This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, August 2013 issue.
Choose Me & I Will Love You Forever
My personal journey with German Shepherd Dogs started when I was around 11 years old. We had a fellow, Jim, who used to help out with the farm chores and the 4H Livestock (horses, cattle, and sheep) that I was always buying and selling. Jim owned this great-looking dog that would help round up the animals, herd them into the corrals, and hold them for medication that we would give. Of course, I kept asking to have a dog just like his dog, who he called Queenie.
Finally, Queenie had a litter, and my parents told me I could get one of the puppies. I went to Jim’s house and saw 7 of the cutest puppies I had ever seen. Jim had told me they were “Purebred German Shepherd Dogs,” but they did not have papers because someone forgot to register the litter. Of course, those words meant nothing to me then; however, I had a dog who looked like a German Shepherd Dog, and to me, she was perfect.
So, how does someone pick their first puppy? They were all so cute, lively, friendly, and no, my mom would not let me take more than one, so I had to choose. Jim suggested that I call them and see which one came to me, and I did. They all came running, so that didn’t work. Next, we tried taking them all to the back porch, which was only about two feet off the ground, but it was still two feet. The puppies started looking down, backing up a little after seeing some height difference, and that is when I called. A girl perked up, raised her head, and took a flying leap off that porch. Yes, she chose me, and my heart was hers forever.
I named her Duchess. Remember, her dam was Queenie, so it was only fitting to name her Duchess, and she spent 15 wonderful years living up to that name and making me smile every single day. There are not many things in life that are so rewarding as watching a puppy grow up and learn. The German Shepherd puppy has big shoes to fill because truly the German Shepherd Dog’s role is “To Serve and Protect Mankind,” and along the way, they will love you forever.
There was nothing that Duchess would not try, and even more important, she would learn from any mistake and never make them again. For example, one spray from a skunk, and she left them alone forever. In fact, when she saw a black dog with any white streaks, she avoided them too, just in case. She was a natural stock dog; she taught me Herding and Tending. All I had to do was watch her and learn when to give the correct commands.
Whenever you get to watch a German Shepherd Dog tend the flock, it is truly a wonderful sight. Their natural gait, coupled with the eye contact to control the flock, is true poetry.
The German Shepherd Dog’s original function was to herd and work. However, the breed is so versatile that most families today use the dog as a family companion and house dog, and also for dog sports in performance or conformation events. The German Shepherd Dog continues to serve the community, doing search and rescue work, tracking, as a Seeing Eye dog, a herding dog, a guard dog, a canine police officer, and in drug detection, especially at our nation’s airports.
The German Shepherd Dog is noted for its aloof, gentle, and loving disposition, making it an excellent breed for families with children. This dog’s desire to please humans is legendary, and the German Shepherd Dog can adapt to virtually any living situation. These dogs thrive best when they enjoy daily exercise to maintain their physical and mental fitness.
The German Shepherd Dog is also a competitor in worldwide events. In 2013, along with the celebration of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America’s National Specialty and the 100 Year Centennial Celebration, the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, aided by its affiliate organization the German Shepherd Dog Club of America-Working Dog Association, will organize a world-class event under the auspices of the international World Union organization, Weltunion der Vereine für Deutsche Schäferhunde (WUSV). We invite you to come and see the world’s largest and most prestigious working dog championship for German Shepherd Dogs.
The WUSV World Championship is an Olympic world-style event for German Shepherd Dogs, to be held at PPL Park, Philadelphia, PA, during the week of October 14-20, 2013. German Shepherd Dog and handler teams from thirty or more countries will converge on the Philadelphia site to vie for top honors at this World Championship, held every year in a different country around the world. Don’t miss this opportunity; it will be many years before the Championship is in the United States again!
See the amazing ability of the German Shepherd Dog to follow a man’s track in an open field. Marvel at the almost mystical connection between handler and dog during a series of complex obedience exercises. Be spellbound by the protective instincts and absolute control shown by the dogs during the protection phase as a mock criminal is brought to justice.
Plan to attend the WUSV World Championships and offer your support to the dog-handler pairs of Team U.S.A. as they demonstrate their working ability and skills at the new PPL Soccer Stadium in the Philadelphia suburb of Chester.
The German Shepherd Dog is a natural protector of his family; no training is involved. It just happens, as though he realizes it is his job to make certain his family is safe. Let me tell you a personal story about Bailey, a German Shepherd Champion in the AKC Show Ring, who kept me out of harm’s way.
Our car window was smashed, and Nicky’s purse was stolen while we were at the Art Gallery. One of the people the police interviewed said there were some boys messing around the building and they ran into the woods across the street. After taking the car home, I decided that I would take Bailey and go back to check out these woods while Nicky stayed home to call the bank and credit card companies.
Bailey had no formal tracking training, but yet he knew something was lost and needed to find it. It wasn’t quite dark yet, but the sun was down when Bailey, with his head down, led us into the woods. All of a sudden, his hair on his neck raised, and he stopped. No growl, nothing, just a solid stop while he thought about what to do next. Slowly, ever so slowly, he started to back out of the woods, walking very slowly backward. Of course, I walked backward with him, my heart pounding.
Once out of the woods, we headed toward the van and went home. The first thing the next morning, I loaded Bailey into the van and told Nicky we would be right back with her purse. I just knew Bailey was onto something the night before. Into the same woods we went, with Bailey tracking as though he had done this a thousand times. He stopped when he was standing over Nicky’s purse. All of the contents were scattered, but all the credit cards were still there. The cash was gone, and so was the Tylenol, but the sterling silver pillbox that contained the Tylenol was there.
Once again, Bailey had demonstrated one of the many talents that make the German Shepherd Dog so special. Remember the night before when he backed us out of the woods? Well, I guarantee those thieves were just a few feet away from us, going through the purse, and Bailey sensed the danger and decided to come back another day. I am so glad he acted, and I listened. No one got hurt, the purse was recovered, and Bailey ate steak.
I am quick to tell this story and let everyone know that this behavior is typical of a good, sound German Shepherd Dog. Every family has a good dog story, and these following pictures demonstrate some smiles and probably lots of stories. Living with a German Shepherd Dog makes me smile every single day. They are part of the family and are very quick to adapt to anything asked of them.
When people ask me about my many years of loving the German Shepherd Dog, I always respond, “It’s All About the Dog”; so easy to love, to play with, to own, and they have you smiling every day.
As a Lifetime Member of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA), I have attended many functions, but this year we will celebrate the 100-Year Anniversary of the GSDCA. From October 8-12, 2013, at the Dream Park, Gloucester County, NJ, the German Shepherd Dog Club of America will celebrate its 100-Year Centennial, and we invite you to join us. We will gather just outside of historic Philadelphia, PA, to celebrate the founding of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America in 1913.
You can observe the German Shepherd in agility, obedience, herding, tracking, rally, and conformation. The 100-Year Centennial will celebrate the formation of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America in 1913 and the breed’s century of service to mankind. For additional information concerning the Centennial, visit www.germanshepherd100years.com.
For more information about the German Shepherd Dog and the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, visit www.gsdca.org for articles about the breed, including the Standard of the Breed, contact information for the GSDCA Regional Clubs all across the USA, and many more pages of information about the German Shepherd Dog, a truly wonderful breed. I ask everyone to always remember, “It’s All About the Dog.” He might even plow your driveway!
