robin,
just a note to let you know about cassie. she is a big hit at the park. lots of people ask if they can pet her as they walk by. several people have expressed how beautiful they think she is. i have met more people in the last three weeks when i take her as opposed to the three years that i have gone there to run. she is very friendly with everyone and enjoys all of the attention. she continues to grow. i had to go buy a new harness for her tonight. the pink one was going to be too small soon. she sleeps in my bedroom now on a pillow and blanket. she likes to go for a drive. it was raining the other day and she just wasn't sure about the windshield wipers. thanks, i do appreciate what a good pup she is.
randy
HI! Here are 2 pictures of Rex- who is now about 2 1/2 years old- youcall a few weeks ago and inquired- he has been in good health and has acompanion- a lab- Daisy who is a year younger- is a happy boy- thanksagain for sending us such a great companion-
Ilsa Werrion
Hi Robin,
Just happend to see your ad in the German Shepherd magazine and I just found your website........love looking at your pictures. You mightremember me....Pam Thomas from Des Moines, Iowa......we purchased" Tasha" from you in July of 1990....she is the most beautifulSilver-gray shepherd that anyone has ever seen.Anyone and everyone who meets here is amazed at how wonderful she lookseven at her age. Just wanted to let you know that is Tasha is still with us and remains in good health......will send you a picture of hersoon. Thank you for raising such wonderful animals!
Sincerely, Pam Thomas
robin,
just a note to let you know about cassie. she is a big hit at the park.
lots of people ask if they can pet her as they walk by. several people have
expressed how beautiful they think she is. i have met more people in the
last three weeks when i take her as opposed to the three years that i have
gone there to run. she is very friendly with everyone and enjoys all of the
attention. she continues to grow. i had to go buy a new harness for her
tonight. the pink one was going to be too small soon. she sleeps in my
bedroom now on a pillow and blanket. she likes to go for a drive. it was
raining the other day and she just wasn't sure about the windshield wipers.
thanks, i do appreciate what a good pup she is.
randy
HI! Here are 2 pictures of Rex- who is now about 2 1/2 years old- you
call a few weeks ago and inquired- he has been in good health and has a
companion- a lab- Daisy who is a year younger- is a happy boy- thanks
again for sending us such a great companion- Ilsa Werrio
Hi Robin,
Just a short line to fill ya in on Reco. The ear is coming up and he is
looking good!!!!!
He started school last night. I should say we all started school because me,
Bob and Reco are all going and learning. Its just basic obedience for now. He
did really well for the 1st night and you could tell he was really getting
into it. The instructor said Reco is the first German Shepherd Dog that's
she's had in class for a long time that has such a good disposition. She said
the ones coming though lately have really been nippy. Im so proud of my fur
kid!!!!!
Hope you and your family have a nice Thanksgiving!!!!!!!
Thanks again for our boy.
Cyndi Robinson
-------Hello Robin,
It has been almost six months since I picked up Xena. She has turned out
to be a wonderful dog. At eight months she weighs in at 85lbs. She loves to
be outside and will play ball for hours just like Falco. Here are some
pictures.
Thanks,
Ehren Bilshausen
We adopted one of your male pups born on October 12th of 2000. His name is Schultz (after the character of the same name on "Hogans' Heros"). I just wanted to drop you a line to tell you how well he is doing. He will graduate from Clicker Obedience Training next Monday. We have had a lot of dogs (and we've loved them all), but Schultz is by far the brightest. He is so easy to train it's unbelieveable! And, he is extremely affectionate. He has a terrific sense of humor..he is such a tease. When he wants to play he certainly lets us know. We all truly appreciate your care of the breed. Schultz is everything we wished for and more. We can take him just about anywhere and he knows how to behave, winning hearts along the way. My Mother and my stepfather each grew up having dogs put upon them and into their care when they were children themselves,( My Mother had the assignment of taking care of my Uncles dogs when he went off to the war and she had been attacked by a boxer when she was three years of age and my stepdads father was a breeder and my stepdad had the job of mucking out the kennels daily, plus he had a real fear of dogs) consequently, neither of them had much affection for dogs period. They simply tolerated our dogs all of these years, until now, they have developed a real love of Schultz because it was through him they both overcame their fear of at least THIS dog. My stepdad is so proud of himself that he can take the ball out of Schultzs' mouth, that is a huge occasion for him in itself. And my mother just enjoys the real companionability of this sweet, wonderful dog. Our dog trainer just lost her Shepherd in June, and she fell in love with our pup. I have given her your e-mail address. Thank you again, Robin. Sincerely, Lynda Pickhard
Robin,
Just wanted to let you know that we sent the puppy crate you loaned us back last Friday. It should be arriving soon. Thanks so much for it's use. Elke is absolutely wonderful! We all love her dearly and are trying not to spoil her too much. She is adorable and a real sweetheart but has plenty of spunk. She is very self-confident and social at puppy class and loves to learn. We couldn't be more pleased! We'll keep you posted on her progress and growth (we think she'll be a very big girl!) Thanks so much for this wonderful addition to our family.
Pat Woelk
Hi Robin,
Just a quick note to say how much we love our new pup... From Falco, & Emma born January 3 2001.I wish I could of been able to bring 2 home with me...At 3 months Sable knows sit, stay, down, crawl,and a few more tricks also...Just an all around excellent pup...I noticed she gets board quick and we need to keep teaching her new tricks...And taking her new places...She has no fear, witch is really great! She will follow me any were and do anything I ask of her at such a young age...Within reason of course...She just loves to be with us and has a spunky personality... Sable talks back allot witch is so funny... She is just what I was looking for in a German Shepherd. ..Everyone teases me about going all the way to Iowa to get a dog...But they all are very impressed by her Good looks and Super personality.
Thanks for such a Great Pup. I hope someday I will be able to get another from you!
Carol Strean, from Wisconsin
Hi Robin- Just browsing thru your web page(Dog Fancy you recall our meeting) and just had to up date you on our wonderful Brandy-your
very special puppy which we got from you. She will be 10 in January 2002, she still is wonderful and healthy. Gives us much joy and
companionship. Often tell folks she is our "9th child" that spoiled! I continue to marvel at how fortunate we were to find you in the Dog
Fancy that year. You raise wonderful Shepherds and I especially appreciate having been one of the fortunate ones to find you(and Brandy).
Thanks again. Jane and Brandy
Robin,
Just wanted to say hello and to let you know how Prince (son of Falco &
Emma) is doing. He is over nearly 10 months old and doing very well. He is
litterally a bundle of energy. We love him to death. He is 70 lbs now tall.
He looks like he is all legs. He runs like the wind and does not tire.
Yesterday he trotted with me for 7 miles. I think that is very respectable.
He carried his frisbee the whole way. We recently returned from a trip to
Florida. Prince had a blast there. He really loved the beach. He is a
natural digger and loves to run into the water. He even went for a swim.
He is everything we wanted in a dog. Thanks again. We will send you a
picture of him when he turns a year old. Hope all is well with the family.
Take care,
Peter, Diane & Prince
Dear Robin,
Just want you to know how much I love my dog I got from you in May. She is a daughter of Falco and Kira, I just love her. She takes good care of me and is protective when necessary but loving otherwise. She is the smartest dog I have ever had and I love her so much.
Diane Watson
Altoona Iowa
Hi, Robin!
Well, it's been ablout 2 years since we adopted Jags from you. And he is quite possibly the most spoiled dog on the planet! He thinks that our sole purpose in life is to throw the Frisbee for him!!! He will play for hours, if we'll throw it that long... luckily we have 5 people with pretty good throwing ability!! He is a real sweetie. He stands 29 1/2" at the shoulder, and weighs about 85 lbs. but he tends to lose 5 -10 lb. in the summer from all the running!! We think he looks an awful lot like his daddy. Just wanted to say thanks for continuing to breed the kind of German shepherd that I remember as a kid.
Connie Ortz
Petersburg, Ohio
third day of searching Wednesday north of Mason City turned up no clues in the effort to find William “Willie” Child.
Hadenfeltdts dogs are all from royalair! See news story below
Six dogs from Iowa Search and Rescue joined the group of family, friends and law enforcement looking for the 32-year-old Mason City man who was last seen Friday afternoon.
Law enforcement personnel continued to search the shallow waters and the banks of the Winnebago River.
Child apparently put his canoe into the river at King Fisher Hollow conservation area on Friday. On Monday, when his vehicle was still at the hollow, authorities started a search.
His overturned canoe was spotted approximately a mile down river.
Search parties worked throughout the day on Monday and Tuesday.
On Wednesday, family and friends stood watch on five bridges over the waterway and an airplane, piloted by family friend Keith Muchow of Clear Lake, flew over the river several times.
Iowa Search and Rescue members said good weather helped their effort.
“The cooler the better for working with the dogs,” said Shirley Hadenfeldt as the mid-day sun warmed the river banks.
The statewide organization, with more than 40 members and 15 certified search dogs, had six dogs searching Wednesday.
“We have four German shepherds and two labs,” she said.
Kyle Hadenfeldt said the dogs did not detect any scents while searching along the river banks.
The dogs and their handlers worked for approximately five hours on Wednesday, ending their day shortly after 4:30 p.m.
Ali Child of Clear Lake, Willie’s mother, continued to take part in the search, parking near the Killdeer Avenue bridge over the Winnebago. She remains optimistic.
“My sister in Kansas City suggested we start putting up posters,” she said. “He hasn’t been found here. This is an assumption that he’s here and sometimes you need to consider all your options.”
Cerro Gordo County Sheriff Kevin Pals said the search has focused on a two-mile area near the locations where the pickup and the canoe were found.
“The only clues that we have are in that area,” said Pals, “so that’s where we’re focusing right now. We’ll be expanding the search some.”
Pals said the Mason City Fire Department will start a search in the city limits this morning.
Boats will be put in the Winnebago River near 12th Street.
Pals is encouraging people along the Winnebago to be observant.
“If they see anything suspicious, they can give us a call,” Pals said.
The Sheriff’s Department telephone number is (641) 421-3000.
We have had the luck of having two dogs from you. First the son of Falco, 'Kramer' (who is gone now), and our newer, 1 year old 'Ely', Falco's grandson. Ely is a SUPER dog. Everything we could ever want. He is so calm, attentive, affectionate, and just an all around great dog, not to mention dropped dead gorgeous. We will send you a picture sometime. He gets so much attention everywhere we go, even among GSD owners.
I haven't checked your webpage for a few months. I'm sorry to hear of Falco's death. What an amazing line of dogs he's created. Last year just after we got Ely I was at a frisbee event where rescue dogs were being shown going through their pace too. I stopped a rescue GSD owner and mentioned how beautiful their dog was and how much it looked like our Kramer. They were surprised when I asked them if they had gotten it from you. That beautiful face of Falco is obvious when you have looked at as many GSD as I have.
Again, sorry about Falco, and good luck with all of your efforts to keep the GSD as great as ours have been.
Mike and Lisa Nyman
i Robin,
I don't know if you remember me, but I drove from MD to get Sampson my puppy.
My little guy is 94 pounds lean. He is very good with people and other animals but knows to act like he's crazy when somebody comes to the door. He's very good.
We train him mostly at home. Take him for long walks for his energetic long body.
He has long legs and big feet still.
Sampson is gorgeous and as soon as I get new pictures developed of him I will send some new ones.
He is not the little puppy I picked up.
He and I used to butt heads when I broke my ankle and was laid up. But now we're getting back into a nice routine.
Talk to you soon when I can send some pictures.
Heather Knuckey
Sad state of shepherds
Hi,
I just wanted to say that I really appreciate the new page you have showing what GSD looked like in the 40s and 50s compared to today. I have an old book about German Shepherds from 1945, and there are some very different looking dogs in there! Very tall and rangy, like large Malinois.
I thought you might like to check out this link. It is to an interview with Jimmy Moses, top GSD handler and breeder. I think it says alot about what AKC show breeders are doing to ruin great breeds like the German Shepherd. Moses is being interviewed about his dog that is the top-winning show dog of all time. http://www.thedogplace.com/../library/Moses_Interview.htm
"He’s been bred to a dozen bitches that wouldn’t get a [OFA] number."
This part, though, I found really disturbing:
"Many Shepherd litters you can eliminate as much as 50 to 70% as top show
prospects, either for mega esophagus, bad hips or elbows, flat pasterns or
such excessive length of upper and lower thigh that the puppies walk on their
hock instead of their feet. Fortunately, these are things that you can tell
about when they are pretty young."
Half of all GSD puppies are eliminated - put down, I assume - due to health
defects? What horrible statistics. And he's just talking about eliminating the dogs that aren't "show" prospects. Obviously they would be poor pets as well if they had these kinds of problems, and working prospects don't even come into the picture. Poor dogs!
Notice also that he doesn't describe the dogs as being OFA excellent, good, fair, poor, borderline - just OFA. This handler is a "celebrity" as these things go, and if he really wanted to, he could be a good influence on the world of AKC and show dogs.
Anyway, please keep up the good work! At least someone understands what dogs are really for.
Jana