I am so sorry that I have been so sporadic on these posts.Ever since mid-June it seems that I have lost control of my time since I have been unbelievably busy.However, with summer ending and all the associated chores, I am hopeful I will have a little more time to share with you my stories and knowledge of the wonderful German Shepherd Dog.To make up for my tardiness I have a true and inspiring story for you today.
A Male Heidelberg Puppy that is currently Available at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels
A longtime friend and Heidelberg German Shepherd Dog owner, John had his life saved by his beloved male Heidelberg, but not in a way you would ever expect.John is a Heidelberg dog collector and has gotten into breeding and showing Heidelberg German Shepherd Dogs, but while over the years John has had several Heidelberg’s, he had his favorite male, Gunner that went everywhere with John.Gunner was approximately five-years-old and had already finished his Championship and was John’s prize stud dog.
Heidelberg Puppies that are currently Available at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels
One day John came home and Gunner immediately came to John and rather than giving John the regular greeting of sitting and waiting for John to lean over so Gunner could give him a kiss, Gunner immediately stuck his nose in John’s calf and started licking.John thought maybe that he had brushed up against a girl that was in-season and did not think too much of the calf licking.However, Gunner was persistent in licking John’s calf so much so that John took a shower so Gunner would stop.Gunner did not stop.This went on for a week, and so much so that Gunner got scolded and put outside several days.
Heidelberg Puppies that are currently Available at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels
John thought Gunner had developed some kind of personality problem and was upset that his prize stud dog and companion had become Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) over John’s leg.While deciding what he was going to do with Gunner, John had the television on and a program came on about how European Doctors were using dogs to detect cancer.
A Male Heidelberg Puppy that is currently Available at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels
John scheduled an appointment with his doctor, and he found that John had under-the-skin melanoma in the calf.Almost anyone that has under-the-skin melanoma by the time they feel sick and seek medical help they usually die five days later because, by this time, it has spread throughout the entire body and is the brain and the lungs.
A Male Heidelberg Puppy that is currently Available at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels
John had major surgery on his calf to remove the cancer and for two years had undergone chemo treatments.He is finally cancer free.Needless to say, Gunner was even elevated to a higher status in John’s house and while ten-years-old now, Gunner is still doing well.
A Female Heidelberg Puppy that is currently Available at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels
Please continue to check out our web page as we post updates on available litters: https://kgsd.inventivehorizons.com/PuppiesForSale.htm. We have several wonderful puppies that we are accepting deposits on, and these puppies will be ready to go to their new homes on September 9, 2011.
Ask me a Question and I will provide my opinion. Also, please see our web page: KeystoneGermanShepherds
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
Tomorrow, I will return to discussing our young German Shepherd Dogs and the future of Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels, but for today I cannot allow the month of August to pass without discussing a small miracle on our behalf and a horrible tragedy to over 400 families in the Mannford, Oklahoma area.
Last year on Thursday August 2, 2012 a fire was started nine miles South of Mannford, OK when Billy Cloud threw his lit cigarette down on the ground just outside his trailer.The summer of 2012 brought most of the Midwest including Oklahoma a continuation of severe drought that started in 2011 with record high temperatures of 110 degrees to 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
The lit cigarette ignited a wildfire that burnt over 90 square miles and burned down over 400 homes. Throughout August 2 and 3, 2012 the wildfires raged several miles from us at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels.On August 4, 2012 my wife and I had lunch in Mannford and had a false since of safety against the fires since they raged so far away.Upon returning to home and the kennels, the wind shifted and the fires started burning straight toward us. Late that afternoon we lost electric and could see the fires approaching us.Roads in and out of our area had been closed, and while we had several wonderful clients and friends offer to come out to pick up our dogs and then drive them to safety, they were not allowed in.We were ordered to evacuate, but we would not leave our dogs so we stayed to fight the fires.We thought that we could save our kennels and house by manning several water hoses around our property.However, as the fire approach, we lost all water pressure.The Creek County Rural Water District water well pumps went out just as the fires approached our property.Without water we became very concerned for our own safety as well as the safety of our dogs.
Fires at 5:30 PM approaching Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels Property
At the time that we had lost water pressure a small fire truck came roaring up our driveway and told us that they only had 5-minutes of water and that they would not be able to save our house.He pointed to the woodlot that was 100-yards away from our house and said once the fire gets into the canopy of the trees the heat would be so intense that our house would just explode into flames.The firemen yelled for us to let loose the dogs from their kennels and to get ready to jump in the pond to save our lives.The fireman said they would be in the pond right behind us.
I was never so proud of my German Shepherd Dogs, as we let them out of their kennels, they remained calm and none of their normal squabbles or barking took place.They all knew that the situation was serious and they all stayed around but out-of-our-way. With the gates open they would be able to escape and return after the fire had passed.
At this time the smoke had grown thick with very little visibility.While only about 5:30 PM, it appeared to be twilight just after sunset.After burning down our neighbors’ houses, the fires jumped Highway 48 and started raging up our property.I will never forget standing in the driveway watching the fireman raise his helmet and start scratching his head.The fires had hit our forest and then began to die down and go out.The fireman was befuddled because for three days he had watch these fires hit woodlots and then just roar out-of-control.
I yelled down to the fireman that I had burnt my property earlier that year in March, burning all the leaves and fallen branches on our twenty-acres.He said that controlled burn had saved our home and kennels because the fires did not have the fuel to reach the forest canopy.We returned the dogs to their kennels, and watched the fires burn around while burning more of our neighbors’ homes.
Fire As It Burned Down Our Neighbor’s House and Approached Our Woodlot before Dying Down
We were saved from the fires, but due to loss of power, we did lose over 2,000 pounds of frozen venison meat for our dogs, most of the contents of our refrigerators, all four-corner fence posts, and suffered two-weeks without power with record high temperatures of 110 degrees and above.The Water District did restore water service on the 5th of August so we only had to haul potable water one day.
We were spared by providence because I was led to burn my property, which I had not done in about three years. Due to the senseless act of a drunk thousands of people suffered the loss of everything that they owned, and while no human life was lost several animals and even a customers Heidelberg German Shepherd Dog perished in the fires of 2012. Even though I am an experienced ecologist and have been trained in fire management and prescribed burning methods, I learned given the severe environmental conditions that we experienced in 2012 that wildfires can become extremely dangerous and unpredictable. I would most likely move our dogs much sooner and not stay if ordered to evacuate if ever faced with similar circumstances.
Please continue to check out our web page as we post updates on this litter and future available litters: https://kgsd.inventivehorizons.com/PuppiesForSale.htm. We currently have Walker, a male puppy left.Walker is a wonderful highly intelligent and a very quick learner.Walker will be perfect for a family looking for an obedient and loyal companion that will provide home protection.Families with existing pets such as dogs and cats will be a good fit for Walker.Walker is very sociable.Remember that we do ship puppies.
Ask me a Question and I will provide my opinion. Also, please see our web page: KeystoneGermanShepherds
Today, I am going to discuss our wonderful Heidelberg’s Patriot v Atlantan (Patriot) a Grand Champion, Champion (GCh.) (CH.) Heidelberg’s Kodiak v Queirdad (Kodi) son.He is also the son of Heidelberg’s Atlanta Natashac, a Daughter of Champion Heidelberg’s Natasha Cheyenne that produced GCh. Ch. Best in Show (BIS) winner Heidelberg’s Oklahoma Natashac.
A Two-Year-Old Patriot playing in Pine Bluff, AR at Dog Show in February 2013
Patriot is 2.5 years-of-old and is finally maturing into a fabulous dog.He is sweet and smart and extremely confident.He is the perfect size German shepherd at the top of the height standard at 26 inches and at around 100 pounds he will be a trim solid dog.
Patriot does very well at the dog shows, and as he matures he is starting to get a lot of second place and reserve wins.I suspect that he will reach a point in his maturity where when he starts winning, and once he starts winning he will fly through to his championship.He will be finished, and we will look back and say, ‘wow that was fast’ as it has been with most our great male champions.
Patriot is a true joy to travel with.He never has an accident in his crate and when he really needs to be let out of crate he has whine that is distinct.When he needs an unscheduled bathroom break all we have to do if we are driving is find an exit let him out and he immediately takes care of his business and then he wants to get right back in his crate.
When we are at scheduled breaks, he is great to let out with our girl German shepherds because he romps around and with his playful nature he encourages everyone to run and play fight.When Patriot is at the shows everyone gets good exercise breaks.
Patriot Playing (left) With Daphne at a Dog Show in Wichita Falls, TX in February 2013
Please continue to check out our web page as we post updates on this litter and future available litters: https://kgsd.inventivehorizons.com/PuppiesForSale.htm. We currently have Wally and Walter, two male puppies left.Both are wonderful puppies and Walter has developed in to quite the show prospect.Remember that we do ship puppies.
Ask me a Question and I will provide my opinion. Also, please see our web page: KeystoneGermanShepherds
I have an absolutely lovely eight-month-old male puppy here at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels for training.I received a call from the wife of the owner of this puppy threatening to give him away because he jumps on her every time he see her.This is a very nice family and the lady was dealing with a lot of personal and family tragedies.Her husband, the main owner of the shepherd puppy was out-of-town on business and this lady’s patience was just worn out.She called and asked if I could help, and Bear is now here for two weeks for training.
Upon our first training session, yesterday morning it was obvious that Bear while leash broke, he had no idea how to heal on lead.We spent 45 minutes just trying to teach Bear how to walk on the left side and to walk on a loose lead.While only 85 degrees because the training was done at 8:30 AM, I was drenched in sweat from the humidity and from fighting Bear from dragging him, and from him dragging me.Bear also wanted to consistently go to my right side as if he was incorrectly trained to be on the right side.
During this exercise, I was thinking about how much easier it would be to work with Bear when he was younger and weighed 35 pounds rather than 80 pounds.We spent the entire session working on heeling and never got to jumping, which is the main reason Bear is out here for training.Normally, I can get my younger puppies to heel on a loose lead within 15 minutes, but due to bad reinforced habits, I will likely have to spend three sessions just to get Bear to heel on a loose lead.
The main lesson to be learned is take the time to work with your new German Shepherd Dog puppy, when they are young because it is a lot easier on them and you to train them in the basic obedience when they are under 5-months-old.In addition, to be easier for both the owner and the dog, it establishes dominance and expectations of certain level of obedience and control, thus adverting behavioral problems such as jumping on you or others.Even if the German Shepherd Dog needs additional training or behavioral modifications requiring the services of a professional trainer at a later date, it will save you a lot of money if your German Shepherd Dog puppy has an understanding of the basic obedience commands.
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
I have not posted in almost a month.I am hoping to be able to post on more frequent basis.Well, we returned and have recovered from our fabulous Yellowstone trip.Were we did nine hikes out of 11 days in Yellowstone.Our shortest hike was 3.5 miles and our longest 7.5 miles with most in the 5 mile range.These were not flat strolls, but up and down the mountain hikes at approximately 7,500 to 8,500 feet elevation.We returned very fit and very tired!
Bison Calve and Mom
Mountain Pass Trail Called the Picnic Trail
A badger on the Lost Lake Trail that Was Determined Not to Let Us Pass
An Antelope on Another Mountain Pass Trail
A Very Rare Close Encounter With A Rocky Mountain Sheep Ewe
Upon our return, I had grass two to three feet high, which took me a week to mow because both mowers decided to repeatedly breakdown.This week, the start of July, we will be spending time grooming and heart worming all our dogs. Being the July 4 weekend we are also filled with boards, which are customer’s dogs that we are kenneling while customers are on vacation.These are some of my excuses for not posting, but as promised, I will post more frequently.
We did miss our dogs in Yellowstone and many times while hiking, we wished that Grand Champion Kodi could have been with us.However, given that there are wolves and grizzly bears in Yellowstone, it is far too dangerous for the wildlife and dogs to have them come into contact. Even Service dogs in Yellowstone are limited to parking lots and hotels.
We have a wonderful new litter that will be ready to go home July 13, 2013.This is both young parents first litter, but they have produced solid temperaments and big healthy puppies.The dam Heidelberg’s Carlie is from Champion Oliver and the Sire Heidelberg’s Texoma is from Grand Champion Heidelberg’s Kodi.Crossing Grand Champion Kodi with Champion Oliver lines has proved to be a good breeding and match. Look for these puppies to be posted with pricing on our web page sometime after July 6, 20013.We are currently accepting deposits on this litter.
Sandy, Our Volunteer Holding a Male Puppy From the Carlie and Texoma Litter
Ask me a Question and I will provide my opinion. Also, please see our web page: KeystoneGermanShepherds
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