Sofie vom Foxtal

 10x SchH3, IPO3, FH

2001 North Central Region SchH3 Champion

Dec 23, 1992- March 15, 2003

Sofie was one of twelve pups born to a litter sired by Police Service Dog Dasco (click on photo at left for larger version)   The bitch was the untitled product of another police service dog and was purchased by Bob Wierenga from a man in California. 

As you can see from the photo at right, which is one of Sofie's littermates, Striker, there was variety in the litter.  Some of the pups looked like grey-pointed malinois, and some were brown brindle or grey brindle.   No doubt there was a malinois hiding in the family tree!

From the day I brought her home at 6 weeks (the first pup to leave, and quite young), she acted as though the world was hers to rule.  In this photo she sits proudly next to my GSD, Lex, who is laying down and still towers over her!

Since then, Sofie has earned 10 SchH3's, including the 2000 USA National Championship in Madison, WI and many Regional Championships.   In the spring of 2000, she accomplished her FH and in 2002, at 9 1/2 years of age she earned her IPO3.  In Her hips OFA "Good" and elbows are free of dysplasia.  Until recently, Sofie was as spunky and crazy for work as she was when she was young, a testament to the breed and good conditioning. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma after having a tumor removed from her tonsil in December.  She was my absolute darling and we babied her for as long as she remained comfortable, at which time we let her go, eternally grateful for every second we shared.  She was joy itself.

We tried sheep herding once, but Sofie did not enjoy it.  She chased the sheep when I encouraged her, but it was just that...chasing, not herding.   She clearly did not understand the concept and it wasn't fun for her.  The difference in natural drive was brought home to me when the GSD bitch I was also working took to it so naturally that one day after her first introduction to sheep, she trialed in the morning and the same afternoon to earn her Herding Instinct Certificate.  Sofie and I have pottered at agility in the winter months, and it is something she enjoys but we did not pursue it as competition.

Sofie was a holy terror when she was young.  For the first two years of her life I often told her "if I didn't believe you have potential, you would be OUT of here!" Her son, Digit, has been very similar, both requiring close supervision during their youth and ultimately blossoming into talented adults.