"Kevin Lanouette, a Schutzhund dog trainer, qualifies to compete at a National Event hosted in Reno, Nevada. First he travels throughout Europe on a pilgrimage, seeking advice from top trainers, breeders, and competitors alike, attempting to learn all he can about a dog sport unfamiliar to the common person. Kevin's dream is to one day make it onto the United States Schutzhund World Team."
- Paul Saleba
In 1895, Max Von Stephanitz, a German Cavalry officer, stood by a forest and witnessed a shepherd commanding two dogs with a whistle. To his astonishment they easily controlled a large flock of sheep.
Three years later, and still fascinated by this experience, Stephanitz purchased his first male named Hektor Lindshrein, which he later named Horand Von Grafrath. Stephanitz thought that with proper training, the dog could be an invaluable asset to the German Army
Horand Von Grafrath was extensively used for breeding, and today the blood-line of virtually every German Shepherd dog can be traced back to Horand.
On April 22nd, 1899, Max Von Stephanitz founded the SV with just 14 members. Today there are over 100,000, with over 60 countries all over the world participating in Schutzhund. The German shepherd has become a reliable working dog.
"If left to his own devices, the German shepherd dog, worst of mischief makers, wildest of fighters, can be an intractable nuisance. However, his faults are faults of education, not nature. His need for activity, for if someone worked with him, was blissfully happy and most obedient of all dogs."
-Max Von Stephanitz (Father of Schutzhund)
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