German Shepherd Dog Club Of Ireland
The German Shepherd Dog Club of Ireland founded in 1925, continues to be the largest specialist Breed and Working Dog club in Ireland, affiliated to the Irish Kennel Club and the WUSV (World Union of German Shepherd Clubs).
Breed Name
The correct name for the breed was a bone of contention right from the start. This was solved by the International Canine Federation (FCI) in 1931/32 when they ruled that the country of origin should determine the name of the breed. A resolution was passed in the Irish Kennel Club (IKC) and the name of the breed was changed to German Shepherd Dog.
The outstanding breeders and exhibitors in the formative years of the breed in Ireland included three titled ladies – Lady Lambart, Lady de Courcy Wheeler and Lady Edith Wyndham. Lady Lambert was a stalwart in helping the Club and she helped the breed by importing some good blood lines from Germany. Lady Wheeler imported into Ireland “Donna zum Reuter”, the dam of “Utz v Haus Schutting”. Lady Wyndham was the breeder of “Sarcee of Scham”, which became the dam of the first Irish bred Champion Dog and Champion Bitch.
Mrs G M Barrington joined the club in the 1920s when she founded the Brittas Kennels and imported “Voss von Bern” (1929 – 1942) as the foundation stud. In 1979, Mrs Barrington celebrated 50 years membership of WUSV (World Union of German Shepherd Dog Clubs) and in 1988 had attained 30 years Presidency of The German Shepherd Dog Club of Ireland.
In 1936, the breed was judged at the IKC Show by Herr W Hautzsche SV (the German Shepherd Club in Germany). In 1963, the club was to inaugurate its own Annual National Breed Show and the German SV Judge was Herr W Trox. From those early days, the club has continued to have a German SV Judge officiate at the Breed Show each year, past judges including 2 SV Presidents.
Age Classes
In 1977, the club scheduled age classes at their Annual National Breed Show. Today, the club schedules age classes at all their shows including Open shoes.
Age classes consist of:-
· Puppy: 6 – 12 months
· Junior: 12 – 18 months
· Yearling: 18 months – 2 years
· Open: over 2 years
Gun Sureness
The steadiness to gun test took a little longer but, once introduced at the Breed Show in 1980, it also became a regular part of not only the club show but of all specialist breed shows where SV judges officiate. The steadiness to gun test is carried out in all classes except the puppy class.
Critiques
All dogs shown at the club breed show are given a full critique by the German SV judge on the day of the show.
WUSV
In 1969, the club applied for, and were accepted into, membership of the WUSV.
Hip Dysplasia
In 1973, a fund was opened to start a Hip Dysplasia Testing Scheme. Initially, the club asked members to have their dogs x-rayed at the Veterinary College. The club supported the HD scheme set up in England in 1978. A club seminar was held in 1979 in the Green Isle Hotel and Dr Malcolm Willis gave a most informative lecture. The response to the HD scheme has been excellent.
Breed Survey
The first Breed Survey was held by the German Shepherd Dog Club of Ireland in 1977 in De La Salle College, Dublin 10, where Mr Cedric Blackbourne was elected sole Surveyor for Ireland.
Obedience
The German Shepherd Dog Club of Ireland was the founder of Obedience in Ireland and sponsored the first Obedience Competition. It was judged by Mrs Grogan and had 42 entries. Obedience classes became so popular that in 1933 the IKC added 2 obedience classes, Preliminary and Open, for any variety.
Working Qualifications
In 1977, the club introduced Working Qualifications. These proved very popular, as a club test, and are an excellent way of encouraging beginners. Qualification 1 is a simple test whereby dog and handler must complete each exercise in the test to obtain their Qualification Certificate. Dogs are not placed in the test, which in itself is good for beginners whereby they are supporting, rather than competing, against other.
Endurance Test
The 1970s also saw the commencement of the Endurance Test. Certificates are also awarded for this test, which must be carried out under strict supervision. Dogs are worked towards doing a 20 kilometer walk with a handler. All dogs must be adult, in good health and trained over a number of months to reach a standard of fitness necessary to take part in and pass the test.
Tattoo Scheme
The club became the coordinator for the National Dog Tattoo scheme which operates in Ireland and the UK. The club trained tattooists throughout Ireland who will tattoo in the right ear, puppies and adult dogs with an individual indelible number by which lost or stolen dogs can be reunited with their owners. Irish dogs and owners have been reunited by tracing the number with the recorded details in as little as 30 minutes. The club has worked closely with the IKC so that non pedigree dogs can be tattooed for obedience competition.
Welfare
At the Annual General Meeting in November 1988, it was resolved that the Club open a welfare fund to help care for strayed or unwanted German Shepherd Dogs and to set up holding homes to assess them until suitable homes are found. Each year at the club’s AGM the success of this regime is reported. Close ties have been forged between the Club and rescue agencies throughout Ireland.
The day-to-day running of the club is carried out on a voluntary basis by Officers and Committee. Members are encouraged to become involved in the many club activities including:-
· Breed Surveys
· Breed Shows
· Working Trials
· Tests
· Training Classes
· Educational Events
· Annual Club Match
· Social Evenings
· Monthly Committee Meetings
· Fund Raising
