the Sire and the Dame to see where they won their titles who were the judges that judged them how many Dobermanns competed. You have to keep record on their offspring’s (if they have), you must see them in their natural surrounding, to follow their health records and if you have decided to buy a puppy you can pray a little maybe, maybe it will
help...

What an incredible interview our thanks to Mr Marshak for taking time out of his busy schedule. Please remember the respect this man is due and make appropriate comments. I do not know if Mr Marshak will come and see your comments but as always assume he does.

Next week interview with Kathy Kraus of Cedarhoff Kennels!