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by justcurious on 14 February 2009 - 03:02
History Of German Shepherd Dogs -- Vol-I
Saturday, October 27, 2007 by Aringsburg Kennel
Well now, I was thinking of what should I write on this time. How if I write something about the history of the German Shepherd Dogs? This is a very long story indeed. So I've planed to present it in a series of a few distinctive volumes. Just read on. And I'm sure if you are a real GSD fancier, this will be a topic of your real interest.
Germany is the birth place of the breed. The very name gives a very clear cut indication of the fact. The look and the glamour of the German Shepherds Dogs that we find today took almost a century to develop. It was not until the late 19th century that emergence of the breed was noticed.
by justcurious on 14 February 2009 - 03:02
con't ... And it’s beyond all doubt that it was due to the far sighted vision of the Prusian cavalry captain Rittmeister Max Emil Frederich von Stephanitz (commonly known by Captain Stephanitz or Captain Max von Stephanitz) that we dogs lovers got such a great gift.
Shepherd dogs were truly wonderful natural working dogs that were used by the shepherds of 18th and 19th century to herd their sheep. Not being descended from a specific origin, those shepherd dogs could not be given the honor of a specific breed with a specific standard. Although they were really varied in appearance and gait but most of them had the true basic instinct to work. Captain’s attention was attracted by two such types of dogs – one that used to work in the highland of Thuringia and the other is from Wurttemburg.
Shepherds Of Thuringia: Shepherd dogs from Thuringia had erect ears, curled tail and were wolf-grey in color. They were stocky and of small stature. There were two main varieties of the Thuringian Sheep Dog: i) short-haired and ii) shaggy-haired.
Shepherds Of Wurttemburg: The Wurttemburg dogs were larger in size with heavy bones and bushy tail. They were comparatively swifter than the shepherds of Thuringia and had good gait but bad ear carriage. They were stocky and of small stature. Alike the Thuringian Sheep Dogs they were of two varieties too: i) short-haired and ii) shaggy-haired.
These two types of dogs were the base of the dfevelopment of the breed. Stay tuned ... coming up more to learn.
by justcurious on 14 February 2009 - 03:02
MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2008 12:30 PM
History Of German Shepherd Dogs -- Vol-II
by Aringsburg's German Shepherd Dogs
Both the Thuringian and Wurttemburg sheep dogs were first exhibited in a show held at Hanover in the year 1882 – the year that marked the beginning of the evolution of a dog that was having a mind blowing ability to control herd of sheep. Drastic steps were taken to synchronize these varieties of typical sheep dogs in one single breed. Intelligence and Utility were the watch words for the breeding program. Selective breeding was one of the determining factors in the project. The Swedish sheep dogs were rejected at the very first sight, since they light built body, and lighter bones.
Those dogs were selected that had the typical shepherd qualities, such as expressive heads, moderately lighter weights, good bones and good gait. The dentitions were to be quite strong. The bites were to be quite resistant and such that it would redirect the sheep to the desired direction without damaging. Dogs with erect ears were chosen to get the sound and noise and especially the shepherds’ commands from distant more accurately.
This was how the selection was actually made for the perfectly selective breeding program.
Coming up next! More great facts on how we got such a beautiful creature. Stay tuned.
by justcurious on 14 February 2009 - 03:02
History Of German Shepherd Dogs -- Vol-III
by Aringsburg's German Shepherd Dogs
Just a decade after (in 1892) the Hanover show (1882), the first Phylax Society was formed, although that was a flop project, since it could not be run for long (1891-1894). But the most inspirational thing about it was that, it was another great inspiration for Mr. Max Von Stephanitz to form the Verein für deutsche Schäferhunde (shortly known as SV – the “Club For German Shepherd Dogs”). So there was now a club authorized to register the wide range of sheep dogs that used to exist in Germany.
Founded in 1899, with the first president Mr. Adolf Meyer the Verien had a smooth sail. The breed standard was drawn for the first time and SV held the first breed show in September 1899, making the year one of the most remarkable one for us GSD lovers. Mr. Stephanitz, with his far sighted vision, started working on developing the breed further. This marked the beginning of the development of the German Shepherd Dogs that we find today.
Since the very dawn of his project Mr. Max von Stephanitz laid special emphasize on the intelligence and utility of the breed and not much on the beauty. Actual beauty – according to him – was in the working ability of the breed. Hence the guideline laid by Mr. Stephanitz in regard to his breeding program was – “UTILITY IS THE TRUE CRITERION OF BEAUTY”. He wanted his dog to be fearless and to take the right decision while on work (herding). So he often used to say “DO THE RIGHT AND FEAR NO ONE” as his watchwords.
In the year 1901 Captain Stephanitz took up the charge of the verein by becoming its president. But before that the first dog was already registered with the club. Registered with the name “Horand von Grafrath”, this was the foundation specimen of the Alsatians that we find today.
Keep yourself in tune. The story is yet not finished.
by justcurious on 14 February 2009 - 03:02
MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2008 12:30 PM
History Of German Shepherd Dogs -- Vol IV
by Aringsburg's German Shepherd Dogs
Another vital phase of the breed's development starts with Horand (DOB -- January 1st, 1895)- this is beyonf all controversies. After Mr. Stephanitz became the the president of the verein, he atended a dog show in the year 1899, where he found Horand, which was a Thuringian type sheep dog of medium stature. It was Horand's typical shepherd qualities that grabs captain's attention and he fell in love with Horand at the first sight. He purchased him at the spot. Although his original name was Hektor Linkshrein, he was registered in the verein's newly found stud book with the name "Horand von Grafrath". Horand was the first dog to find the first place in the new stud book of the verein. The another dog that got an entry into the stud book was Meri von Grafrath. Hektor Linkshrein (later Horand) had a brother called Luch von Sparwasser, who was also a very good specimen, if not as good as his elder brother Hektor. Luch was later registered in the stud book of verein -- SZ 155.
Hektor actully descended from the wonderful lineage. Luch's and Hektor's (later Horand) was Greif von Sparwasser, which was a white coated German herding dog with awesome shepherding quality. George Horowitz, who was a well renowned English Judge, German Shepherd Dog columnist, author and historian, wrote about the background of Hektor Linksrhein in his 1923 book, known as "The Alsatian Wolf-Dog". In his book he wrote that that the white-coated German herding dog named Greif von Sparwasser was born in 1879 and was exhbited at the 1882 and 1887 Hanover Dog Shows.
Horand was in the possesion of certain very interesting qualities apart from his shepherding ability, such as the mental soundness, boldness, protective and energetic nature. This dog was wolf grey color. He had good gait and remarkable anatomy with mind blowing bones and head profile. Horand was mated to many good bitches and produced good number of quality range of litters through out his life.
The most important progenies of this classy dog are:
- VA Hektor von Schwaben, DOB: January 5th 1898, Sieger: 1900 - 1901
- VA Peter von Pritschen, DOB: December 14th 1900, Sieger: 1902
- VA Lux Sparwasser
- Nelli Eislingen
- Baron von der Krone
- Thekla I von der Krone
- Thekla von der Krone
- Waldine von der
by justcurious on 14 February 2009 - 03:02
Horand became the father of all German Shepherd Dogs that we find today. And from then onwards the breed went on developing at a fast pace. You will just be amazed to see the the change that this breed has got during its course of development. Top: Horand von Grafrath SZ 1 and Marie von Grafrath SZ 2
2nd: Horand von Grafrath SZ 1
3rd: Peter von Pritschen {Sieger: 1902}
4th: Hector Schwaben {Sieger: 1900 - 1901} Botton: Luch von Sparwasser {Litter brother of Hektor (later Horand) DOB: January 1st, 1895}
http://aringsburgkennel.blogspot.com/2007/11/history-of-german-shepherd-dogs-vol-iv.html
by justcurious on 14 February 2009 - 03:02
MONDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2008 12:30 PM
Horand Von Grafrath - The Foundation Dog of German Shepherd Dog Breed
by Aringsburg's German Shepherd Dogs Of all existing canine breed in the world today, German Shepherd Dog breed possesses myriad qualities, making it the finest canine specimen in the world. Starting from its intellect and physical appearance to its inherent protective instinct and courageous nature, everything makes the breed a complete canine companion. But the GSDs that we find today are very much different from those of the pasts.
If you are looking for more on how actually German Shepherd Dogs that we see today evaluated, Check out my works on History of German Shepherd Dog Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV; and here's a bit more details on History of the breed. Read on...
On April 3rd, 1899 - the same year when Captain Stephanitz formed the Verein für deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) - world's first All-Breed German Dog show was held in Karleruube Rhineland. Captain Stephanitz, and his friend, Arthur Meyer were present in the show. They were looking for a perfect dog to create a really superb herder and fall in love with a dog, strongly built, perfectly healthy, with erect ears, an outgoing and friendly nature. The dog had medium-short coat that was weatherproof. Stephanitz purchased the dog at the spot and this turned out to be the major turning point in the History of German Shepherd Dog.
Hektor Linkshrein was the name of the dog, but later he was renamed into Horand Von Grafrath - the first dog to be registered in the new stud book of the verein. Horand became the foundation dog of the German Shepherd Dog breed. Horand was a from the Thuringian origin and his recessive white genes had been one of the most enhancing factors found in him.
by justcurious on 14 February 2009 - 03:02
Captain Max Von Stephanitz Speaks About Horand Von Grafrath SZ 1
Saturday, November 10, 2007 by Aringsburg Kennel
Here's what Mr. Stephanitz said about Horand -- the father of all GSDs.
"Horand (Picture on the right) embodied for the enthusiasts of that time the fulfillment of their fondest dreams. He was big for that period, between 24" and 24 1/2", even for the present day a good medium size, with powerful frame, beautiful lines, and a nobly formed head. Clean and sinewy in build, the entire dog was one live wire. His character was on a par with his exterior qualities; marvelous in his obedient fidelity to his master, and above all else, the straightforward nature of a gentleman with a boundless zest for living. 
by justcurious on 14 February 2009 - 03:02
Max Emil Frederic von Stephanitz (December 1864 -- April 1936)
by justcurious on 14 February 2009 - 03:02
but it might prove more interesting to some than the "high drama" threads
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