FI ch. SORADEL DAMASK ROSE

female, b.12.7.2022

HD/ED: A/A 0/0

BACK: SP0, LTV0, VA0

SHOULDERS clear

EYES OK AS A PUPPY

FULL SCISSORBITE

NBT

"The great joy of having a dog is that a person can be silly in its company, and it doesn't scold but joins in the silliness itself."

Verna is my "surprise puppy" from Slovakia. She came to us in September of '22, and it feels like she's been part of the family forever. Initially, we hadn't planned on getting another puppy, but Verna's mother and grandmother bore such a strong resemblance to Almi that I fell head over heels for them. From that point on, there was no turning back.

Verna is quite the energetic character—she tends to act first and think later. She's lively, curious, and cheerful, though sometimes she can be a bit too much in every way. Verna loves children and people, but like all my dogs, she's not very interested in total strangers. She's always gotten along well with other dogs, and I can trust her to be with practically any dog without worry. However, typical of her breed, she's a moderate socializer and doesn't appreciate overly friendly dogs getting in her face right away. Verna is a dominant and strong-willed female. She's in a four-dog pack, but there are certain rules she needs to follow. She would happily try to get to the leader position if she were allowed to.

Generally, Verna is a confident, bold type and a very easy travel companion—I can take her anywhere. She just goes with the flow. Like Eira, Verna also needs a confident and experienced handler. I've noticed, though, that some unpleasant experiences have stuck with her, even though I'd generally describe her as a fairly resilient dog. For instance, she had a few run-ins with a puppy pen that toppled over when she jumped against it, and ever since, she's been put off by the clanging of those bars. She's not overly sensitive, but she's not a really "hard headed"- dog either.

It's easy to motivate Verna with toys and treats, though basic kibble won't make it in training. She loves prey-games and has a decent drive for tug-of-war games. Verna loves to jump, and get physical, and I've shamelessly taken advantage of that in our training. Social rewards have built up nicely as well. Verna is incredibly fast and physically strong. She loves to run, and we've been laying the groundwork for her in obedience and even a bit of fieldwork. I took things easy with her when she was younger, noticing that she would get pressured if tasks were made too difficult too quickly. For the first two years, we focused mainly on building her mindset and on making sure she enjoys working with me. Nowadays, Verna confidently tackles the tasks she knows, and I often find myself admiring her. Verna needs plenty of repetitions and a clear handler to learn well. Once a task is clear for her, Verna performs with real self-assurance. Due to her high energy, she's a bit prone to distraction, and I haven't yet had the chance to work her up to the level of focus I want.

Verna is an independent, somewhat bold character who loves using her nose and is quite skilled at it. She has a nice "drive" in her movements, which are smooth and well-balanced. I think she's very well-proportioned, even though she's right on the lower end of the breed's size standard.

Overall, Verna is a straightforward and easy young Aussie—a real "Goofy" type! She's a feel-good dog who doesn't take life too seriously. I'd love for her to have a bit more focus, calm, and resilience—maybe some quiet confidence as well. I also wouldn't mind if she were a bit greedier.