Kennel History

It is difficult to criticize success. vom KERVINSHOF kennel has a rich twenty year history of producing authentic German Drahthaars of the highest quality. Our record of achievements are well documented and published each year in the official German Stammbuch and breed books. In those documents a record has been officially kept regarding each litter whelped and the performance of each pup in every litter. Under the German breeding system the alphabet is used to track kennels and litters produced. vom KERVINSHOF will produce the Z-2 litter in October, completing the alphabet for the second time. The A-3 litter begins our 3rd alphabetic cycle with Alex III vom Kervinshof and a new generation of drahthaars. It is a rare occurrence when a kennel completes the alphabet even one time. This administrative process will identify a puppy as a product a specific litter and which kennel produced him.

Now it is time to evaluate what that breeder has produced. When a litter reaches approximately one year of age they will enter the VJP (Natural Ability Test) held each spring. This test measures the natural abilities of pups born from a particular litter. In the fall of that same year those dogs return at approximately 16 to 18 months of age for the HZP (second level test evaluating field and water performance) and possibly the VGP (Master Test). The VGP test, in the opinion, of most breeders and trainers evaluates the true measure of a dog in every respect. Without the VGP, many questions are left unanswered about the value of this dog as a breeder and the breeding that produced him. Therefore it is important to select puppies from parents that have performed extremely well in the VGP.

These published documents also list the performance scores, coat/conformation ratings and any criteria that may eliminate a dog from breeding. It may also list unsatisfactory or marginal performance in the field, forest, water, cooperation and temperament. Seldom can you find such public detailed information about breeders, kennels and their dogs. This is the cornerstone for selective breeding where dogs are evaluated for breeding based on physical and mental performance standards.

vom Kervinshof has produced 52 litters and approximately 430 puppies of top quality drahthaars. Our A-III litter will begin a new era.. In 20 years of breeding we have developed an excellent strain of authentic German Drahthaars. The majority of these dogs have been tested by many proud owners who have taken the time and effort to test their dogs each spring and fall. I wish to express to each and every one of our customers a deep sense of appreciation for helping us evaluate the progeny of our litters. These evaluations help us make important decisions about breeding our future litters and producing the kind of quality dog our customers have grown accustom to expect.

We have imported breeding males and females from some of Germany's most noted kennels. As you can see when you look over our Dams and Sires page. Our dogs excel in performance, illustrated by their test scores and are sound in coat/conformation and temperament. Our dogs have completed all of their German Testing and are designated as performance breeders. The majority of our dogs are products of the prestigious German Hegewald test where it is often said "the best" dogs whelped for that year enter this test. Our dogs have proven records of excellence well noted on their outstanding pedigrees.

As a person having an interest in a Drahthaar you will certainly have many questions and visit with many people including those with AKC German Wirehairs Drahthaar's importd from Germany generally during the 1940's were later registered AKC, and those dogs that have little connection with the authentic German Drahthaar in over 60 years. Therefore, a totally different product has been created and Americanized. I would suggest you look very closely at the Authentic German Drahthaar and select your dog from a breeder with a history of producing quality dogs that are to standard. As you research this breed and breeders you will be exposed to all sorts of rumors, gossip, politics and unfounded opinions that accompany the dog world. With years of experience to lean on, we have found those unsavory comments about people, kennels and dogs are habitually made by those individuals who know the least about the subject. In the world of Criminal Justice we have a wonderful guideline used in decision making: "There ain't no substitute for evidence". So whatever your interest whether it be dogs, guns or your next girlfriend we encourage you to look at the record of evidence and make a good decision.

Everything has a down side, as vom KERVINSHOF produces the historic Z-2 litter it is my trusted friend "Indra vom Burgwald" that is scheduled to produce that litter. This will be the 6th great litter produced by Indra. She has been a superb mother always producing a large healthy litter with her puppies having the same tender loving personality as Indra. Her pups have been top performers and loved by their owners. Indra has asked little of me during her stay at vom KERVINSHOF but she has given me more good days than I could ever repay. You know......... that is the trade mark of a true friend. So with some sadness in our hearts we know this will be the last litter ever produced by Indra as she moves into retirement. But as I write the record of our kennel there is a little girl lying on the floor with her head on my foot, looking at me with those big dark brown eyes. You know...........she looks a lot like her mother "INDRA vom BURGWALD.