There is/was much gossip about Igel from a previous owner and/or people who were upset with a previous owner. I used Igel for two breedings to my female and then I was blessed to own him for his last year of life.
He did have working drives and would hit the sleeve hard and willingly at 11yrs of age. He loved to play ball and would swim out in a lake to retrieve sticks.
He had very stable temperament and could be taken anywhere. Even though he obtained the natural character of GSDs (aloof to strangers-not overly social), he was not fearful or reactive of any person or situation. He obtained a balance of prey/defense and would protect if needed.
He also had a good skeletal system as he jumped in and out of the truck(full size 4X4) until his passing which verifies his a stamp & OFA Good hip ratings.
I own a daughter and a grand-daughter of which we are very pleased with the total dog of each. Daughter has good character, medium drives, gorgeous structure and OFA Good hips/normal elbows. Grand-daughter is high drives, good character and gorgeous structure. She will be hip/elbow screened at 2 years.
Every owner of Igel's offspring from my two breedings are very pleased with their temperaments and health. I had one health issue-a small spot of demodex on the face of a 4 month old male which I believe was stress induced due to vaccinations.
I am no expert or professional, but I believe Igel was a wonderful example of the breed. I also know that a gsd who is not total prey driven may not be a dog you can bring to your house, throw in a kennel and expect to work when he has no bonding. They can also be mistreated and refuse to play/interact with that person and potential homes until they are bonded and trust/respect has been rebuilt of people. Igel had a high percentage of DDR lines of which are not known to be extreme prey monsters but usually high in defense.
I can not speculate why the previous owner said what she said about "you had to tape a ball in his mouth." I do know that this statement did not reflect the dog I knew from 8yrs of age to his passing at 11yrs old. I am not deceived and think that there are perfect dogs-no perfect dogs or people. I also do not cover up weaknesses of my own dogs and I will also take responsibility of weakness created by myself.
I do not know this as truth so I can not verify this but I was told Igel was bought and was found to have heartworms when examined upon arriving at his new home, thus the reason stop-payment was made.
Just my 2 cents worth on defense of a wonderful dog that I loved and was blessed to share my life with for a short part of his life. His legacy will live on in my heart and in his offspring that we love and prise.
Sincerely,
Carol Livingston

To the comment below, Igel had his SchH 1 as well. Hearing from others who have seen him work, he had very little working ability or drive for that matter. I was told you practically had to put a ball in his mouth. I heard from his owner that he passed away, I think a couple of years ago. I met Igel in person, nice looking dog, great temperament as well, but I never saw him work.

I know nothing about what happened to Igel, all I know is he sired my bitch, Alex von der Friesenklippe. She is still very beautiful. I am not aware of anything else. Igel, as far as I know, had a BH and an AD. I saw him at his kennel a few times and he was a very striking and beautiful dog. The people who imported him had KRAMHAUS kennel in Nixa, MO.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/directory/Kristen-Campbell.aspx

Igel died in my arms on 11-8-09 at 11:02pm. He was a great boy who will be deeply missed by everyone who loved him. He was loved deeply by the Livingston family where he was retired by his beloved owner Kristen Campbell. Thank you Kristen and Ryan for allowing us to share our lives with Igel.
Igel lived a very happy life in both homes where he was a family member who enjoyed swimming in the country streams, riding everywhere in the back of a truck and watching over those he loved.

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die: Ecc 3

Rest in Peace our big bear! You wrote a beautiful chapter in our life book and you will always live in our hearts. We love you always!

This lady Kristen Campbell has not been very honest with me and never responds to any of my phone calls. I have given her my dog Marleigh on a contract based on 3 puppies back. I have driven there last year when she had had her first litter and when I came back home and brought them to the vet they already contained the virus Parvo. They all died and I was never compensated for anything. I was very distraught and still am because I do not understand why she cannot just comply. This year in februay she has had her second litter and I was not notified of their genders or anything. I never even seen any of their pictures. It is already July and I am positive she has sold most of them. I still have not recieved any payment and I still hold her to the contract she has signed. I hope that she treats other people with respect and just wanted to let people know her shaddy business practices. As a buyer I would be concerned and want to know about her dogs. I have come in contact with a couple of people that Kristen Campbell has done similiar scamming with as well. I am concerned for the well being of my dog Marleigh and I hope that in the end she realizes that what she is doing is not correct. I have waited and waited and now I feel like I have given her enough time to have paid me for Marleigh. Kristen Campbell is not a trustworthy person nor do I think she is a reputable breeder.

I was the previous owner of Igel and he never received his V rating nor does he have a KKLI, the person that purchased him Kristen Campbell not only is dishonest but she never paid me for him, basically stole him. Which was not a big loss, I spent over $5000 on a trainer for him and you would have to tape a ball in his mouth. He has no prey drive what so ever.

I bred him to a couple females and produced some decent puppies but only for show line use. He failed his tracking and obedience trial for his SchII. He also produced one testical pups, poor mouths, Long coats (not stock coats but LONG coats). I sold him as a pet, NOT TO BE BRED OR USED FOR BREEDING!!! I would not purchase any puppies from this kennel Herzvier, Smithhaus K9, RockenRranch, Kristen Campbell, Rhonda Lynn or what ever she has decided to call her self. I am Diana Jones (Kram) which imported this dog. Don't be scammed by this women she is a theif and very dishonest person. I can be reached any time at (417)496-1157 if you would like more information. And I would LOVE to know her address, so if anyone has it, PLEASE give me a call or e-mail me at info@gracelandkennel.com Thank you!

Very dishonest people Kristen and Rockin Ranch do not purchase!

Since when did Igel get his KKL1, I don't ever recall him having this before.

Breeder who owns this dog, Smithhaus K9 or Rockin R Ranch, is a very dishonest/ disreputable breeder. been kicked out of border collie club of america for forgery among other things. She traded Kassie vh mills for Aruba vh Phillips, never shipped Kassie to her new owner, and does not return phone calls or emails. she sells Parvo puppies. do not buy from or do any business with this breeder.

Igel is owned and loved by Smithhaus K9 in Glade Spring, Virginia.