WHAT WE BREED FOR AT ALYESKA GERMAN SHEPHERDS
Marina vom Alyeska, a typical Alyeska Bred Female from Klicko and finess
IKKA VOM ALYESKA, A TYPICAL ALYESKA-BRED FEMALE FROM OUR COHEN AND VASHON LITTERS
"Show me your dog and I'll tell you what manner of man you are."
- - Captain Max von Stephanitz, founder of the German Shepherd Dog breed.
Alyeska German Shepherds gets its name from the magnificant land in which we are located...Alaska. The state name of Alaska is derived from Aleut word "Alyeska" (ali- ess'- kah), meaning “great land." It seems to us, what better tribute to the greatest of breeds than to name the dogs from our kennel after the"great land" in which we breed and raise them. We at Alyeska German Shepherds are small-scale, licensed trainers/breeders of the European working line German Shepherd Dog, this most distinguished of dogs. By breeding only these working dogs, be believe we are best attempting to breed dogs as closely as possible to the standard envisioned by the breed's founder, Captain Max von Stephanitz.
German Shepherd Dogs require hours of attention, training and care to achieve their full potential and have truly happy, well-rounded lives and fully developed personalities. We believe that it is a thorough, comprehensive and wide-reaching understanding of dogs in general, the German Shepherd breed specifically, and in addition a deep understanding of our own dogs, their bloodlines, traits, how to best combine them, etc., gained from years of breeding these dogs, this is what makes us quality breeders. It is ONLY through experience and true knowledge of one's animals that the breeder is able to make the best possible choices in breeding and in selecting animals for breeding and for homes. It is due to most breeders significant and sometimes complete lack of intensive knowledge of the breed and their own breeding stock that the German Shepherd Dog has been so damaged by poor breeding practices.
Much of our breeding philosophy is taken from the breed founder, Max vom Stephanitz. Thus, we endeavor to breed according to the intended breed goal, a well-rounded working dog. We stick to the basics and we don't attempt to "fix" what is not broken. We have found that von Stephanitz's understanding and love of his breed, to which he devoted his life, has not become less relevant over time and indeed, perhaps speaks even more strongly to us today when our beloved breed faces so many problems due to improper breeding and a lack of understanding regarding the purpose and needs of this spectacular dog.
This statement by Max von Stephanitz is our breeding goal at Alyeska for the German Shepherd Dog, in a nutshell. A lot can be said to explain why these "working dogs" generally make far better companions and pets than their "show" bred or Americanized (bred out of standard) counterparts. We breed only European working lines, as we believe, having bred, imported and trained German Shepherd Dogs for over 17 years and having seen just about every bloodline available (including the main 3: European showline, European working-line and the American-style German Shepherd show dog), it is the German working line dogs that are, at this point in the breed history today, still capable of meeting the standard of the ideal German Shepherd Dog as set out by von Stephanitz. We attempt to breed with the original function and standard og the German Shepherd dog always at the forefront of our goals. Thus, we do not breed dogs that are not to the standard set out by von Stephanitz. We will not breed for current bloodline "fashion," for color, or for primary profit. This means we do not breed white dogs, the grossly oversized dogs (over 100 pounds) that seem to be so popular with the public these days, or dogs otherwise not meeting the standard set out for the German Shepherd Dog. We might occasionally produce puppies with long coats or solid blacks, etc. These genes do sometimes crop up. However, we in no way specifically breed for these superficial, cosmetic traits. We also do not cross European showlines or American show shepherd bloodlines with our European working lines. We regard the mixing of lines as a recipe for disaster, as the lines are too different at this point in the breed history to converge and blend well.
All the reasons we don't breed dogs being said, you might ask why we DO breed the German Shepherd Dog. We breed the German Shepherd Dog because they are the joys of our life. Nothing has brought us more joy in life than having the privilege to own and work with some of the finest working dogs ever bred. It is a life-changing experience, to share a part of your life with one of these animals. Once you do, you will never forget it and never be happy with another breed. We believe that the truly great working German Shepherds are quickly disappearing, and we wish to keep our working lines alive and available for as long as we can. Everyone with the ability and lifestyle to enjoy and appreciate one of these dogs should be able to have that chance...and that chance includes the opportunity to own "the real thing."
Although we believe it is destructive to breed for specific cosmetic traits such as specific colors or coat lengths, we do care about good pigment and structure. A German Shepherd cannot properly fulfill his function is he no longer has the form to enable him to get his tasks done. These concerns are secondary and can be improved upon, as long as the temperament,working abilities and health of the dog are superb. We would not breed two dogs if we personally would not be interested in having one of the offspring of the breeding, litter unseen. We must have that much faith in both dogs involved and their inherent qualities before allowing them to produce puppies. Our goals are always for breed improvement with every litter. However, this improvement is limited to breeding dogs that conform to the breed standard and that are exemplary representatives of the breed as it was intended. We do not have a vision towards changing or "improving " upon the original vision of the German Shepherd as an ideal working dog and guardian. With every litter, using only top European working lines, we strive to both preserve the traditional working character of our dogs and to also produce dogs with both the proper structure, drives and temperament for both work and the requirements needed in a balanced companion dog.
We breed dogs with an eye to maintaining a balance of traditional (correct ) working structure, solid nerves, sociability/good temperament, and high working drives tempered with excellent nerves and stability. A quality German Shepherd should be able to be both pet, working dog and family protector/companion. Puppies from our litters are currently involved in Schutzhund, Search and Rescue, FEMA, Service K9 work, Therapy K9 work, Narcotics Detection, Bomb Detection, Military Patrol and Anti-terror functions, Agility, Obedience and Tracking. However, the vast majority of our dogs are also living as faithful companions and protectors in homes, and we believe that is the way it should be.
However, a German Shepherd dog is not a dog for everyone and those considering adding one to their family should research the breed carefully before the final decision is made. The dedication this dog deserves from his family and handler(s) is captured in this quote from Max von Stephanitz; "The success for all employment as an assistant of man depends in the first place on expert leadership, whereby the dog is always put in just the right place, and where the man is so well-aquainted with the peculiarities of the dog that he always knows how to interpret correctly the meaning of the dog's signs. A leader without expert knowledge of and affection for the dog will achieve only mediocre results with the best trained dog: while an expert dog-loving leader can achieve good results with a dog of only fair capacity. In other words, the whole question is not only a question of the dog, but quite as much, if not more so, a question of the fitness of the leader." Wise words and definitely food for thought if you are considering purchasing a German Shepherd dog. Far too many dogs today are ruined and even "put down" due to problems caused by the neglect and negligence of unsuitable owners. Even more tragically, it is almost always the dog who is blamed for these undesirable behaviors that lead to the situations in which dogs are judged as disobedient, destructive or dangerous ... and thus expendable or deserving of death. Rarely is the owner, who clearly did not supply the dog with proper upbringing, training and attention, held to account for his failure to properly care for, train and take appropriate responsibility for his dog. These crucial questions of the owner, fundamental moral questions, if they come at all, always occur after the damage has been done. And it is always the dog who suffers... and the dog who pays. Without fail, the owner will says he loves his dog, but we have found that "love," without appropriate care, attention and responsible training, is meaningless at best.
German Shepherd dogs require the same level of devotion and loyalty that they offer to those fortunate enough to own one. Their protective nature requires that they are properly raised and handled and that they receive direction and training from their owners. We strive to place our dogs in select homes where there is understanding of the responsibility of owning our magnificent animals. A well-bred German Shepherd Dog does not have the temperament of a Golden Retriever, nor should it. The temperament of a properly-bred German Shepherd is like no other dog. Intelligence, willingness to obey, vigilance and a strong protective nature are all traits that we have attempt to preserve in our dogs. Dogs with these characteristics require a proper upbringing with a great deal of attention and socialization in order to make well-balanced and adjusted adult dogs. Proper training is required if they are to develop to their fullest potential. If you have the time and energy to devote to such a dog, once you experience a real German Shepherd, you will never wish to own another breed. A well bred German Shepherd is like no other breed of dog. The original temperament of the breed is something that almost anyone can appreciate and admire.
Unfortunately, not everyone can handle these dogs, which has prompted some breeders to breed away from the original temperament that made the German Shepherd the most versatile working dog in the world. Any person interested in owning a German Shepherd dog owes it to himself to research the breed and the breeder before they purchase. Currently there are people literally coming out of the woodwork calling themselves "breeders" of German Shepherd Dog. Since these people know so little about the breed, they are breeding for nothing more than money and for what their ideal German Shepherd Dog is supposed to be like. They don't have the experience or skill to breed for the betterment of the breed, and they don't, for the most part, know or even care what the standard says a German Shepherd Dog should be in form or function. Thus, it is now, more than ever, vitally important to locate breeders who are attempting to maintain the original temperament of the breed. It can be a very confusing task, but when you do find a quality German Shepherd Dog bred with the original breed traits in mind, it becomes worth every bit of the effort. While many people dream of owning a German Shepherd dog, few understand the responsibility involved. Deciding to purchase a German Shepherd should be a process that involves evaluating your own limitations and your ability to raise and handle a dog with the drives and abilities this breed possesses. Your breeder, besides being extremely well-versed in all aspects of the breed, should also be very experienced in placing the right pup in the right home. This is not always easy to do, but years of experience in learning to match people with pups certainly helps.
The German Shepherd standard follows and should be the aim of all breeders concerned with maintaining the breed's original temperament, working ability and correct working structure:
A Brief History: In accordance with the official provisions of the German Shepherd Dog Club (SV) e.V., located in Augsburg, a member of the Federation of Dog Clubs in Germany (VDH) is the founding organization of the German Shepherd Dog and therefore, responsible for the breed standard. Work on this document was begun at the first membership meeting in Frankfurt/M on September 20, 1899 and is based on proposals by A. Meyer and v. Stephanitz. Additions and revisions to the standard were made as follows: membership meeting on July 28, 1901; 23rd membership meeting on September 17, 1909 in Koln; Board and Executive Committee Meeting on September 5, 1930 in Wiesbaden, and the Breeders Committee and Board Meeting on March 25, 1961 in conjunction with the WUSV (World Union of German Shepherd Clubs) and during the WUSV Meeting on August 30, 1976 where the standard was agreed upon, revised, and approved by the Board and Executive Committee on March 23 and 24, 1991. Planned breeding activities began after the inception of the SV in 1899. The German Shepherd Dog was developed from herding dogs in service during that time in Middle and Southern Germany. The goal was to produce a high-performance working dog. To accomplish this goal, the Breed Standard of the German Shepherd Dog was created. This document addresses both physical qualities as well as character attributes.
General Appearance
The German Shepherd Dog is medium sized, slightly longer than tall, strong and well muscled, bone is dry, the whole dog presenting a picture of firmness.
Important Measurements
Height at the withers for males: 60 - 65 cm,(23.4 inches to 25.4 inches). Bitches: 55 - 60 cm., (21.5 inches to 23.4 inches). Length of torso exceeds height at the withers by 10 - 17%.
Character
The German Shepherd should appear poised, calm, self confident, absolutely at ease, and (except when agitated) good natured, but also attentive and willing to serve. He must have courage, fighting drive, and hardness in order to serve as companion, watchdog, protection dog, service dog, and herding dog.
Temperament ( German Shepherd Dog Club of America Standard)
The breed has a distinct personality marked by a direct and fearless, but not hostile, expression, and self-confidence and a certain aloofness, which does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. The Shepherd Dog is not one that fawns upon every new acquaintance. At the same time, it should be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and a willingness to meet overtures without itself making them. It should be poised, but when the occasion demands, eager and alert, both fit and willing to serve in any capacity as companion, watch dog, blind leader, herding dog or guardian; whichever the circumstances may demand. The Shepherd Dog must not be timid, shrinking behind its master or handler, nervous, looking about or upward with anxious expression or showing nervous reactions to strange sounds or sights, or lackadaisical, sluggish, or manifestly disinterested in what goes on about him. Lack of confidence under any surroundings is not typical of good character. Cases of extreme timidity and nervous unbalance sometimes give the dog an apparent, but totally unreal, courage and it becomes a "fear biter," snapping not for any justifiable reason but because it is apprehensive of the approach of a stranger. This is a serious fault subject to heavy penalty.
Head
The head is wedge-shaped and in harmony with the dog's size (length app. 40% of height at the withers) without being coarse or overly long. The head should appear dry, and moderately wide between the ears. Seen from the front and side, the forehead is only slightly domed, the center furrow is either absent or only slightly visible. The length ratio of skull to face is 50 : 50%. Skull width approximately equals skull length. Seen from above, the skull slopes into a wedge-shaped muzzle. The stop should not be pronounced. Upper and lower jaws are strong, the bridge of the nose should be straight, not a Roman nose or dish-faced nose. Lips are taut, well closed and of dark color.
The Nose
The nose should be black.
Teeth
The teeth must be strong and complete in number (42 teeth as per formula). The German Shepherd has a scissor bite, where the upper incisors must meet the lower incisors in a scissor grip. Level bite, overshot and undershot teeth are faulty, as well as widely-spaced teeth. A straight incisor tooth line is also faulty. Jawbones must be well developed, to permit deep rooting of the teeth in the gum.
The Eyes
The eyes are medium sized, almond-shaped, set slightly oblique and not protruding. The color should be as dark as possible.
Ears
The German Shepherd has medium-sized, upright ears which are carried erect and perpendicular to one another, pointed and open to the front. Tipped ears and hanging ears are faulty. Laid-back ears are not faulty when the dog is in motion or resting.
Neck
The neck is strong, well-muscled, and clean cut (without folds of loose skin). The angle of neck to torso is approximately 45 degrees.
Body
The top line extends from the point where the neck meets the skull past the well developed withers and the gently downward sloping back to the slightly sloping croup without a visible break. The back is firm, strong, and well muscled. The loin is broad, well developed, and strongly muscled. The croup should be long and have a slight downward slope (approximately 23 degrees from horizontal) and should merge smoothly into the tail set.
Chest
The chest should be of moderate width, the underchest long and pronounced. Chest depth should be approximately 45 to 48% of height at the withers. The ribs should be moderately sprung. Barrel shaped or flat ribs are faulty.
Tail
The tail reaches at least to the hock joint, but not past the halfway point of the hock itself. The coat is slightly longer on the underside of the tail. The tail hangs in a soft, saber-like curve. When the dog is excited or in motion, the tail is somewhat raised, but should not reach past the horizontal line. Surgical corrections are not permitted.
Limbs
Forelegs
Seen from all sides, the forelegs are straight and absolutely parallel when viewed from the front.
Shoulder and upper arms are of equal length. Both are held snugly to the body by strong muscles. Angulation of shoulder blade to the upper arm ideally is 90 degrees, but up to 110 degrees is permissible.
Elbows may not turn out when the dog is standing or in motion or be pinched inward. The lower legs viewed from all sides are straight and absolutely parallel, dry, and well muscled. The pastern measures about 1/3 of the forearm length and is angled 20-22 degrees to the foreleg. Pasterns with an angle of more than 22 degrees or very steep pasterns (less than 20 degrees) reduce working capability especially, endurance.
Hind Legs
The rear legs have a pronounced rounded knee or turn of stifle which projects the dog's rear quarter well behind the point of the pelvis. Seen from the rear, the hind legs are parallel to one another. Upper and lower thighs are of approximately the same length and form an angle of 120 degrees. Thighs are strong and well muscled.
The hock joint is strong and dry and the hock stands upright under the joint.
Paws
The paws are tight, slightly arched, the balls of the feet are hard and dark, nails strong, arched, and dark.
Gait
The German Shepherd is a trotting dog. Length and angulation of front and rear legs must be in proper proportion to one another to permit the dog to move the rear leg underneath the body, matching the reach of the rear legs with that of the front legs and at the same time, keeping the topline over the back relatively undisturbed. Any tendency for overangulation of the rear reduces firmness and endurance of the dog and therefore, working capability. Correct body proportions and angulation result in a ground-covering gait which moves close to the ground and conveys the impression of effortless movement. With the head held slightly forward and the tail slightly lifted, the dog trotting evenly and smoothly, we see a softly moving topline which flows without interruption from neck to tail tip.
Skin
The skin covers the body loosely, but without folds.
Coat
Coat Characteristics
The correct coat for the German Shepherd is a stock coat (outer and under coat). The top coat should be as tight as possible, straight, coarse, and clinging closely to the undercoat. The head, including the inside of the ears, the front of the legs, the paws, and toes have short hair. Neck hair is longer and thicker. On the rear side of the legs, hair length increases downward to the pastern and hock. The rear of the thighs is covered show moderate "pants".
Pigment
Black with reddish brown, brown, tan to light-grey markings. Solid black, grey with darker overcast, black saddle and mask. Inconspicuous small white chest markings, as well as lighter pigment on the inside of the legs is permitted, but not desirable. All dogs, no matter what their color, must have black noses.
Missing mask, light to white markings on the chest and inner leg sides, light toenails, and a red tail tip are signs of faulty pigmentation. Undercoat has a slight grey cast. White is not permissible.
Size/Weight
Males: Height at the wither 60 cm to 65 cm, (23.4 inches to 25.4 inches) Weight 30 kg to 40 kg.
Females: Height at the wither 55 cm to 60 cm, (21.5 inches to 23.4 inches) Weight 22 kg - 32 kg
Testicles
Visual inspection must show two normally developed testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Faults
Any deviations from the above listed points are considered faults. Points deducted must be in accordance with severity of the deviation.
Severe Faults
Deviations from the breed characteristics described above which compromise the working ability of the animal.
Ear Faults: ears set too low, tipped ears, overset ears, and soft ears.
Considerable lack of pigment.
Firmness strongly compromised.
Faults of Dentition:
All deviation from scissor bite and number of teeth, unless they are disqualifying faults.
Disqualifying Faults
a) Character weakness, nervous biters, and dogs with a weak nervous system;
b) Dogs with documented "severe hip dysplasia";
c) Monorchids and cryptorchids as well as dogs with testicles of visibly uneven size or shrunken testicles;
d) dogs with disfiguring ears and/or tails;
e) malformed dogs;
f) tooth faults as follows:
1. missing 1 #3 premolar and one additional tooth;
2. missing 1 canine tooth or
3. missing 1 #4 premolar, or
4. missing 1 molar #1 or #2 or
5. missing a total number of 3 teeth and/or more;
g) dogs with bite faults: overbite of 2 mm or more, or undershot; level bite;
h) Dogs that measure more than 1 cm over or under regulation size;
i) Albinism;
j) White coat (incl. those with dark eyes and nails);
k) Long stock coat (long, soft loosely fitting outer coat with undercoat, flags on ears and legs, bushy pants and bushy tail with flag on underside);
l) Long coat (long, soft outer coat without undercoat). This coat type frequently is parted along the center line of the back, has flags on ears, legs, and tail.