is the most common herding type. Seen in sheepdog trials, it requires the dog to push stock through gates, pens, and chutes. In this style of herding, the shepherd does not lead the flock, and the dog works on commands.
2. In Mustering, the dog fetches stock from long distances and brings them back to the shepherd.
3. Tending is the herding technique that the GSD was originally meant to do, which involves managing large flocks grazing and moving in open settings. The dog acts as a living fence. Large European manors did not build actual fences until the nineteenth century, thus herding dogs were used to oversee the pastures, which were adjacent to other areas such as woodlands, grain fields, vegetable gardens, and vineyards. The sheep were only allowed to graze on fallow fields (those that had been allowed to grow to stubble and grass), usually about 10 acres large and outlined with furrows. The shepherd led the sheep from the edges of the plots, and the dogs kept them on the path. They may have had to pass miles of growing crops on the way to pasture. Once the flock was settled on a fallow field, the dogs patrolled the land to keep them there.
Familiar Faces
Some truly famous German Shepherds have graced our big screens over the years. When Hollywood dog trainer Larry Trimble and his friend, writer Jane Murfin, heard the about the GSD war dogs, they decided the breed was perfect for film work. In 1920, they searched Germany and chose a three-year-old, 125-pound, police-dog-trained male named Etzel von Oringer. Renamed Strongheart, this GSD starred in several silent movies, including such classics as Jack London’s Call of the Wild (1921) and White Fang (1925). Strongheart was the first canine movie star.
Another GSD, rescued as a puppy from a bombed-out war dog kennel in Lorraine, France, soon out-did Strongheart. Corporal Lee Duncan managed to bring this pup (named Rin Tin Tin after a French toy) back to the United States and trained him as he had seen the war dogs trained. At a show in 1921, “Rinty” amazed the audience by broad-jumping 131/2 feet. Darrell Zanuck saw this and paid Duncan $350 to film Rinty with his new camera. Before his death in 1932, Rinty made 26 movies for Warner Brothers and became a huge star, receiving 10,000 fan letters a week. Rinty’s offspring have continued to act in movies and television. The Rin Tin Tin breeding program is now owned by Ms. Daphne Hereford, daughter of Ms. Jannettia Propps, who inherited the line from Duncan. To stay up to date with Rin Tin Tin, go to www.rintintin.com.
German Shepherds love being put to work, but they also enjoy a little down time and R&R with the people they love.
Because tending dogs do not work under direct command, they had to be quick-witted enough to adapt to changing circumstances and able to make independent decisions. The job required them to be assertive enough to keep determined sheep (strong animals heavier than the dogs) from getting into areas beyond the nonexistent fences. They needed enough self-confidence and control to physically force potential escapees back into the group by gripping only their wool. Above all, the tending job required courage to protect the sheep from humans and animal predators, like wolves and bears.
If you like lively, intelligent midsized dogs, the German Shepherd just might be the breed for you.
Join the Club
The parent club of a canine breed is considered the expert on everything related to that breed of dog. It’s responsible for safeguarding and promoting a particular dog breed. These national organizations are members of the American Kennel Club and are made up of knowledgeable breeders. Each parent club determines the breed standard, denoting the most desired traits of an ideal specimen of the breed, which the AKC then officially approves. The standard is used to guide breeding practices and competition judging. The parent club of the German Shepherd is the German Shepherd Dog Club of America. Learn more about the club at its website, www.gsdca.org.
WHAT A SPORT
Consistent with the breed’s historical role as a tending dog, the German Shepherd is a true team player and excels when working independently or by his master’s side. In fact, the GSD excels at his person’s side in most any dog sport. Whether he’s flying over a hurdle in an agility trial or executing a broad jump in an obedience trial, the well-trained GSD is a focused, professional athlete who thrives on pleasing his handler. Tracking is another sport at which German Shepherd Dogs have been excelling for many years. Relying on his nose and brain, the GSD is a natural tracker, and these skills have been applied to many of the breed’s professional disciplines, such as search and rescue, arson and drug detection, border control, police trailing, and many others.
CANINE CONSIDERATION
The rest of this book will dive into everything important you need to know to find and care for a German Shepherd. It’s a lifetime commitment, and not one to be taken lightly. So before you go looking for a breeder, make sure bringing a dog into your home is really what you want. Examine your home environment and lifestyle to make sure the lively and personable GSD is really the dog for you.
Then, once you’re certain that the German Shepherd Dog is your ideal breed, don’t just rush out and buy the first one you see. Take the time to study the breed. Do your research and know which GSD qualities to look for when meeting available litters; learn the best tactics for training and socialization; study what you can do to contribute to your pet’s health and happiness; and discover the vast array of activities you can do to bond with your active dog. Now, let’s get to it!
Having endeared himself to humans centuries ago for his devoted service in livestock fields, the GSD has won over recent generations in his civic services.
At a Glance …
German Shepherds have been one of the most popular dog breeds for the majority of the past century.
Devoted and highly trainable, GSDs make great service animals, as well as family pets.
GSDs thrive when given a “job” to do, whether it is guarding the family at home or apprehending criminals alongside a police officer.
German Shepherds have an instinctive herding mentality—a skill that has endeared them to humans throughout the world for hundreds of years.
The possibilities are endless when considering what activities to involve your German Shepherd Dog in to keep him healthy, active, and happy.
Impressive and harmoniously built, the German Shepherd Dog is regarded as one of the world’s most recognizable dogs. At once, this dog is strong, agile, and well muscled, while also alert and full of life. Defying definition, the German Shepherd possesses nobility and quality.
Many of the words in the above paragraph come from the official breed standard of the GSD, but words are merely words. How do they come together to describe this wonderful breed?
For the Record
The German Shepherd Dog that lays claim to winning the most Best in Shows is Ch.
