- YouTube video of Solo's first day of training for tracking.  'The Scentpad.'

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 The NAWBA Journal, Fall 1990:

"Cover Dog"  Ch. Banjo v. Schwarzen Baeren, SchH3, angekoert

By Martha Sadler Hochstein

'Banjo was born in Germany on June 6. 1984.  His dam was a Belgian import who had been trained to SchH3 by his owner, Iris Haas.  Edel v Baronen became the foundation bitch for the vom schwarzen Berren kennel.   Banjo's sire was Marschel v.d. Stadt Homberg SchH3 IPO3 FH angekoert, from the famous German Bouvier breeder Willy Reisloh.  Marschel was working champion of Germany, and all of his littermates became SchH3 or IPO3.  Banjo, named for a popular German candy bar, arrived in San Francisco when he was seven weeks old - a tiny puppy in a 500 crate.  He stepped out like he owned the world, and his attitude never changed.  He loved to play with his toys and even now when someone visits he will bring out his old rubber ring to play tug-of-war.  As soon as he was old enough, we worked with the South County Schutzhund Club.  When we first visited the Club, none of the members believed that a Bouvier could actually do the protection work to obtain a Schutzhund title.  Now they expect just the opposite - that every Bouvier is extremely hard in the protection phase. 

By the time Banjo was three years old, he was an American Champion, "V" rated in conformation in Germany, SchH3 and angekoert (passed the German Bouvier Club's Recommended for Breeding Test.)  Six weeks before the 1989 DVG Nationals, Joanne Plumb began to handle Banjo.  The first trial they competed in together they won with a score of 286.  This was the first time the SV Judge Harold Hansch had given a dog of any breed a 99 in obedience.  In 1989 they placed second in the DVG Nationals with a 289 and, in 1990, third place with a 289, also a first for a Bouvier.

In November Banjo competed in the German International Trial for Bouviers and passed the Koerung for life.  He has a son and daughter with SchH titles, and soon others will be added to the list.  Although I had owned 4 Bouviers before Banjo, he was my first true Bouvier.  Now as I watch his 4 week old grandchildren I look for the little "Banjo," the one with the proud swagger, the twinkle in the eye, the self-confidence and who is the 'king of the food dish." 

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Una comes in season September 10.  First progesterone assay September 17 reading is 3.28 - vet also reports cell cornification. 

September 17 - the 20 year old frozen semen is sent via overnight FEDEX from Canine Cyobank in California and arrives in Minnesota at Inver Grove Animal Hospital on September 18.  Second progesterone assay September 19 reading is 5.9.  September 21 reading is 15 ~ implantation planned for September 22!  Saturday, Sept 22, it's back to Inver Grove and a successful implantation!  Here's what happens~ A mask is put over Una's face so that she breathes in a relaxant; she's put up on the operating table and her legs are secured in position, a tube is inserted to keep her breathing and she's given an anesthetic.  Her belly is shaved clean and antiseptic is scrubbed into the area where the incision will be made.  A drape is put over her body, an oval hole is cut in the drape to expose the incision area.  A 3" long incision is made and her uterus is pulled up and out of her body with a stainless steel instrument.  The vet examines the uterus to be sure there aren't any abnormalities to be seen.  In the meanwhile, another vet is taking the straws of semen out of the liquid nitrogen tank, quickly thawing them and then warming them in warm water.  The ends of the straws are snipped off, the sperm-rich semen is drained into test tubes and immediately drawn up into a syringe and, with a very fine needle, injected slowly into each horn of the uterus.  8 straws of semen were used for this implantation; 4 on each horn of the uterus (perhaps a teaspoon per side.)  A tiny fraction of semen remaining in the syringe is used to examine it for quality.

Banjo's 20 year old frozen semen thaws well, with good motility, forward movement and quantity.

October 17 ultrasound shows 2 puppies.  Will there be more??

Solo is born November 21, 2007.