Ch. Jenson Hells Bells - "Bella"

Bella is a real "personality" dog. She is very loving and DEMANDS attention. She is very much like her grandmother Eckie in many ways but more so her father Striker. In personality Striker was a "velcro" dog but in a very gentleman-like way. Bella demonstrates many of his little habits and qualities but in a "rough and ready" way. She's a very physical dog and loves to jump on you, sit on your foot, lean on you, lick you if allowed and tiptoe up to you in stealth mode as as not to be noticed when told to "go away and give me a break!" LOL She loves feet and generally any sort of touching.

Her show career had a bit of a setback to begin with. The problem was to work out how to harness that energy and excitement. After handling many Dobes over the years I couldn't get her to run on a lead in anything that resembled a straight line. Off to show handling classes we went. How embarrassing was that! Bella would turn 360 degree circles this way and that, nearly tripping me in the process. Try as we might, the trainer and I couldn't seem to get it right. She was just SO excited to be out with mum and going for a run. A bit like her father! Standing still doesn't come naturally to her. She is very willing as long as she knows what you want after she calms down.

Our first big test was the National Specialty in Perth 2003. Were we mad flying all that way with a very untrained Baby Puppy bitch and a Veteran Dog? Luckily for us she rose to the occasion and managed to make us both very proud by working really well, running like the wind and winning Best Baby In Show and also Baby In Show at the WA Club's Open Show. What a thrill. She also gained a few fans in Perth as many were interested in taking her home with them.

Since then she has won multiple classes and classes in Show at Specialties under Dobe breeders. She wasn't in the ring for quite a while after she turned one as we were in the process of selling our Sydney home as most weekends were busy. Then after selling was the job of packing and moving. After settling into our new home we began showing again in the All Breeds ring where she quickly gained her Championship. Points had to be shared along the way with her half sister Betsy, another lovely bitch.

Bella's most notable win was at the 2006 Dobermann Club of Queensland's Specialty Show under Miss Allison Cowin. Bella was awarded Best Exhibit In Show from the Australian Bred Class. It was a day when she pulled herself together and worked as a team with me, defeating many quality dogs and we were very proud of her.

To me she is a bitch that conforms to the Standard in many ways. All have faults, as does she, but overall I think Bella possesses many correct breed attributes.

ACT Dobermann Specialty 2006 copyright Olddawg Photos