History Of German Shepherd Dogs -- Vol IV

Please read out my former posts on History of German Shepherd Dogs Vol I, Vol II and Vol III. This posts is the continuation of the former ones.

Another vital phase of the breed's development starts with Horand (DOB -- January 1st, 1895)- this is beyond all controversies. After Mr. Stephanitz became the the president of the verein, he atended a dog show in the year 1899, where he found Horand, which was a Thuringian type sheep dog of medium stature. It was Horand's typical shepherd qualities that grabs captain's attention and he fell in love with Horand at the first sight. He purchased him at the spot. Although his original name was Hektor Linkshrein, he was registered in the verein's newly found stud book with the name "Horand von Grafrath". Horand was the first dog to find the first place in the new stud book of the verein. The another dog that got an entry into the stud book was Meri von Grafrath. Hektor Linkshrein (later Horand) had a brother called Luch von Sparwasser, who was also a very good specimen, if not as good as his elder brother Hektor. Luch was later registered in the stud book of verein -- SZ 155.

Hektor actully descended from the wonderful lineage. Luch's and Hektor's (later Horand) was Greif von Sparwasser, which was a white coated German herding dog with awesome shepherding quality. George Horowitz, who was a well renowned English Judge, German Shepherd Dog columnist, author and historian, wrote about the background of Hektor Linksrhein in his 1923 book, known as "The Alsatian Wolf-Dog". In his book he wrote that that the white-coated German herding dog named Greif von Sparwasser was born in 1879 and was exhbited at the 1882 and 1887 Hanover Dog Shows.

Horand was in the possesion of certain very interesting qualities apart from his shepherding ability, such as the mental soundness, boldness, protective and energetic nature. This dog was wolf grey color. He had good gait and remarkable anatomy with mind blowing bones and head profile. Horand was mated to many good bitches and produced good number of quality range of litters through out his life.

The most important progenies of this classy dog are:

• VA Hektor von Schwaben, DOB: January 5th 1898, Sieger: 1900 - 1901
• VA Peter von Pritschen, DOB: December 14th 1900, Sieger: 1902
• VA Lux Sparwasser
• Nelli Eislingen
• Baron von der Krone
• Thekla I von der Krone
• Thekla von der Krone
• Waldine von der

Horand became the father of all German Shepherd Dogs that we find today. And from then onwards the breed went on developing at a fast pace. You will just be amazed to see the the change that this breed has got during its course of development.

Top left: Horand von Grafrath SZ 1 and Marie von Grafrath SZ 2
Middle Right: Peter von Pritschen {Sieger: 1902}
Middle Left: Horand von Grafrath SZ 1
Bottom Right: Hector Schwaben {Sieger: 1900 - 1901}

Botton Left: Luch von Sparwasser {Litter brother of Hektor (later Horand) DOB: January 1st, 1895}