Wednesday 30 August 2017

NEWSFLASH! Australian GSD gains his HGH title


Today I am over the moon. 

This morning my boy Bear went for his Prufungsstufe: HGH.

The German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany insists that their breeding dogs have a working title - as part of demonstrating character. They accept either a herding title (HGH) or a Schutzhund title, which must include Tracking and Obedience.

Just before I headed off to Berlin (18/7) it was suggested that Bear should go for the HGH. After all, Georg and Susanna said, it was where all the work we were doing should lead.


So all of August we have had this in mind. 

But Georg has had to keep working and feeding his sheep as he would usually. He has not been able to set up special training facilities for Bear!!

But today, Bear's real and natural talent, his willingness to work and his acceptance of command shone through.

He received a grade of VORZUGLICH (EXCELLENT) 91 points.

The judge was Herr Manfred Voigt, a judge of great experience and talent (a shepherd himself and the Chief Judge).

The judge came to Magerkingen and all of Georg's sheep were used - so a second dog was needed. The wonderful Dana was Bear's helper.


Extract from email I sent the GSDCV


Naturally I am immensely proud of my dog and the way he has represented the GSD in Australia.

I would like it noted that I thank

Captain Max von Stephanitz for creating such a magnificent dog.
Each and every breeder in Bear's Pedigree for contributing to the attributes of the dog I have today.
And most of all Herr Georg Krieg MeisterSchafer whose superb dog and sheep skills have lead to such a growth and development of skills in my dog. It is because of him that I am able to bathe in the reflected glory of Bear's achievement today. He has given Bear the opportunity of a GSD lifetime and he has given me the GSD/herding thrill of a lifetime.

I also thank the judge Herr Manfred Voigt for his time and effort. I thank him for his professionalism and experience that makes the grading today a wonderful achievement.



Monday 28 August 2017

Kamikaze Lamb


I just had to put this unedited video up (I refer to the sound effects).

It took me a moment to realise that this little scene was going to continue so by the time I pulled out my phone time had passed.

All I can say is that is a good thing that we are in Germany not America and that Bear is not a Coyote, just a very confused and conflicted (to stay or go?) GSD.


Sunday 27 August 2017

Eye in the Sky


I have quite rightly been asked about when Richie was going to feature again. 
Although Richie is always eager to go out he often cannot (variable weather conditions) and then when he does I often do not get to use him (variable herding conditions).

But now I bring you a compilation of recent Richie flights.

Tuesday 15 August 2017

Deutsche Delights



The big ticket item of this trip is (quite clearly) the sheep and the herding. But along the way there are lovely subtle delights. Some of which I have spoken about already.

But I thought it was time to mention a couple more. For some reason they tickle my fancy and make my mood light and easy.

Firstly;

The Magerkingen Pyramid



An excellent example of German Engineering.



It is very important to note that the centre of the pyramid is filled with wood. WHY? Because this is a Bonfire. YES.

And as a great lover of bonfires this delights me no end. 

It was built to celebrate the Summer Solstice. I was amazed when I heard this. I had witnessed the winter bonfires to see off the cold icy winter spirit (The First Steps 9 March). But a Summer bonfire? That appeals. So foreign to an Australian girl, who is forbidden all outdoor fires every summer.

I was so looking forward to it. But it was called off, due to poor weather conditions (the wind!!). 

The ingen still had its celebration and I foolishly did not attend. I wanted the bonfire, not the beer and wurst. Foolish child.

Sadly it now has a safety fence around it. But it is holding up well. Certainly as well as any pyramid should. So I do not know if they will find an excuse or wait till the end of winter. Or even perhaps next summer.

Secondly;

The Weather Report.

Well this too is great fun. 

I am posting one example but believe me there are many. We have certainly had our hot days but the mountains have weekly (almost) rain and cold weather. Having done a fair amount of bushwalking in the Tasmanian mountains I should be more alert but I always get caught out by the first cold day. I never accept that it will be that cold. 

mid Summer
mid Winter























Thirdly;

Wood

We are surrounded by the forests. Man has over the centuries created fields but the forest retaliates and makes sure that it too invades our lives. Wood is everywhere. I love that it can be right in front of you and that it is safe from petty theft or vandalism. Such a lovely feeling in the community.



Fourthly;

Domestic Art

As a person who loves trompe l'oeuil these are a whimsy with which I totally sympathise.  

































As you can see a variation of styles is permitted, although 'pastoral' dominates. I did, in my travels, see a group of balloons floating around a corner. That created a happy mood.

Fifthly;

Folklore

As I go about there are many examples of the old folklore being incorporated into our lives. 

There is a lovely worn old stone example up a steep hill, alongside a windy road which I pass a couple of times a week. Unfortunately the road is narrow, has a steep drop and curves frequently. So I am unable to stop and photograph it.

But this fellow is just outside my bedroom window and is part of the entrance/exit to my apartment.

My bedroom is <<<<<<<to the left

Sixthly;

The Daytime Sky

 While the night sky here is reasonable - when there is no cloud cover - and the moon is always a wonderful sight it is nowhere, nowhere as beautiful as the night sky at Nambrok my family farm in Australia.

Besides the fact that I believe the southern sky is better than the northern, for some reason the stars hang low over Nambrok and I swear that it is almost possible to reach up and touch them. 

And up on a ridge, our daytime skies are fabulous too. The sunsets are particularly superb. 

Here, the sunsets are blocked by the mountains but I still take pleasure during the day to watch the ever changing cloud formations and be amazed by the intensity of the blue sky.


Unlike the stars, the clouds are up close and personal here in the mountains. They are always rolling about. No wonder that we get the rain. Those clouds have to do something!

Friday 11 August 2017

Enjoying the Work



Bear is truly enjoying his work. He has settled right in. I do not know how to break it to him that it is not a permanent move!

Here is a video of how the work is going now;

Thursday 3 August 2017

A Big August Ahead


Since we returned from Berlin things have heated up. August is a big month for Bear.

Bear is being "fine tuned"!! Like the fine machine he is!!!

Georg has mostly taken over managing him and I am more on the sidelines. So, many of the skills that he had started to learn he is now expected to perform at a high level. My expectation is that the Bear man will rise to the task. Fingers crossed xxxxx

So here are three videos.

The first video shows the first time Bear was taken way from me to work. He did come up the mountain a couple of times to check on me so we realise it is now best if I am somewhere closer on the sidelines. But we have to watch that Bear does not use coming to me as an excuse to get away from pressure. He is a devil - he likes to work for himself. I can see he has a picture of how things should be in his own mind and he would prefer it if we let him get on with his job!!!

The second video shows an exit from the pen. I show it because it shows Bear now relaxed with what has been his most problematic learning. Watch Bear and see the head, ears pricked, come up. He is watching for Georg's signal. Sheep are not the big issue any more. The confusion at the end of this video was not totally his fault. A couple of sheep and new lambs stayed behind. 

And I throw in a short video of Bear, of his own accord, moving in close proximity past the sheep. Remember the barn? The sheep are all grouped together taking a short break in the afternoon heat. (But again, he is looking for something to do. "Just checking")