CAEMON

We waited almost a year for our first boy, and well worth the wait it was. Our purple boy “Caemon” came to us on April 13th of 2000. Everything was done, all preparations prepared, collars and leashes bought, dishes, beds, kennels, everything any expectant parent would buy. What we didn’t prepare for was how he would bless our lives.

Caemon was the easiest going puppy in the world, sure, we had a few words when he was small, but it didn’t take him long to fit in and become mamma’s boy overnight. He is mom’s boy for sure, but adores everyone he meets and loves his dad immensely. He is an extreme licker, so everyone gets warned before meeting him. Caemon has been a joy in every sense of the word, a true companion and friend. I grew up with Labrador retrievers, but nothing could have prepared me for the intelligence of this breed. By 12 months Caemon had his CGC, at 14 months his HIC and we had already begun training for our CD, which he received by 18 months old!! His biggest problem in the obedience ring unfortunately is me; I still shake my head and wonder how he did it! Together we have learned so much, in the ring and out, I must be getting better or he is just a genius because he received his CDX in 5 trials with all high in classes. This past summer (2003) Caemon received his US CD in 3 straight trials.

His conformation career started rather unexpectedly when he was just under 9 months old. To be honest, Caemon was bought as a family pet and obedience dog, but as he grew, more and more people were telling us to show him. As a child I had always dreamed about going to dog shows, but in reality I was scared to death! A good friend said she would show him on the first day of the show, but I was on my own after that. Well, at 9 months old, he took best puppy from a field of 8, and BOW under respected judge Edna Perks for his first 3 points. The next day, with me sweating bullets, I learned what being humbled is all about. We walked away empty handed. Not to be dismayed, in we went on Sunday, and took the breed over specials, including the # 1 rottie in Canada of 2000 and 2001!! It doesn’t end there, I was much too nervous for the ominous group ring, so a handler took him in, guess what….. he walked out with a GROUP 1!!!! I didn’t even know what that meant I was so new. When I phoned his breeder later that night, I think she passed out! Of course now I know how big that was, but then, I honestly did not have a clue. Caemon walked away with 8 points his very first weekend out.

Our next show two months later was just as exciting. I took him in and we picked up another BOW to finish his Championship! The last day of the show, Kim took him in, took breed and a GROUP 2. So to recount, by 11 months old, Caemon had 2 BOB, a group 1, a group 2, 3 BPIG and 5 BP!!! Not a bad start to a career huh! At the end of 2001, with only 5 shows out, Caemon was ranked # 13 in the all breed and #2 overall.

I did not intend on showing Caemon very much in 2002, he is still young and needs some time to mature out. However, things rarely turn out how I plan them. Our first show of the year (Feb 2002) we walked away with 2 BOB with 13 dogs competing and 2 Group Placements. So we continued the year. And what a year it has been, 31 BOB and 8 group placings including a group one and a group 2. I think the highlight of the year was going BOB over 20 specials and about 20 class dogs in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, (under respected judge Anita Cairns) the weekend of our National Specialty. The worst moment of the year happened the same day when we missed the group ring and possibly our first BIS. Let me tell you there were many tears shed that day. We also attended our first Sieger show and he placed V-3 in the champion class of 10 dogs.

Caemon has been a joy to bring up and live with. He has a special love for children and will seek them out wherever we go. We have 7 nieces all under the age of 12 and a 7-year-old nephew that he adores. All of our friends have little kids and it warms my heart to know that he loves them all and they all love him. Although…. the first words that most of these kids spoke was “Caemon, no lick!”. He is gentle and kind, and seems to know not to jump on these little people. The big people, on the other hand get no mercy!

He is a joy to show, and compete with, and it is a thrill to bring him places with me. I know we have done our duty when people say, “he is so nice, I thought they were really bad dogs!”

We had a pet first aid course few months ago, and of course all of my dogs came along to be “treated”. After the first day, everyone wanted to treat Caemon. He would lie there and let perfect strangers put bandages on his legs and nylons on his head. On our last day of the course he became “scenario” dog. A overheated dog who had been playing ball with some kids and had a stick sticking out of his ribs and a broken rear leg. So imagine, here is Caemon in a room with strangers, who put an ice pack in his groin, a full donut bandage around his ribs and a cell phone used as a splint for his broken leg. He made me so proud!

I can’t say enough about my special boy, (as you have probably noticed!) He is truly a great specimen of the breed, both character, and structure. I look forward to many, many more years with him and many more titles to be conquered together.

In March 2008, Caemon and Kenya entered into the Novice Intermediate ring for the first time and both of them earned the first 2 legs towards their CDI titles! Kenya earned the second of the 2 legs with a SUPER 199 score!

Caemon also finished his CKC Rally Novice title in August 2008 in Cranbrook, BC!

In November 2008 in Red Deer, Caemon earned 2 legs towards his RA.

If you think you have that special girl, and you would like more information on stud packets or health certifications, do not hesitate to contact us.

Caemon's most recent critique from the First Annual Calgary Sieger show under judge Gerhard Apel, June 4, 2005:

V2 Rating and ZtP

Height at withers 66 cm, muzzle length 8.5, body at length 76.5cm Depth of chest 35 cm chest circumference 98cm

skull length 15 weight 55.4 kg eye color 2A

Large, very strong, compact, excellent build, very typey head, incorrect set ears, dark brown eyes, very good mouth pigmentation, strong short neck, correct set forearms, deep and wide chest, short straight back, correct croup, correct hind angulation, correct rear stand, strong coat, medium brown markings, natural movement, scissors bite

Head shape.....sufficient

Cheekbone development....pronounced

bone strength...strong/robust

overall temperament....good natured, self assured, attentive

Willingness to work/endurance....med

ability to calm...med

guideability....med

stressability...med

grip strength...full, calm, firm

reaction to gunfire....indifferent

Breeding recommendations.....Breedable...