The German Shepherd Dog

Max v. Stephanitz on Horand von Grafrath SZ1, the first registered German Shepherd Dog

"His character corresponded to his exterior qualities; marvellous in his insinuating fidelity to his master; towards all others the complete indifference of a master-mind, with a boundless and irrepressible zest for living. Although untrained in his puppyhood, nevertheless obedient to the slightest nod when at his master's side; but when left to himself, the maddest rascal, the wildest ruffian and an incorrigible provoker of strife. Never idle, always on the go; well-disposed to harmless people, but no cringer, mad on children and always ---in love. He suffered from a suppressed, or better, a superfluity of unemployed energy; for he was in heaven when someone was occupied with him, and he was then the most tractable of dogs. "

The photo is of my Mikey. He's changed a lot since that photo was taken shortly after we adopted him. The words that Max wrote about Horand could have been written about Mikey. Mikey is all GSD.... wants to work, has a passion for learning and trying to understand what I want. He's a trouble maker when left to his own devices... knocking over trash, barking at the turn of a blade of grass and antagonizing the horses. He also has a passion for women's panties. He has captured my heart as only a proper GSD can. I love all my dogs, don't get me wrong. It's just that I'm a GSD girl, have been since childhood. This breed can still captivate and astound me in ways no other breed can. Intuitive leaps in training, iron-clad loyalty, always up for whatever I want to do, and willing and able to provide serious protection should I need it.

If you don't appreciate begging dogs...

don't feed them while you're eating!

Dogs are easier to train than husbands. *I* don't mind if they beg, and I've taught each of them a cute begging behavior. It amuses me, and I always share what I'm eating with them. Husband is mercurial... some days he doesn't mind and will feed them, the next he might want me to put them up, or put up the baby gate so he's left alone. I have no sympathy for him. Pick a path and stick to it!

Working Dogs, part one

Kira with the ball she stole from the horses, with Mikey and Winston looking on.

I think my first introduction to a true working dog was with the McNab pup that my grandfather gave me when I was 11 or 12. At the time, he had sheep and cattle on their place in Healdsburg CA. He was acquainted with 'old man McNab', who provided the pup he gave to me. She was a great dog... when she was three or four, I had my horse stabled at the fairgrounds, and also took care of horses for others.

I would turn the horses into the infield of the track as I cleaned stalls so they could get some grass. Once I was done with the stalls, I'd bring them in, one by one, until all horses were bedded down and fed.

One day I was sidetracked just before I went to get the first horse, talking to my trainer at the time. As we stood there, chins dropping to the ground, Lucky brought in the first horse, seeing her into her stall... standing with her head held low, almost daring that mare to try to come back out.

We were, well, flabbergasted to say the least.

That evening, Lucky brought in all the horses, one by one, seeing each to it's own stall. And she continued with her 'job', until we moved to Oregon.

Remarkable, no? Amazing, even? I'd say yes. Now take this in... I had never worked her at all, yet she knew the horses names, and could bring them with a simple: "Get Clover." Even more amazing, right? Now for the real magic! Two of the mares were identical twins, Holly and Mistletoe, and she knew which was which, and never put one into the other's stall.

Wow. I have another amazing dog story of Lucky, I'll save it for another post.

My point? Give working dogs work! While Lucky seemed happy at home on our small lot, she really shined when bringing the horses in, holding them in their stalls until I came to latch the door. She blossomed. Our relationship grew exponentially. I learned more about my little McNab working her, than I ever did living with her as a companion.

The New Pack

Awww, what a pair, eh? On the left is Kira, also known as Havoc vom Schroeder Haus RN. Probably won't be naming a dog 'havoc' again. ;-)

Mikey is on the right. I rarely take photos, other than of the items I make for my shop. However, I am sooooo certain that my Mikey is NEVER leaving here, that I took his PAL/ILP photos today.

AKC has a program where dogs that are obviously purebred can get a certificate that allows them to participate in AKC performance events, as long as they're spayed or neutered. I'm going to register him as River Camp Mikey.

My place has been known as 'river camp' to many dog people over the years.... I sometimes board performance dogs for friends. I think 'River Camp Mikey' has a nice sound to it.

I've planned to get a new pup every five years, figuring that would give me my main competition dog, one that's retired, and a new up and comer. When I was setting up Mikey's file today, I decided to get the other dog's birthdays on the calendar. I was shocked to see that Dice, our border collie, turned *7* on May 10th. I guess we've been saying she's 'five or six' for a couple of years now. :-) With Kira turning 8 on Sept. 9, and Winston turning 10 on Sept 9 {not a typo!}, Mikey has come at a good time.

Mikey stacks much better and looks nicer than the stand I caught him in, but I'm anxious to get his ILP over and done with. We're all just tickled pink with him, couldn't have found a better match. To me, the GSD is the ultimate companion. One of my friends once said "of course you love German Shepherds, you ARE a German Shepherd! Intensely loyal, honest to a fault, and not a bit afraid to use your teeth when the situation warrants.

Yep, that's me. Now, quit reading my blog, and take the dogs out. Give 'em a few scritches for from Auntie Deb.