Philosophy and long term goals:

My dog breeding program should be easy to relate to, so I have chosen my name carefully, with advice from my friends.

My professional experience is based on 15 years of working with competition and service dogs. I have put most work down in the international programs, and this is the main focus for my dog engagement.

Kennel Oddvarg's long term goals are to breed 1-2 litters per year, as well as giving the individual buyer the necessary follow up needed for the dog to be noticed in duty and/or competition. The kind of dog I want to breed should be easy to attach relations to.

A typical "Oddvarg'er" should have the following qualities:

• Hard driven and endurable, yet controllable and social. Hardness and social dominance should be correctly adapted to the dog owner and home environment. Should be able to switch between different drives correctly and without conflicts, all the while being submissive to the owner. Type correct exterior.

  I will not breed dogs that have a bad temper or disposition. In order to achieve this, I need information on the dogs I am breeding. Both what qualities they possess, and what they give. Even more importantly, what the dogs in the pedigree/genealogical table have given. Lately, I have been visiting places like Belgium in order to locate the correct male dog for my litter with Brandfjellet`s Bima. My breeding has long term visions, and in some combinations I have to go on accord with some of the requirements in order to get a good result in later generations. It is very clear that I will need to cross breed dogs from the exterior population with the pure line. I have no issues with this, and I believe that in the long run I will achieve a dog breed that has superior mental quality, yet moves perfectly. This will ensure a longer career for the dog, as correct angles give a less strained way of running. This is something I have experienced this winter, as I am skiing with my dogs almost every day. Parts of the trips are always done in deep snow so that the dogs can build muscle and condition. Storm has especially strong muscles and great condition. He moves in the deep snow with short powerful jumps. Bima moves in long elegant jumps. Even though Storm is older, has better muscles and better condition, he tires faster than Bima. Why: The angles! It is obvious to me that if a dog is to move in a draining manner over long periods of time, the angles have a prominent influence. Not the most prominent, but prominent nonetheless! This is usually not an issue for a dog which is competing IPO/SchH, as these only move in short distances. For a dog to be used in the army, the police or in rescue operations, which sometimes will need to work for hours/days, it will be of uttermost importance. Thus I am convinced that continuous breeding, only based on mentality and with parents that for years have been classed in KK II, will not give the results one would need if the dog's are to be strained over longer periods of time. This is something I will consider in my breeds. My old dog, Pema`s Esko, is almost 9 years old and vigorous for it's age. With the exception of a muscle injury he obtained from a fall as a puppy. This put him out of the game during WUSV VM 2001. Varg is 80 % pure exterior dog, and the mental qualities are mainly from Fero V. S. .Himmelreiche, through 3 link. Thus: The dog's physical attributes must be adapted to the mental ones if the dog is to be used in duty or competition until it's 8-10 years. It is my clear conviction that contest dogs in IPO/SchH which are above 6-7 years cannot handle the drive up to a contest or re-approval, physically. In 10-12 years I will see if I am right. And just to clarify: An Oddvarg'er will never be in the lead of Norwegian winner, or any other showcase for that matter, but we might be participants. Nonetheless, I am after physical abilities, good health and freshness, nothing more! Primarily I wish, like most other people, to sell the puppies to people that wants out in the sport. It is however not a demand that the buyer must expose the dog to large international contests. If you wish to train at the club, and are happy doing so, it will be completely satisfactory to me. It is through width and variety the sport will grow, and we need everyone that wants to participate. It is however the spear-edges/continuity-carriers, and good breeders that will give us the width. What I want from the individual owner, is that they are deeply engaged in the sport, and in this way achieves the experience needed for competence and growth. My contribution in this matter will be to give the individuals as wide and close follow up as they need to achieve the individual goal. In addition I will place demands on the individual which is within realistic achievement. Obviously the demands will be largest on some than on others. Not everyone can go as far as NM or VM, but everyone can become a useful continuity-carrier in a dog environment where everyone gets different responsibilities and tasks. It all depends on interest and engagement, that is the most important thing! I have also started a new training group which I help out on training gatherings, over E-Mail, or telephone. This will be to some people's annoyance, and other people's enjoyment. The group is called "Team Oddvarg", and even though we have existed only for a short period of time, and are spread all over the country, we have had a noticeable kick-off! All participants in next years Nordic Championship are from our training environment. Our philosophy in dog training are: 1: We train to have fun! 2: We train to get points. 3: We compete to win. 4: We train to have fun!!!! I am convinced that if we can uphold the above philosophy, one or more of us will be able to climb the winner's podium in WUSV VM. Nothing is impossible, and we have good dogs and are good trainers. And the fact that we help each other and see winning in other people's success will give us the edge. Just wait, if it's not this time around, it will be the next! Kennel Oddvarg wishes to cooperate with other breeders that share this vision in breeding, education, environment and serious dog keeping. Odd-Ivar Gjersvik, 2006   English translation by: Camilla Nimue Lind.