GSD News - German Shepherd News

Dogs, owners training as part of Cape County’s new search and rescue unit

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:06:31 +0000

More than a dozen dogs ran, jumped and sniffed their way through a portion of Cape County Park on Sunday afternoon. Some timid pups stayed close to their owners, while older dogs ventured into the park’s forest. The typical barks and whimpers filled the air, and dog treats and tennis balls were plentiful.

But this was not a normal Sunday frolic; it was practice for potential heroes.

The 14 dogs and their owners were training as a part of the Cape Girardeau County Search and Rescue K9 Unit, a newly formed volunteer team that will be used to find missing people, both dead and alive.

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Dog days for police K-9 units

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:05:17 +0000

Logan, a 7-year-old, bomb-sniffing German shepherd, was the pride of the Folcroft Borough Police Department until he was diagnosed with a progressive spinal condition that left him unable to walk. He was euthanized in November.

Now the Delaware County department is trying to raise $18,000 to replace what it sees as an essential member of the force.

But as Folcroft plans for another dog, other small departments in the area are opting to drop their canine programs, which they find too costly.

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Study spotlights dog impulsivity

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:04:14 +0000

Researchers in Hungary have discovered a clear link between repeat polymorphism in the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene with activity-impulsivity in German Shepherd dogs. The research is presented in the journal PLoS ONE.

Because similar evolutionary processes helped shape human and canine behaviours, researchers often choose dogs in their efforts to show a complex level of similarity with humans in a set of functionally shared behavioral features. Scientists who wish to investigate the genetic background of complex human behavioural diseases also benefit from dog assessments. The German Shepherd is a popular dog breed: it is known for its ‘working’ capabilities; used as a guide dog for the blind as well a police dog; and for guarding and protecting. But it is also a great pet dog.

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U.S. Postal Service Honors Working Dogs

admin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:20:06 +0000

MERRIFIELD, VA — The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the enduring partnership between dogs and people with the issuance of the 65-cent Dogs at Work set of four stamps.

“We are proud to commemorate these specialized dogs on stamps,” said U.S. Postal Inspection Service Homeland Security Coordinator Michael T. Butler in dedicating the stamps. “These animals are critical to serving individuals with special needs and critical to enabling successful rescues.”

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Duluth’s first K-9 officer dies

admin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:19:00 +0000

It may seem commonplace now to see police K-9 units in Duluth, zipping around town to search for fleeing suspects, missing people or hidden drugs.

But in 1976, it was a novel concept as Officer Jerry Larson patrolled the streets with Joe, the German shepherd he trained to be Duluth’s first police dog.

Larson, a Duluth native who founded the Duluth Police Department K-9 unit, died Tuesday of cancer. He was 68 and had spent much of his life handling and training police dogs, and serving as a mentor to the next generation of handlers.

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Newly trained K-9s are ready to hit streets

admin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:18:17 +0000

Two new canine officers are using their noses, and sometimes teeth, to help the Fort Wayne Police Department fight crime. K-9 Kevir, a Malinois shepherd, and K-9 Ado, a German shepherd, recently graduated from 14 weeks of basic training at the Public Safety Academy. Now they are using their natural hunting skills to aid Officers Mark Bieker and Richard Jennings.

This was the first K-9 class without Officer Kevin Weber, former assistant trainer. Weber died Nov. 3 from cancer, and K-9 Kevir was named in honor of him.

“It’s a great program,” said Jennings, adding that Ado is his third dog with the unit. Jennings also lives with a retired canine partner who he reports is “now getting spoiled at home.

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Slain Marine’s dog continues rehab at MSU veterinary school

admin — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:17:27 +0000

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Lex, the former bomb-sniffing dog of the late Marine Cpl. Dustin Lee of Stonewall, is undergoing rehabilitation at Mississippi State University.

Dr. John Thomason, at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, tells WCBI-TV (http://bit.ly/yzWYyZ) that the German Shepherd starts rehab every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in an indoor, underwater doggie treadmill.

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Cinnaminson cop earns recognition for bringing back K-9 program

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:34:48 +0000

CINNAMINSON — It was a little scary, suddenly having to care for a 90-pound German shepherd that already had training in how to apprehend criminals.

“They just gave me the dog and a lead and said, ‘Here you go,’ “ said Tim Obuchowski, the 2011 Cinnaminson police officer of the year. “I had already seen the dog bite (in training) and wondered in the back of my mind, ‘What if he tries to attack me?’ “

But that wasn’t in the nature of Chuck, the dog soon to be the township’s full-time tracking and apprehension canine.

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5 Dog Breeds For Teenagers!

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:32:20 +0000

Various dog breeds reflect different personality types. Teenagers also love taking their pet out and caring for them. To get the clear picture as to which dog breeds are best for teenagers, here are the options for you. Take a look at the best dog breeds for teenagers.

Best dogs for teens:

Chihuahua: Also known as Chee, this feminine dog is a pint sized miniature dog which is very easy to carry. This is a feminine dog which was highlighted by Paris Hilton. Young girls can carry their chic look with a small accessorised chihuahua.

German Shepherd: This is a smart dog breed ideal for young boys. German Shepherds are strong, aggressive and respond brilliantly to training. This dog breed can only be handled by teens who are strong enough to carry the weight of the giant German shepherd.

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Pet Pals: German shepherd Zena needs new home

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:30:58 +0000

The Nevada SPCA says the first Pet Pal of the new year is a seven-year-old canine with the heart and energy level of a puppy.

German Shepherd Zena, a spayed female, is looking to be part of a home to start the new year.

The no-kill animal shelter said she was put up for adoption because she was not compatible with small animals.

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