Many stories are told in the DDR regarding the German Shepherd. Some talk about the dog as if it were a legend. “Aus DDR Zucht” nowadays too is a regularly used quality typing for a specific type of German Shepherd one is trying to breed. It still is a most interesting period of time in history such as the DDR-era, their dogs, their systems of inspection and selection as well as the unique “Wesen-Wertmessziffern-system.” …:: History of the DDR ::…
After the second world war, Germany was divided into two parts. As of October 7th, 1949 the DDR was a fact. From that date on it was governed by the socialistic- and communistic regime. The early years after the break-up with West-Germany, and therefore the covering organisation of “Schäferhunde Verein” (SV), the breeding of German Shepherds was looked after by the “Spezial Gemeinschaft Deutsche Schäferhunde” (SZG). The SZG was covered by the “Gegenseitige Bauernhilfe” (VdgB). This was relatively speaking the best time, since intervention in breeding was brought back to a minimum by the VdgB. There were self organised inspections and a registration of pedigree in own control. The SZG was added to the “Verband der Kleingärtner, Siedler und Kleintierzuchter” (VKSK) in 1952. In 1959 it all changed again, the “Gesellschaft für Sport und Technik” (GST) came in charge of the SZG.
All breeds were accommodated within the GST, an identity of your own was not wanted. The take-over of SZG by GST went hand-in-hand with a police assault at SZG headquarters, confiscating the entire pedigree registration as well as the financial administration. From that point in time, the SZG no longer was its own boss. Pedigrees were centrally handed out for all breeds as of that moment. For over six years the GST was in charge of the SZG. This meant no more special club matches or training events. “Die Partei” struck once more at September 30th, 1969. Divisions were set up. The “Sektion Dienst und Gebrauchshund Wesen” (SDG) was a fact. All working dogs, including Shelties, were under the jurisdiction of the SGD. The German Shepherd was a very interesting dog because of its usable character profile within the SGD. Their goal, after all, was: Breeding well trained, characteristic dogs, that could be put to use within the armed DDR-divisions. Police, State Service, Border Control and Customs determined the image of the breed of the German Shepherd. Also of importance was the export to befriended countries and nations. This structure of organisation existed until the developments in 1989, which in the end resulted into the breakdown of the Wall in 1990.
Because of the separation from 1949 until 1990, two populations of German Shepherds had developed. In the East mainly service dogs developed, recognisable by their natural sharpness, variable colours (especially well pigmented, very dark grey), compact bone structure, with vigorous and robust heads and bones. In the West the dog came out to be a multi-functional family dog with its appearance like “Kommisaris Rex”, brown-black coloured, determined by commerce and policy. Since DDR breeders were not drawn into the commercial hype that started in the mid-seventies, in which large sums of money were paid at championships and shows, their German Shepherd was very close to the originally intended breed by Max von Stephanitz who was the founder of the breed. At least it is said by people who are fond of the breed, after all, the German Shepherd was meant as a user dog. …:: The present ::…
After the re-uniting of the two Germany’s, all of the dog breeding society entered the former DDR. All dogs that slightly compared to a German Shepherd were bought. Especially Americans, having big cash flow, bought up many German Shepherds, bringing them to the USA, and there selling them for a good price, often to private owners. Nowadays occasionally you can run into DDR blood, but in the original eastern Germany it is scarce.
 | Specially in the eighties there were various Dutch breeders trying to integrate the DDR blood into their bloodline. Robby vom Glockeneck was the superior DDR dog, his name is still found in many Dutch pedigrees. |
He was the father of the direct hit nests: the V-nest v. Blitsaerd and the G-nest v. Haus Larwin. Especially Verwin, Vello and Gento brought in excellent off-spring. From the Glockeneck Kennel another dog, Pasha, appears in different pedigrees. The nature’s sharpness is the DDR dogs main quality, according to working dog lovers. Many breeders that love this dog with defence drive, this means that the dog has an inborn courage of defending its owner, cherish these lines. Please notice that, according to insiders, the DDR pedigrees are not always completely reliable, due to corruption.
Since the dog simply does not exist any longer (2001), the exploration of the Czechoslovakian market has started in search of these type of dogs. They show a resemblance to the “DDR Zucht”, with the main difference being that the breeding did not stop, but went on up until now. Although the Czechs are no fools and are caught by the shining western Dollar, here too much is offered to layman’s using slogans such as “from great border patrol lines” and, there is a market (mainly USA). A smaller group of breeders are trying to keep a gleam of DDR blood (or Chech blood) in their lines. To breed a dog that especially is courageous, but that will loose points in contests with his instinct of defence, and is there for your if needed.
Continue Reading : Part Two DDR