I just came across a news article about Buddy a service dog who is trained to not only recognise when his owner is having a seizure, but thanks to a specially designed phone was able to call 911 when his owner was unable. You can read more about this wonderful 18 month old german shepherd here
While looking for more information I came across this site which mentioned a tribute to those many rescue, assitance and working German Shepherds.
This is the video - it’s beautiful and each and everyone one of those dogs (those mentioned and those that continue to work each and every day, along with their handlers) all deserve our heartfelt thanks
One of the first canine film stars was a German Shepherd named Etzel von Oeringen, better known as Strongheart. Initially trained in Germany as a police dog he was taken to the United States by a husband and wife film making team.
Since Strongheart was previously trained as a police dog he had to undergo socialisation and re-trained so make him more adaptable to his new career. It is said though that he never forgot his original training and often suddenly pursue a passerbye who later were found to have a not so innocent pastime.
Strongheart truly became a star and as such was awarded celebrity treatment, was met with adoring fans where-ever he went and had a dog food named after him (that dog food ‘Strongheart Dog Food’ is still being produced today) as well as two books written about him “Letters to Strongheart” and “Kinship with All Life.”
Strongheart’s filmography includes:
• The Silent Call (1921)
• Brawn of the North (1922)
• The Love Master (1924)
• White Fang (1925)
• The Return of Boston Blackie (1927); thought to be the only Strongheart movie still in existence
Strongheart and his mate, Lady Jule, had many offspring and their line survives to this day. Strongheart’s grandson “Lightning” was a canine movie star in the the 1930’s, appearing in “A Dog of Flanders,” “Wings in the Dark,” and “When Lightning Strikes.” Another grandson, “Silver King,” also appeared in the movies and made personal appearances as part of a safety program for children.
German Shepherds are not only wonderful family pets and companions they are also extremely popular and common working dogs. Known for their strength, loyalty and intelligence German Shepherds can be trained to work in a variety of environments; from being movie and television stars to police, rescue and sniffer dogs, German Shepherds can often be found working to protect, save and entertain us.
With that in mind I’d like to highlight the famous and not so famous working dogs on a regular basis as well as provide any information for those interested in training or working with German Shepherds when they are used in any of these capacities.
To start with I was reading a report on MSNBC – Europe earlier about two dogs – Amy a Shepherd and Uno a Labrador Retriever who have been trained to sniff out live animals and plants or the remains of them.
According to the report they have been trained to focus on 16 specific smells including such things as feathers, reptiles, bone and ivory. You can read more about these clever dogs here
If you want a happy, healthy and well-socialized German Shepherd that's easy to live with and fun to be around... you simply must get this book today! Get more information here
ORANGE GROVE - The Orange Grove Police Department is grateful to have two drug detection dogs on their force, which are protected by law as peace officers.
Palm Beach County animal control officers seized eight guard dogs Thursday owned by a Royal Palm Beach company that has been the target of repeated complaints.
More than 1,100 dogs will put the "pet" in competition as the Cotton Land Cluster of Dog Shows kicks off Labor Day weekend at the Monroe Civic Center arena.
ROXBURY TWP. — The dogs and cats at Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare in Ledgewood recently welcomed both a new Executive Director and a new Shelter Manager to the pack.
A study comparing a University of Pennsylvania method for evaluating a dog’s susceptibility to hip dysplasia to the traditional American method has shown that 80 percent of dogs judged to be normal by the traditional method are actually at risk for developing osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia, according to the Penn method.The results indicate that tradition […]
GRAYSLAKE Car Show: The annual Skip's Graffiti Gold Car Show will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road. There will be a Collectible and High Performance Car/Truck Show, a Parts Swap Meet and a Collectible Car Sale. Tickets are $7.50 and $2 for children ages 6 to 11. Children under 6 are free. Details, (6 […]
By Daniel Wolowicz camarillo@theacorn.com John Hesson tears up at the memory of his wife, Renee. The Camarillo woman lost her longtime battle with cancer Dec. 28, leaving behind her husband of 43 years and their two grown sons. “You couldn’t ask for a better woman than she was,” the 75- year-old retired construction worker said, his voice breaking. rea […]
A study comparing a University of Pennsylvania method for evaluating a dog's susceptibility to hip dysplasia to the traditional American method has shown that 80 percent of dogs judged to be normal by the traditional method are actually at risk for developing osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia, according to the Penn method.
