| Subject: interview with dean calderon |
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dominic
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Date Posted: 02:45:22 07/14/07 Sat
Dean's Bio: Dean Calderon began training dogs in Schutzhund in 1977. He trained his first German Shepherd Dog, "Nando von Argusschloss", from puppyhood to Schutzhund III, FH. In 1979, Dean was honored to win the first high Handler-Owned-Trained dog trophy at the 1979 USA National Schuzthund III Championship. With the joy of dog training that Nando taught Dean, Dean has gone on to earn over 175 Schutzhund titles and to train more than 30 dogs, including German Shepherd Dogs, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Belgium Malinois. Some of Dean's accomplishments include:
Eight time USA team member - WUSV World Championship
Two time USA team member – FCI Championship
Three time USA member – IFR World Championship (Rottweilers)
USA Team Captain – 2005 and 2006 WUSV World Championship
The only trainer in the world to win World Team Championships with two different breeds – the GSD and the Rottie and the only American handler to show a dog in both the FCI and WUSV World Championships in the same year with Rex v. Karthago.
1. Tell us how you first got involved with the German Shepherd Dog.
In my early 20’s, a friend got an all black GSD from the local dog pound. He was a great dog so I went out and got one from AKC championship bloodlines but unfortunately, he wasn’t a good dog. I then sought a puppy from german lines and I was lucky in that my dog was from working lines and was really a great dog; he had great instincts. I felt very lucky to have this dog and I had great success with him.
2. Was there a particular dog who inspired you to continue on with the breed?
My first dog, Nando. But I also knew he wasn’t the end all of be all. Right from the beginning I had a tremendous thirst for good dogs and good training as one would find in Europe, so off to Europe I went…
3. Did you ever have a “mentor” whom you feel helped you form your philosophies?
I had/have many mentors. I feel very lucky. First, I’ve always wanted to learn and I knew from the beginning that was learning from the Germans: Reinhard Lindner, Fritz Biehler, Helmut Koenig, Helmet Raiser and of course Egon Vollrath, who provided the vehicle for which many great trainers from Germany came to California to give seminars.
4. What are your goals as a steward of the German Shepherd Dog?
To maintain the WUSV standard for the GSD in America. To provide the American Public with the best family farm dog while breeding hard energetic working dogs, maintaining form for function. I want to help people have as much fun as possible training their dogs as I do and that only comes from having good dogs.
5. Where would you like to be in 10 years?
I will be doing what I am doing now because that’s what I love to do. I’ve never had goals like winning the National Championship or making the team – I did all of that to continue learning about the German Shepherd Dog. The joy is never in the trophies, it the daily training and interacting with my dogs. Its really something special when my dog has matured and is trained in that we are of the same mind.
6. What accomplishments are you most proud of so far in your time working with German Shepherds?
Lately I’ve really thought a lot about all the great moments I’ve seen and been a part of in Schutzhund; catching Gary Hanrahan’s dog at the ’88 Nationals on a field that was like ice and the incredible athletic ability of the dog, the 100 point track with Panter at the World Championship, etc. But really, my accomplishments are those of my dogs and their records speak for themselves. I have made no accomplishments, those aren’t my personal accomplishments but those of my dogs.
7. What advice would you give to aspiring handlers?
Go to as many seminars as you can. Never stop learning. You must study all three aspects and everything that has to do with tracking, obedience, and protection. Because of the protection aspect, your commitment to the training and responsibility to society is much greater so you must be a responsible student of the breed.
8. What do you look for in a potential brood female, potential stud dog or competition dog?
With females, I look for the best mother dogs. Does she look like her bloodlines - is she truly representative of those lines? I did an interview several years ago with Thomas Lapp and while talking about breeding, he stated that the female is 75% of what the puppy is – meaning her developmental influence on the puppy so she must be a good mother. With males, first thing I look at are the bloodlines because with knowing the bloodlines, you know the physical and mental traits of the dog. The dog must come from a good family and must be representative of his bloodlines. I’ve had vast experience with many bloodlines so I understand what to expect with the dog if he is truly representative of his lines. The dog himself should have extreme toy/play drive and full natural grips - the grip made by genetics, not the helper. Also, the dog must be normal. My dog is my best friend and must be my constant companion so that dictates a normal dog and a good K9 citizen.
9. Describe your puppy selection process and how you decide when you will hold a puppy back for your own program.
Sometimes in the litter, by the time the puppies are three weeks old, you can see some special qualities and as the older the puppy becomes, the surer of your opinion you can be. But it’s important that the puppy is reared in an excellent environment to make a correct evaluation. I’ve seen great dogs as puppies (Manto v. Kahlenbach, Rex v. Karthago, Janoch v.d. Grube Waldecke, etc) and even at that early age of eight to twelve weeks, the dog already possessed excellent bone, strong head, very good breed type and a very confident temperament/nature and had a radiance of greatness. I’ve been very fortunate that I’ve talked to some with the best and long time working line breeders in Germany and the one thing they say in common is to look for the calm strong confident puppy, not the hectic vocalizing puppy (neither one extreme or the other). And there are those such as Fritz Biehler and Helmut Raiser that believe the dog is only 30% breeding and 70% environmental – you, the handler, make or break the puppy. While I have only just begun a breeding program, for the puppies that I have chosen to keep back, I know my bloodlines (I've actually worked many of the dogs in the pedigree as well as their other progeny), I have faith in those lines and I know my training abilities.
10. Top ten greatest dog performances I've witnessed in no particular order
Vernon Crowder, a blind handler, getting 99 points in protection at the World Championship
Egon Vollrath getting 100 points in tracking at the North Americans held in Canada with Erk “the jerk”
Martin Vollrath ‘s dog Grimm earning a 100 points in obedience and protection at the World Qualifier
My dog Panter’s 100 point track at the World Championship
A German dog, in obedience at the World Championship in Budapest, Hungary. The stadium floor had to have been around 100 degrees – the dog made a V in obedience and was truly a great dog
Falk v.d. Wolfen’s obedience and protection work, winning at the 2003 LGA trial
Rex’s V performance in obedience at the 2001 North Americans under scorching temperatures
Steve Robinson’s V in obedience at the ’97 Nationals during a heavy thunderstorm and downpour
Neck Maineiche taking down the helper at the BSP
Courage test by Arec vom Bunsenkocher at the ’91 or ’92 World Championship – this dog was something special
On last thing and this applies to handlers and breeders alike. You must train and evaluate your dog with an open mind. With dogs, there is no good or bad, its just what is. You must recognize your dog for what it is and train/breed accordingly. No dog is perfect.
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