Breeding progress continues to improve quality

One of the Horand lines, through “Graf Eberhard vom Hohen Esp”. SZ 1135, produced the 1908 Sieger “Luchs vom Kalsmunt Wetzlar”, SZ 3371. This line was continued through two Luchs sons, one of whom was “Wotan vom Emstal”, SZ 6813, the 1910 Sieger in Dortmund. A sensation-causing 280 entries were recorded at this show? The Open Class alone had 72 males entered. Another branch of the Graf Eberhard line, through “Munko von Boll”, led to “Horst von Boll”, PH, SZ 8306. “Horst von Boll” was most commonly used in his home region in Wuttenberg. The “vom Blasienberg” kennel, owned by Tobias Ott in Bietigheim, owes its well temperamented, solidly built, “dry” dogs to Horst. It is true that the varios Horand lines were overused in those first decades of the breed. Max.v. Stephanitz recognized the danger inherent in close line breeding and changed his breeding program to outcross with minimally related dogs who were healthy and hardy with an excellent temperament. Like-minded breeders supported him in that they brought together utility dogs from distant branches of the breed. This was a significant contribution to the future development of the breed. It is worthwhile to examine the anatomical development of the German Shepherd Dog. Initially the breed standard specified a height of 50-55 cm for females and 55-60cm for males. However, just a few years after commencing a goal oriented breeding program these specifications could no longer be adhered to. The upper limits were raised to 55-60cm for females and 60-65 cm for males. While all of the early top dogs were of pleasing form it was now time to make structural improvements I the general GSD population. Massive heads with weak of “friendly” wars were rejected. Other characteristics unsuitable to the breed standard were poor tail carriage, angled and curved tails, and curled tips. The perpetuation of such faults had to be carefully avoided in each breeding. That which didn’t please was immediately apparent and that which pleased found quick and unanimous definition: noble heads with dark eyes, upright ears and saber-straight tails were to be the markings which characterized the animals of the SV.

The basic components to meet these goals had been present in the breed from its beginning. Herding work had defined it: its “structure” was, in general, acceptable, Its front was consistently well formed and only rarely did one find weak pasterns. Occasionally the rears lift/thrust something to be desired and still missing was good overall angulation, the proper positioning of joint. This was important because it produces the typical motion of the breed and was a prerequisite to achieve correct movement in Germen Shepherd Dogs.

Breeder diligence and knowledge brought about change. The first over-sized dogs were noted as far back as 1909. Dogs heavily used in breeding such as “Hettel Uckermark” and “Horst von Boll” exceeded the size limits. The taller dogs were also heavier which was detrimental to their overall agility. On the other end of the spectrum were the toe walkers, dogs with narrow, receding chests who no longer had any resemblance to the utility dog characteristics. Breeding activities during the post-World War – I inflationary period contributed to the increased numbers of these apparitions.

At the 1925 Sieger show Stephanitz chose “Klodo vom Boxberg”, an animal of only medium size, much to the surprise of owners who had entered the larger dogs. Thus he demonstrated to his club members how the typical German Shepherd Dog was expected to look. The lesion was quickly learned. Overly large dogs were rarely seen in subsequent years and had not been admitted to breed surveys in some time. During the ‘30s and 340s there repeatedly appeared under-sized animals which were to be “Mendeled out”- eliminated from the gene pool with equal fervor. It was this very group of dogs which, as a rule, lacked substance and bone strength and had overly refined heads. The club went to battle against what they felt was a degeneration in appearance and functionality and, not surprisingly, brought itself squarely into dissent with many breeders. Stephanitz and his loyalists prevailed. They cautioned against breeding dogs who received show evaluations of a kind which diminished their appeal to the breeding program. That they were excluded from breed surveys was a given. Dogs with tooth- and testicular faults were dealt with in the same manner. Yesterday’s Truth still holds to this day” the breeding goal was, is, and always will be the “normal dog” defined by the breed standard.

In the mid 60’s the revolutionary changes took place in the German Shepherd anatomy and Structure. With more emphasis on side gait, through the new emerging sires of Germany, viz., Quanto Wienerau, Canto Wienerau, Mutz vd Pelztierfarm, and Marko v CellerLand. Quanto was a dominant producer giving low-stationed, medium sized progeny with good forequarter, strong bone and heads, and good type but also some fading pigment, east/west pastern conformation, cowhocks, and short, flat croup. He produced many famous sons such as Uran v Wildsteiger Land.

Canto only lived about four year yet had an important impact on the breed in Germany. Canto passed on style, energy, and desire to show and move which was sought after by international buyers. Canto produced well when crossed with Quanto lines as well as traditional working lines. His famous son Canto Arminius was also a dominant force in the breed.

The SV began to place more and more importance on training degrees. The mid-sixties saw a minimum Schutzhund 1 degree, and the AD, an endurance test. Temperament and courage tests became more demanding, and the SV forced breeders to concentrate on problem areas such as missing teeth, poor croups, etc. Since SV officials were also the judges at the Sieger show it was only the animlas meeting their dictated requirements that received the top honours. Schutzhund 3 become mandatory for the top VA awards.

To this point, the mid-eighties, we and this brief history.

Horand vom Grafrath from whom all modern day German shepherds are descended. The earliest divergence in the lineage occurred with Hettel von Uckermark, who was the Sieger in 1909. These lines lead to Canto and Quanto von der Wienerau. While the modern day German shepherd dog bears some resemblance to its early ancestors, it has become more refined in appearance.

In 1992 Walter Martian produced the German Sieger and Siegerin. This is the first time a breeder had both in the same year.

Walter Martin and his brother Herman Martin passed away in August and September of 1996 (they died within two weeks of each other). The Martin brothers were probably the greatest breeders the GSD has even seen. Most of their accomplishments will be never repeated again.

The German shepherd club of West Germany (known as the SV) sponsors the largest German shepherd confirmation/ working specialty show in the world. This is known as the German World Sieger Show. This show is in a different city in Germany every year.

There are usually about 1500 dogs and about 30,000 spectators at the show.

Many of our modern day bloodlines date back to breeding containing a blend of Quanto, Canto and Mutz. Over the years a number a important brood bitches have highly contributed to the GSD breed. Although generally speaking there’s much more emphasize put on the males because they produce far more offspring than the females, which affects the future of the breed more. Flora vom Konigsbruch was an outstanding brood bitch along with Wilma. V. Kisselschulucht. In the 1987 survey book, 24 pedigrees showed line breeding or Flora and 20 on Wilma. Wilma’s influence on the “x” litter Arminius was very impressive. The best member of the “x” litter was Xando, a dog of superb shape and quality. Xando was slightly oversized and because of that he was sold to South Africa. Xando has produced a daughter named Fee. V. Weiherturchen which has proven to be an excellent producer.

(VA) Xandra was shared by the Restrauch and Arminius kennels and responsible for many outstanding litters. Xavier Arminius sired, among others, the 1986 and 1987 Sieger Quando v. Arminius, who was lined bred on Wilma (2-4).

Flora was the dam of Reza v. Haus Beck. However, her best matings were to the Mutz Peltzierfarn lines. To the Mutz grandson Jupp v.d. Haller Farm, she gave the good “d” Wienerau litter. Dax v.d. Wienerau sired the 1986 reserve Sieger, Matz v. Hasenborn and the dam of the 1986 youth Sieger Odin v. Tannanmeise (3,5-4). Mated to Johny v. Rheinhaller son, Kuno Weidtweg, Flora also produced the outstanding “n” Wienerau litter. Out of this litter Nick v.d. Wienerau has proved himself as a very influential stud, particularly through his daughter, Palme v. Wildsteiger Land. Palme was a very big, excellent structured bitch, litter sistered to the Siegerin Pearl, but much more like her dame, the excellent producer VA Fina vom Badsee. To the Quanto grandson Ex vom Schlumborn, Fina gave Quitte and Quanta the first and second in the youth class at the Siegerschau. Mated to another Quanto male line lrk von Arminius, Palme gave the outstanding stud and Sieger Urban v. Wildstieger Land. Bowwered by Herman Martin of the SV, she was mated to yet another Quanto line through Xavier Arminius, by Lasso Di Val Sole, this produced Quando vom Arminius.

To further illustrate the importance of Fee vom Weiherturshen, we have to look no further than the “f” Arminius litter. The most influential member of this litter is VA Fedor v. Arminius. Of the eight dogs of this litter six passed the breed survey, four have titled SchH 3, four have rated V in confirmation and two (Fedor and Fina) rated VA. Fee was also influential in the “n” Arminius litter. Fee in this litter corrected Dingo v. Haus Gero’s reputation for producing bad hips.

Another important bitch is Ottie von Trienzbachtal. Ottie herself produced three Siegerins, the most important of these being VA 1 Tannie v. Trienzbactal by a Canto grandson. Tannie was mated to the VA 1 Ute v. Trienzbachtal son (by VA Elch), Fax v. Trienzbachtal to produce VA Gundo v. Trienzbachtal son (by VA Elch), Fax v. Trienzbachtal to produce VA Gundo is linebred (4-2) on Ottie. His breeder emphasized the female side of the pedigree as opposed to the male side. Quanto v.