Search Dog Floki- RETIRED
Search Dog Floki came to Alex as a 4 month old young pup when Alex was searching for his next disaster search dog after several unsuccessful and frustrating attempts with other traditional working dog breeds.
After having a long hard look at what would make a suitable disaster search dog Alex was drawn to working English Springer Spaniels for their hard searching and tenacious hunting in difficult terrain. A dog’s ability to take direction, be naturally agile, work independently and maintain its hunting drives in challenging terrain are traits often lacking in many of the dogs working within SAR and finding a suitable dog at the time was almost impossible.
After a long and frustrating search with many gundog breeders not interested in dealing with a ‘newcomer’ or were only selling dogs to government organisations or field trialers, Alex contacted Wentlooge Kennels in Bathurst Australia and a long phone call followed.
Wentlooge Fat Tony (aka Floki) a young pup in need of a good home arrived not long after and changed our lives in working dogs and won our hearts the moment he arrived.
Floki’s sire was Rostulla Hyweldda with both National and UK Field trial champions in his pedigree. Floki’s dam was Glastonpark Tina. Tina having both UK and what many would describe today as solid ‘old school’ Australian bloodlines.
From day 1 arriving in Adelaide Floki left us in awe of his hunt drive, courage and tenacity. At his first day at the Urban Search and Rescue Task Force the young pup was retrieving tug toys that were thrown into a 600mm deep bin full of empty plastic bottles. He never hesitated, took his line, jumped in, and had everyone in stitches as this young dog hunted for his toys under 600mm of empty plastic bottles and only emerging once he found his game. His natural agility, courage and tenacity was a game changer within the Disaster Dog community at the time.
To describe Floki’s work ethic as a search and rescue dog is to describe the work ethic of his sire WGAA FT CH Rostulla Hyweldda (Aka Raffles) who was ‘one of the best dogs seen in 25 years of judging’. Raffles was well known for his courageous drive and determination. Like his sire Floki is described as a hard searching dog with pronounced and sustained hunt drive. He is single minded when on search, courageous and his tenacity in never giving up until finding his target has earned him a lot of admiration within the search dog community in Australia. Floki’s search ‘style’ has earned him the nickname of “Bulldozer” carrying many scars and battle damage the result of his enthusiasm and tenacity.
Floki has been one of the most trainable dogs we have ever trained with an intelligence and willingness to please that would shame many a Border Collie. He has achieved qualifications in both Disaster Search and Land Search and is currently working with the South Australian Urban Search and Rescue Task Force.
It is with recognition and thanks to Hywel Blake of Wentlooge Kennels that we have Search Dog Floki.
Search Dog Floki came to Alex as a 4 month old young pup when Alex was searching for his next disaster search dog after several unsuccessful and frustrating attempts with other traditional working dog breeds.
After having a long hard look at what would make a suitable disaster search dog Alex was drawn to working English Springer Spaniels for their hard searching and tenacious hunting in difficult terrain. A dog’s ability to take direction, be naturally agile, work independently and maintain its hunting drives in challenging terrain are traits often lacking in many of the dogs working within SAR and finding a suitable dog at the time was almost impossible.
After a long and frustrating search with many gundog breeders not interested in dealing with a ‘newcomer’ or were only selling dogs to government organisations or field trialers, Alex contacted Wentlooge Kennels in Bathurst Australia and a long phone call followed.
Wentlooge Fat Tony (aka Floki) a young pup in need of a good home arrived not long after and changed our lives in working dogs and won our hearts the moment he arrived.
Floki’s sire was Rostulla Hyweldda with both National and UK Field trial champions in his pedigree. Floki’s dam was Glastonpark Tina. Tina having both UK and what many would describe today as solid ‘old school’ Australian bloodlines.
From day 1 arriving in Adelaide Floki left us in awe of his hunt drive, courage and tenacity. At his first day at the Urban Search and Rescue Task Force the young pup was retrieving tug toys that were thrown into a 600mm deep bin full of empty plastic bottles. He never hesitated, took his line, jumped in, and had everyone in stitches as this young dog hunted for his toys under 600mm of empty plastic bottles and only emerging once he found his game. His natural agility, courage and tenacity was a game changer within the Disaster Dog community at the time.
To describe Floki’s work ethic as a search and rescue dog is to describe the work ethic of his sire WGAA FT CH Rostulla Hyweldda (Aka Raffles) who was ‘one of the best dogs seen in 25 years of judging’. Raffles was well known for his courageous drive and determination. Like his sire Floki is described as a hard searching dog with pronounced and sustained hunt drive. He is single minded when on search, courageous and his tenacity in never giving up until finding his target has earned him a lot of admiration within the search dog community in Australia. Floki’s search ‘style’ has earned him the nickname of “Bulldozer” carrying many scars and battle damage the result of his enthusiasm and tenacity.
Floki has been one of the most trainable dogs we have ever trained with an intelligence and willingness to please that would shame many a Border Collie. He has achieved qualifications in both Disaster Search and Land Search and is currently working with the South Australian Urban Search and Rescue Task Force.
It is with recognition and thanks to Hywel Blake of Wentlooge Kennels that we have Search Dog Floki.
Adventures Of Floki