Interview with multiple championship winner and Dobermann handler Elke Nowakowski

I am pleased to present the long awaited interview with multiple championship winner and Dobermann handler Elke Nowakowski.

A special thanks to Harald Steinmeyer for facilitating and translating this interview.


Elke has been gracious enough to agree to follow up questions. So please post your questions and we will do our best to post her replies.

Interview with Elke Nowakowski


(USADobermann.com):
Good Afternoon Elke. Congratulations on all your recent success and thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for the USADobermann.com Working Dobermann Forum community.


(Elke):
Hello Vadim!
Thank you very much for the congratulations.

(USADobermann.com):
How did you get into Dobermanns?

(Elke):
Even when I was a child, I was fascinated of the Dobermann breed.

(USADobermann.com):
How did you get into dog sports?

(Elke):
Since the Dobermann is a working breed, it was no question for me to go into workingdogsports when I got my first Dobi.

(USADobermann.com):
What qualities do you look for in a Dog for competition?

(Elke):
Mostly I pay attention on drive consistancy.


(USADobermann.com):
Tell us about Chaki v. Serrano and Mona v. Edertal.
How are they similar? How are they different? What qualities did they have that make them so successful?

(Elke):
Chaki was a great and balanced family dog. Also Mona shows this properties.
At home Mona is a absolutely calm female with rocksolid nerves and dreamlike social behaviour. On the other hand, outside, when hiking, biking or in the working field, she explodes and shows her temperament. Especially I appreciate that I can leave her without problems in hotel rooms when we are on vacation or at trials.
Chaki was an real great dog in A and B but I missed a bit more hardness in C. I was totally sadisfied with Chaki. At trials she always proofed that I can count on her.
Mona is difficult to handle in A and B. Because of her enormous drive, she is a bit overenthusiastic. On the other side, in C she is over the top in my opinion. I feel that she is a above-average Dobermann. This is the reason why I did use her for breeding once.
Not to be misunderstood, Chaki was a valuable dog for me and I am still mourning.
I am a self-critical and objective human and abble to see deficits in my dogs but also be able to live with them.


(USADobermann.com):
What are the bloodlines or kennels that you favor for choosing a Dobermann prospect for competition?

(Elke):
I do not have any favored bloodlines because I do not know much regarding breeding. Chaki was a daughter of my first dobermann Frisco von Marosk. She was the only black female in the litter. This is the reason why I choosed her.
Mona is a Bonny vom Edertal daughter. I noticed Bonny positively at the German Championship in the year 2001 and 2002.
After I had to put down Chaki in the year 2003, I made contact to the Kennel “vom Edertal”, Mr. Alexander Ganz.
Mr. Ganz has had no puppies at this time but one bitch was in good hope. My helper and me visited Mr. Ganz at his home field and tested several dogs out of his kennel. I have got a very sound impression of Mr. Ganz and decided to reservate one of his comming puppies.
Late in the evening, Mr. Ganz showed his 8 month old Mona in the field to work with my helper. After her first bite in the jouth-sleeve, we were absolutely thrilled. There were no more question for me. I decided, I MUST have Mona.
After long back and forth Mr. Ganz gave her to me.
Mona is out of the excellent connection of Bonnie vom Edertal and Baron vom Lechfed. Baron was one of the best sportdogs that I know.


(USADobermann.com):
At what age do you select a Dobermann working prospect? Is it different for other breeds?

(Elke):
I think dobermanns are late starters and need time to develop also because of their size, compared with other breeds.

(USADobermann.com):
What qualities do you look for when selecting a puppy for competition?

(Elke):
Mona was the first dog on which I looked with the eyes of a sportswoman. Mona showed at the age of 8 month high drive and very positive nature. Dogs are not sport equipment for me but comrades. I could never give away a dog just because it is not suitable for sport. Because of this, I try to get the maximum out of a particular dog and am satisfied with which I get.



(USADobermann.com):
How old do you start working a prospect puppy in bite work?

(Elke):
I start with prey games during puppy hood and after teething I start with more intensively work according to the maturity of the dog.

(USADobermann.com):
How often do you train? How often do you train for each phase?

(Elke):
In the season with national trials I train every day, plus 2-3 times tracking each week. Obedience I split in two parts. One day heeling and technical exercises, the other day apport and send out. In protection work I do mostly the whole trial routine.


(USADobermann.com):
Do you see a difference between working/show lines of Dobermann’s VS pure working lines? Or do you believe there is more difference in individual dogs?

(Elke):
Yes, I see a difference. Showdogs are handicapped because of their constitution for sport. They are lacking in agility an speed. On the other hand I think that many of them could be suitable fo sport. It depends on the owners and their goals with the dogs.


(USADobermann.com):
Do top competition Dobermanns differ substantially in house manners then an average Dobermann?


(Elke):
I think arrogated dogs, unless the venue, are more balanced and happy.

(USADobermann.com):
Who or what has had the biggest influence on your training?

(Elke):
Since I am some kind of perfectionist, I always try to train my dogs more than 100%.


(USADobermann.com):
What training methods do you believe in for obedience training specifically?

(Elke):
My dog learns that I confirm only when a exercise is done correctly. Technical exercises are taught with hidden signs because my speech is not under control enough during trial stress. Also I try to motivate my dog with gesture and mimic.


(USADobermann.com):
I believe you worked with a Malinois before Mona. Why did you decide to try Malinois? Why did you switch back?

(Elke):
I did not own a Malinois myself, so I did not train one.


(USADobermann.com):
Do you find that highly competitive Dobermanns and good Malinois are very close to each other temperament wise? If not what are the main differences you see?

(Elke):
There are many great Dobermanns outside that will never be shown in sport. Many Malinois go to hands of experienced sport people so
they are much more promoted.

(USADobermann.com):
Much has been made about having to train a Dobermann differently then GSDs or Malinois. Do you find this to be the case or are top dogs very similar across all breeds?

(Elke):
I do not think that breed specific training is necessary but specific training for each individual dog.

(USADobermann.com):
You won the DV DM in 2000 and again for 2005 and 2006 as well as the IDC in 2002 and again this year. How has the sport changed since you have been in it? Do you have any interest in trying other sports?

(Elke):
I do not think that dogsport did change me in any way. Before I was active in horsesport, but a riding accident made me quit. I am jogging with Mona but because of lacking time, no other sports.


(USADobermann.com):
What are your goals for the future ?

(Elke):
My highest goal in dogsport is to qualify and participate at the FCI-Worldchampionship.

(USADobermann.com):
Thank you again for your time. We hope to be able to bother you again in the future to ask a few follow up questions about this interview.

We wish you continued success in your pursuits.

Vadim Shekhtman
USADobermann.com Working Dobermann Forum

(Elke):
Thank you very much for your interest in me. I wish you all much fun with your Dobermanns.