Note:  This article is one of many dealing with every aspect of the German Shepherd Dog - breeding, training, bloodlines, famous German show winners, and a great deal more, that appear on the author, Dennis Fisher's website. Visit  http://www.allaboutgermanshepherddogs.com to see these articles.

 

ECHOES OF THE PAST

Famous German Shepherd Dogs of the past that  played an important role role in the development of the breed.

                Utz. vom Haus Schuetting - 1929 German Sieger.

For a  student of the history  of  the German Shepherd, an examination of important dogs of the past that exerted a tremendous influence on the development of the breed presents  a fascinating study.

One of the most influential dogs in the history of the breed was the controversial  1929 German Sieger - Utz. vom Haus Schuetting.  There are probably very few German Shepherd Dogs exhibited in the show rings of any part of the world today whose pedigrees  in which the name of "Utz" does not feature.

Because we are talking about the  history of the breed and the particular period of the late 1920' and early 1930's when there was an enormous increase in German Shepherd Dog interest, research into your dog's pedigree will obviously  involve delving back many generations. 

What was interesting about "Utz" is the fact that he was the subject of a great deal of controversy in the German Shepherd Dog world, whose virtues were extolled by some and  harshly criticized by others.     

"Utz" represented a completely departure from the long-legged, somewhat shelly   ype of Shepherd in vogue at the time.  He was born on the 12th March 1926, bred by Dr, Funk of the well-known "Haus Schuetting" kennels in Munich.   Dr. Funk became president of the S.V. from 1956 to 1971.

At the 1929 annual Champinship in Germany, "Utz" became the Grand Champion - "Sieger".    He was subsequently exported to the United States where he obtained his American and also his Canadian championship tittles.

What sort of dog was "Utz"?  From description and reports of well-known authorities at the time, it would appear that he was somewhat smaller than the the type of dog popular at time.  He was also described as being somewhat unimpressive due to a certain dullness in temperament.   Nevertheless, he was a beautifully constructed dog with excellent balance and he proved to be a remarkably prepotent sire.

Prior to his departure to America, "Utz" was extensively used at study in Germany and proved his worth as a Sire.  His most famous son in Germany was the 1932 "Sieger" "Hussan v. Haus Shuetting.   "Hussan" himself was the sire of two "Siegerins" - "Jamba v. Haus Schuetting" the 1933 winner and the winner of the 1935 title "Stella v. Haus Schuetting".

In the United States he sired a host of champions and also two Grand Victors. These were the 1935 Grand Victor "Nox of Ruthland" and the 1939 Grand Victor "Hugo of Cosalta" bred by Marie Leary.

In Great Britain his influence was also profound.   Mrs. Gwen Barrington's famous international Champion "Gerolf of Brittas" was sired by the imported dog "Voss v. Bern" a son of "Utz".

Another famous bloodlines though which Utz is perpetuated is that of "Ingosohn of Errol" who was sired by the famous  Utz descendant "Ingo v. Piastemdamm".   Since Ingosohn  was the grandsire of Champion Avon Prince of Alumvale, one of the most wide used studs of his time, the extent to which the blood of "Utz" has been spread  through the breed in Great Britain can be appreciated.

"Utz" has been widely criticised for being responsible for poor temperaments and fading collurs and it is an acknowledged fact that his Dam - "Donna zum Reurer" - was a particularly light coloured bitch.   However, it would appear that it was the indiscriminate "mis-use" of "Utz" rather the use of this important dog was the root of the trouble.

Mrs. Barrington of the well-known "|Brittas" kennels wrote in 1942..."the benefits of his blood far outweigh the disadvantages.  Most of the faults attributed to Utz are in fact due to strains of  blood allied to this though the bitches he was mated to..."

Colonel Baldwin, of the "Picardy" kennels, also a legendary figure in the development of the breed in Britain, made the following comments in an article published in the September  1946 issue of the American publication the "Shepherd Dog Review"..."It is quite common to hear people say that Utz bred, light washy colours, was very shy, bred shy stock, etc.   On the contrary he was lethargic and disinterested.  Looking at him I always thought: There is the shape and the type, but we must add nobility to it.   I am sure Utz blood his extremely valuable if it is used properly.  Use it to get shape and type and then add nobility..."

Finally a well-known American breeders, Mrs. Margaret  Horn, expressed similar comments in the April issue of the same magazine.   "I take nothing from the good Utz did to the breed, but I do say he has been overdone and with this comes the danger.  Utz was no villain.  We the American fancy are the villains in our over-use of him.  No one wants a cup of pepper in one's soup"

It would seem, therefore, that "Utz" must be definitely be regarded as one of the most important dogs in the development of the breed.  It is apparent however, that because of his own remarkable qualities and his rare ability to reproduce these qualities he was used indiscriminately.

Clearly there is a message to be learned. Today there is also a  tendency for breeders, keen to sell pups  sired by  well-known show winner, to mate their bitches to the dog, irrespective whether the animal is the most suitable.

 

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     ECHOES OF THE PAST.

                     Famous German Shepherd Dogs of the past.

                      Odin vom Stolzenfels

The 1925 German "Sieger" "Klodo v. Boxberg" -sired by the  1920 German Sieger "Erich v. Grafenwerth - in addition to being the Sire of the famous "Utz. v. Haus Schuetting" also sired a great many other excellent animals.   One of his best sons was "Curt v. Herzog Hedan" who sired an exceptionally good dog, "Odin v. Stolzenfels", an animal  who was to exert an enormous influence of the breed.

Odin was born on April 7th 1930 and bred by J.  Breitbach of Oberlahnstein am Rhein.    He was described as a dog of excellent substance and sold structure with powerful head, fleeting gait and perfect temperament.   He was strongly pigmented and grayish tan in collour.

In 1933 Odin became Sieger and was subsequently exported to Japan where he became Japanese Sieger in 1935, where he proved a tremendous asset in the development of the Japanese German Shepherd Dogs.  In the short period he was st stud in Germany, prior to being exported to Japan, Odin sire a number of outstanding animals, the most famous being "Sigbert  Heidegrund" and "Ferdl Secretainerie", bred by Joseph Schwabacher.

"Sigbert", an excellent specimen and himself a pepotent sire, was sired by Odin out of "Dina v. Webbelmannslust", a daughter of "Utz".

Sigbert produced a number of outstanding dogs such as the litter brothers "Quell" and "Quido"  Durmersheime and "Baldur v. Befreiungsplatz"

"Baldur's" most famous sons were "Arry v.d. Gassenquelle", a dog very highly regarded by German authorities and "Pirol v. Buchenhohe".  He was also the sire of particularly good bitch "Bionda v.d. Buchenhohe", the dam of the well-known English Champion "Danko v.d. Menkenmoor of Hardwick".

"Danko" was exported to England from Germany just after the war and proved to be a remarkably dominant sire.  He is regarded as one of the most important dogs in the development of the post-war German Shepherds in  Britain.  His Sire was "Lex Preussenblut" who was. of course, the sire of the important pillar of the breed in Germany  "Rolf v. Osnabrueckerland".

"Odin v. Stolzenfels's" other famous son "Ferdl v. Secretainerie"  was  bred by Joseph Schwabacher, a  well-known, very successful  German breeder.  Because he was known to be Jewish Jospeh Schwabacher, had to flee to England  before the outbreak of  war in 1939.   Schwabacher's knowledge and experience proved of inestimable value to English breeders.

"Ferdl" was Dutch Sieger in 1936 and 1938, and in the  select V.A. group in 1938, when the Sieger title was discontinued. "Ferdl" a very beautiful, but slightly long dog,was regarded as an  animal with of  good movement.  He played an important role in the development of the breed both in Britain and the United States.

In America his excellent daughter, Champion "Carol of Ruthland", when bred to the  1937 German Sieger "Pfeffer v. Bern", who had been exported to the States,  produced two important animals who mirrored the type of dogs favoured by the Americans.  These were the litter brothers  "Noble" and "Nox" of Ruthland.   Both became Grand Victor "Nox" in 1941 and again in 1944 and "Noble" in 1942.

In Britain the bloodlines of "Ferdl" are presented though his son "Gerlad v. Humelache", the sire of "Erich of Bucklebury".   "Erich's daughter, "Empress of Leeds" when mated to "Ingopsoh of Erol" produced the well-known Champion "Arno of Saba", the sire  of "Avon Prince".

It is interesting to note that "Arno of Saba's" sire, "Ingosohn of Erol" was a son of "Ingo v.Piastendam" and "Franze v.d. Secretainerie".   Since "Franzie" was a daughter of Odin (and litter sister to Ferdl) the influence of "Odin v. Stolzenfels on the development of the breed in Brain cannot  be underestimated.

Of interest too, is the remarkable similarity in the combination of bloodlines in the breeding of the two important English stud forces, Champion "Danko" and "Avon Prince",   In both instances the dominant "Ingo v. Piastendamm bloodlines has been merged with that of the "Odin v. Stolzenfels" blood.

When one examine the picture of "Odin", it is difficult to realize that this great dog was born more  than 70 years ago!  Of course there have been very marked changes in today's show winning Shepherd particularly   with regard to front and hind angulation, length of croup and other  features, but Odin's  fluid lines, firm backline and excellent balanced structure are as desirable today as they were so many years ago when he was acclaimed the finest specimen of his time.

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ECHOES OF THE PAST.

  Famous German Shepherd Dogs of the past.

                          Baldur vom Befreiungplatz

                                 

 

Baldur was born on the 19th March 1937 in Homburg, Saaar, Germany, one of a litter of six, three males and three females. His breeder was Johann Haas.   His Sire was the important producer  Sigbert Heidegrund and his Dam, Berna v. Saarkante.

Sigbert, as we will recall from the article which dealt with the 1933 Sieger "Odin v. Stolzenfel was regarded as pne of "Odin's" best sons.   Sigbert's Dam was Dina v. Webbelmannslust, a,n Utz daughter.

Baldur was described as being dark grey in colour; well pigmented, extremely well proportioned, slightly on the small size, but nevertheless very strong, substantial and well muscled.  His shoulder was well positioned and his back strong, firm and of normal structure.  His  fait was described as fleeting. He was considered suitable for all bitches of normal structure, but since he was line-bred on Utz , he was not recommended for bitches with a great deal of Utz blood.

As a show specimen Baldur received the highest rating possible, V.A. (excellent select)  at the annual Championship Show in Germany in 1941 and again in 1942.

In  temperament "Baldur" was a gentle. friendly dog, alert and fearless.  Many of his progeny inherited his excellent temperament in addition to his many other fine qualities.

Baldur was a very popular sire and was very widely used in Germany. He produced some excellent sons  who also proved to be very prepotent sires.  Some of the more important sons will be discussed later in  this article.  Baldur also produced an exceptionally good bitch Bionde v.d. Buchenhohe, who, when mated to the important "Lex Preussenblut:, produced "Danko v.d. Menkenmoor"   who was exported to England and made a huge impact on the breed in England in the post-war years.

An interesting  sidelight about "Baldur" is the fact that he was sent to Denmark  during the war years and was registered in Denmark.  Although he had been very  widely used in Germany, he was apparently very little used in Denmark.  The reason, according to a report that I read by a Danish German Shepherd Dog enthusiast, was the fact that he was owned in Denmark by a well-known Danish Nazi, who demanded an enormous fee for  Baldur's  stud service

 Baldur's fame  rest on the many fine sons he sired in Germany some exceptionally fine animals.  Among is best sons were "Kosak vv. Holtzeimer Eichwald",  "Pilol v.d. Buchenhoihe" and the very important sire of quality animals "Arry v.d. Gassenquelle".   All these animals were very fine show specimens  and prepotent sires,

KOSAK V.D. HOLZHEIMER EICHWALD

Let us deal first with "Kosak".   He is represented in British pedigrees through his grand-son English Champion "Cito v.d. Meerwacht". who was imported from Germany by Gwen Barrington of the "Brittas" kennels and and Mrs. Beck. of the "Letton" kennels.   An exceptionally intelligent animal, Cito was a  fine working dog in addition to being a good show specimen.  Having acquired  the German SchH11 training qualification at an early age, he was subsequently trained to respond to English commands.

Although Cito became a Champion fairly easily in England his value to English breeders lay in his ability to transmit his own excellent working qualities rather than sire of show winners,

A son of Cito's, South African Champion Letton Vossman, achieved success both in the show ring and also in the obedience competitions..

Another fine by animal sired by Cito was Mrs. Marshall's South African Champion Barilla of Byenroc, the dam of the well-known English Champion Makabusi Otto.

PIROL V.D. BUCHENHOHE   

 

As a sire Pirol proved extremely successful.  One of his most successful sons was Quell v.d. Fredeholz.  Just as his Sire, Pirol, and his grand-sire Baldur had done, Quell also received a V.A. rating in 1948 at the  German annual championship show.  He was then only a youngster of two.  Subsequently Quell was exported to the United States where he was widely acclaimed for excellent construction and showmanship.   His show career was remarkably successful.  Exhibited twenty one times, during the period 1949 to 1952 Quell was never beaten by any German Shepherd - a truly remarkable achievement.  This worthy grandson of Baldur also proved an excellent Sire and left behind a great many fine sons and daughters.

 

     Quell v.d. Fredeholz

 

An interesting comment was made by the American authority on the breed, Goldbecker, who stated that although the Baldur line, through Quell, produced firm, strong backs and good movement and also excellent hindquarters, in using him he suggested that breeders be careful of too much length of loin and less than the desired 90 degree angulation of the upper-arm.

In addition to Quell v.d. Fredeholz, Pirol sired many other excellent animals.  Specific mention should be made of  his daughter Hanna v. Equord, who was considered a very good brood bitch.

Hanna v. Equord

 Hanna's  progeny included such famous dogs as the American Champion Cito v.d. Hermansschleuse, Canadian Grand Victor Ero v.d. Auwallenberg, Dernd v.d. Auwallenberg and many other important winners.

Her breeding was particularly valuable since it represented an unusual combination of Baldur's best sons - Pirol and "Arry v.d. Gassenquelle".   She was closely line-bred on Baldur.   Her Sire, Pirol, was a  Baldur son, while her Dam Uda v. Maschtor was a daughter of Baldur/s other famous son Arry v.d. Gassenquelle.

For serious students of the breed, it is worthwhile reflecting on the following observations made by the famous German authority on the breed Dr. Sachs of the "Von Hain" kennels who wrote in 1953:   "The basic foundation of good breeding are the bitches.  Lucky is the breeder who owns a good producing bitch.  There are bitches who possess such a high degree of individual potency that she will produce good progeny from almost any male...in these later years we have the remarkably good brood bitches,  Gerda v.d. Hohen Fichte, Uda v. Maschtor,  Uda v. Holzheimer Eichwald,  Werra v.d. Sieben Faulen and others ...."

On a personal note, I was aware of the breeding value of a bitch like Hanna v. Equord and was very anxious to acquire an animal - preferably a daughter - with her bloodlines.   My came  opportunity while on a visit to Europe.  I took the opportunity to visit a number of German Shepherd kennels in Germany and Europe.  While in Zurich I visited the kennels of Martin Gredig at the small town of  Wadenswill in Switzerland and persuaded him to sell me a very good young bitch, that he had bred, Neera v.d. Elfenwiese.  The Dam of Neera was a Swiss bred bitch "Zilla v.d. Havilland", an excellent show specimen that had received a V.A. rating at a German Championship Show.

I was delighted to find that this young bitch  Neera. was  sired by the very well known German show winner Dernd v.d. Auwallenberg. V.3 at the 1956  Sieger Show and V1 at the 1957 Seiger Show.

The young bitch, Neera v.d. Elfenwiese was later to prove a  very successful brood bitch and I was fortunate to be able to breed some fine show specimens.

ARRY V.D. GASSENQUELLE

Arry was also an exceptionally prepotent son of Baldur and also a very fine show specimen, Like his famous half-brother  Pirol, he too achieved the V.A. rating - also at the 1947 Annual Championship Show.  At this show only three animals were considered of sufficient merit to warrant this high rating in the male class.  Two of these dogs were the Baldur sons, Pirol and Arry.

Among the famous dogs sired by Arry were the following:  Uda v. Maschtor  and her litter borther Utz v. Maschtor, the latter being exported to England, but unfortunately overlooked by British breeders, a fact for which they must have subsequently seriously regretted.  Other dogs sired by Arry were Bodo v. Trillke; Etu v. Zierenberg, who was the sire of the very  important brood bitvh Werra z.d. Sieben Faulen, referred in the extract from Dr Sach's report.   Another very important son sired by Arry was  the grey dog, Grimm c.d. Fahrmuhle.

 

GRIMM V.D. FAHRMUHLE

This exceptionally fine son of Arry v Gassenquelle, was a dog that I had heard  a great deal about and I was very anxious to acquire an animal with his bloodlines, which I was later able to do.

What I particularly liked about Grimm was the fact that  though his Dam "Fella v.d. Fahrmuhle", his bloodlines went back to top quality  old, sheep herding, working, lines.  In addition to bein a fine show speciment Grimm was known to have been a remarkably intelligent dog.

After a very successful show career Grimm was exported to Brazil, where  he sired some excellent animals.  Fortunately  he left some very fine sons in Germany who have had an importance influence on the breed.  There were also  number of Dutch breeders who  made use of Grimm.

 

FRACK Von der. BURG ARKENSTEDE

    

 One of 'Grimm's sons,  "Frack v.d. Burg Arkenstede, who was also a dark, grey sable, was exported  to America , where he did very well indeed both in the show ring and as a sire. .  Ann Mesdag,  an American breeder  who was born in Holland,  purchased "Frack".while on a visit to her old home country from Gert Bolketeijn, of the well-known   von Alexyvro Hof  Dutch Kennels, who owned him at the time.  Frack was a Grimm son and a Rolf v. Osnabrueckerland grandson, through his dam, Elke v.d. Burg Arkenstede, a Rolf daughter.

Frack, at the time that Ann Mesdag imported him, was seven  years old.  Nevertheless  he did very well in  the show ring in America  and was awarded his Championship title.  He also sired  seven American  Champions and was  awarded the coveted "Register of Merit" rating as a result of the show winning success of his progeny.

On a personal note, I purchased a very fine "Frack" son from Bolkesteijn, although the dog  was not bred by him.  This dog "Astor v.d. Schuttenstee" was sired by Frack out of  Bea von Catherina Hof, an Erlo von Elfenhain daughter.

The Dam of Erlo was  Anke von Elfenhain, who was sired by Grimm.  The dog "Astor" represented interesting line breeding on Grimm.

Because I was so keen on the Grimm bloodlines, I imported another "Frack" daughter from Bolkesteijn  "Yolande von Alexyvro Hof",  She was sent out  in whelp to V.A. dog "Jacko von Bimohlen", a son of the  1964 Sieger "Zibu v. Haus Schuetting".

My dog "Astor" was not grey, but an animal of very deep, rich  black coloring.  He was  a dog with exceptional  character and personality. Mated to the  bitch  Neera v.d. Elfenwiese - (the bitch I referred to earlier in the discussion about the Pirol daughter Hanna v. Equord )-  he produced some very good specimens, the most successful of which was a dog I  called Grimm v.d Haus Fischer.  My Grimm was named after the dog I admired so much, Grimm v.d. Farhmuhle.   This line-breeding on the grey dog Baldur certainly proved successful for me.

Illustrated below is a photograph taken almost forty years ago, of the bitch "Neera v. Elfenwiese"  I imported from Martin Gredig and my "Frack" son - "Astor v.d. Schuttenstee" imported from Bolkesteijn.     This combination  of bloodlines proved very successful indeed in producing dogs of excellent character and show quality.

I was sorry that I was unable to breed any grey animals from this mating, as it is a colour I have always admired.   The very first German Shepherd I owned "Armin v. Marzlinger Moos", a descendant of a famous old grey dog, Egon v. Silberkrone, was grey and I have always had a deep affection for dogs of this coloring.

It is intersecting  to note that in previous years  there was not the  same  prejudice against  grey dogs as there exists today.   Many of the top winners were grey. It is far different today.  It is very rare to see a top winning grey dog in German show  ring today.  Grey dogs  appear to be mostly confined to the working trials arena, where they are consistently among the top winners.  It is very unfortunate that - with very  few exceptions - most of these top winning working dogs are very poor show specimens.

In the show ring, in recent years, the only highly placed grey dog was the  extremely handsome Timmo v.d. Berrekasten, whose photograph is reproduced below.   Timmo was V.A. 4 in  1999,  Reserve Sieger to Ursus v. Batu in 2000 and reserve Sieger again,. this time to Yasko in 2001.

Timmo has an exceptionally, strong  beautiful head, which is something is often missing from present day Shepherd.

                        

 Once again, on a personal note, I am very pleased to once again have the grey coloring in my breeding program.  I recently imported a lovely young bitch sired by Orbit v. Huhnegrab  from Dirk Scheerer, the son of the well-known German Breeder, Heinz Scheerer,     Orbit's Sire, is Ursus, but his Dam, Pirie v. Haus Dexel, was sired by Timmo, which I am very happy about.  The coloring  of this promising young bitch, "Dea vom Grafenbrunn,  is a very deep, rich black, very similar to that  of Orbit and the coloring of her Dam, Kerstin vom Hasenborn.

My bitch "Dea" is still very young but perhaps one day, when she is older, I will be able to find a top quality grey dog of exceptional show  combined with  superb temperament  to mate her to - a very rare quality  these days.

It is very surprising that Timmo has not been as widely used by top  German breeders as one would expect.  There is still a great deal of prejudice against grey dogs. I believe Timmo has  a great deal to offer.  Quite apart from his  excellent construction he is a dog with a wonderful outgoing sparkling personality.

It  is to the credit of  Heinz Scheerer, one of the most knowledgeable breeders in Germany,   that he has  appreciated  the fine qualities that Timmo is able to offer and has made use of him.

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                                  Hein von Richterbach

 

 

                    

 

Although Hein was not considered as important  a  sire as two dogs that we will discuss later, Axel v.d. Deininghauserheide and Rolf v. Osnabueckerland, nevertheless his influence on the breed was certainly considerable.   As we shall see his name appears in the pedigree of many famous dogs.

Hein was bred by the well-known German breedrs Heinz Ossenkemper, of Ahlen in Westfalen, Germany, whose Richterbach kennels were famous in many parts of the world.

Ossenkemper was  fortunate in owning an exceptionally fine animal in Rosel v. Osnabrueckerland, littermate of Rolf.

Rosel was a fine show specimen in her own right, but it is as a brood bitch that she will always be remembered.

Mated to the leading Sire, Billo v. Obervieland, she produced a fine litter that included Hein, Hella - who received a V.A. rating at the 1951 Championship Show, and Hexe, who was also to prove an excellent brood bitch.  Hexe's litter litter by Axel v.d. Deininghauserheide, the famous W  von Richterbach litter, included Wilma, the the 1957 Siegerin, Woker and Wotan - the latter two exported to the United States where they achieved success in the show ring.

Another fine  daughter of the excellent producing bitch Rosel was Lende von Richterbach, whose Sire was Fels v. Vogtlandshof.   Lende was mated to Axel v.d. Deininhauserheide and produced the very highly regarded 1957 American Grand Victor Troll v. Richterbach.  A strikingly handsome dog and great showman, Troll was very widely used in America and proved an excellent  sire.

He sired a number of Champions, including the German-bred Ulk Wikingerblut, owned by Ralph and Mary Robers.   Ulk was extensively campaigned in the United States, very often in all-breed shows and was frequently a best in show winner.  An excellent showman, like his sire, Troll, he was exceptionally well handled by Mary Roberts.

It will be apparent how remarkably suitable Axel's blood was for animals with bloodlines of Rolf, Rosel and Hein, and the extent to which the modern German Shepherd was evolved from these two animals.

From the pedigree of Hein von Richterbach we see that his Sire Billo v. Oberviehland carried the bloodlines of two important animals  who exerted trenmednsoud influence on the development of the American German Shepherd Dog.   Thsese were Brando v. Heidelbeerberg, omported from Germany by the internationally famous American Judge and breeder Ernest Loeb, and the bitch "Thora v. Bern.    Thora v. Bern was a lovely animals owned by Mrs. Gerladine Dodge of the "Giralda" kennels. 

Thora was American Grand Victreix in 1938 and was the litter sister of the 12937 German Siegerin "Traute v. Bern", both being daughters of an exceptionally good aniomals Vicki v. Bern.

"Billo v.d. Oberviehland", who had a very successful show career, spent part of his lefe at the Swiss "Elfenwiese" kennels of Martin Gredig, just outside Zurich.  This charming, modest Swiss, who the writer had the pleasure  of knowing, had a very profound knowledge of German Shepherd bloodlines.   It was a pleasure discussing bloodlines with him and I learnt a great deal.  Gredig thought very highly of "Billo's" bloodlines and considered that used judiciously, they could be of great benefit to the breed.

As a show specimen the "Billo" son who are at present discussing, Hein v. Richterbach, proved outsrtandingly successful and was acclaimed in other countriers besides Germany.  He acquired the title of "|International Champion".

As a greatr deal of confusiuoin surrounds the use of this title "International Champion" it might be well rto examin e in greater details the qualifactions necessary for this title.

 GERMAN SHEPHERD INTERNATIONAL CHAMPION

  What does it signify?   The "International Champion" title that Hein was awarded must not be confused with the British "International" which was awarded to dogs who became campions  ibn England, Ireland snd Scotland.  As applied to dogs bred in Germany and the continent of Europe the "International Champion" award is one which is awarded by an International boad knownb as the F.C.I. (Federation Cynologique) and is awarded to dogs of oher breeds in addition to German Shepherd Dogs.

Qualifcations for this title  are as follows:   The dog must receive a rating of C.A.C.I.B. at certain shows approved by the F.C.I.  This rating is only awarded to dogs that the Judge considers of sufficient merit.  The title of "International Champion" is awarded after the dog has has satisfied the following to requiremenrts.

(a)  The dog must have won two C.A.C.I.B's in two different coutries under two different judges.

(b)  The dog must have traken part in a terst which includes temperament tests, obedience and tracking mand an examiantion for gunshyness.

The C.A.C.I. B show must not be confused w3ith the annual German "Sieger" show, which is the German national Speciality Show held under the jrisdiction of the Germa S.V.    at which the title is warded each year.  "Hein" won the C.A.C.I.B. rating seven times and was fully deserving of his International champion" title.  Although he never received the V.A. rating in Germany, he was very highly placed at the annual Champinship Shows.  In 1951 he was placed V4  and in 1952  he was V2.

 Goldbecker in his very informative book "This is the German Shepherd" made the following comments about Hein.  "Hein was a powerful, muscual, medium sized animal of excellent temperament.  Most of the animals with the R litter Osnabrueckerland and Hein breeding were capable of getting good front assemblies and a definite richness in pigmentation, dark rust colour and black.  But they can, in their less desirable offspring, produce too great  a length in back, long loins and sometimrs a weakness due to length  As a sire, Hein left a definite mark on the breed through and sired dozens  of show winning sons and daughters. One  of  his most successful sons, who was awarded the coveted V.A. rating no less than five times at German Championship Shows, Caesar v.d. Malmannsheide.

I had the pleasure of seeing Caesar, when he was still a young dog, at the home of this breeder, Ernst Grurmann.   It was clear to me at the time, that this was a dog with tremendous energy and drive that would do very well at Shows.  In fact I was so impressed with him that I arranged  a ating with a bitch I intended importing.

  Hein also sired the 1956 American Grand Victor Bill v. Kleistweg. imported as youngster from Germany by the well-known breeder Grant Mann of the "Liebestraum" kennels.

                                        1956 American Grand Victor "Bill vom Kleistweg"

Another excellent son of Hein, who became a champion in the United States, after  been imported fromGermany was  Kondor von  Wickrather Schloss

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                                                     Kondor v. Wickrather Schloss

A  beautiful Hein son that I saw very frequently while I was in the States, was  Harald v. Haus Tigges, who was owned by very good friend of mine , now deceased, Erich Renner.   Harald was a dog with an exceptionally good temperament and delightful personality.   Erich thought the world of  Harald who inherited inherited a number of Hein's fine qualities and was also highly regarded as a Sire.

                                                           Harald vom. Haus Tigges

 Here again was an example of the successful pairing of Hein bloodlines with than of A|xel v.d. Deininghauserheide.   Harald's dam, Elwira v. Ekelplatz was an Axel daughter.

The blood of Hein v. Richterach, through Harald. was also also available in Great Britain though the importation by Mrs. Dummett of Ferdl v. Esbacher Klippen, whose dam, Caren v. Esbacher Klippen was a daughter of of Harald.

A full brother of Ferdl from a later litter, Ilk v. Esbacher Klippen, was imported from Germany by  Percy Elliott.  The Elliott's also imported another animal with the bloodlines of Hein and his son Caesar v.d. Malsmannheide.  This was Dux v. Braunschweigerland, who was sired Edel v. Haus Karl Weiland, a Caesar son.

Hein's blood is also represented in British pedigrees through  a dog bred by Mrs. Barrington, Kondor of Brittas, whose Dam, Pia v. Wikingerblut was a Hein daughter, who Mrs. Barrington had imported in whelp to the 1958 Sieger Condor. v. Hohenstamm.   This also represented a combination of the successful Rolf/Axel combination, since Condor's breeding is a merger of Rolf and Axel.

Another Hein son worthy of mention was Cent zu den Funf Gibeln who was exported first to Great Britain and subsequently to the United States where he became an American Champion.

Hein v. Richterbach's worth cannot be measured by his many excellent sons alone. He also produced a number of top quality daughters.  Time after time, when mated to Axel progeny, they produced exceptionally welll.   The breeeding of thr 1961 Sieger Veus v.d. Starrenberg is evidence of this.  His Dam, Ilsa v.d. Starrenburg was a Hein daughter and his sire, Alf v. Nordfelsen, the 1955 Sieger, was an Axel son.