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A note about the Breed:

             The first cross of the Pudel and an English Pointer to establish the new breed took place in Germany in 1881. The sire was "Tell", an English Pointer belonging to Kaiser Frederick III, the dam was a German Hunting Pudel bitch "Molly", owned by Hegewald, a famous Teutonic author on the subject of hunting dogs.​ Since the Pudel proved to be the stronger breed in passing its genes, many more Pointers were introduced into the breeding program to arrive at the breed, as it is known today. During the first 30 years, only 11 Pudels were used against well over 80 Pointers. From then on, only occasional re-introductions of Pointers were undertaken, especially after the two World Wars severely depleted the breeding stock.

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A note about Bodo:

               Sigbot “Bodo” Winterhelt, born in 1926 in Mainz, Germany, grew up in a prosperous family with a father who was an architect and antique collector, though not a hunter or dog enthusiast. At nine, Bodo wrote to Adolf Hitler to request the removal of the dog tax to get a pet, but received no reply. He eventually earned his first dog, a Jagdterrier, at 13 by impressing his father with poetry recitations, though the dog’s destruction of a Napoleon-era chair nearly ended his dog-owning days. During World War II, Bodo’s family lost their home and antiques to bombing, and he was conscripted into the army, sustaining a severe stomach wound. After the war, he was released into the care of Edmund Loens, a renowned dog breeder and trainer, who mentored Bodo in dog training and breeding, leading to his early success as a trainer, breeder, handler, and judge, as well as his marriage to Loens’ daughter.

 

                Post-war, Bodo and his brother Volkmar, a former Soviet POW and dedicated horseman, emigrated to Canada in 1954, seeking space for their passions amid Europe’s overpopulation. In Canada, Bodo worked various jobs before meeting veterinarian Dr. Allen Seecord, who hired him on the spot to work at the Nicholson Island Club, where Bodo raised dogs and game birds. His experiences there inspired the creation of a versatile dog organization. Initially restricted from owning guns during the Allied occupation, Bodo hunted with a spear and later became the first German allowed a shotgun for his guiding work. He also refused to swear allegiance to Queen Elizabeth during his Canadian citizenship process, leading to a pro bono legal battle that succeeded after two years, granting him dual citizenship.

 

                 Bodo recognized the absence of German-style hunting dog organizations in North America and, after importing the Pudelpointer breed in 1956 with Cati v. Waldhof, began promoting versatile hunting dogs. Partnering with Douglas Hume, he translated German test rules into English, laying the foundation for the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA). The first trial in 1961, won by Bodo’s dog Winterhelle’s Komet, showcased versatile dog capabilities, shifting focus from competitive trials to educational tests. Collaborating with Ed Bailey in 1965, Bodo helped establish NAVHDA’s non-competitive ethos, emphasizing education, conservation, and ethical hunting, with tests expanding across Canada and the U.S.

 

                   By 1969, NAVHDA was formalized with a logo and name, though early tests relied on organizers’ personal funds. Joan Bailey’s idea for a training book, “The Training and Care of the Versatile Hunting Dog” (the Green Book), funded the organization through sales, offering a step-by-step guide to training versatile hunting dogs. Bodo’s lifelong dedication culminated in his 2011 statement at the NAVHDA meeting, affirming he would repeat his efforts, validating his impact. This article, adapted from Patti Carter and Joan von Hardenberg’s 2012 piece, highlights Bodo’s enduring legacy in promoting versatile hunting breeds in North America.

 

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