A Tribute to the German Shepherd Dog

Editor's note: This is the first in a series that will be featured here every month in 2008. Special thanks are extended to the
author, Anita Rabidou-Milligan, who conceived and executed these articles. Next month: Rigz the police dog. 
 
 
by Anita Rabidou-Milligan
     Although the German Shepherd Dog was bred to be a sheepdog, Max von Stephanitz correctly predicted that
the ways of agricultural living and herding would be replaced by industrialization. To protect the breed he loved, he 
embarked on a mission to promote the versatility of the German Shepherd Dog. Today, no other breed can compare.
From herding to police work, from guide work to family companion, the German Shepherd Dog is the TOTAL dog.

This month, and for the rest of 2008, we will celebrate our beloved breed's versatility. We begin with Retter, a Search
and Rescue Dog from Georgia.

 

JANUARY

Photo courtesy Paul Bernichon

Above: Paul and Retter, a search and rescue dog in Central GA.

RETTER

Search and Rescue Dog


Owner: Paul Bernichon

Breeder: Clint Hill

Sire: Heartstar’s Cisco Kid       Dam: Heartstar’s Lucy     DOB: 02/14/2007


 

            Paul and Retter are members of Central GA K9 Search and Rescue, a volunteer organization that assists Law Enforcement Agencies with the search of Lost and/or Missing persons, as well as human remains detection and the searching of drowned victims.

            Retter chose Paul from the start. When Paul went to look at the puppies, Retter came over and lay on his feet as his littermates played around them. The special bond between Retter and Paul began. The pair started training for Search and Rescue on May 20, 2007, with the Central GA K9 Search and Rescue. Retter began his training at an earlier age than many dogs, yet he was up to the task. (The name Retter is German for “Savior” or “Rescuer” which is what they train to do.)

            Paul says, “You can tell that Retter has ‘show dog’ in him, but his willingness to work makes him just as good as any other working line dog.”

            Retter’s personality changes when it is time to work and time to just be a dog. Although Retter trains a few times out of the week, running trails with fellow team members, he also spends time at local functions, such as fairs and festivals, socializing with everybody. He even helped dish out candy on Halloween. Retter does take time out of his busy schedule just to be a dog and hang out in the yard chasing squirrels.

            Retter and Paul have met the requirements to receive the GEMA License, which allows the pair to search in the state of Georgia. The license was issued on November 26, and they received it December 6. Retter, like all search dogs, is a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen. This month, Retter and Paul will go for certification in American Working Dog for Tracking/Trailing.

 

 
A Special Tribute

Frederick Argo Von Kitchens Haus
September 1996 - November 2007

In acknowledging Search and Rescue dogs this month, a special tribute must be paid to Fritz, who recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge at 11 years old (1996-2007).  Fritz was owned by Jim and Dee Park and was the foundation dog of the Central Georgia K9 Search and Rescue.

 

Anita Rabidou-Milligan is a contributing writer for The German Shepherd by Design. She can be reached at anitaar@juno.com.


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