Portraits:
A-Litter:
Cetta
Cikku
Guza
Peppu
Pupa
B-Litter:
Bahri
Barun
Hunter
Tita
Ziffa
Ram
Ch. Ram Ahmar
Tal-Wardija (Ram)
Name: Ram Ahmar Tal-Wardija (called: Ram) Born: 8th. Jan. 1995 in Malta
Sire: Rawl
Dam: Golden Brown Tal-Wardija Sex: male
Owner: Peter & Lucienne Gatt, St.
Julians/Malta
Ch. Ram Ahmar Tal-Wardija, owner: Peter &
Lucienne Gatt, Malta
Ram
I had been waiting for two whole years for Ram. Finally the day arrived when Charles and I made arrangements for Brownie (Golden Brown tal-Wardija) to be mated to this fantastic dog from Dingli. Brownie’s mate was of the larger type sometimes found in Malta. Of beautiful construction, perfectly angulated and with a most beautiful head. The resultant litter was full of promise.
On the 8th January 1995 Ram was born together with a further seven brothers and sisters. He is a twin having been born in the same sack as his brother. I was anxious to take him home, but I obviously had to wait.
Four weeks later I had to make my choice. Although at only 4 weeks of age, Ram made his mark on me. He had the perfect construction that I was looking for and he carried the most outstanding head. I fell in love with him. A love that has never been tarnished, till today. He was my pride and joy. The perfect dog was born.
Ram grew with Lucienne and I as part of the family. He was house trained in less than a week. He slept with us and went everywhere we went. Socialising Ram was easy since we had young kids at the time. I also visited show training to socialise him with other dogs – not that he needed much training.
At the tender age of around six months I took Ram hunting with me. It was evident that he had a strong sense of smell and could spot a rabbit’s hiding place in no time. At the age of about eight months, Ram caught his first rabbit. It is not easy for a single dog to catch a rabbit on his own, but Ram was successful.
Ram, in typical Maltese hunting terrain
When Patsy came into the family, hunting was much easier, since the two dogs built a strong relationship and hunted as a pack. It was from then on that they caught many rabbits.
Ram was shown in all the Malta Kennel Club shows, and here is a list of his winnings;
25-26/01/97
|
MRS. B. LADD
|
BEST OF BREED
|
|
5-6/04/97
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MRS. P. LAWLER
|
RESERVE BEST IN GROUP
|
|
25-26/10/97
|
MR. A.W. THOMSON
|
BEST IN GROUP
|
|
24-25/01/98
|
MRS. C. COXALL
|
BEST OF BREED
|
|
28-29/03/98
|
MR. BOB GREGORY
|
BEST DOG IN BREED
|
|
1-2/05/98
|
MR. DEREK SMITH
|
BEST OF BREED
|
|
24-25/10/98
|
MR. JEFF LUSCOTT
|
BEST OF BREED
|
|
30-31/01/99
|
MR. PETER J. JOLLEY
|
BEST DOG IN BREED
|
|
30-31/10/99
|
ISOBEL DYKE
|
BEST OF BREED
|
(FCI)
|
11-12/12/99
|
RAITA RITVA
|
BEST DOG IN BREED
|
1 EXC.
|
8-9/01/00
|
TOM MATHER
|
BEST OF BREED
|
1 EXC.
|
19-20/02/00
|
DR. ZAFRA SIRIK
|
BEST DOG IN BREED
|
1 EXC CAC
|
25-26/03/00
|
MR. JACK TRAVERS
|
BEST OF BREED
|
1 EXC CAC
|
27-28/05/00
|
MR. ERIC BROADHURST
|
BEST OF BREED
|
1 EXC
|
4-5/11/00 |
MR. JOAO VIEIRA LISBOA
|
BEST OF BREED
|
1 EXC CAC/CACIB |
13-14/01/01
|
MR. DOMINIC HARRIS
|
BEST DOG IN BREED
|
1 EXC CAC
|
29/04/01
|
MS. JANIKI STEINBOCK
|
RESERVE BEST IN GROUP
|
1 EXC
|
19-20/05/01
|
GERRY HICKEY
|
RESERVE BEST IN GROUP
|
1 EXC
|
29-30/09/01
|
MARIJA KAVCIC
|
BEST OF BREED
|
1 EXC
|
10-11/11/01
|
MR. HANS LEHTINEN
|
RESERVE BEST IN GROUP
|
1 EXC CACIB
|
1-2/12/01
|
MARISA BRIVIO CHELLINI
|
RESERVE BEST IN GROUP
|
1 EXC
|
12-13/01/02
|
CARLOS SAEVICH
|
RESERVE BEST IN GROUP
|
1 EXC
|
23-24/03/02
|
NORMAN HUIDOBRO CORBETT
|
BEST OF BREED
|
1 EXC
|
28/04/02
|
OLE' STAUNKSJAER
|
RESERVE BEST IN GROUP
|
1 EXC
|
18-19/05/02
|
LUIS PINTO TEXEIRA
|
BEST DOG IN BREED
|
1 EXC
|
9-10/11/02
|
KARI JARVINEN
|
BEST OF BREED
|
1 EXC CACIB
|
With the introduction of the new “Pet Passport” legislation, I was recently able to participate with Ram abroad. At seven and a half years Ram participated in his first show abroad in Uden in Holland. Unfortunately Ram had sprained his leg the day before, and did not walk properly in the ring. However despite his limp, he was still awarded Excellent 1 with Reserve C.A.C.
One week later Ram participated in the World Winner Show in Holland. Ms A Th Stuifbergen-Hoetjes awarded him Excellent 2nd in the open class. I was very pleased with the result because at the age of seven and a half, I wasn’t really expecting much better.
Ram has since March 1999, obtained the title of Maltese Champion. Now at eight years of age, I have decided to retire him from the show grounds. This makes me sad, because somehow, Ram senses that I will be participating at shows and every time I carry the crate into the car he starts wagging his tail and jumping all over me – like saying “take me, take me with you”.
Ram, showing his
excellent gait
One day, I was contacted by a high official of the Malta Post with the aim of helping them with the issue of a new stamp design with the theme - “dogs in Malta”. I was only too happy to be able to contribute – as long as it was for the benefit of dogs.
I had a few meetings with the stamp designer Mr. Ludwig Flask (who despite his name is also a Maltese) and we came up with some good pictures for dogs. For the Kelb Tal-Fenek, Ludwig identified two pictures of Ram. These photos were taken by the very capable, Mr. Jan Scotland.
Stamp, showing the picture of
Ram Ahmar Tal-Wardija
It makes me very proud that the Malta Philatelic Bureau has decided to issue these stamps on the 20th October 2001 but especially so since they had chosen Ram as the perfect dog for these stamps.
Ram has also featured on many books and magazines. Truly, a wonderful dog and a fine representative of his breed. Forever my best friend!!!