Winstar Nightwatch Kennel

A Nose for your Eyes

Welcome to the official website of Winstar Nightwatch Kennel, Inc. breeding and training center for the working dog. Our corporation currently has two divisions. One operates under the commercial name Winstarpr. This division is dedicated to the breeding and sales of Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds. It provides private training in basic / advanced obedience, and personal /area protection. It also provides animal identification with microchips and/or tattoos.

The second division operates under the commercial name Winstarpr K9. This division provides training and certification of canines in: narcotics, firearms, and explosives detection; tracking, and search and rescue. These services are certified by the American Working Dog Association. Our specialized programs are also included in this division. The private detection services program includes, Secure School/Campus, Secure Industry, and Secure Domicile. The Integrated K-9 Team program provides for the training and maintenance of handlers and their canines.

About the Breeder / Trainer

Tomás IrizarryTomas Irizarry is the breeder / Trainer for Winstar Nightwatch Kennel. He has loved dogs since he was old enough to know what they were. It was not until 1987, however, that he began breeding his line of German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Dobermans. It was at that time when he named his breeding line Winstar. During his breeding career he educated himself with trainers, other breeders, books and videos, until he developed a science based system for caring for his bitches and raising his puppies. His dogs participated in competitions and won titles for their beauty and temperament.

As time passed, he developed a combined system for obedience training utilizing motivational techniques. This system is based on clear communication, positive reinforcement and minimal corrections to build drive and reduce stress.

During all those years, his passion was always the working dog. He loved their strength, natural aggressiveness, intelligence and loyalty. He understood the importance of well behaved dogs but he also understood the need for protection.

He went on to develop skills in training dogs for protection. While in this field he saw the Belgian Malinois. He was impressed with their speed, stamina and intelligence. He saw the potential role they could play in law enforcement as patrol dogs, detection, tracking and search and rescue. He did the research and dedicated himself to learn more and more about this breed. At the same time he participated in numerous seminars on techniques for bite training, training puppies in Ring Sports exercises, and more recently becoming a certified trainer for detection dogs.

He had the idea for Winstar Nightwatch Kennel. When he got together with Dr. Ada I. Rivera, the idea became a reality. Winstar Nightwatch Kennel, Inc. under the commercial name Winstarpr, dedicates itself to not only breeding a great line of working Malinois, but to also training them in obedience, protection and now detection under the commercial name of Winstarpr K-9.

The future is bright for this highly skilled, highly motivated breeder and trainer.

May16

¿Realmente importa el pedigrí?

El pedigrí es un diagrama resumen de antepasados del perro. Como tal, su utilidad depende de su exactitud.

Si algunos de los antepasados que figuran son incorrectos, se reduce la utilidad. Las características de los más reciente antepasados son más importantes que las de los antepasados más remotos. Cada individuo hereda la mitad de los genes de sus padres. Las características de ambos padres son igualmente importantes. Cada padre heredó la mitad de sus genes de cada uno de sus padres, y usted puede buscar hacia atrás desde allí. Así que un perro individual (o persona, gato, etc.) hereda en el promedio ¼ de sus genes (½ x ½) de cada abuelo y 1/16 de sus genes (¼ x ¼) de sus bisabuelos. Un decimosexto es sólo 6,25%! Los perros tienen probablemente en algún lugar alrededor de 25.000 pares de genes. Así 6,25% de que es 1,562. Eso es todavía un montón de genes, pero sólo una pequeña parte del total. De todas formas, sobre todo para la mayoría de los compradores de perros, la competencia e integridad del criador son mucho más importantes que el pedigrí publicado. Lo qué es en última instancia importante es la calidad del perro que se está comprando en vez que la supuesta ascendencia como se muestra en un pedazo de papel. Lamentablemente hay una tendencia a que los compradores compren  un pedigrí en lugar del propio animal. ¿Por qué? 

Written by Tomás Irizarry, Posted in Training

Nov21

Protection Dogs: are we really breeding them?

The increase in violent crimes in Puerto Rico has made the use of canines for personal protection an important option. For those of us that breed dogs for protection it begs the question, are we really breeding a dog suitable for protection. Through my research on this subject I found this article that shows one breeder/trainer's interesting point of view and gives us food for thought.

About 20% of the canines that are born here come from show or sports lines. 70% come from mascots that are mixed with the sole purpose of making money. These persons do not even understand or respect what the breed was created for. Only 10% of the canines come from working dog lines and genuine, responsable breeders. We have to be careful and not make the mistake of promoting this illegal market of dog sales. If not, with time, we will not be able to fine real protection dogs in Puerto Rico.

Posted in Training

Contact

Bo. Monte Grande. Carr. 102 Km 22.9
Cabo Rojo, PR 00623 See Map >>
Tel: (787) 630-9926