About us
I began to take an interest in working dogs in 1978. At that time, dogs without pedigree could also work and take part in some competitions. Naturally the programme for dogs without pedigree, also called utilitarian dogs, combined disciplines such as show ring or Schutzhund. The results of these dogs were not reported to the Société Centrale Canine (S.C.C.), the French Kennel Club that once kept the Livre des Origines Françaises (L.O.F.) (a log of all French pedigree dogs) and encouraged only the pedigree competitions. Finally, the day came when trials including bite work were forbidden to dogs without official registration papers. Later, in the 80s, I was really taken in by the discipline of the Règlement de Concours International (R.C.I.), which I found to be quite complete. This discipline, derived from the German "schutzhund", open to all the breeds authorized by their club, consists of three tests and only a passing grade in one of them counts as fail for the title. Fascinated by the German shepherd, I took my first steps in the R.C.I. with a three-year-old male. Fortunately by working with a very good dog, I was able to perfect my skills. I achieved my certifications as breeder and instructor competent for bite work. Finally, to be in sync with my German shepherd, I passed the R.C.I. test to become a helper. Today, I produce German shepherd puppies and my motto for breeding is, whatever show dog breeders and pedigree clubs may think: A beautiful dog, has he gets older, becomes and old dog...
A good dog remains a good dog.
Working dog
Le Règlement de Concours International: This discipline, acknowledged by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (F.C.I) the international working dog organization, is practised in many countries. An international sport, it leads to a World Championship. Recognised by the S.C.C. as a utility, a dog that possesses an R.C.I. title can be judged in the working category in dog shows held in France. Resulting from a selection elaborated by German breeders, called Schutzhund, this program is aimed at improving breeds. What is original about this discipline is that the dog must always show its joy in working as it carries out each order with joviality and enthusiasm. The RCI is a complete discipline which requires a great rigour in the training and the execution of the exercises. The dogs must demonstrate endurance, courage, balance, sociability, sense of smell, concentration, complicity between the dog and its handler to show merry obedience. There are four levels of competition: the RCI certificate, the RCI 1 (IPO 1), the RCI 2 (IPO 2) and the RCI 3 (IPO 3). Training sessions for the RCI only can be practised in Clubs affiliated with the Société Centrale Canine and be entitled to taking tests including bite work. The R.C.I. is comprised of three tests, grated by 100 points. Tracking (A), Obedience (B) and Protection (C). Each test with a score under 75 out of 100 will be eliminatory. TRACKING PHASE (A) In breeding, puppies are put to work at the age of 3 months. On the photograph above, Cyborg shows us his talents of a tracker while still quite far from the minimum age for the contest!!! OBEDIENCE PHASE (B) This begins with a series of heeling exercises on a 1 metre lead with simulated gunfire to observe the reactions of the dog as it passes a group of people and continues with a series of field exercises involving various positions: Sit while in motion, down in motion then stand and recall / stand while in motion. Next, retrieval exercises are carried out: retrieval on a flat surface, over a hurdle and over a fence. This is followed by ‘’Go ahead and down‘’ exercise where the dog is commanded to run straight ahead and then lie down. Both movements must be performed quickly. The dog completes its obedience test with the ‘’Long down under distraction’’ exercise where it must remain in the prone position in the field away from its handler with various distractions while the next competitor completes its phase B exercises. In breeding, puppies are brought in contact quite very young with objects. On the photograph opposite, Cyborg and his sister Choke-Dee, both three months old, are playing with a dumbbell weighing one kilogram that they will use in a contest starting at level RCI 2. DEFENSE (C) The dog must carry out various exercises on its handler’s command: Search with hold and bark: depending on the level of competition, the dog must search behind two or six blinds, while making a wide sweep everywhere, should the helper be hiding there. At the last blind, the dog reaches the helper and indicates this by barking continuously. The handler meets up its dog and asks the helper to leave. He places its dog at the place at the location indicated by the judge and then goes back to the blind leaving the helper under the dog’s vigilance. Up until the 90s, the RCI offered three levels of difficulty. The RCI 1 for beginners with enough courage and temperament to withstand the tests, the RCI 2 for access to best dog status and the RCI 3 which accepted only dogs with a strong temperament, who were industrious, courageous and perfectly obedient. French Ring Sport It is the oldest French discipline. It consists of two tests: an obedience test and a protection test. In this discipline, obedience is very important and, in addition to the heel on lead or with muzzle, it includes food refusal, jumps and the absence of the handler. The protection test is carried out with a helper wearing a full bite suit. The threats on the dog are practised using a split bamboo or a gun. Depending on the level and whether the dog has the proper age, the dog can be presented for the Brevet which, contrary to the RCI certificate, constitutes a real dog training test, with Ring 1, Ring 2 and Ring 3, reached only by the elite. The efforts requested of the dog are sometimes very violent, particularly for jumps. This discipline does not make the dogs more aggressive. It consolidates a strong temperament. As for the RCI, a good amount of complicity in the dog and handler pair is required to reach what is considered as merry obedience. The breeders of exhibit dogs have openly moved away from the ring, and particularly the Brevet in the towns or cities in which the certificate RCI is conducted. The French ring helpers are all the more satisfied as it is difficult to have a dog win a title when this dog does not like to work or has little complicity with the handler… Too bad for RCI helpers. Oïga, seen in the photograph above, is a breeding bitch who, after obtaining the best bite work score in the N.A.T. (Natural Ability Test), obtained a Brevet of dogs of defence, particularly scoring 30 out of 30 in face attack. Not so bad for an RCI adept to work a bitch in French Ring to give pleasure with its RINGer friends. Mondioring This discipline differs little from the French ring. The notorious differences are the use of an artifice and an inclining palisade aimed at preserving the dog’s forelimbs. Tracking There are several types of tracking: French tracking, FCI tracking and utility tracking. The common objective is to find and follow an odour. These are the most difficult disciplines as they require, on the part of the dog, concentration and industriousness at all times. In the course of tracking, it is not rare to see the dog’s temperature go up to over 40°C. In these disciplines, there are different levels of difficulty: latency between the tracing of the track and the search by the dog, which can take from zero to three hours in FCI tracking, passage of diversion tracks on the course of the tracer, identification by the barking in French tracking, crossed road of river in utility tracking. Agility Measuring speed, obedience and agility; for this test, the dog must be very prompt, which is why herding dogs excel in this category. The course is marked out by numbers allotted by the judge for each obstacle right before the contest begins. Therefore, even when dogs have been well trained and know all the obstacles, the contest cannot be carried out by routine. The dog must follow the course according to the handler’s orders. This discipline is particularly appreciated by young competitors, as it combines speed and harmony between the dog and its handler. There is no bite work included in this discipline, which means that it is open to all dogs, whether L.O.F.-registered or not. Obedience In this type of test, the prevalent criteria are, of course, obedience, speed of execution and attention. Depending on the dog’s level of the dog, 1, 2 or 3, the tests are more or less difficult. The dogs often carry out remote orders from their handler. For this reason, German shepherd, thanks to their gene pool, are predisposed. There is no bite work included in this discipline, which means that it is open to all dogs, whether L.O.F.-registered or not. You must have noticed that I never mention the dog’s colour in the breed standard of the German shepherd. In fact, all colours are allowed except white. The colours go from the sandy yellow to black, including brown, while in France the most common colour is “black-brown-deer”. There are “black and fire-coloured”, “black”, “grey” or “red-headed” German shepherds. It’s quite unfortunate to see that the most popular colour for the dogs is “russet-red”. As a result, some breeders only select reproducers based on this colour, as there is a demand for them, hence neglecting the important qualities regarding their physical appearance and psyche. A selection based on colour criteria changes the dog’s destination, bringing it from the status of a utilitarian dog, where colour is of no importance, to that of a pet. Another problem needs to be raised, that of inbreeding. Indeed, unscrupulous breeders wishing to satisfy the demand in terms of quantity do not hesitate to mix near-blood relations. While inbreeding can be used sparingly to emphasize a quality of a parent, when it is used without reserve, it often leads to a defect. Many cases of breeding for dog shows often resort to this due often for the purpose of colour and sell the puppies, who may be beautiful, but who are incompetent to work, and in the worst cases, are scared, even aggressive or dangerous as adults. It will outwardly look like a German shepherd but it may unfortunately be necessary to get rid of him/her for the family’s safety. In our breeding, we would like to give priority to true values, which is why we will never select our German Shepherds based on colour. Our breeds are “black-chestnut-deer” or “grey”. It turns out that black or grey-coloured dogs are good working dogs.
The CSAU (a Certificate of Sociability and Aptitude for Use delivered by the S.C.C) is compulsory as well as the licence of the S.C.C.
The track laid either by the handler for the certificate and for RCI 1 or by another person in levels II and III, consists of right angles only, 2 or 4 according to the level of contest. The dog held on collar or in harness, with a tracking line of 10 meters or off-lead, must follow the path of the tracklayer very precisely, while proving to be quite industrious; without changing its pace, going off course or even raising its nose, which would lead to the loss of points. Objects (2 or 3 depending on the level) are placed along the track and the dog must, either bring them back to the handler or indicates their locations. In this latter case, the dog must stay close in front of the object, in a sitting, standing or lying down position, without touching it. The method used for marking comes from the police dogs force, used for the mine clearance. It is easy to understand why it is imperative for dog not to touch the object.
Escape : the helper attempts to escape on the judge’s request and the dog must intercept him on the handler’s command. The dog must perform an out and guard staying in front of the helper, ready to intercept him.
Back and side transport: these two exercises consist of the dog and the handler walking together towards the judge with the helper, while making sure that the latter does not escape. In the event of an escape, the dog must still intercept him, without a command on the part of the handler.
Test of courage also called face attack: the helper comes out of the blind and runs, in a threatening manner, in the front of the dog and its handler. The dog must then stop this aggression by a frank and firm grip.
Since the 2000’s and in order to make it possible for the “show German shepherds” to be presented in the work category, the RCI has set up the RCI certificate. This level, without any difficulty, has become compulsory for dogs in order to reach RCI 1. It allows dogs without temperament, who are not very brave or applied, in fact quite far from Captain von Stephanitz breed standard, to obtain a title that counts for a work title to be entered, but not for Körung. In breeding, always through and for the game, puppies are put at bite work as soon as they have teeth, finally at the age of 4 to 5 weeks. On the photograph above, Choke-Dee biting a rag. Even at the age of only 3 months she shows a good strong ‘bite’ and just won’t let go!
The G.S.D
The German Shepherd Dog (G.S.D) In 1878, the German breeders of dogs with herding ability tried for the first time to merge the different strains into one distinct breed in order to improve the morphological characteristics of their dogs. The phenotype of these dogs differed in the various German regions. For example, the Wurtemberg type has erect ears while the Thuringian has floppy ones. From wherever they may come, Bavaria, Hesse, Thuringia or Wurtemberg, all these dogs have one trait in common, their temperament. They are excellent in watching over herds as well as possessions. They are intelligent, obedient, watchful and incorruptible. The empirical selection of the breeders aimed only at obtaining good working dogs. That is why selection criteria were based on temperament, robustness and rustic character. In 1891, Count von Hahn and Captain Riechelmann attempted, along with some breeders, to establish a stud book and create an association, the Phylax Society. But their projects failed. On 3 April 1899, an amateur and admirer of these sheepdogs, Captain of Cavalry von Stephanitz, decided to buy one. This dog, a Thuringian type, yellow and grey, had very upright ears. He was named Horand von Grafath. On 22 April 1899, in Karlsruhe, von Stephanitz and Arthur Meyer founded the Verein für Schäferhunde (better known as S.V.), which is still today the German shepherd breeder's association in Germany. Five months later, the first breed standard was published but only in 1900 did Horand inaugurate the S.V. stud book. The objectives are clear. The selection of German sheepdogs begins in terms of the work they perform and achieve. WORKING GSD : While German shepherd dogs were initially selected to guard, keep and protect the flocks, the industrial development, particularly that of transport in Germany, announced a reduction in the sheep population, thus causing the leading German breeders to find new paths for their sheepdogs. As a result of their robustness, exceptional sense of smell and unfailing obedience, the police and the German army were encouraged to rely on the qualities of the German sheepdog for their missions. In 1914 the SV and the army organized a show to demonstrate the German shepherd’s abilities in wartime, where he paid a heavy toll. Since the end of the Second World War, a sad era in our history, in which GSDs were able to fully express their superiority by helping the wounded or by guarding people and possessions, the desires of the whole world could not help but fall on this breed. So, in France they were given the name of Alsatian shepherd. And the United States kept the German shepherds that were white in colour, considered as unfit by the German standard, to make up a new race, the American white shepherd. Today they are known and registered in the L.O.F. under the name of Swiss white shepherd. To select the best parents, tests are organized: jumping, free tracking or tracking harness handling, test of courage with bite work, out and guard, test of obedience and agility. These tests are progressively being organized in such a way to be presented as true disciplines. Each discipline now has dogs compete in more difficult trials according to their level and age. One of the oldest and most complete disciplines, the schutzhund, led to the Règlement de Concours International (R.C.I.).
What made the breed’s reputation was the generosity of the founders of the S.V. as can be seen in their first definition of the German shepherd: 'All sheepdogs living in Germany who, through constant practice of their sheepdog qualities, reach perfection in their body and psyche within the scope of their utilitarian function'.
LOF
LIVRE DES ORIGINES FRANCAISES (L.O.F) French Pedigree Book Definition of the Société Centrale Canine A dog can be registered in the L.O.F only when its parents have also been registered in the L.O.F and awarded by a judge of the S.C.C in a Conformation Show. The birth of the puppy must be reported to the S.C.C, with a request registered with the L.O.F. that has been expressed and paid. Registration in the L.O.F does not mean that the puppy is a pedigree. However, when the puppy has reached full growth, at about fifteen months of age, it can be presented to a judge in Conformation Show, like its parents. Only at that time can the puppy be declared as suitable for meeting breed standards and receive its pedigree certificate. When it is declared unfit for morphological or psychological reasons, it cannot represent its breed standards and pedigree; it will therefore be excluded from breeding. Conformation shows are generally conducted during canine exposures that take place regularly throughout France. It is generally the S.C.C that issues the forms for preliminary registration for Conformation shows. In Germany, Conformation shows, set up in 1922 under the name of “Körung”, have included since 1950 a test of temperament and a gun shot test in addition to the standard breed control. In France, to be eligible for the Körung, the GSD must obtain a “good” rating in its show evaluation, an endurance patent, carried out over 20 kilometres at an average speed of 12km per hour, and a working certificate including bite work. In other words, a dog that has not been conformation awarded but registered in the L.O.F. can work in any discipline, even including bite work. According to Law No. 99 of January 6, 1999, a non L.O.F. registered puppy cannot qualify as a “purebred dog” (Art. 276-5 from the French Rural Code).