Moa

CAN. CH. AOTEAROA OLDLINE FREEHOLD MOA

born 17 January 2007 - pictured at 21 months

Sire: Can. Ch. Aotearoa Manuka 2nd - Dam: Oldline Eringael of Freehold

Breeders: D Margaret Freeman and Candy J Rubenick - Owner: Barbara N Daley

A Moa is another fabulous native New Zealand bird, a flightless giant, now extinct. Nobody has seen it, but it really did exist. It's bones have been found in caves. I had been saving this name for a special male. When I went to choose him from his litter of 10, 5 males and 5 females. I knew right away he was the one I had been waiting for. Even as an 8 week old puppy he had that proud head carriage and presence that made him stand out from the others.

Moa grew up under the benign dominance of his slightly older half bother Salt. They were great pals and playmates during the first crucial 18 months of their lives. I am sure this helped each them both develop into the magnificent adult males they are now. He finished his Championship by 18 months of age with 4 Group placements including First in June and July 2008. As of December 30, 2008 he is unofficially ranked #4 IW in Canada by Canine Review Magazine. He won my own AOTEAROA trophy for Best Head at our 2008 IWCC National Specialty in Kingsville, Ontario under breeder/judge Jurgen Rosner, von der Oelmuhle IWs, Germany, September 21, 2008. At IW Specialties in the USA he won the Novice Dog Class at both IWADV under breeder/judge Jean Malley, Ainsea IWs , England, O5 October 2008, and IWAGS breeder/judge Jim Behan, Ireland, 26 October 2008 ( pictured above). In her critique Jean Malley described Moa thus:-

" The most typical, beautiful head of the show. Wonderful expression, well proportioned, superb ears. Neck is absolutely correctly set into good shoulders. Ribbed well back, good topline, and correct length of loin. Could do with a little more width through the stifle, and a touch more angulation front and rear although he is well balanced. Correct set of croup. Standing looks the part, and certainly the most stylish in this class, but would prefer a little more reach and extension on the move though he is sound as a bell all views. A lovely hound." Unfortunately the IWADV does not offer a class for Best Head, but it is gratifying to know he would have won it had there been one.

IWAGS 2008 Specialty Judge Jim Behan described Moa thus:- "An excellent young dog with a head of correct length and good strength of muzzle. He carries his lovely ear well up on the head. I like his arched neck, and it blends nicely into a shoulder that has enough angulation. Although his topline is level his croup is nicely sloped. He is a free mover, with drive form a nicely angulated rear."

It's now official ! Moa is #4 Irish Wolfhound in Canada for 2008 !!!!!

Moa has sired 2 fine litters, the first born 22 May 2008, and the second 8 December 2008.