Old German herding type dogs - Page 1

The GSD started from some of the old german herding dogs found in middle and southern Germany. Several of these types were localized and restricted to small geographical areas. You have to remember that over 100 years ago, people could not travel as easily as they can today. Unfortunately many of the old herding types are now extinct. Some of them are still around today, though very limited in variety and in numbers. Thought some of you might be interested in seeing a few pix of old German herding type dogs that are still around today. Living fossils of the GSD so to speak :). Go to this link: http://www.a-a-h.de/schlaege.html , scroll down and click on the names next to the pix, then click on the link at bottom of the page that follows. It will bring up pix. I have known two of such oldies, one was an "Altdeutscher Hütehund", the other a "Harzer Fuchs". I was rather impressed with both. Enjoy.

Thanks DH -- This is very interesting stuff - too bad it's not available in English. I enjoyed seeing the 1950-60's dogs and the early history on www.kirschental.de as they have great pages on the history since Herr Fuller founded the Kennel in 1952. I was fortunate enough to breed to Vasko v Kirschental http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/109665.html in the early 80's (when he came to the U.S.) and still have his great-grandchildren today. Leerburg Video has him on tape with his Daughter in an actual HGH trial in Germany. (He was the sire of my 16 puppy litter !!!) 11 survived the birthing -- not to mention having the bitch survive was probably an accomplishment too -- (at nearly 7 years old). I think people that live with good Herding Dogs share a special secret -- others don't know just how intelligent they are - you have to live with them. Thanks to this Database - I can trace my pups' pedigree back 11 generations to the early '50's to the founding brood bitches !! (and I thought those dogs were 'old' till you found us those above).

Thanks D.H. I enjoyed that. I too encountered a shepherd with "Alt Deutscher Schaeferhunde". He and his herd and dogs were traveling along the Rhine near Cologne and I stopped and talked to him about his dogs. He told me that the litters are only sold to shepherds and that they are absolutely incompatible as housedogs. The dogs were tough as nails and the only thing on their minds were sheep and of course their shepherd. The shepherd was very proud of his dogs, with every right. It is a nice thing to experience still in this day and age. Sunny

good point - what a good GSD should be too -- Tough - (confident) -- take down a sheep that's misbehaving if they have to -- but consider the alternatives first (independent thinker) and then come in at night and sleep with a 2 year old and let the baby "ride the horsie" or pull his tail and not over-react !! a while ago I encountered a 12 week old "well-bred" show dog (American, of course - my favorite kind - tee hee) that was trying to eat the kids she had been living with for a few short weeks -- and they call this "sound" !!! Gimmmie a break.

My first GSD as a young boy was a sable Busacher Schloss male we imported from Germany in the 60s. The other Black/tan dogs always lookked superior to me in confirmation and pigment...have had many show dogs since. Our "house dog" is a bitch from Busacher/Dax haus lach daughter. Lacks some show quality refinement but more than compensates for it in movement and charachter...fun to watch her play with our Yasko and Neptune boys....they cant hold a candle to her moves. she can out run and out manuveur effortlessly. Never a tired topic. Dont understand the craze for the Fero or Lord types. To volitile for me. Have toured Germany several times. Your right...the old herder type has evolved and most likely for good

Hi Sunny and Pineridge, I agree. Very good to see that there still some of these 'real' dogs left - animals that have'nt had so much of the natural 'nouse' bred out of them through too much inbreeding. Have you heard this, Pineridge: Step on a dog's foot accidentally and, if it automatically shakes it off as of no consequence, you have an animal with good degree of 'hardness'. If, on the other hand, it carries on as if world has come to an end, you've got yourself a real 'softy'. Thank you for that, DH. Are we friends again, Sunny? Only just got here, and it's a new day? Cheers.

No, don't remember that (old age and all) but it's a good test -- I always said this of my Drigon grandson (1982-1995) If you cut his tail off and handed it to him he would have given you a sad look and said -- Gee -- I wish you handn't done that! But he would not have hurt you. "His nature was too noble for this world" -- I know Shakespere said that about a horse (I think) but we can apply it to our beloved GSD's, I'm sure he wouldn't mind. And I know some of those pups who scream over nothing - and the are big babies, indeed. If it wasn't for the puppy-buying public -- I might breed another litter - someday - but no promises. Right now it would be kinda difficult to get the 14 year old pregnant anyway, right ?!!?

Hi Peter! Of course we are still friends. Sunny

Sunshine, I get carried away by the moment. Always, always, always pay the price later in regret! Thanks. Hope you're in happy form.

Pineridge, You come up with some nuggets! What you said about tail and subsequent response is exactly what I meant! With experienced views on conformation etc expressed elsewhere, you've got to have another go at a litter - though virgin birth is maybe more feasible than using 14 year old girl! Don't want to stir up more controversy but (there's always a 'but'!), what do you think of Lance style of animal - ie high, fairly erect neck/head? Cheers.