Vozha's Pedigree

Breeder: Glen W. Harral and Jane E Maddox

July 17, 1985 - September 26, 1997

I sort of got Vozha by accident. I had pretty much decided that Iva wasn't show quality and wanted something to show. Francie Stull was nice enough to let me take Miss Vozha for a show dog and, well, she never asked for her back. I sort of got a clue that Vozha wasn't going anywhere when Francie asked me to name her.

She was a lovely moderate bitch; nothing spectacular that would cause you to jump up and down screaming "Look at that dog!", but nothing glaringly bad either. Vozha did have some very nice features. She had a lovely body with nice rib spring. She had a very pretty head with excellent eyes and small ears with soft pliable leather. She also was a very sweet lady. In fact, when compared to Iva, Vozha had the demeanor of the most elegant southern lady. However, there was another side to this gentle girl. She was the most feral dog I ever owned. Oh yes, Vozha could be civilized, but put her in the right situation and you could see the steppes of Russia sparkling in her eyes.

I tried to lure course Vozha. At first I thought I had a dog who would compete. There were only two problems. First she cornered like a battle ship. Second, I discovered, after she finally caught up with one of the other dogs (those big wide turns really slowed her down), that she was actually chasing the dogs and not the lure. Well, that ended her lure coursing career pretty quickly.

Vozha also hated obedience. When we would work she dragged behind me. I could not find any reinforcer that would make it worth her while to perform. So, scratch the obedience plans.

Vozha did much better in the conformation ring. Though she never achieved her championship, Vozha did get one major and some minor points, if I remember correctly. Showing a 27 inch self red bitch is not the easiest thing in the world to do, especially as a novice. Vozha did teach me a lot about showing a dog. She also imprinted upon my consciousness an appreciation and love for self black-masked reds. Mostly Vozha was a gentle and loving companion.

Vozha was the last of my original dogs to go over the Rainbow Bridge. She died after a short illness from a hemangiosarcoma. My life lost grace and warmth with her passing.

Currently, these are the only photos I have available to put up on Vozha's website. The photo above show's Vozha stacked as a young bitch. Then below is a picture of Vozha relaxing in her hot tub. She definitely knew how to stay comfortable.