Kirschental - was BSZS HGH Results now up - Page 1

For those that don't know.... Karl and Marion Fuller of Kirschental kennel have been breeding since at least 1955 maybe even before then... They have made a huge name with unpresidented success in true working herding dogs that work sheep everyday, as well as have V and VA conformation. Their goals have been obvious and have remained the same through the years - keep work and correct conformation together for the best most well balanced dogs. Their high honors are too many to list!!! But they have had much success in virtually ALL of Germany's top competitions over the years. Even though "form" in the breed has changed a bit since they started out, believe me the function has always remained their highest priority. Long before there were "working" and "show" lines they stood out as THE place to go for the best German Shepherds for work, with excellent conformation to boot. Their kennel name is part of this fantastic breed's foundation, not ONLY in conformation but WORK as well!! Check your dog's background! Chances are you will find their honored name behind even your modern day dog, whether it be working lines or show lines!!Their successes have been consistant down through the years and most certainly have NOT been limited to their beginning. In fact it wasn't that many years ago that HGH dogs DID also have to do protection! What a title that was! Both herding and protection! Imagine all the work it takes to do it all! No one else has achieved what they have! They stand to this day as living proof that form and function belong together and are still together today. For 56 years, when others divided and went to 2 seperate extreems (work or conformation) THEY have remained true to the correct goals and have, almost single handedly, kept the German Shepherd dog as it was ment to be. It is with GREAT saddness that I see the end of an era. It is my true hope that their son will carry this same legacy on and never let it truely end. My hat is off and my knee is bowed to you Karl and Marion! YOU have done IT and remained true! I hope your days will be full of the fond memories of your legacy and when you cross the bridge your entire "pack" is there to greet you and once again play, love and be loved, as you did when you were young!
Respectfully
Debby Melle 
PS:
This was taken from my initial comment that this might have been the first year that no Kirschental dogs were entered in the HGH competition.

Debby,

Thank you for your great post!!  Sounds like even though the look of their dogs may have changed...their herding ability did not!!  Very good to know!!  I wonder what the future of HGH competitions will be in Germany now that the older guard is retiring.  Plus, not sure there are that many farmers who make their living as sheep tenders anymore.

I wonder if that is why America has the c course. It requires a lot less sheep like mabye 40-60 (I think) versus the 200-300 required for the HGH.....

But, I was reading something about herding on-line and the author was saying there is a big difference between a dog that competes in herding shows and a dog that actually has to herd for a living.  I wish I could remember the author but they said a working farm dog is tested every day as they have to work in extreme heat, cold, rain, etc...They have to be sound enough to do it everyday and they must do it well- no second chances as the sheep herder's financial living is based on it.

Thanks djc for the info &

It is my true hope that their son will carry this same legacy on and never let it truely end. My hat is off and my knee is bowed to you Karl and Marion! YOU have done IT and remained true! I hope your days will be full of the fond memories of your legacy and when you cross the bridge your entire "pack" is there to greet you and once again play, love and be loved, as you did when you were young!


I second that.

Ibrahim