Our Tribute

Let’s take an opportunity to pay our wholehearted tribute to Horand – Horand von Grafrath – the father of modern German Shepherd Dog. An important phase in the evolution of the German Shepherd Dog breed starts from Horand (DOB — January 1st, 1895), SZ1.

There’s no better we can pay our tribute to Horand von Grafrath than by mentioning here what Captain von Stephanitz, the originator of the breed said about this awesome dog. Here’s what he said about Horand… “Horand embodied for the enthusiasts of that time the fulfillment of their fondest dreams. He was big for that period, between 24″ and 24 1/2″, even for the present day a good medium size, with powerful frame, beautiful lines, and a nobly formed head. Clean and sinewy in build, the entire dog was one live wire. His character was on a par with his exterior qualities; marvelous in his obedient fidelity to his master, and above all else, the straightforward nature of a gentleman with a boundless zest for living. Although untrained in puppy hood, nevertheless obedient to the slightest nod when at this master’s side; but when left to himself, the maddest rascal, the wildest ruffian and incorrigible provoker of strife. Never idle, always on the go; well disposed to harmless people, but no cringer, mad about children and always in love. What could not have been the accomplishments of such a dog if we, at that time, had only had military or police service training? His faults were the failings of his upbringing, never of his stock. He suffered from a superfluity of unemployed energy, for he was in Heaven when someone was occupied with him and was then the most tractable of dog.”
~Captain von Stephanitz, Originator of the breed

So by these words we can at ease understanding what actually the desirable qualities of an actually well bred German Shepherd should be. Horand von Grafrath was a name that had been given to the dog by Captain Stephanitz. There is a beautiful and interesting history behind the Horand’s life story. While attending a dog show in 1899 the captain came across a Thuringian type sheep dog of medium stature, whose name was Hecktor Linkshrein. It was Hecktor ‘s typical shepherding qualities, his nature and anatomic structure that grabed the attention of the captain, who he fell in love with him at the first sight. He purchased him at the spot and later he changed his name to Horand Von Grafrath registered him with his new name the verein’s newly found stud book. Horand was the first shepherd dog to find the first place in the new stud book of the verein. “Verein” here is Verein für deutsche Schäferhunde (shortly known as SV – the “Club For German Shepherd Dogs”).

Later Horand sired many pups, the worth mentioning and most celebrated of which was Hektor von Schwaben. Hektor von Schwaben later produced some head reeling offspring named Heinz von Starkenburg, Beowolf, and Pilot. These three studs had been used in the breeding program later, and thus their progeny contributed immensely to the development of the breed.

Let their souls sleep in peace!

The German Shepherd Dogs are admired and respected all across the world due to a several reasons. Their unswerving degree of intelligence, courage, fearlessness and loyalty have made them one of the most well honored dog breed. German Shepherds have long been considered as one of the most adaptable dog breeds, offering camaraderie and unconditional companionship. GSD has excelled as the most effective working breed in many different arenas, such as police dogs, military dog, sentry dogs and not to be forgettable war dogs.

The German Shepherd Dog breed had been called during the emergencies of war. And every time they exhibited sky high heroic deeds in the wars by saving lives of millions of servicemen. While many of them had laid down their truly precious lives in the war fields, others had been euthanized because according to the Governments, those dogs were not fit to be kept with families. When withdrawing from Vietnam war in the year 1973, the military categorized these beautiful lives as surplus and those war dogs were left behind during the evacuation. Many dogs were left wit the South Vietnamese allies, who hardly had any knowledge about the dogs – especially handling the war dogs. Finally those dogs also had to die due to their handlers’  lack of knowledge. Sadly, many other had been put to sleep.

So this was how those heroes had been rewarded for their noble deeds of fighting the war and saving lives.

Throughout World War history, they had always stood faithfully by their soldier masters as their best ever companions and protected the troops. Every single hero – “War Dog” who had served in World War I, World War II, and the other wars on this planet have left behind many tales of heroism and loyalty. Words are really not enough to express our gratitude and tribute to these World War Heroes, but these were just a few words that we could use to express our heartfelt gratitude to those fearless champs.

Here’s one of our friends “Biswajit” who uttered a few words from the core of his heart. Although he is not a poet still his words purely proves emotions of thousands of people like us at About German Shepherd Dog to those War Dogs – The Real Heroes…

Tribute To World War GSD Heroes

I Am Not There “Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there; I do not sleep I am a thousand winds that blew over this planet

I am the diamond glints on snow;

I am the sunlight on ripened grain

When you awaken in the morning’s hush,

I am the swift uplifting of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at above the Earth amidst the dark

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there, I did not die”