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This
article appeared in the Jan-Feb 2000 issue of
Bloodlines
I'm a relative newcomer in
this "other world" of dogs - the world of performance and showing. It's
an amazing world revolving around the dogs we love and bond with. The
White Shepherds really become our partners in every facet of
performance and showing that one can begin to imagine
The door to this world opened for me after we were given a little mixed
breed named Abby. Our daughter Kate adopted Abby from an animal shelter
in Kalamazoo after the mother and her 8 four-week old pups were picked
up in an industrial area. Abby came to us following a painful letting
go of our beloved black and tan German Shepherd, Corey. Before that we
had a female black and tan, Tasha, along with Winnie, an English
Setter. Childhood pets were small mixed terrier and spaniel breeds. All
of these were "pets" and none but Corey ever saw the inside of a
training school (and that was for only one session).
At six months old, Abby was being spayed and a vet tech said to me "She
would make a great therapy dog." Abby's therapy work led me to the K-9
Klick founded by Pam Koons. The K-9 Klick is a group of dogs and
handlers that for many years has visited and entertained hospital and
nursing home patients. Pam happened to be a White German Shepherd
breeder. Kyra was my pick from WGSDCI CH Hoofprint Emerald (Ashlee)
Am/Cn CD, CGC, TDI, TT, FDCH, OFA (H&E) and
UKC/AWSA/WSCC/WGSDCI CH U-CD Reeves Royal Angus Von Tasz CDX, CGC, TT,
HC, OFA (H&E) owned by Jean Reeves - and my life was changed
forever!
In the last issue of Bloodlines, pictures were printed of 18 of our
white dogs that have earned their Championships. In that particular
group there are flyball dogs (one is the #1 German Shepherd Flyball dog
in the country) and tracking dogs training for their titles. The
obedience dogs range from CD's to UD's. We have many dogs with Herding
Instinct certificates and some working toward herding titles. We have
titled agility dogs, a Packdog, and a couple of Total Dogs. Two have
water rescue titles. Most are Canine Good Citizens and/or Therapy Dogs.
The majority earned their Temperament Testing (TT) certificates. Some
are performance dogs with the Rock N' Roll K-9's or the K-9 Klick. We
have an Iams Superdog member and a protection dog in training in the
group. We even have one dog, Luger, that performed in a Flyball Demo
during half-time at the Harlem Globetrotters Cleveland appearance in
December. Other of our white dogs, whose pictures did not appear in
last month's article, are search and rescue dogs and service
dogs.
At the Dog Scouts of America camp last summer, my shepherd, Kyra,
showed me she was capable of Scent Discrimination work and even passed
Hunting and Retrieving right along with the breeds you'd expect to pass
that kind of test. I've heard that our dogs also do a pretty good job
on a lure course. I know of some that have pulled sleds. In fact, many
years ago an entire dog sled team was made up of White German Shepherds.
Future articles will focus on some of these versatile and intelligent
shepherds, highlighting their specific accomplishments. If anyone
reading this has ever considered opening their homes to one of these
white beauties, these articles may be the nudge you need to get out and
get yourself one. Don't hesitate to contact an officer or any member of
the United White Shepherd Club for additional information or with any
questions.
Brochure
We are currently working on finalizing a brochure about the White
Shepherd. Availability will be announced in a future column. UWSC
member, Christina Tanner, was kind enough to volunteer to do the
preliminary work on this project for us.
Update on shows
A.K.9's will be hosting shows on May 27 & 28 in Brookville
Pennsylvania. The shows will include a Canine Good Citizen test and
Fred Lanting will be conducting a seminar on movement and hip
dysplasia. We also have been added to the A.K.9's September shows.
Twin Peaks Dog Club in Colorado will be offering the entire herding
group (including the White Shepherd) at all three shows the week-end of
July 15 & 16, 2000. Judges are Ron Pemberton, Rich Beauchamp
and Fred Lanting.
Thanks to all the clubs that are including the White Shepherd.
Rules and Regulations
Seminar
Our seminar will be held on Friday, March 3rd at 1:00 PM in conjunction
with the shows hosted that weekend by the Dog Enthusiasts of Western
Michigan in Kalamazoo. This is an important step toward our acceptance
as a UKC National Association. We urge you to attend.
We are happy to announce that experienced handler, Diana Updike, will
be offering a free handling class to all seminar participants. Don't
miss this opportunity to be coached by one of the best White Shepherd
handlers out there.
After the handling class, there will be an evening of fellowship. There
are two shows scheduled for Saturday and two for Sunday to give all of
us opportunities to work toward the UKC WS Championship.
Changing Your German
Shepherd Dog to a White Shepherd
White German Shepherd owners have until April 1, 2000 to make the
change from a German Shepherd to a White Shepherd. If you are going to
register your dog as a White Shepherd and plan to show in the White
Shepherd ring beginning January 1, 2000, and you haven't already made
this change, I urge you to do it now. Just send a note along with your
original Registration Certificate to Multi-Breed Operations at 100 E.
Kilgore Rd., Kalamazoo, MI. 49002-5584 requesting this change of
status. There is no charge for this service.
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