I am so sorry . I can not recommend this book.
I bought a copy and over 4 days have read it , more than once .
There is almost an undertone as if Doc doesn't even like GSD.
Is the end thought that the breed will be saved by back yard breeders ?
I surely do not think so , and to equate "the country people" with back yard breeders is flawed and damaging in the long run .
Every back yard breeder will now have reinforcements , whether Doc intended this or not.
The "country people" that were being referenced where the working shepherds who carried on , unimpressed and unaffected by the scramble to create a breed . They bred to make their own work day go easier , from their own stock or a competing shepherds interesting , superior performing dog. They were not back yard breeders .
I think there was reference to Gord Garrett .
"country people" would be his turn of phrase.
I had the pleasure of spending many hours talking to Gord when we attended the same shows. That goes back to mid 70's .
Once again , a co-incidence because I was asking after him , because no one has seen him or heard from him in a long time. That was a week before the book arrived on my doorstep.
At one time he wrote for the Breedlines in the Dogs in Canada magazine .
Oversize dogs , with out of standard colour , without proper breed characteristics , by a group that does not proof the breeding program in work, by work, which does include sport , will not save the day .
Breeders don't despise pet owners.
GSD that do sport are not savage blood lusting dogs .
First section I hit , random chance was Held Ritterberg , a mainstay in my program as a good source of Bernd Lierberg -- koer description is "Held vom Ritterberg
11d
DDR 103314
20-11-1978
SchH.3, Kör 5546/44
Held vom Ritterberg was an outstanding producer of East German/Czech border patrol dogs such as Bero v.d. Friedersdorfer Flur, Kass v. Fürstendamm, Hassan v.d. Hasselwiesen. Line breeding on Held has proven to be very productive in producing hard, serious working Shepherds.
Kör: Just middle-sized, medium-strong, masculine male with good harmony and lines, firm and tight in structure. Striking head with firm ears and dark eyes. Good firm top-line, with beautiful outline in front and rear and he demonstrates a free far-reaching gait with a powerful action. He should not fill out any more in the lowerchest. Similar in type to his parents. He has a relaxed and friendly temperament but hard when provoked with good sharpness, courage and hardness."
Relaxed and friendly temperament . Hard when provoked .
With good sharpness , courage and hardness.
This is ideal . Perfection. A brave dog , who is not a liability . Plus has good , functional size and conformation.
quote " Held was a dog balanced between the unfettered aggression of Hitler's attack dogs and the old main line of Stephanitz' dogs" page 345 .
Not good words about Don Rolandsteich , and his connections to Axel Deininghauserheide .
You have a lovely female that quote "I have a litter mate (female) of this dog. What a wonderful balanced dog that is exhibiting "it" ...
M'Kaiser von Benedict - German Shepherd Dog"
have a look at the pedigree . Rich vein of Held Ritterberg and rich vein of Don Rolandsteich.
You keep mentioning P T Barnum throughout the book -- the reflections , sorry to say are like those you would see in a fun house mirror - found in many circus shows.