The German Shepherd Dog, also known as Alsatian is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany which dates back in 1899. Developed originally for herding sheep but because of their strength, intelligence and abilities in obedience training, today they are often employed as police war dogs.
The German Shepherd Dog is respected and admired throughout the world for its versatility, intelligence, and loyalty. Very Athletic, Extremely Intelligent, you can almost train them to do anything.
More GSD News in the WebA new officer will soon join the Blue Springs Police Department. That would be Bandit, a 21-month-old German shepherd.
“Right now we have one K-9 unit. With Bandit we’ll be able to have two, which will allow a K-9 unit on duty at all times,” said Sgt. Don Rapp, in charge of the K-9 program.
Bandit was born in the United States but has European import lines, Rapp said. Currently, he’s living at Von Henger Kennels, in Kingsville.
Two prosecutors have been assigned to work with police on the investigation into the shooting of a Siberian husky Aug. 2 at the private dog park in the Quail Run community in Severn, the Anne Arundel County state’s attorney said Tuesday.
“It is still under investigation,” Frank R. Weathersbee said, with prosecutors and county police investigators working together on the case.
He said he could not say when a decision would be made on whether to file charges against the off-duty officer who shot the dog.
RANTOUL – David Sawlaw called Chief one of his best friends.
Sawlaw said the dog’s passing has been difficult, but he knew Chief lived longer than could be reasonably expected. The 11-year-old German Shepherd police dog died recently from medical problems.
The average work life of a German Shepherd police dog is three to five years, Sawlaw said.
“If you’re lucky you’ll get seven (years). But we got 11 1/2 out of him.”
The veteran Rantoul officer and dog handler said he and his family are saddened by the loss.
To the person with only a passing interest in dogs, the German Shepherd and the Alsatian are completely different breeds, despite looking very similar. They’re characterised by a domed forehead, a long square-ish muzzle and large, erect ears. They can come in lots of different colours, but the most familiar is black and tan, with a black ‘saddle’ across the back. There are other variations in colour, including all black, all white, blue, sable and liver.
According to The Kennel Club, sable and all black coats are perfectly acceptable; blue and liver are considered serious faults and all white is considered grounds for instant disqualification. This is because the white coat is much more visible if it is a guard dog, and it makes the animal harder to see if it is herding sheep or if it is snowing.
PLAINVILLE – Ostin has not received all his training yet, but the town’s first police K-9 is on the job.
The German shepherd rides patrol with his handler, Officer Pat Huntley, who is also his caretaker and constant companion. He doesn’t get upset about spending time in the cruiser that’s been specially outfitted for him, with no back seat, a padded floor and a metal bowl attached to the wall. He doesn’t bark, run away or chase squirrels.
The Town Council in April approved the police department’s request for a K-9, after watching a computer presentation by Officer Matt D’Amore. Ostin was in Plainville by the end of June.
