NEWS, INTERVIEW ABOUT 
WS RESCUE WORK, AGILITY

This article appeared in the May-June 2000 issue of Bloodlines

Highlights
Flash! We now have seven White Shepherd Champions. Eight of our dogs have taken Best of Breed and are now in the Top Ten. Two of our dogs have taken Best in Show. We also have seventeen champion-pointed dogs. Keep up the good work guys! 

The five dogs pictured were the first of the new breed to be shown at the Millville Kennel Club in New Jersey in mid-January. From left to right they are Denise Mencke's Jack and Jill, Judy Huston's Kyra, and Nancy De Garmo's Sassy and Shultz. 

Rules and Regulations Seminar
Our Rules and Regulations Seminar was held on March 3 in Kalamazoo. We want to thank Field Representative, Patrick O'Donnell, Michelle Morgan, Tina Augustine and the DEOWM for making
it such a success.

In a letter dated March 31,we were notified that we have fulfilled all the requirements to host U.K.C. Licensed Conformation events. We are now a Fully Licensed Conformation (Single-Breed; White Shepherd) and Provisional Obedience Club. We are in the process of looking into show sites, and reviewing possible show dates so we can get our "feet wet" for the first time. 

We're also looking into the possibility of becoming an Agility Club as well.

Angels Looking Over Them
Speaking of Denise and her "kids" we learned recently that they were the unfortunate victims in what could have been a disaster. On a return trip from an obedience trial, seven cars crashed into each other on the Verrazano Bridge. With only 7" left between the back and the front, the Jaws of Life arrived to pry Denise, Jack and Jill from the car. The windows imploded and Jack and Jill jumped from the car. A quick-thinking patrolman (Highway Patrolman #2) took charge, opened a van door and the dogs jumped in. Denise was taken to the hospital - but not before she broke a few restraint straps as she made sure the Good Samaritan took down her father's phone number and all the pertinent info about the dogs. Denise was released 5 hours later. Jill had 18 stitches in her chest. Jack won't let Mom out of his sight. 

Look for a complete story in a future issue where Denise will tell their story and educate us on how to be as prepared as possible in the event we're involved in an auto accident. She knows she was lucky and is grateful she and her dogs are on the mend. We're all praying for a quick recovery for our friends. (See Jack's and Jill's picture with "First Five Dogs" above.)

Genetics Survey
The first-ever Health and Genetics Survey aimed at White Shepherds/White German Shepherd dogs was mailed to 1000 owner/breeders throughout the month of March. Dr. George Padgett who wrote The Control of Canine Genetic Disease and my own Kyra were the inspiration for this survey. There was a General Survey, a Litter Survey, and a Vet Survey included in the packet. 

Once all the results are entered into the database, Dr. Padgett will do an analysis for us. Results will be made available to anyone who is interested. They will be posted on our UWSC and other web sites. We plan to have a video available for purchase after the results presentation.

If any owners/breeders of White Shepherds/White German Shepherds were not mailed a survey, please contact Judy Huston and request a packet of information. We need a minimum of 650 dogs to generate worthwhile information.

White Shepherd Rescue
Until this issue, we haven't had a White Shepherd Rescue listing on the U.K.C. Breed Rescue page. Our contact person is Mark Echterling of Echo Rescue in Indiana. I contacted Mark and asked him if he'd mind if I included a few comments about his work. We did the following written interview.

Question: Rescue is such an integral part of owning and caring for our dogs, how did you happen to get started in this noble endeavor?

Answer: When I was a kid all my pets were rescues. If I came across another kid with a wild animal, I'd set it free one way or another. I even had a rescued White Duck that would walk on a leash and that I took to school.

After losing a German Shepherd Dog to cancer and experiencing other of my GSD's with bad hips, we started doing some research on the White Shepherd and then we bought a pup. This led us to showing and introduced us to a wonderful group of breeders and owners who really go all out for the dogs, not only their own, but the entire breed. Watching them help each other (and anyone else, no matter what color the dog) at an event is amazing.

Almost two years ago I was run over by a car and the recuperation has been slow. I was used to working 14-16 hours a day and found myself getting frustrated and bored so I started doing some rescue work. As I regained some of my mobility, I went from doing rescue referrals to doing more direct placements. What started out as a few referrals on the phone and through the computer has turned into covering the Midwest and placing an average of 2 dogs each week directly and another 3 by referral.

Question: It seems to me that you take the whole rescue procedure a step or two beyond the norm. Would you explain what your system is?

Answer:  We don't have the facilities to keep a dog at our home longer than overnight for evaluation, bathing, grooming and sometimes training sessions with the new owners. We rely on local breeders to foster when needed, and to help with placements. I have found that without exception every White Shepherd breeder that I have contacted to assist with a dog has helped me out whether it is out of their line or not.

I have found the key to my success has been to always have a new family waiting for a dog. The easiest way to accomplish this task has been to take our young female, Shadow (a new Champion and Best of Breed by the way) everywhere I can drum up some interest. I take her anywhere and everywhere. She has been to lumberyards, car dealerships, bars catering to the early-evening business crowd, parades, craft fairs, parks, sporting events and anywhere there are kids. At first a business owner may ask me to take her outside, but usually with a little charm from me and a lot from Shadow, we get to stay and they often help me hand out my cards. They give her water and make a fuss about how well behaved and beautiful she is. They all want a dog like Shadow. Since the large Pet Fairs are few and far between, we create our own small Pet Fair wherever we go.

Question: Mark, do you have a favorite success story?

Answer: First of all, the favorite thing for me is when someone thinks they have to give their dog up and instead we find a way for them to keep the dog they really love.

My personal favorite story involves our own beloved Max. Last August, I saw Max (who was then called Sam) dragging a young woman down the street. We talked briefly. I was working on a political campaign for my wife, Maralynn, and over the next couple of months it took me on every street in town. I saw Sam in several different areas. 

From talking with the girl, I knew who the breeder was. I called the breeder and told her about seeing Sam around town. I asked for the girl's name. On further inquiry, I spoke to the girl's father and learned that Sam was now 15 months old and had been tied outside on a 5' chain since he was about 3 months of age. They said he was growing too fast, had too much energy, and was shedding. They had a nice yard but didn't let him loose because he tore up the lawn and barked too much. This had pretty much been his life for the past year.

I told her father that this was not the way a dog should be living. He agreed. He said he would talk to his daughter over the weekend and let me know what they decided. I then called the breeder back and she agreed to take Sam as soon as I could pick him up. Since the people were not standing by their contract, they had no trouble surrendering him. This is where the problem started. 

We picked him up on a weekend and I was supposed to call the breeder Monday. This was way too long to keep this dog with us. By the time we called Jean Reeves and told her we'd picked up her dog, we were already in love with him and begging her to let us keep him.

Jean was delighted Sam was going to be adopted by us. Many of you who show in U.K.C. know him as Champion Royal Echos Maximum. He has been to four weekends of shows and is the newest White Shepherd Champion. We are very proud.

Question: Anything else you might want to say that I didn't think to ask?

Answer:  Yes, without the support from breeders like Jean Reeves, Terry Klotz, Margaret Stafford, Georgia Cross, Ronda Beaupre and others, and without the help from people like you and your husband, Dick, it would be impossible to do the job.

Question: Do you have a picture that might "say it all."

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The following quote comes from Terry Klotz who said:
"You amaze me Mark that you have made so many White Shepherds and their new owners so happy, not to mention those of us who hate to, but unfortunately sometimes have to, give up one of our beloved friends. The time and energy you are spending in WS rescue is overwhelming. It's really nice to know there is someone out there like you who we can turn to for help in rescuing these dogs. I just want you to know that I really appreciate all your efforts…." Terry Klotz

We all need to be as careful as possible in placing our dogs in homes that will last their lifetime, but when things happen, and they do, we need to band together to get them the homes they deserve. Mark and Maralynn Echterling are the pivotal people helping our breed.

White Shepherds and Agility
Agility is such a fast-growing sport and our dogs are so good at it. Currently, the only White Shepherd I'm aware of with U.K.C. Agility titles is my girl, Kyra. She has her U-AGI and U-AGII and we've entered our first trials to start accumulating championship points. Kyra and Kobalt (owned by Ed Rhoads) have their AKC Novice Agility titles and both are working on Open (one leg for Ky). Denise Mencke's Jill is trial ready and will be shown soon.

Last year at the Premier I showed Ky in Agility on both days. White Shepherd friends came to watch and many have expressed interest in preparing their dogs to compete in this performance event. Often we have an interest in something but don't know how to get started. For those people who have been hesitant to start or simply did not know how, it's very easy.

Find a class or a friend with equipment. Agility is so big these days that I would be very surprised if you couldn't locate a class. The U.K.C. uses most of the same obstacles as other clubs, but they do have some uniquely their own. It may be difficult to find a class utilizing these obstacles - although I hear they are cropping up. It will be easy to find classes teaching the traditional obstacles like the A-frame, the teeter-totter, and the dog walk. All clubs use the weave poles too. 

The unique obstacles used by U.K.C. are quite easy to build from PVC Pipe. These include the crawl tunnel and the hoop tunnel. A swing plank and a sway bridge are also part of the Agility II and III courses. Directions for constructing the obstacles and rules for agility are included in the yearly Rules and Regulations issue. 

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Education
We're currently preparing our brochure about the White Shepherd for the purpose of educating the public and our judges about our breed. We hope to get a huge jump on this at the highly attended U.K.C. Premier 2000 event where we will be manning a White Shepherd booth.

Questions or Comments
If anyone has any questions or wants to comment about anything written here, please contact our President, Denise Mencke (516) 698-3803, or our Secretary, Diana Updike (313) 794-8088, or our Public Relations Chair/Vice President, Judy Huston at (517) 546-3046 or e-mail judyh@ismi.net.