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| Last updated October 25, 2009. |
K-9 Crime Fighters
In 1899, an outstanding example of a sheepherding
dog, Hektor (who was later renamed Horand von
Grafrath), was discovered by Rittmeister von Stephanitz
and became the foundation for all German Shepherd
Dogs (GSD) to follow.
GSD's have enormous physical and mental endurance,
alertness, courage, and a desire to serve. They tend to
be less "hyper" than the Belgian Malinois and so are
used more widely in a variety of tasks from assisting the
handicapped to roles in the police and military.
dog, Hektor (who was later renamed Horand von
Grafrath), was discovered by Rittmeister von Stephanitz
and became the foundation for all German Shepherd
Dogs (GSD) to follow.
GSD's have enormous physical and mental endurance,
alertness, courage, and a desire to serve. They tend to
be less "hyper" than the Belgian Malinois and so are
used more widely in a variety of tasks from assisting the
handicapped to roles in the police and military.
German Shepherd Information
| Sgt. Fitzgerald holding 11-week-old German Shepherd puppy, Raina |
In fact, the GSD was used briefly after WWI to assist veterans blinded in combat. An American in
Switzerland, Dorothy Harrison Eustis, adopted the idea and brought the program to the United States
where the concept flourished. Buddy, a female GSD, became the first Seeing Eye dog in America. She
was the helper for Morris Frank, who established a guide dog school in Nashville, Tennessee in 1929.
Reknowned for versatility, the GSD can perform almost any task set with unconditional affection and
loyalty; e.g., herding, search-and-rescue, narcotics and explosives detection, police and military work, and
service dogs for the blind, deaf, and otherwise handicapped individuals.
Switzerland, Dorothy Harrison Eustis, adopted the idea and brought the program to the United States
where the concept flourished. Buddy, a female GSD, became the first Seeing Eye dog in America. She
was the helper for Morris Frank, who established a guide dog school in Nashville, Tennessee in 1929.
Reknowned for versatility, the GSD can perform almost any task set with unconditional affection and
loyalty; e.g., herding, search-and-rescue, narcotics and explosives detection, police and military work, and
service dogs for the blind, deaf, and otherwise handicapped individuals.
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| While a number of German Shepherds have served in APD's K-9, none are currently serving |
Above is a picture of german shepherd, Champ, with Doug Johnson, who was then approximately 3
months old back in 1953 (notice the now vintage car in the driveway in the upper left corner).
Doug's mother says that they could leave him in the front yard with Champ knowing that Champ
would watch over Doug and stay with him, keeping him completely safe from harm.
months old back in 1953 (notice the now vintage car in the driveway in the upper left corner).
Doug's mother says that they could leave him in the front yard with Champ knowing that Champ
would watch over Doug and stay with him, keeping him completely safe from harm.