And another era begins its ending... - Page 2

I think there are a fair number of US breeders who will be attending the Sieger. Some are probably interested in looking at these dogs for sale. To Aqua's point, most I know, myself included,  would not consider bringing any of these dogs to the US sight unseen. I assume his/her dogs were not bred by Fullers, their dams were. Is that right? I've seen pedigrees on dogs bred here out of Kirchental that I would not touch either, no health checks on parents, no hips xrays, nothing. Some here buy good foundation dogs and then breed them haphazardly. Not saying that is true with Aqua's dogs.  

At any rate, I suspect these dogs aren't going to be available for very long. I have to think that there is at least some interest in Germany too where they would cost a lot less. If not, that would be a yellow flag for me.

 

Well, I'm just thinking outloud...of course one would have to go to Germany, but I suppose, only if one has the right contacts, too. That could be worth a flight ticket to the right person? This seems to be a one time opportunity? Couldn't the right showline breeder in the US be tempted? Who would that be, I wonder?

I am sorry to hear this.  Are there any other Breeders in Germany that have herding lines in their dogs? Who will step up, and stand in the gap when the Kirschental name and dogs are no more?

All the best to this family. You did a great job with this breed. You put the dogs first!
Honest too! Thank-you Mr. and Mrs. Fuller and the Kirschental German Shepherd!

Dawn B.

Aqua & Blitzen, you'll get no arguments from me there--breedings not done by the Füllers themselves are not always the best representatives of the lines, despite the fact that the dogs being bred were directly from the Kirschental kennels.  I was fortunate in that the breedings which ultimately produced my US-bred and-born female were done by, or with the direct recommendation of, Herr Füller...later litters produced by the same US breeder using these lines, in combination with other German lines, did not produce in the same manner as those done with his advisement. 

That's precisely why I'm sad to see the Füller family is no longer going to be stewarding their lines...because how the dogs will be used for breeding by others is going to produce a far different type than what they produced, more than likely. Karl and Marion Füller have, stored in their memories and records, the specifics of every dog and every bitch that appear in the pedigrees of their current dogs: what each was like to live with, what kind of worker the dog or bitch was, how biddable they were, how sociable this one was or wasn't. This is priceless when selecting breeding partners for their females...

And even with all that knowledge of the dogs in the past, they, too, have had their share of breedings that simply didn't produce the type of GSD they were seeking--so one can only imagine just how difficult it will be for others to use the lines in precisely the way the Füllers have been doing for all these years.  Not to mention the loss of the lines being tested on the graze with the sheep on a routine basis...because unless the dogs are purchased by working shepherds, it's unlikely that tradition will be sustained--and I think that venue reveals traits which aren't always in evidence if the dogs are titled and worked strictly in SchH.

There was a post a while back that I started after the BSZS one year where the HGH class was not well attended....
http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/forum.read?mnr=593301#593426

In it I highlighted my thoughts on the Kirschental:


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.  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

"It is my true hope that their son will carry this same legacy on and never let it truely end."

Debby, if you read Frau Füller's narrative in her advertisement here (see initial post for link), it unfortunately doesn't appear that their son, Mathias, will be continuing the line either. 

The breed lost Schäfermeister Manfred Heyne (vd Stammherde Ramholz) in 2010, at 80 years of age, and I believe Herr Füller, now 85,  retired from the flock in either 2010 or 2011; there are very few Shäfermeisters remaining, as I understand it...it remains to be seen what the future will hold, I suppose. 

http://www.traumhofgsd.com   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Traumhof-German-Shepherd-Dogs/185486153819  

Yes, Hexe, It looks that way.. VERY sad indeed!
Debby

Somehow I missed this thread --- although I was well aware of what was going on. I'm touched by the many many thooughtul comments here -- I clearly see who are the "like-minded" good people here. On the other hand - it's unfortunate that someone would take this opportunity and tragic turn of events to shamelessly promote their own dogs. There have been Kirschental dogs in our home since 1974. As I wrote in the other thread, we are grateful for every one of them -- and the insight of Marion and Karl's thoughtfulness in sending us exactly what we wanted. Robbie and Charles will be most happy to see Karl cross the bridge so they can talk about the old days.