Exclusive 1 with K9 Pioneers of Africa Boss – Kobina Andah

In a previous article, we highlighted Kobina’s efforts towards promoting canine welfare through the breeding of high value Dobermanns. As an experienced breeder and owner of K9 Pioneers of Africa, he has invaluable nuggets for dog owners, breeders, and pet lovers. Therefore, we decided to do a random Q&A with this Dobermann aficionado.

Background to K9 Pioneers of Africa Kennel’s Kobina Andah.

Kobina is a Development Finance professional. He started hobby breeding dogs in the late 1980s and founded K9 Pioneers of Africa Kennel in 2017, after a break of almost 10 years. He’s working at establishing his own bloodline with which to work in urban search and rescue and also successfully compete in major international championships.

Kobina’s preference for the Dobermann stems from its loyalty, intelligence and high trainability. The breed is known for its protective instincts. Dobermanns are versatile, excelling in various roles (e.g., service, police work). They require regular exercise and mental stimulation.

Q & A with Mr. Kobina Andah – K9 Pioneers of Africa Kennel’s view on the impact of winning at Dog Shows

Thesavannaonline: How does this achievement impact the breed’s reputation and your future breeding plans?

KA: The show is a tool for my breeding plan, not the other way around because a breeding plan exists before and many years beyond a show. Shows pick out who amongst peers is producing dogs closest to the breed standard because producing a dog that’s 100% accurate to the breed standard is impossible, and that is why even an excellent specimen cannot be perfect.

Thesavannaonline: What was your reaction when you learned the puppy had won?

KA: I expected him to best all the adult dogs, but he wasn’t even the overall best puppy on show that day, so we have a lot more work to do and shows to attend for the diverse opinions of as many of judges of high repute as possible.

Thesavannaonline: How have clients or other breeders reacted to the news of this win?

KA: It’s mostly our handlers that have the most significant celebrations because they make heavy investments of their time and emotions, and the aim is to win, so we also need to teach them sportsmanship, which is why no single handler works exclusively with one dog. They must be happy for each other and stand ready to step in as substitute handlers if needed.

A few buyers on our paid waiting list showed up to watch. That being said, I have not received any feedback based on Elijah’s performance, maybe because I haven’t made any noise about it or have any content for my social media handles.

Thesavannaonline: Will Elijah be involved in further competitions or breeding?

KA: The answer to your question is yes and yes unless he’s purchased and resides way beyond our reasonable reach, because we export more dogs than we sell locally.

Building on the effects of winning at Dog shows

Thesavannaonline: How do you plan to build on this success for your breeding program?

KA: The show results affirm that our breeding plan is on the right trajectory. Apart from the Dobermanns of totally unknown parentage, we were the only breeders showing off dogs produced locally. I wish that everyone, especially prospective buyers, appreciate the foolproof route of showing high-value livestock produced to get globally accepted affirmation rather than almost exclusively relying on social media hype.

Advice to people interested in breeding

Thesavannaonline: What advice would you give someone new to breeding and interested in showing dogs?

KA: The biggest and most common mistake is to begin with mediocre dogs in an attempt to improve your stock, because those mediocre genes may pop up when you can least afford them to. 

The best way is to seek out a mentor with high value stock. When they’re comfortable that you’re ready, they will start co-owning their dogs with you. The situation will further align the interests of both parties and guarantee mutual benefits.

Even international co-ownerships are possible, but those have higher entry points.

Thesavannaonline: Are there any common misconceptions you would like to address about breeding or showing?

KA Yes, as is quite common, the least informed are amongst those with the most potent convictions, followed by the partially informed. 

For this reason, we hold an open day/immersion once every Saturday so people can visit our facilities for a free hands-on experience and education. 

The list of old wives’ tales and ludicrous misconceptions is endless. It will be a futile exercise to attempt to mention them all here.

Thesavannaonline: What is your view on Dog Shows in Ghana?

KA: Since KUG started hosting conformation shows almost 10 years ago, this show has had the most impressive turnout of high-quality spectators, which indicates that whatever the show committee did differently regarding marketing and publicity yielded positive results.

Thesavannaonline: What is your favourite aspect of breeding and showing dogs?

KA The most heartwarming aspect of breeding is the unexpected feedback you get when new owners are awed by their new charges. It never gets old, which is what we breed for—excellent specimens of the perfect breed.

Looking for a superior quality Dobermann right here in Ghana?

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K9 Pioneers of Africa Kennel has a Perfect Dobermann for you.