In this issue of “Working around the World”, I wanted to find where Czechoslovakian Vlcak (CsV) had been successful in Search and Rescue. The International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation (IRO), tests and certifies Search and Rescue dog teams based on a standardize tests, which have been developed together with the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI). These International Testing Standards for Search and Rescue Dogs (IPO-R) include passing the tests of Tracking, Area, Rubble, Avalanche and Water - from the aptitude test to the highest testing level (B). The IPO-R is revised regularly based on the requirements for search and rescue dog teams. (For more information, visit www.iro-dogs.org)
I contacted the IRO, who advised the CsV had only competed twice at the IRO Testing Event, in 2007 and 2018. Both times the teams did not pass the test. The teams did start at the highest level of testing due to the IPO-R, which is the rule required for SAR dogs. Currently the only club in the United States authorized to hold testing is the United Schultzhund Club of America.
During my research, I discovered a YouTube video of an impressive CsV, doing all kinds of Search and Rescue work. This is where we travel to Slovakia via the Internet. I met with Kvetoslava Tavassyova Slana and her first CsV, Zdychavsky vlk Ariana. They were awarded the 2019 Best Working Czechoslovakian Vlcak in Slovakia. Kvetoslava did Search and Rescue for a few years approximately 20 years ago. Then three years ago, she and Ariana started working together as a SAR Team. She discovered CsV are excellent for this work, because they are very natural in the forest, can read tracks, work with the wind, and so on. Kvetoslava explains, “Hunting is something that CsV can teach us, not we teach them. We just change his focus from wild animal to easier prey – person feeding him.” Kvetoslava discovered CsV love it and has even had success with dogs that are scared of strangers with her training techniques.
Ariana is a 6-year-old female CsV. Before they started in Search and Rescue, they took the exam of Canis therapy (therapy dog) and then BVK (military race). Ariana won a few times and became the #2 dog in Slovak championship. They passed the BH-VT and received FPr 1-3 (sport tracking). They trained in the protection/defense phase of IGP, but Ariana did not love it, so they stopped. Interestingly, Ariana will use the skills she learned from sport tracking when the scent is not strong enough during a real search.
Three times a year they go to training camp. Kvetoslava feels more CsV can do the work, but just like any other dog sport, training takes time. Ariana does not have a strong food or toy drive, so she can be difficult to motivate. Kvetoslava has overcome this challenge by requiring Ariana to work for her meals. “CsV are like wolves in this manner. They work and think for food, which is not free.” On busy or lazy days, it may only be a few tricks; on other days, they track or will search when they have someone to hide for them, but they train every single day!
Kvetoslava believes Ariana’s pedigree has something to do with their success. Three generations back, her mother, grandmother, were all great with people. She also believes early conditioning contributes. The breeder plays a large part because the first part of the puppy’s life will never be forgotten. “It is not good for dogs to be born and raised in cages without human contact. Its mother was maybe born there also. These dogs will never work like a dog born amongst normal people in a house or garden while being exposed to people, pets, cars, bicycles, etc.” This should continue with the new owner when they pick the puppy up to take it home. Kvetoslava believes it is important to train, work and live with your puppy, building a bond and understanding of each other.
Kvetoslava is very passionate about the CsV’s abilities to do work and training. One of the reasons she trains Ariana is to show other people, that they can work with their CsV also. She started a group on Facebook called “Ariana radi”
https://www.facebook.com/groups/219499772635873/?ref=share
This is where she posts training videos to assist others in becoming successful. Kvetoslava believes the more people learn how to train, the more CsV will be working.
I joined the group and was amazed the amount of people that are working and training their CsV. Many members are posting videos and asking for input from Kvetoslava, which she willingly shares. She also translates the video into English and posts it in the comments. The group is only a few weeks old, but I found the active group, videos, and discussions to be well worth it.
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