THE GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG
 

© by Chris Walkowicz
 

The German Shepherd Dog

Few words bring to mind such beauty, such nobility, such fluid motion. From the first German Shepherd Dog (GSD) registered with the AKC in 1908,Queen of Switzerland, to the breed's current standing in the top ten of AKC registrations, the Shepherd has survived the valleys and peaks of popularity.

During World War I, when citizens of the United States abhorred everything German, the breed was shunned, and registrations dropped to an all-time low. Following the war, Strongheart and Rin Tin Tin made German Shepherds the darlings of the media, particularly in motion pictures, and the breed soared to new heights.

At its zenith of popularity, the German Shepherd escalated to the number one position in registrations, and every backyard breeder in the country scurried to make a buck on sales. Indiscriminate breeding brought about a nadir of hip dysplasia and poor temperament. Through the hard work of edicated fanciers, however, the breed overcame the fads and problems to demonstrate its versatility and intelligence and to once again become sturdy.

The German Shepherd Dog survived.

Today, German Shepherds serve humans in more ways than ever before: as dog guides, support dogs, hearing dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, working farm dogs, sentry dogs, police dogs, and service dogs. They perform scent discrimination for explosives and in drug searches. Shepherds are top winners in both the obedience and conformation rings in all breed shows as well as specialties.

Most of all, they are companions, our friends.

                                                            cw
 

 (Excerpted from The German Shepherd Dog by Chris Walkowicz)
 
 

"When I look in the eyes of my Shepherd, I know he will die for me."  Chris Walkowicz
 
 

Contents:

  • The Heart of the Shepherd
  • The Standard and Interpretation
  • Selecting Your German Shepherd
  • Bringing Your Shepherd Home
  • Nutrition
  • Maintaining the Dog's Health
  • Grooming
  • Manners for the Family Dog
  • Genetics
  • Breeding and whelping
  • Register of Merits
  • History of the Genus Canis
  • History of the German Shepherd
  • The German Shepherd in America: 1930 to 1960
  • The German Shepherd in America: 1960 to the Present
  • Show and Obedience Competition
  • The National Specialty and Obedience Trial
  • Schutzhund
  • Service Dogs
  • Afterword

This book is out of print.  Some are available through rare book dealers and Amazon.com

Go to books and place another order!

©  Chris Walkowicz

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