Hi, new here :)

[AraiNI]

Hello, my name is Danielle, I am near Chicago, IL...I think I already see some names that seem familiar from some other UK forums.

I don't have a CSV, but I have a Northern Inuit and a Siberian Husky. I actually came across this very involved website when trying to find a good resource for my own website...hope you don't mind that I added the link. And might I say, this is quite the forum! I can't believe how many parts of the world are so connected onto just one forum. Very cool!

I'll admit that I don't know a whole lot about the breed. I was wondering if someone could tell me a bit about the temperament and health of the breed. If there is anyone familiar with NI, can you tell me what really sets them appart? Or how are the different from Sibes? Are there many in America? I honestly didn't think there were any...and I can clearly see that I was wrong. If there is anyone in the midwest, I would love to find an opportunity to meet your dogs (and you, of course, lol).

Anyway, this is an attempt at posting a picture, I hope its similar to all the other forums I'm on. Lupa is the NI, she'll be a year old this month. Ami is the Husky, she's 3.

I just want to lead off with the fact that I'm a horrible resource in that I don't have a CsV yet, but I wanted to say "hi" because I live right around the corner from you!! My fiance and I also have a husky, and I've been researching CsVs to hopefully become involved with working, showing, and possibly breeding them in the future.

Even though I have yet to meet these dogs in person, I thought I'd give at least a crack at answering your questions from the information I've come across in my research.

If I had to point out the biggest difference between NIs and CsVs, it would be the purpose behind breeding. I'd say that's what really sparks the difference in the dogs. To be quite frank, NIs were bred as mutts from different dog breeds in an attempt to create a dog that just looked more wolf-like. As far as I know, there is no real attempt on the breeders' parts to create a breed with a function beyond selling pets. NIs are not accepted in the AKC, and from what I understand, it isn't even a goal.

With the CsV, there is a very clear understanding of the breed standard, the ideal temperament, and the goal of a working dog straight from day one. The CsV was bred with a purpose from mostly German Shepherd Dogs and in the first stages of the breeding plan, from European wolves. These dogs were meant to work border patrol in Czechoslovakia. The CsV has a very strong work drive as well as developed guarding instinct. They are (from what I hear) more biddable than a husky, but their intelligence makes training them completely different than you would see with a GSD. CsVs ARE accepted in the AKC Foundation Stock Service, and the few owners in the US are hoping to create a national breed club in order to get full registration.

I feel like I'm testing all of my research here, so hopefully actual CsV owners will chime in and correct any mistakes I've made! At the very least, I do know that the CsV is a very hearty working dog, and that if a person is only looking for a companion animal to hang around the house, they will most likely be sorely disappointed! Think about the drive of a working GSD, then add in the stubborn, independent streak you see with breeds like huskies; it's a very rough temperament to live with!

[AraiNI]

Cool! Do you belong to the Will county dog parks by any chance? The one near me (Black road, Joliet) always has about 100 huskies...in this weather we are the majority and its a bunch of fun....of course, I tend to look like that kid off of A Christmas Story when I bundle up for the dog park, but you do what you've got to do.

To be quite frank, NIs were bred as mutts from different dog breeds in an attempt to create a dog that just looked more wolf-like. As far as I know, there is no real attempt on the breeders' parts to create a breed with a function beyond selling pets. NIs are not accepted in the AKC, and from what I understand, it isn't even a goal.

I don't think the people that started the breed realized that they were creating a breed...I think they were just breeding to make a dog more for themselves, and when the popularity kicked off, there was no one sensible enough to record anything. I know the main woman behind it, Eddie, bred her dogs for no one but herself...and then other people fell in love with her dogs and took over.

Since its a large dog, everyone thinks that it should have a working purpose, but I think more people are happy with its purpose as being a companion dog, though there are some that do Agility and Obedience with their dogs...Lupa has her puppy championship in APDT Rally, and we'll be starting for her RL1 after she's a year old.

As for Recocgnition...well its not AKC anyway, since Lupa's only the third over here....the NIS committee is really torn between the idea. Some want it so that their dogs can be seen as a true breed and so that people can have the option to compete in KC competions. Others are afraid of how much control the breed club will have over breeders. As most that have researched NI are aware, they have enough problems with people breeding willy-nilly without a thought, what will happen when the puppy mills learn that the NI is going to be more popular? At least thats what they say.

Each to their own, I suppose. I'm happy with my girlly either way.

No, we're not members of the dog park, but we're closer neighbors than I thought!

I'm one of those people that feels a dog should have a working purpose. I've done a lot of thinking about it, and if I look at my ethics, deep down, I really don't even think people have a place breeding toy dogs! Obviously, this brings up issues since 99% of dogs out there (aside from strays and village dogs) are pet animals, not working ones. For this reason, I've come to terms with the fact that there are going to be people breeding dogs for companion purposes, focusing on looks and calm temperament over working ability. However, with so many animals already in the world, I personally don't see the point in breeding more companion animals when there are so many unwanted animals in rescue that already have the traits that people are looking for. But like you said, each to their own!


And just because I've never posted pictures of him, this is our husky, Buddy. We got him from Free Spirit Siberian Rescue a little over 3 years ago. We think he's about 7 or 8.

[AraiNI]

If you ever feel like meeting up for a run, we always have a blast with other huskies (they know the right way to play, lol). I think you can get day passes, but honestly, they won't ticket you the first time they catch you. Let me know, and we can go out to the Homer Glen one (which is the nicest one, but a bit out of the way for me, so it would make the perfect excuse to go out there, lol).

Here's some pictures of our husky friends that we meet up with regularly.

Cyrus and Lupa (you might have seen Cyrus in the paper recently ), Lupa just loves this guy, she's constantly flirting with him.


And our very best husky friend, Meeka with Lupa and Ami. Meeka's the same age as Lupa so they really get going when they are together:




Ami would be in more pictures, but she has her five minute run around, then goes back to the weeds to hunt, lol. I have too many pictures of her with her head in a hole.

[AMERICANI]

Hi AraiNI and Vicky... (Vicky, I think I tried to send a message a while back, but I have less than the best internet here, so I think I lost the reply while trying to send it.) I have been exposed to CsVs for the last 3 years, and I now have 4 of them (and 2 mutts). I want to see these wonderful animals in America, but like you mentioned earlier (about the puppy mills) I want to be sure they are the the best of hands. Some day (hopefully in about 2 years) I will start breeding them in Texas. I am very eager to see CsVs in our working dog community. This breed is easy to fall in love with, but at the same time, it is not like any dog you've ever had before.... with that being said, I've found, they are all different within themselves as well.
-My first "Ecaterina" (Estia dell Olimpalus) is very dominant with other dogs, but easily accepts me as her alpha. She doesn't like to be left alone (who does) and ate my seatbelts and window seals in my truck the day I went to pick up "Piter".
-My second "Piter" (Piter priv-Panicucci) is very calm (for the breed), docile to an extent, goofy, clumsy, and must 'carefully' jump on you to show his affection (note: I did my best to train him not to jump because I don't like it, but I'm beginning to think it is a lost cause with CsVs), and he likes to chew on ears while licking inside of them. And to top it off! He CAN be TRUSTED to NOT shred the interior of a car on a road trip!!!!
-My third, "Elsa" (priv - Bilotti), COMPLETE PSYCHOPATH!. Houdini would be amazed! She can escape anything (so far). Eats couches via broken remains of kennel vent, I put her in my truck for about 30 seconds to race in to use the restroom before a vet run, I came back....Seat belts were totally finished off as well as my headrests to both seats.. She is the most wolfish of them all (and possibly the prettiest).. She is still rather new to me, and I believe these negative issues will dissipate with work and time.
-My fourth ( as of Wednesday) "Soselo" (Garm -Braterswo Wilcakow) Is only 9 weeks old, can climb very well, is very attentive, plays with the big dogs, and howls like a miniature wolf when kennelled up. He loves snow, and "talking". the sounds he makes are so awesome and yet interesting & sometimes creepy (almost sounds humanish).

I just returned from a road trip to Poland to buy Soselo. On my way (there and back), I stopped in Prague, Berlin, Warsaw, Krakow (Auschwitz Museum), Bratislava and Venice. I finally had a chance to let Piter play in the snow for the first - 60th time. I just wanted to share my recent voyage with everyone. I sincerely recommend vacationing to Central Europe. Warsaw has some big malls, but all of these places would be more convenient using public transportation... Parking was a pain in Prague!

BACK ON TRACK - I would like to stay in touch with Americans honestly interested in CsVs. At this moment, all I have is the site I made www.americanikennels.com as contact info. In the future I plan to obtain the license and everything else required to operate a dog hotel for people who want the best place for thier furry family members to stay when they go on vacation.