The War Dog:
Our female German Shepherd hit 6 mo., 1st of the month. Couldn't be happier with her. Very good Ohio kennel breds for square back not - B.S. show standard of - short hind legs which increases risk of hip dysplasia. Our breeder x-rays both parents before they're allowed to mate. No sign of hip irregularities in either parent.
General is healthy, strong, energetic & very alert - at all times - with an excellent temperament. She's affectionate, loves to run & play with toys. (note: Important to have space, nearby, for that).
While not at all vicious, she's very protective of us & barks loudly at strangers when in doubt. Exactly what we wanted. Most websites talk about the breed originating in late 19th Century Germany. As your neighborhood history maven, can tell you that's far from the whole story!
Roman Historian Tacitus, writing about 40 A.D. singled out one particular tribe which controlled present day Alsace & the Black Forest on the other side of the Rhine. The warriors were accompanied by very effective "wolf like" war dogs, who fought by their side, in battle.
Over time, Roman commanders learned to use the breed to the same advantage. Watch opening battle scene from Gladiator. Commanding Gen. played by Russell Crowe, rode his horse to the battle front with his personal wold dog walking next to the horse between a long narrow corridor of troops, at attention, on either side. Believe that final battle during Marcus Aurelius reign (about 180 A.D.) was near the Danube River (500 to 1,000 miles east of Alsace).
Now believe "wolf like" referred to size AWA the rest of their appearance.
At 6 mo., General weighed 60 pounds. Hi end of average for German Shepherd male at that age? 57 pounds! OK....looked at weights for the much larger Grey Wolf. Apparently our gal will come in @ about 75 pounds full grown. Same as the average female Grey Wolf. Clear echo of the ancient Alsacian "wolf like" War Dog.
Mrs. Patch's family emigrated to America from Alsace about 200 yrs ago. Their interaction with that dog breed is a story worth telling another time.
Iso |
