ABOUT AUTHOR
I met Boris back in 1987, at a dog show in Zagreb, what was then Yugoslavia, as a 12 year old boy. The young boy, or rather the child, showed his first Springer, Aga, to me at the International show in Sarajevo in 1989. Aga was a pet quality dog, but the love for the breed that will last a lifetime was born.
Boris thought I could help and had no problem asking for advice. He wanted to breed Springers and asked for advice about the first litter. I told him quite directly that what he had at the time was not the quality he wanted and dreamed about. One great quality at such an early age was to accept advice, realistically look at your dogs, and start over and go in a search of a foundation bitch. The foundation bitch arrived in 1992, with a top pedigree and looked outstanding. At that time, ex-Yugoslavia was at war, and the circumstances for breeding dogs were bad.
Boris went to the USA in 1994, where he had the opportunity to learn from the best people in the breed and beyond. After 10 years in the USA, now as an informed breeder, cynologist and dog show judge, Boris returned to Zagreb, Croatia, in February 2003.
He opened his own grooming salon in Zagreb and passed on the knowledge acquired in the USA to new generations. He continued to breed, exhibit and judge, so that after the American experience, he gained European experience in the breed, which gave him a breadth and open view of the breed around the world. In 2013, Boris moved to Canada where he continues to grow, now enriched by the European experience.
Breeding Springers in Croatia, USA and Canada, Boris’ dogs became Champions in the USA, South Africa, Asia, and all over Europe. He bred a World Winner and four different BIS winners on three different continents. In his judging career, Boris has judged in South Africa, England, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark and Finland.
Throughout his life as a breeder, exhibitor, judge, writer, and groomer on both sides of the Atlantic, his experiences give Boris a fantastic position from which to write a book about the breed he loves so much. There are few people who have had the opportunity to see the breed from all sides, so I am convinced that Boris is the ideal person to give one global overview of the breed.
I am glad that this extremely valuable book is finally in your hands, and that a good part of the history of this wonderful breed has been recorded in it.
Davor Javor
Reata Old English Sheepdogs | Croatian Kennel Club and FCI International all- breed judge