GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG Q&A
MARY TRIPP Where do I Live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a Breeder? I live in Leander, Texas. I have been in dogs for 40-plus years as a breeder. What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep? My kennel name is Tripphill Kennels. I currently keep 11 dogs. Which show dogs for the past have been my noteworthy win- ners? A noteworthy winner is AOE 2x Sel (Int.) Ch. Crosstimbers Cargogh Clihu, OFA, RN, Award of Excellence. Which have been my most influential sires and dams? “Car- gogh” has been the most influential. Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised? Nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, the kennel is an 875 sq. ft. heated and cooled build- ing with both indoor and outdoor runs. Each dog has individual quarters, including the indoor/outdoor facilities as well as large exercise paddocks. Puppies have a separate whelping room with access to outdoors when age appropriate. The bitch has complete privacy as well as bathroom privileges. As puppies grow, their area is extended, and by the time they are 6 weeks old they are basically house-trained. They are socialized daily, handled, talked to, and played with. What is my “process” for selecting show puppies? At what age do I make my decisions? We begin observing them as soon as they are born. Since GSDs are a “moving” breed, we spend many hours watching them gait naturally. They are taken on walks daily and taught to come when they are called, usually, “puppy.” We start making decisions at 10 weeks. Usually by 12 weeks, we have chosen the pick two or three, and move the rest to companion homes. The GSD is uniquely presented, both standing and moving. How do I prepare my pups for the show ring? The stance should be natural if the puppy is structured properly. It is enhanced by using bait to teach them to stand still and observe the handler. Gaiting on a leash starts at 8 weeks when they learn to pull and move out. At the same time, they are socialized at every opportunity. Care to comment on the various coat colors of the breed? Any personal preferences? There are several coat colors that are accept- able. My desire is for deep, rich pigment with little to no ticking. I do not have a preference for color. What are my thoughts on the various “styles“ of GSD seen in the US and around the world? There is only one standard and therefore should only be one style. The breed is meant to be multi-functional, all in the same mind and body! Do I compete with your dogs in Companion and Performance events? Are Specialties important? Yes, I compete in Companion and Performance events. Specialties are absolutely important. They are the opportunity to showcase the best in the breed. In my opinion, is my breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern? We have dogs with overall great traits. There could be improvement in temperament and type. Do I feel that my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders? No, we are losing major preservation breed- ers almost weekly, with no one to replace them. The dedication it takes to raise and study dogs is a dying art. Is the GSD well suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed? The GSD makes an excellent fam- ily dog for all ages. A good family for GSDs is active and loving, with a gentle nature. They must be willing to train and work with the dogs.
eight weeks of age, when close friends come by to socialize with the babies. We eat cheesecake, take pictures, and evaluate babies. What is my “process” for selecting show puppies? At what age do I make my decisions? I do not have a specific process. I watch and evaluate puppies from the moment they are born and do so throughout their lives. I pick my show prospects at six weeks of age. The GSD is uniquely presented, both standing and moving. How do I prepare my pups for the show ring? This isn’t a question I can answer in a straightforward manner. I train my dogs intuitively, not through specific practice. While the end result is the same for all dogs, the training is not. Some dogs are taught to move out ahead of me using targets, some are taught using a thrown reward, others are taught through being doubled. It depends on the animal I have in front of me. Care to comment on the various coat colors of the breed? Any personal preferences? I have no particular opinion on coat colors within the breed in terms of what others breed or own. I personally prefer dark dogs, with bi-colors being my favorite. I do have many black and tans, but they need to be “dark.” I dislike faded saddles and open faces. I do feel it is high-time white dogs be accepted in conformation. What are my thoughts on the various “styles” of GSD seen in the US and around the world? The split is vast, frustrating, and won’t be going anywhere. There are issues with all styles and great attributes in all styles. I personally breed American show lines and the occasional working line-cross litter. Do I compete with my dogs in Companion and Performance events? Are Specialties important? I compete in herding trials with my personal dogs and I’m starting to do more Fast CAT and CAT tests. I hope to return to Agility someday. Are Specialties impor- tant? For me, not particularly. I don’t think I see significantly better animals at Specialties as opposed to all-breed shows. I also do not feel that Specialty judges are inherently more knowledgeable. Judg- ing is a subjective endeavor, all around, and there are all-breed judg- es I would run to show to and breeder-judges I won’t give an entry. In my opinion, is my breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern? The breed is doing “ok.” However, in my opinion, there is a lot of linebreeding and not enough out- crossing happening. Temperaments are improving, but are still not always what I like to see, including in some of my own animals that have been produced. I would love to see the breed move away from so much doubling, as it frequently makes dogs look terrible in their performance and gives inaccurate insight as to how they move. Is the GSD well-suited to be a family dog? Who are the best can- didates to own my breed? The German Shepherd Dog is supremely well-suited to be a family dog, if the owner is dedicated and makes sure their needs are met. GSDs are not a breed for people who want to do little more than take their dog for a stroll around the block. They are active, intelligent, “drivey” animals that should want to work. By no means should this mean that they are incapable of set- tling if the weather is bad and they can’t have their exercise for the day… but they aren’t meant for holding down a couch. Do I feel that my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders? That’s hard to say. There are certainly a large number of breeders out there, but with the varying opinions on what preservation breeding is, I can’t give a definitive answer. For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever expe- rienced with a GSD? My first GSD, “Strauss,” was taught to play dead. I would tell him, “Bang! Dead Dog!” and he would fall over with a dramatic groan. (That part I didn’t teach him.) Sometimes, he would thump his tail and I would say, “Dead dogs don’t wag their tails!” He would stop wagging and lay completely still. People got a huge kick out of it.
214 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, APRIL 2022
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