Handler Profile - Gerda Companjen

Country: Netherlands

My Dogs

Currently Gerda owns 5 dogs - 4 Golden Retrievers and 1 Labrador (all with very good health scores and most are at stud)

Holway Leonardo
FTW Lowly Raffaello
Carwinnick Romeo
Roswin’s Lowly Rigoletto
(Labrador) Hanrebor Sir Patrick (FT CH Levenghyl Isle of Aaran X Levenghyl Hooker)

Achievements

Gerda has had two Dutch Field Trial Champions: FT CH Lowly Nabucco (the only Golden Retriever in The Netherlands who gained this title) and FT CH Harperrig Archibald.

The requirements to become the title are similar to the UK. The difference is to win an open driven FT and an open walked-up FT in two different shooting seasons and also earn at least a Very Good in a Show. Due to the decrease of game in The Netherlands it is very hard nowadays to achieve the title.

So she started in 2014 competing in 4 Field trials in the UK and was three times in the awards and one time Gun’s Choice.

Gerda has had two Dutch Field Trial Champions: FT CH Lowly Nabucco (the only Golden Retriever in The Netherlands who gained this title) and FT CH Harperrig Archibald.

Biography

1. How did you start in gundogs Gerda?

“After having a few HPR’s I started with a working-bred Golden Retriever from Cornwall in 1999. His name was Lowly Nabucco (Boogie Woogie) and he changed my life, my way of living and my view of working dogs.

His excellent work was much appreciated in the shooting field, so I could work him in England on the pheasants and partridges and in Scotland on the grouse. A dream came true, especially when you do live in The Netherlands!

Several times, Lowly Nabucco was used at stud in the UK and I kept two of his sons, Holway Leonardo and Lowly Raffaello, and two grandsons.

Nabucco was used at stud in the UK and I kept two of his sons, Holway Leonardo and Lowly Raffaello, and two grandsons.

Unfortunately, the long and happy life of FT CH Lowly Nabucco has ended recently after 15 ½ fantastic years.
The Labrador Harperrig Archibald came in 2002 in our house and my husband worked him most of the time. 
Followed in 2010 with Labrador Hanrebor Sir Patrick.”

Gerda has had many other memorable achievements and says...

“FT CH Lowly Nabucco gained many wins and was twice Top Dog Overall in the Euro Challenge at the CLA Game Fair in 2004 in 2005.

His son Holway Leonardo did the same in 2010, dropping only 1 point.

The other Nabucco son, Lowly Raffaello, became Top Dog in the GR Inter Club Working Test in 2010 and second in 2013 at the GR Centenary International Open WT.

Labrador Hanrebor Sir Patrick (FT CH Levenghyl Isle of Aaran X Levenghyl Hooker) received the title of CLA European Gundog of the Year 2014.

Beside this all, the most memorable success is achieved in the shooting field when picking-up with my dogs!”

Gerda can be contacted by email at gerdamcompanjen@hetnet.nl