Our Dogs
Rising Stars
"Soja"
ADCH Soja Sprite's Brea du Trieu de Leers SchH3 CDX TD AX OAJ
2005 USDAA Nationals Grand Prix finalist
OFA Good/Normal elbows,
CERF clear
D.O.B.: 03/28/2001
OFA BT-3958G25F-PI Hips (Good)/BT-EL1324F25-PI Elbows (Normal)
CERF BT-2827/2006.
No known seizures at 5+ years of age.
Pedigree:
Soja is a 100% working bred bitch, with a very strong pedigree based on the best of the
French Ringsport Malinois and Tervuren.
Temperament:
Soja is a happy, outgoing dog who gets along well with everyone. She is one of the most
clever dogs I've ever owned and possesses a keen sense of humor. Soja is bold, curious,
and bright-eyed. Following a difficult puppyhood filled with energy and constant chewing
and playing, she has matured into a clean, quiet, devoted housepet for our family. Soja
is tolerant of my 3 year old son's rambunctious behavior, and gets along well with visiting
dogs. Always ready to play or work, she is a joy to own and train.
Working Ability:
Soja is intensely food and toy motivated. She has tireless energy and drive, along with
focused willingness to please. She has no environmental issues or fears of novel locations,
surfaces or situations. She works with very little reward without loss of enthusiasm.
By two and a half years of age, Soja had completed all three schutzhund titles, with scores up to 282p for her Schutzhund 3 title, including a high in trial award. In every competition she has entered she has earned the "high obedience in trial" award.
Soja is an energizer bunny in any and all dog sports. She is always ready to work; in heat, rain, under stressful conditions, and in novel environments. Her specialty is flashy, accurate obedience work. In protection, she works in very high drive at all times, showing intensity, love of biting and tremendous speed on impact with the helper.
Soja is currently training and competing in agility (and occasionally other performance venues!) with her co-owner, Derede Arthur, in Salinas, California. Soja shows great promise as a super fast, responsive agility dog and we have very high expectations of Derede and Soja!
Structure and Overall Appearance:
Soja is a small bitch at 21.5" tall and weighing approximately 40 pounds. Her angulation
front and rear is moderate and balanced. Soja's movement is clean and smooth. Back length is
medium with a firm topline and an excellent underline. Bone is light to medium. Coat is deep
red with significant blackening and extension masking. Ears are medium sized and well-placed.
Headplanes are parallel with correct stop. Expression is soft and appealing. Overall
impression is of a feminine, confident female with a pleasing expression and outline.
Accomplishments:
- Schutzhund Begliethunde (BH) at 18 months with a performance described as "nearly flawless" by SV judge Ludwig Wimmer at the Feather River Schutzhund Club trial in Maryville, CA
- Schutzhund One (SchH1) at just over two years of age under SV Judge Bernhard Prem at the Menlo Park Schutzhund Club trial with a score of 80-93-88p (261p).
- Schutzhund Two (SchH2) at 29 months under USA Judge Al Kerr with a score of 95-91-86p (272p) with High Obedience.
- Schutzhund Three (SchH3) at 30 months under USA Judge Nathaniel Roque at the Mid Bay Working Dog Club trial with a score of 94-95-92p (281p), with High Obedience and High in Trial.
- Companion Dog (CD) at four years of age with scores of 198, 198.5, and 198.5 qualifying for a Front and Finish Excellence award (FFX) at the Platinum level.
- High in Trial (HIT) out of Novice B both days at Belgian Tervuren Club of Southern California regional specialty under judges Dorothy McCauley (196) and Shirley Indelicato (199)!
- 2005 USDAA Nationals Grand Prix finalist in the 26" height at the 2005 USDAA Nationals in Scottsdale, Arizona — the only non-BC in that height to qualify for the finals!
- Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) at 5 years of age with scores of 198.5, 193.5, and 196.5 handled by Derede!
- Tracking Dog (TD) at five years of age.
- Agility Dog Champion (ADCH) at six years of age
Breeding Record
Soja's first litter exceeded our expectations. Puppies from her "E" litter are excelling in activities as diverse as agility, schutzhund, obedience, tracking, and dock diving! This litter has a uniformity of temperament which is rare in an outcrossed pedigree—every puppy is highly driven to work, focused, easily motivated; social with people and neutral with other dogs. They are exceptionally stable, intelligent and learn new behaviors easily and with great enthusiasm. Each puppy owner has expressed to me their delight with their new working companion. I expect that Soja will continue to produce top quality working dogs for Sprite Tervuren.
If you are an experienced trainer who is looking for a seriously competitive working dog for agility, schutzhund or SAR, feel free to contact me about Soja's future breeding plans.
Litters:
- "E" Litter w:5/24/04 (Soja x Reko)
- "H" Litter w:6/2/07 (Soja x Quake)
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