Ghana News
Meet the Man breeding world-class Dobermanns in Ghana
Kobina Andah’s affinity with dogs came from a very young age. However, his introduction to the Dobermann breed as a child around the 1970’s, the love peaked.
Kobina Andah is a banking professional who ventured into the business of Dogs from an early stage. Starting as a hobby, he transitioned into a formal breeding program, birthing K9 Pioneers of Africa Kennel. He is pursuing an agenda to have an established bloodline of a superior quality Dobermann “to compete and win both working and conformation championships at the highest international levels”. At this point, he may consider retiring as a breeder.
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Kobina Andah’s love for the Dobermann.
What the average person sees in a dog is different from what a breeder in love with a specific dog can see, desire, and nurture. While one may see commerce, a man of honesty sees an opportunity to create the best companion for a man – a friend that will protect. And that is where Kobina Andah stands as a Dobermann breeder of great repute. Kobina Andah’s affinity with dogs came from a very young age. However, his introduction to the Dobermann breed as a child around the 1970’s, the love peaked.
He got his first dog from one of the earliest imports of the breed to Ghana. Young Kobina Andah was now face to face with the lovely canine he had come to love so much. Dr Sydney Quartey and his son, the late Kenneth Quartey, were behind the dogs that gave young Kobina Andah his first Dobermann. As he sought more knowledge to ensure he provided maximum care and got the most out of the dog, Dr Poku Pare and Hans Roth (a breeder of German Shorthaired Pointers) taught him the ropes in breeding.
Why Kobinah Andah chose the Dobermann
As a powerful and muscular dog within the Working Group category of dogs, the Dobermann is a protector and perfect companion. The courage, loyalty and intelligence of the Dog continue to be its selling point. Excellent at Police and Military work, this lovely short-coated canine has proven to excel well in homes.
The choice to breed the Dobermann is one founded on the uniqueness of its qualities.
According to Kobina Andah;
“Dobermanns are the only protective breed developed to live in close contact with humans because the breed was developed exclusively for personal protection. To experience a well-bred Dobermann is the definition of total, unconditional love and devotion.”
Despite loving and breeding the Dobermann, he also has a love for the Dogo Argentino; however, because they require highly experienced owners, he only keeps some for himself and not for breeding.
Having participated in several Dog Shows, Kobina Andah’s K9 Pioneers of Africa has won every category possible since they started doing conformation in 2018.
According to Kobina Andah;
“That was easier because there weren’t that many good quality dogs or serious, knowledgeable breeders and owners. To date, the population of Dobermanns in Ghana is minuscule compared to the other popular guardian breeds, so if a Dobermann can come out of a field of 4 dogs and hold its own against a dog that’s come out of a field of 30-50, it’s quite an achievement. The numbers for Dogo Argentinos are smaller still, but we persevere.”
Elijah is BEST DOBERMANN – JUNIOR CLASS, ACDS
The Kennel Union of Ghana, in partnership with the Shihtzu National Specialty Show, brought to the fur-loving public the 2024 edition of the August Classic Dog Show (ACDS). The event sought to crown the best dog breeds in Ghana and West Africa. Several Kennels and Dog Breeders participated in this annual event.
The highlight of the event, which also had a socialisation component, was seeing the majestic dogs taking turns to mesmerise the crowd and judge with the physique, trod, and conformation to the breed standards. One Dog that stood out was a Dobermann named Elijah. Coming in with an excellent head and movements, he was crowned BEST DOBERMANN in the JUNIOR CLASS, suggesting the exploits of Elijah as a top dog are just beginning.
Elijah’s journey to being crowned at the ACDS 24 event was quite easy, as dogs from K9 Pioneers of Africa are well-trained. However, he required some weeks of “beefing up” to get used to gaiting alongside a handler. Gaiting alongside a handler is quite different from the heel work Elijah is used to in obedience class.
With a strict regimen of maintaining the breed standards of a Dobermann and ensuring desirable traits via pedigree lines, Elijah required very little socialisation prior to the event. He is from a genetically balanced bloodline and gets to interact with visitors to the premises of K9 Pioneers of Africa under supervision.
Kobina Andah had the following to say to buttress the point of socialisation:
“When we want to lay the finishing touches of personal protection training on them, we actually need to bring in people they don’t know; otherwise, protection training is just a game to the dog which we conduct repetitively to achieve muscle memory.”
Elijah is one of Kobina Andah’s Dobermann at his K9 Pioneers of Africa Kennel. The facility is a breeding and training kennel of reputation in Ghana and Africa. Elijah is from the Kennel’s anchor bitch, Ch Ace Ancora and Chairman Carmelo Made in Sicily, both Italian imports from very old and respected lines.
Considering the fact that the definition of breeding is to improve and maintain the breed standard, Elijah’s win indicates K9 Pioneers of Africa is on track. Thus, it is an affirmation of the quality of the Kennel.
Elijah’s synergy with handlers at the ACDS was easy. He learnt to stacking alongside handlers. It made the judge’s examination and inspection much easier.
Regarding Elijah’s future, he’s gone back to his obedience training program and will be prepped for the KUG All Breed Show in November 2024. Kobina Andah will enter Elijah and into the COBA Nationals dog show in Lagos, Nigeria, in December 2024.
About K9 Pioneers of Africa
When you think of a pioneer in the breeding of dogs in Ghana, look no further than K9 Pioneers of Africa, owned by Kobina Andah. The Kennel has a reputation as one of the finest places to get a fur friend. It prioritises the well-being of the dogs vis-à-vis their purpose as companions and protectors. From Puppyhood till when a K9 Pioneer of Africa Dog finds a new home, dogs go through varied training sessions to ensure they are up to the task when rehomed.
K9 Pioneers of Africa consider a variety of factors when choosing breeding dogs. Health and Temperament are at the fore; however, physical attributes and genetic diversity also play a vital role in the choice.
“Due to the nature of purebreds, each breed has unique genetic vulnerabilities that may not even be possible to test for, so the rule of thumb is to intimately study the four most recent generations in a pedigree for longevity and quality. Some breeders advise seven generations, but I believe four generations work just fine.” Kobina Andah
Do you need a Dobermann as a Pet or for Personal Protection?
K9 Pioneers of Africa is the ultimate place to get that loving Dobermann, which will stand with you at any point. Aside from offering a number of services, including Dog training for all purposes and Boarding facilities, It is the right place to get a Dobermann bred for your desired purpose.
Locate K9 Pioneers of Africa in Agbogba, North Legon in Accra. Reach them via pioneersofafrica@gmail.com and +233502081233.
They are also available on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
A dog lover and Dobermann breeder, Kobina Andah has bred dogs, especially the Dobermann, for nearly 40 years. Starting in 1987, he went from imports to being born and bred in Ghana Dogs. He has also exported Dobermanns to several other countries.
