Are you thinking of getting a German Shepherd puppy? If so, the fact that you are reading this is a very good first step. Getting any puppy need serious consideration. You are hopefully going to have him (or her) for a long time and unlike children – he will not reach a stage of maturity where he can look after himself- he will be your responsibility from the day you get him – to the day he leaves. Feeding, exercising, socialising, training, housing, health and cleaning after him – these will all be your baby. It is a big decision and one that need serious thinking.
The first consideration is – do you really want a dog at all? Are you prepared to take on the responsibilities? Remember, if you are thinking of getting the dog for “one of the kids” – you will be the one who will end up looking after him. This is particularly so if the child is coming up to or in early teen years. We have heard it a million time before – just not interested any more – no time – school –friends, and any other of a myriad of excuses.

Having convinced yourself that you do in fact want a dog – please consider carefully the breed. Big dogs need big exercise – more food and just generally more time. They also need training. They may be reared in the house, but you may not want them on your lap watching the telly –please think it out.
Now all that aside: the decision is made, you want a dog, you are happy to mind him and you are dead set on a German Shepherd – what next.
Well before you fully make up your mind and make that very important purchase – give us a call. Take the few minutes out and talk it though. Any of the contacts on this site have years of experience in our breed and will give you freely of their time. They will advise you to the very best of their ability. Very importantly the advice will be impartial. There will be no personal – don’t buy a dog off so and so. We will not recommend any particular breeder, any suggestions made regarding breeders will simply be based on the knowledge that a particular breeder may have or will soon have puppies. What you can be certain of, is that there will be no puppy farmers or cowboys mentioned. The advice will be centred around the breeding, the kennel conditions, health and what questions you should be asking and what assurances you should be looking for.

What should you be looking for and what should you ask? German Shepherd dogs are happy, outgoing, energetic dogs. They generally have good health though they are under certain conditions susceptible to a variety of conditions that you need to make yourself aware of. They make excellent family pets – they are loyal, easily trained and will with maturity be sensibly protective of you, your family and your property. They need and thrive on company and exercise. If you don’t have the time - please get something else.
Do you want a male or female? Please do not consider a female as a breeding prospect. There are so many issues to be considered that if you were to suggest to us that that is your motive we would advise against it. Females are generally quieter, a little easier to manage and less territorial. Males can be a little more independent –please remember these are generalisations and leaving aside the possibilities brought about be females coming into season – it really make little or no difference.

If your are getting a dog to compete in our sport or in obedience – the seasons can be disruptive and a male may be abetter choice.
Regardless of the role your puppy is going to fulfil – he should have a lively outgoing nature. Forget any notions of a boisterous puppy being a boisterous adult – not so. Correctly reared and trained the puppy will be suitable as a pet, guide dog, police dog, drugs dog, bomb disposal or PAT dog or just about anything you want him to be. Character, temperament and good nerves are what make the puppy trainable. Drive can be built or subdued as required. The quite nervous puppy will be the quiet nervous adult and likely to be trouble – please don’t be tempted. To reiterate – if you don’t have the time, patience or disposition to put up with the outgoing youngster – please get something else.

Happy outgoing puppies rarely are the products of bad breeding so it’s here you need to start. Ask the questions. Do not be shy or embarrassed. It’s your money – your puppy and eventually your dog. Any responsible breeder will be delighted to answer any questions you have. They will show you anything you need to see and will be prepared to give you any reasonable assurances you need.
Please make it clear what is you want. You may want a puppy that you can eventually show, you may want a dog that you hope will be suitable for top competition- you may want a family pet where certain failings may not be an issue, i.e. a long coated puppy may be suitable. Make it clear.

You should get certain assurances. The puppy must be healthy. If the purpose is to show or competition– then he must not have any disqualifying faults. If issues come to light after you have had the puppy for a considerable time- you need to be clear as to how these can be resolved. Many new owners become very attached to the puppy very quickly and will not be prepared to give it back. We consider this to be a most reasonable position – we also think it is reasonable that if a puppy has been bought for a particular purpose and you have paid for that purpose you should get as far as is possible a puppy that will be at least to the minimum requirements. If this is not so you should be refunded the difference between the price you paid and what you would have paid if you had wanted a pet. Make this position clear. Write down the agreed position and sign it off.

Unless you are in a club or know someone it is likely that you initial contact with the breeder will be by phone.
Listed below are some of the questions you should be asking. Please bear in mind, by necessity we will be making some generalisations and you can clarify any issue with us before you progress. For instance we would generally caution against someone who has both the Sire and the Dam. There are of course some excellent breeders where this would be the case – we will know them – but generally we come across this where the same dog is used to the same female – season after season – with money making as the objective. Similarly we would generally advise you to deal with a small breeder – they will have the time to put into the small numbers of puppies they will breed – again, there may be a big breeder somewhere with facilities and people on hand who can give the attention the puppies need – check it out with us first.

Make sure you have a pen and paper on hand – write down anything you may need to clarify with us later and use these questions as a check- list.
Who is the Dam of the litter? if the answer means nothing to you – we will check it out. Get additional pedigree details.
Who is the Sire? same as above.
How old is the Dam? She should be no younger than two years and no older than eight.
How old is the Sire? not terribly important as long as he was old enough to have had his hips X rayed.
Is the Sire and Dam positively I.D Marked? Both should be tattooed and /or Micro-chipped
What are the hips scores/grades of the Sire and Dam? : We will advise you on this. Be polite, say thanks and put the phone down if they are not both scored.

What training degrees have the Sire and Dam? We will advise you further on this. Ideally both should have a Schutzhund title, the higher the better. The minimum you should hope for is a B.H. test or equivalent. You will want to see evidence of this. In the absence of a training title it may be advisable to have someone with you who can assess the character of the female.
Have the Sire and Dam been Shown, What grades have they achieved? Ideally the grades should have been achieved at a GSA event. Here you will have a guarantee that the certificate (which you will be asking to see) relates to the Sire and Dam in question.
Note: if the answer to the two questions above is no, or if the grading was achieved at a show where the animals were not tested for gun noise sensitivity, we would recommend that unless it is possible to carry out this test – you should not be interested. We will know the shows where this test has been carried out.

How old are the Puppies? There are a number of opinions as to the importance of this question. We believe it is vital. Puppies go to various stages of social development. We would suggest that the optimum age to take a puppy is seven weeks. We would caution against taking a puppy older than ten weeks who has been raised in a kennel environment. It is possible to get a well-adjusted, sociable puppy much older than this if the breeder/owner ahs done every thing correctly.

Enquire into the Worming and Vaccination regime to date

Can you have the Puppy checked over by your Vet before you make any decision? You need to be reasonable about this. Breeders will not want an unvaccinated puppy to go off the premises and be brought back. You may bring your Vet along or agree to have the breeders Vet do what checking you require. Be clear on an acceptable, (if any), arrangement

Please note – we do not suggest or recommend a price you should agree to pay. This is an issue for you to decide.

Assuming all is well, you will make an arrangement to go to see the puppies. Let your first impression be a strong guide. The property itself should be clean and suitable. The kennel should be spotless (ignore little recent accidents). The kennel should be large enough for the puppies and have light. The puppies must have access to outside and a clean, dry, draught free sleeping quarters. There should be clean fresh water in clean water dishes. There should be no dirty or bad smells.
The mother of the puppies must be confident. She need not necessarily be friendly. If this statement is confusing to you – bring someone along who understands. She should be clean and in obvious good condition and health. If the Sire is on the premises – the same goes for him.
The puppies should be outgoing, forward and friendly. They should be happy to see you, happy to come to you and be curious about you. A litter which is shy in general and may have one outgoing puppy is best avoided, the other way around is OK – just make sure you don’t take the shy one.

Try if possible to see the litter being fed. Do so after you have done all you need to do. They should have a good appetite and be enthusiastic about the food. If you feel you can trust the breeder – take some advice. Listen to what they have to say about the various puppies.
If the puppy is for training for competition, there are well known and suitable selection tests that can be carried out – talk to us if need be. Go back and take a second look if possible.
Find out which food the breeder is using – if you take a puppy you will need to continue on this food and if necessary gradually introduce any changes you plan.

We hope this advice is of some assistance to you. Please act carefully and responsibly. Get your puppy micro-chipped or Tattooed as soon as possible and get him registered on the G.S.A. Data base.
Without doubt the next most important thing you can do is join the G.S.A. Find out where your nearest group is and get there. Even if it is a distance away- make the effort. Get the best possible start for you new puppy – make sure you have done all you possibly can to ensure a long and happy relationship.

Alison Kollenberg (vom Norden Stamm German Shepherds)

For over 24 years Alison Kollenberg has trained and trialled numerous dogs from three different working dog breeds (GSD, Dobermann, Rottweiler). She has earned many SchH High In Trial awards in Germany and Australia. Alison is an AUSC Gold Medal holder and she is the current secretary of the Australian United Sportdog Clubs, the Gold Coast Sportdog Club Secretary, editor of Dogsport Australia and she was the National Coordinator for the 2004 Schutzhund National event in June. She and her husband breed under the ANKC/FCI registered kennel "Norden Stamm". Dogs from their kennel are found in 27 countries on all five continents, amongst them countless conformation champions as well as high In Trial working dogs, German State (and Reserve) Working Champions, German Police commendation, active SAR dogs, not to mention numerous Schutzhund & IPO 3 titled. The kennel self-titles all their own brood bitches and the last decade has imported several GSDs into Australia, of which a number were (and/or became) VA and V rated. The self-bred Amida v. Norden Stamm SchH3, Kkl 1 VA5 (SV Sieger Schau 2001) and the imported Fax v. Grenzgaenger SchH3, Kkl 1 (12th place at the 2000 SV Meisterschaft) are of a standard of animal they feel reflects their personal commitment to excellence in both mind and body.

People don't miss what they never use, so when the German Shepherd Council of Australia has an Executive that does not train and trial their dogs (or any dog), it is difficult for a club to have a hands-on appreciation, or even a concept, about what is necessary and required in the character blueprint of a good working dog. The background necessary to achieve any realistic understanding of how to go about testing, recognizing, evaluating, and then selecting for specific working traits is just not there. This is not a criticism of what I am sure is a genuine interest the leaders have set for themselves and the breed in Australia. However, establishing an effective maintenance program to preserve what is a quintessential part of the breed, is not a job that people with little or no experience in performance dogs can take on lightly, because the integrity of a working test is only as good as the experience and knowledge of the evaluators doing the testing.

What then when the powers-that-be in the GSDCA do not have the people with the suitable background and experience to service such a programme, yet resist delegating the overseeing of credible performance testing to another independent organization with the competence to do so?

Instead of seeking to improve the big holes in their own educations, the strategy to date has been to level the playing field down to the lowest common denominator. Putting up policies and promotions aimed to keep the rest of the membership like mushrooms; namely, in the dark, and fed on bullshit. Both misinforming and all the while restraining the wider membership from using other available ways and means to better educate themselves about the type of working animal they are so actively engaged in breeding. Schutzhund may not be a sport for everybody, but it is certainly not a sport for nobody, as the GSDC of Australia would have it.

An interesting example of the mind-set governing the GSDCA Executive's attitudes towards the sport is aptly demonstrated when, little over a year ago, I, as Secretary of the Australian United Sportdog (aká Schutzhund) Clubs, wrote to the German Shepherd Council of Australia offering a friendly and co-operative relationship between our organizations. The essence of our letter was, that although we appreciated that the GSDCA itself might not wish to involve itself in Schutzhund activities, that we concentrate on our similarities rather than our differences and pool our common interests in the breed in seeking its improvement and engaging mainstream owners of GSDs in a great social and sporting activity with their dogs. After all, our respective organizations did share many members, today and in the past.

We did not try to impose values or ask to make Schutzhund a compulsory requirement. Nor did we expect GSDCA to adopt running a Schutzhund organization themselves. All we asked was they not put obstacles in the path of the sport in the country and those GSD owners who may have an interest in this important aspect of the dogs. The AUSC proposal specifically asked the GSDCA for permission to invite SV Schutzhund judges to officiate at our trials, where the Germans could share their vast cultural inheritance of experience with our Australian trainers. We asked GSDCA not to use their position in WUSV to actively block our invitations to SV judges, as the current GSDCA Executive has been doing.

The GSDCA Secretary replied, informing us our request would be taken to their membership for their consideration. This did not happen. Instead our simple request was buried within the upper hierarchy and was never brought to the grass roots membership's attention. At the AGM, the only mention of Schutzhund came at the very end of the meeting, when the President moved a motion to, "continue the club's current policy on Schutzhund". All in favour. Of course - like I said, people don't miss what they never use.

Soon after this meeting I received a second letter from the GSDCA Secretary, blithely informing me that our proposal had been rejected by the GSDCA membership! What can one say? It was a shameless deceit on both our organization and upon their own membership. It also demonstrated a clear failure on the GSDCA Executive's part to understand their responsibilities towards their office and their membership on one hand, and towards the breed on the other.

But the deceit went wider than just within our own shores. In order to avoid meeting their obligations under the WUSV Charter (namely that all member clubs must provide access to shows, breed surveys and Schutzhund trials to their membership) the GSDCA had concocted a greater international lie, telling SV that Schutzhund was "banned" in Australia, and therefore (supposedly according to Australian law), the GSDCA was unable to meet their obligations.

Via different forums they perpetrated this deliberate misinformation, not only to SV but also to their own membership. And through that ploy, they allowed themselves to be absolved of any responsibility towards providing access to a proven programme that can guarantee buyers of GSDs an appropriate testing platform is in place for the maintenance of those performance qualities that the German Shepherd Dog has built its reputation on; a reputation as "The King of Working Dogs", which all breeders value and trade-on, both internationally and in Australia. I have seen at our breed events how proudly the GSDCA administration display videos of the protection work (Schutzdienst) at SV events. They must be labouring under a real dilemma; while clearly proud of what the breed represents, yet unwilling to do what it takes to achieve it themselves.

It's all about perceptions. The facts are, the Australian Government and the Australian National Kennel Club have NO legislation or bans enacted against a person or a dog's participation in Schutzhund in this country. There is NO hindrance to any person joining a Schutzhund club and training their dog at the sport. Which means the GSDCA has NO excuse to say to SV they should be absolved of their responsibilities under the WUSV Charter. Look around and see how there are Schutzhund clubs training every week in all the eastern states of Australia. Five in Victoria alone. If Schutzhund is "banned" in Victoria, as claimed by the GSDCA, how come the 2003 Australian Schutzhund National was held in that state? It was a well publicised event, one that could hardly be done behind the dunny door in fear of retribution from local Government authorities.

Last year while attending the WUSV, the GSDCA Executive's duplicity was brought out into the cold light of day. And confirmed when the GSDCA President was challenged directly by the SV Chief Breed Warden, where he had to acknowledge that Schutzhund was not illegal in Australia. Later, at the WUSV meeting itself, the SV President made special mention of their concerns that "some" member clubs were failing to meet their obligations concerning Schutzhund. Although Australia was not specifically named, it was Australia that was being referred to. The GSDCA is currently in breach of the charter obligations, and the SV has put them on notice.

Which explains all the Chicken-Little hysteria observed the last months within GSDCA, with officials running around in circles trying to come up with their own alternative Clayton's breed test, which they hope against hope will satisfy SV and thus letting themselves off the hook by necessitating they engage in some constructive dialogue about the dreaded Schutzhund. It's those bloody comfort zones getting in the way again.

There is no other working or character test that has proven it can provide a valid, credible substitute for Schutzhund. The incredible thing about the GSDCA's resistance to accepting this fact of life is that they are not being asked to make the test compulsory in their ranks, or to provide the infrastructure and administration for such a programme. Clearly, the GSDCA currently does not have the people (or the interest) to properly oversee an internationally credible Schutzhund programme. But all GSDCA is being asked to do is to get out of the way. Cease their active lobbying to deny the sport in Australia and cease blocking SV Schutzhund judges from judging Australian trials. Do support and encourage interested members that may wish to train and trial their GSDs at Schutzhund clubs within Australia.

In a Victorian court a couple of years back, AUSC challenged a local council's attempt to have a dog owned by a member declared "dangerous" due to its engagement in Schutzhund work. The judgement found in favour of AUSC. A weakly phrased legislation was later pushed through local council, making a vague reference to dogs that bite on objects. The ruling is indefensible in court - if ever would come to a court. The outcome is already pre-decided by the earlier precedent where the judge's ruling has already declared dogs engaged in the sport of Schutzhund are NOT "dangerous dogs". Furthermore, the judgement went on to allow that Schutzhund had proven to produce safe dogs, dogs that were good canine citizens.

I have spoken to many obedience interested people looking for something "more" to do with their dogs. Mainstream handlers who would come over to Schutzhund in a flash if the GSDCA would only stop with their false propaganda. GSDCA anti-Schutzhund policy has proven extremely short-sighted in meeting these "market" demands. As Herman Martin said, this is a big breed and there is enough room in it for many interests. It is only in the best interests of the breed, and the club, if as wide a variety of activities as possible are catered for. German Shepherd Dog breeding is working dog breeding. It is not only about show breeding. There is an enormous untapped market out there for our sporting GSDs, both within Australia and worldwide.

In the USA, the American Kennel Club's German Shepherd Dog Club of America is also in the throes dealing with similar growing pains. After 9.11 the US Government formed a new Homeland Security department. The American Kennel Club asked what could they do for their country. They visited air service bases and discovered the American armed forces used only imported dogs. Asking what was wrong with their American-bred dogs, they had to be drawn a picture. Now, after decades of resistance, the American Kennel Club has read the writing on the wall and adopted Schutzhund as their new "Masters Level" test for their working dog breeds. Like the GSDCA, the American German Shepherd Dog Club is also basically a show-based organization. Albeit reluctantly, they have adopted a "working arm" for their club through an affiliation with the WDA (Working Dog Association). This is the Schutzhund organization the GSDCAmerica draws upon to provide their membership with the training grounds, licensed judges, helper programmes and Schutzhund trials and titles required under their WUSV Charter and driven by their own home security needs. Out of Evil can come Good.

Australia, on the other hand, continues to engage in its head-in-the-sand behaviours. When a GSDCQueensland member (and AUSC member) won National Champion Schutzhund 3 at the 2003 trial in Melbourne with her Australian-bred GSD, the team achieved excellent scores under a USA (and SV recognized) judge which qualified them to participate at the WUSV trial in Austria that year. As member of WUSV, the GSDCA are fully entitled to send an Australian team to the World Schutzhund Championships. But they refused the team permission to attend. Why?

Was it the Australian Kennel Club blocking them from taking part? Was it the Australian Government standing in the way of an Australian-bred and trained dog? No, no - surprise, surprise, it was the Board of the German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia itself standing in the way of Australia being represented at the WUSV Championships! Imagine, the so-called protectors of a "working breed" blocking one of their own members from competing at the highest level of performance a breed animal can aspire to in its class. Go figure what such people really stand for.

The most hypocritical thing is that in the past the same GSDCA Executive previously gave permission for a German with a German-bred and trained dog, living in Germany, to represent Australia at the WUSV. This person was not a member of any Australian Schutzhund organization, did not trial in Australia, his performance standard was unqualified against his peers, and his character was unknown to the GSDCA Board. Knowing the GSDCA Executive's total apathy towards Schutzhund, one can only assume it was another political ploy, perhaps aimed at making a show of pretending to overseas observers (SV) that they were doing their bit to support the sport. WUSV finally found out and put an end to it.

We can't "teach" dogs how to bite. They bite all on their own. How and when and why they bite is what we need to understand and make ourselves responsible for knowing. Putting our heads in the sand and hoping we won't be held responsible at some later date, when we knowingly breed these large predators without any credible controls or proper, internationally accedited testing programme in place to evaluate their substance and essence, is not going to hold water in the public domain when push comes to shove. A Schutzhund test is sort of like a car crash testing programme. An outsider looking at one might think it isn't very safe to get into a motor vehicle. But the object of the test is to proof the capability of the car to stand up safely to the task it has been built for. The same in a Schutzhund test. We subject our dogs to the full range of pressures and stresses and ask them to work through it alone and under controlled guidance. It takes steady nerves, robustness, an ability to focus mind and energy to do the job ... and the engine that provides the power for it all is the dog's very real inheritable working "drives", of a type and structure that can enable a dog to properly pass a Schutzhund test in all three phases.

Why reinvent the wheel when history proves there is no other working test coming anywhere near to meeting these standards? It is no coincidence that the Australian and the USA's Armed Services find they need to import dogs at great expense from those countries that DO test their breeding stock appropriately. Local breeders that cannot readily provide a reliable standard of dog capable of working honestly and effectively under pressure are simply not reading the writing on the wall. No Function... no Type, no Type... no Breed.

Paying shallow lip service by enacting ineffective Clayton's tests only underlines the lack of real commitment towards installing a credible framework from which breeders and owners can test dogs within. Is it any wonder then that actual function is made redundant by such shallow policies, and then when leaders fall off the rails, that breeders lose their way too? As any child knows, the most beautiful dog in the world with a bad character is a bad dog. People can only make educated breeding decisions when they have the relevant information from which to form a basis for making capable decisions upon. In my opinion, the biggest favour the GSDCA can do itself and the breed is to quit running with their anti-Schutzhund stance and rather accept and encourage the sport.

Schutzhund is the best friend the German Shepherd has ever had. Yes, life style-wise and intellectually it is a highly demanding sport. But you don't need to be an Einstein to just enjoy this most wonderful, exciting fun and hobby for dogs, competitors and spectators alike. Go and join a Schutzhund club today.

For Australians, please view our Schutzhund website for a club near you:

http://www.sportdogaustralia.com

We thought this article was interesting relevant & well worth reading. It first appeared on the German Shepherd Forum and has been reprinted here with their kind permission - germanshepherdforum.com

The Two Day National took place in the beautiful setting of the Blue Circle Social Club in Magheramoarne, just outside Larne in Ireland over the weekend of July 26th and 27th.
There will lots of reports, results and photos elsewhere for those interested to examine, however what will be concentrated on here is a singe and extraordinary event – the conferring of the bitch C.C. to the winner of the minor puppy class – a female who just turned six months on the Saturday on the first day of the show.
Initially it is necessary to underline the positives and ensure this piece is taken for what it is – an objective examination of the circumstances of the event and an attempt to get positive debate and input.
1). The German Shepherd Dog Club of Northern Ireland hosted the show. They did a superb job, excellent venue, good ring, very nice presentations and had invited one of the best judges German Shepheds have to offer.
2). The judge was Herr Frank Goldlust S.V. of Germany. Very highly regarded and respected worldwide and has officiated at the ’97, 2001 and 2002 Sieger shows, he is a breed warden and Kormeister and has extensive International judging experience. (A copy of this piece will be forwarded to Frank for his information and comment if desired).
3). The puppy in question is a beautiful puppy – I really hope she fulfils all expectations

It seemed clear from Herr Goldlust’s comments during the critiques of the exhibits and in his summary after the show that he was of the view that, in the main, the quality of the animals presented was not of the highest standard. This is his opinion and it is respected – our objective as breeders and enthusiast must be to take the best advise available and do whatever is deemed necessary to improve – this must be the case not only here in Ireland, but worldwide.

The GSDCNI had taken the first step in this regard; they had invited one of the best judges. Would it then, not have been reasonable for them to have expected that the judging decisions would have been in line with the best practices in Germany and that whatever decisions that were taken would in fact help achieve the stated aim – improvement of our breed?
Would then it have been reasonable for them to have believed that a judge with the knowledge, expertise and experience of Herr Goldlust would have in fact have felt constrained by the system he was invited to judge under and not liberated to do something that would not happen in Germany? Should we as exhibitors, breeders and students of our breed have shared in these expectations? How, may times have we heard SV judges expressing the “wish”, that they could ask for the pedigree of the exhibits, ask for the training qualifications, ask for the hip grade, etc – they could not – that after all is the EKC/IKC the system.

So is it justifiable to ignore this extraordinary decision by just accepting that – yes, this is the system- or should we expect and demand more. Was this one of those times where it was just not good enough to get what the system allows, was it one of those times when to do what was right and proper and not just “do nothing wrong” that would have been beneficial and gone someway towards fulfilling the requirements of the day.
Herr Goldlust did nothing wrong, he did not break any rules – but was he invited just to hold the party line or was he invited to select the best from each class and then declare who in his opinion was worthy do be deemed best of each sex on the day, who were the possible future Champions and most importantly assist in the development and improvement of the breed?.
Extraordinary and improbable as it might seem, given the same circumstances at two more Championship shows within another month, this puppy could have the criteria deemed necessary to de declared Champion. Champion before she reaches seven months of age. Champion before she is old enough to have her hips X-rayed, old enough for even the most basic training degree in Germany, old enough to be formally gun tested. This surely flies in the face of all logic and presents a counter argument to all of those who disagree with those of us who are striving to bring sense and responsibility to these proceedings.

Could the same have happened in Germany and if not should it be possible? Would anyone argue at a judge’s conference in Germany that a six-month-old puppy should be able to be declared more worthy of the title Champion than an adult that has at least structurally completed his/her development? If this is not the case, is it just because there is a different system there, or is it because it is clear that there is no sense or logic to this decision, nothing positive for the development of our breed – and if this is the case, are we entitled to anything less here.

Why are puppies only permitted the highest grade, Very Promising? Is it not because they have not developed sufficiently to know what the adult will be like with any certainty, is a promise not based on a future event, does that in itself not dictate the decision making process.
These are reasonable questions but Herr Goldlust or others of a similar mindset can only answer them for us.
We need to think very carefully about these questions and this extraordinary event. We are responsible for what happened here, not Herr Goldlust. We tolerate a system that we know to be wrong and detrimental to our breed. It is long past the time the circus stopped.
Perhaps the exhibits were not of the highest standard –however decisions and “systems” such as this will do nothing to change this.
It might be “the system” but it is “our breed” –lets take responsibility for it.

 

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George Naive was your typical Irish engineering graduate. He was bright, intelligent and well motivated. His first job as quality control supervisor in a plastic injection moulding company quickly realised his potential . His employer offered him a two-year contract in their main HQ in Hamburg in the North of Germany. George jumped at the opportunity - it was what he always wanted - promotion, travel and adventure. The factory was located about 40k from the city and George's Company arranged accommodation with a family who's home was within a short commute to the site.

The days were short, interesting and exciting with all the challenges George needed - however the weekends and evenings lacked the social opportunities George had been used to in Ireland. The lady of the house suggested that George should get a dog, she loved them and kenneling was no problem. Their own dog had died recently and his kennel was begging to be filled. George also loved dogs and so being in Germany he decided on a German Shepherd. He had never had one before, in-fact he never had any sort of dog before. There was a club in the village and a little research suggested this breed and this club afforded all the social outlets George could have hoped for.

George's landlady knew a famous breeder. He was a family friend but more importantly he knew all about German Shepherds. He was very wealthy and had sold hundreds of dogs. George bought his puppy, the pick of males from the D litter - the 8th D litter from the famous Kaput Kennel.
George and Disaster were made very welcome at the local club, though George did have difficulty understanding why so many of the members expressed dismay that George had bought his puppy without asking their advise. Disaster was a beautiful puppy- pale but beautiful. Everyone said so but he was also a very quiet puppy, very different to the other puppies at the club, different even to the inexperienced eye of George.

Disaster grew on as beautiful as ever and it soon came time to begin his Schutzhund training. George had done everything that was asked of him but no one at the club seemed impressed. Disaster was a very quiet dog. He didn't like to play with his ball or tug and eating seemed to be a chore. Tracking was just not happening. Disaster also seemed to get upset at any loud noises and usually had to be put in the car if any of group the members want to gun- test their dogs.
As predicted the protection training went according to plan. Despite the best efforts of the club helpers, Disaster just stood there, staring into space. So disinterested in fact was Disaster's reaction that the clubs
training director was seriously concerned. Perhaps he is blind and deaf, he helpfully suggested, maybe we should take him to see the Vet.

But worse was to come. Disaster's paperwork was not correct. George got the forms back from the main breed club. The DNA did not match and there was something wrong with Disasters hips - no A stamp. George was not too bothered, he discussed this with the breeder – “no big problem” he said, he would find a buyer in Britain or Ireland. There were always people there who are looking for just such a dog. George was confused. His club members were distraught and consoling him but it appeared somewhere people were prepared to buy Disaster, funny old business these dogs. Anyway George had no intention of selling Disaster, he was his dog and as his contract was coming to an end, he would soon be home in Ireland.

Back home George and Disaster got on with life. Walkies every day, no gun tests, no tracking and no futile attempts at protection, no sweaty frustrated helpers to be embarrassed about.
As luck would have it while George and Disaster were out for their daily stroll a car pulled in and a stranger in a shiny red tracksuit got out. 'Just admiring your dog mate' said the stranger. , 'Thanks' said George 'do you like him?' 'He's a bleedin' bute, where did you get him?' George filled the stranger in - The Kaput Kennel, the from Germany story. 'You're bleedin’ joking, he's all German, said the stranger, appearing astounded. 'Sure is' said George 'but he's got lots of problem'. 'Like what?' 'Well his hips aren't good, his DNA is wrong and his character is not very strong'. 'Oh, thank Jesus' said the stranger relived, 'I thought he was sick or something'. The stranger now introduced himself 'Dean Ceet’s me name, me mates just call me D - D Ceet. '
I'd be interested in buying him' Ceet offered. George puzzled again, declined. “What about a partnership then,” D persisted, “can't just let him go to waste'. D pushed his card in George's pocket 'look- think about it and give me a ring, the Paddy's Day show is on next week -we can show him'. George agreed to think about it and said he would ring Ceet the following evening.

Having pondered the situation –George thought , why not?. Disaster might enjoy a day in Dublin and D. Ceet seemed so enthusiastic. So he gave him a call and George went through call his concerns once again. What about the hips, the dodgy pedigree, the gun shyness? Dee nearly fainted from laughing. 'You ain't in Germany now, me auld flower, the nearest he’ll get to a gun test is the Champagne corks popping in the Judges dining room'.
'But what about registration and entering the show, is it too late?' 'Just leave it to me' assured Ceet 'no worries; no problems I have it all worked out. '

The next day D called George, 'Its all arranged. Get to the venue at about 1 pm There's no rush, the judge is a good friend of mine and he is judging four other breeds – we’re on last'. Dee apparently knew lots of people and he knew a man who had entered a dog in the open class. As luck would have it, the dog was an unknown and had died suddenly the previous week, Disaster would take his place. His new name would be Rigor of Mortise and all George had to do was to turn up. 'Just don't ask any questions and above all, make sure you don't answer any' D advised. George was still concerned, “what about the I.D. check”, Once again D found himself short of oxygen 'get a life Georgie mate, this is Ireland”

And so the big day arrived. D in a new shiny tracksuit was in control, Rigor alias Disaster looked equally smashing. D was in great form, chatting to the judge, very impressive and as D had so confidently predicted Rigor won the Green Star and Best of Breed.
D was beside himself, 'its not over yet me aul’ flower'. More confusion for George, this was only part of success. Apparently there was more judging to be done, only this time Rigor had to go inside. George was beside him self with worry – what it Rigor got a fright??
D disappeared into the loo and arrived back looking almost unrecognizable. He had changed out of the tracksuit and now looked strange to say the least. Hair slicked back, blush pink blazer, white shirt, red dickey bow, powder blue slacks and white shoes, 'its all part of the gig' he explained.

Anyway into the big ring they went. Rigor looked petrified but seemingly that didn't matter. The judge who seemed to know Dee apparently liked Rigor. He told D that Rigor’s vacant expression is something that was sadly lacking in our breed and he was pleased to award Rigor with 'Best of Group'' Could it get any better! Yes, yes, yes!' D had some pills which thought might help Rigor’s diarrhea. He was very upset by this stage but there was just one more hurdle to jump.

The plump lady looked at Rigor a lot. She poked his ears and pressed on his back, thank God for those pills. She stood staring for a long time, it seemed endless to George". And she looked so intelligent. Chin in her hand, elbow resting in her other hand. Glasses on, glasses off, back turned to the dogs, lots of walking up and down, more staring more thinking. What could be going on in her mind? Is he too pale? Is he over angulated behind? What's on the menu for dinner?'
At last a decision, over to D, hand shakes cheers and raw emotion, Rigor was 'Best in Show'.
George couldn't believe it. The German Breeder was right all along, Kaput knew his dogs alright, Disaster just needed a different system The cameras flashed and backs were slapped, 'Is he at stud?' Is he at stud? they shouted. George hesitated, 'I'm afraid…..' he stuttered. D was in like a flash, 'I'm afraid the stud fee is €600, you can deal with me on that, we're expecting him to do well at Crufts next year.

And so the legend was born. Rigor went on to bigger and better things, he became a star. A major pet food company “Ancestor’s Friend” sponsored his food. Rigor hated the stuff but like D said' Just keep smiling and taking the cheques!’ He also acquired many lady friends and is allegedly the Sire of hundreds of little Disasters.
George became Naive in name only. Soon his opinion on doggie matters was eagerly sought. Seminars, Judging appointments – the lot. Apparently knowledge and success go hand in hand. George used to worry about the Judging gigs – but now he’s over that. Same dogs week in, week out, a poke here a poke there, and Bobs your Uncle – (at least until the DNA proves otherwise). Occasionally the odd strange dog would be entered but D would always be on hand to sort that out. D is a good one – it not just people he knows – he knows his dogs as well. As has been said so many times - where there are pedigree dogs – there will be a D.Ceet not too far away.

Disclaimer: Any resemblance to people or events is purely co-incidental (-:. unless of course you know otherwise.