It turns out malinois ownership isn't all that exciting I guess.
Stuck has been in my life for three years now. It's kind of mind blowing, it doesn't feel like it has been that long.
We have actually accomplished quite a bit together and I am really proud of us.
It hasn't all been easy, if you read through this blog the struggle has been real. I haven't been bashful about sharing my struggle with her food drive or a lack of. Last year I discovered that her food drive drops significantly when she goes into season. It stays that way pretty much until her cycle is complete - like the whole cycle, the things we don't see happening that are happening. I talked to a repro vet and tried treating her for nausea during that time. But honestly the greatest success I have had is topping her dry food with canned. It doesn't even have to be a lot and she eats every meal without fail. That aside her food drive has grown significantly. She eats a lot of human foods she wouldn't eat before and she will work for food. A toy is still her jam but I even showed her in conformation with food rewards. I would describe her food drive now as moderate, if she's stressed she will not eat. When we travel I just bring canned and she eats without issue. I would never want a dog without very high food drive again, but she has taught me a lot about problem solving and how to work without food.
Other than that everything has been going really well. Stuck is the perfect malinois for me. She has enough drive that we have been able to compete in various sports and title, but she has an excellent off switch and is good in the house. I really enjoy having a dog who can go anywhere and do anything. Her temperament is bomb proof, she's stupid friendly with everyone.
Let's see - her name is currently as follows:
Int. Ch UKC Ch URO1 UCD Athos Bellatrix CGCA, CGCU, Spot-ON, RATI, DS, CD, BH, AD, IPO-VO, IPO3x2
We got our feet wet in AKC conformation last year, she had 6pts towards her championship. There haven't been many opportunities for majors and the few times there have been, she doesn't get put up. I'm told we just need to keep showing and find judges who like her type but it's a lot of money and time so I am not sure if we will pursue it. I think for a working dog she's nice in both body and temperament and I think she is deserving of an AKC championship, but I am not willing to play the game really seriously. There's too many things I want to do that I know she can be really successful at.
We have also been taking AKC Obedience lessons. I am really fortunate to have access to an amazing obedience trainer who is very talented and accomplished. She is preparing us for a CDX and maybe to go as far as a UDX or even an OTCH. I feel pretty confident we can get our CDX in both kennel clubs, but the jury is out on going further. I had planned to enter a trial at the end of this month but I am expecting Stuck to go into heat then, of course.
I feel like we accomplished quite a bit together even though I am a novice malinois handler. I never really thought I would ever put an IPO3 on a dog, I mean, I got her for that purpose but I never really thought we would get there so quickly. The last three trials we entered were championships. While our scores are not AMAZING, I believe it is amazing that we were able to pass at that level. I feel like all of this says a lot about her character as a dog.
I have plans to title her this year in AKC Obedience, we entered DVG Regionals which will be in May for one more 3. I hope to also do more barn hunt and dock diving with her. I also want to finish her CA title - she only needs one more run.
If the stars align and everything falls into place I am planning to breed Stuck in the fall. I know breeding is a crap shoot but I really love Stuck's temperament and can't think of a better way to get another dog like her than to breed her. I have a male picked out - an IPO world champion. I expect that this breeding will produce stable, solid nerved dogs who can rock it on the IPO field but who are also not a pain in the ass to live with. I want to produce dogs who can do all the things, but this breeding is heavily focused towards the sport of Schutzhund. The male produces high food drive consistently as well as solid prey and toy drives. I believe their temperaments will compliment each other really well.
I am so thankful that Stuck came into my life, I couldn't have asked for a better partner. I didn't see it at the time but I am also thankful she was here when I lost Seppel. I know it wasn't easy for her to deal with me, all up in my feelings. But I think having her helped me to get through that time. Here's hoping for many good years and many more adventures together!
