The Schaferhunde News
The German Shepherd Dog Club of Greater Kansas City
Founded 1923
Issue - January 2020
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND OFFICERS
2020 Officers
President Chris Kimerer, Vice President Debbie McHenry, Treasurer Mike Kennedy, Rec. Secretary Sally Hamm, Corres. Secy. Amy Edwards
2020 Directors
JoClair Gipe, Bruce Hudson, Chairman, Nancy Kennedy, Pat Robinette, Lynette Stone
Congratulations to the following members for being re-elected to serve as 2020 officers and Board of Directors.
Chris Kimerer, Debbie McHenry, Mike Kennedy, Sally Hamm, Amy Edwards, Jo Clair Gipe, Bruce Hudson, Nancy Kennedy, Pat Robinette, Lynette Stone
They share the cooperative values that are at the heart of the German Shepherd Dog Club of Greater Kansas City.
Thank you for serving during the 2020 year.
Submitted by: Chris Kimerer
This was our 13th year of hosting the GSDCGKC Tracking Test, offering 4 TDs and 4 TDXs total. Our judges were Connie Austin and Vincent Ramirez, who graciously stepped in for Ule James who broke his toe two weeks prior to the test weekend.
The plotting conditions on Saturday were very difficult due to temperature and high 35 mph winds off the lake causing a minus windchill factor. The Tracklayer's and Judges persevered and got all tracks plotted by the afternoon. Sunday was extremely cold but not as windy, although it was a frozen terrain challenging dog and tracker. We had a 75% pass rate for the TD and a 50% pass rate for the TDX, which is way above national average. So even with all the extreme weather conditions, it ended up being a very successful event.
Here is the breakdown for our entry:
We had a total of 7 TD entries, those that made it into the test were two GSDs, a Borzoi and a Labrador Retriever. Both GSDs and the Lab passed and earned their TD title. The 3 alternate entries were a Great Dane, a Golden Retriever and a Border Collie.
We had a total of 9 TDX entries, those that made it into the test were two GSDs, a Great Pyrenees (who had to withdraw due to an injury and was replaced by a Sheltie), and a Welsh Corgi. One GSD and the Corgi both passed and earned their TDX title. The 4 remaining alternates were a Papillon, two Labrador Retrievers and an English Springer Spaniel.
This is a very challenging event to put on, all the volunteers are very, very much appreciated and without their hard work and support, this would not be possible, so thank you EVERYONE!!!!!!
Debbie McHenry and Truman passing their TD track in the frigid tundra of Smithville Lake.
Pat Robinette and Ruger completed the Tracking Dog Excellent test today at Smithville Lake Recreation Area. The temps were in the teens with strong northwest winds on frozen turf. After the track "aged" three hours, Ruger was able to negotiate five turns over 850 yards and locate all four articles!
Jennifer Flynn with Moose
Article by: Judge Connie Austin (Illinois)
The GSD Club of Greater Kansas City held their TD/TDX today. What a bunch of troopers the temp on Sat was about 30 but the wind was 30 mph. Thanks to the hardy tracklayers Darcy, Sandy, Nelson and Ray for TDs and Ray, Karen, Sue and Rosi for TDXs, as well as Ginny for driving and Amy/Chris for being secretary.
On Sunday it was 10 degrees with some wind as well (very cold), one person had 5 hand warmers in her gloves, I had two and it was not enough. We did have 3 of 4 TD's pass and 2 of 4 TDXs, I think the ice on the track really helped the dogs. The first passing TD, had a new tracklayer, Sandy, and a new handler. It was a Labrador, Dutch Hollows' Simply Enlightened owned by Joy Poos, she had a handler because the dog was such a strong puller, they made fast work of their track.
The next passer was a GSD, Moose Von Hugelblick, owner Jennifer Flynn, also made short work of his track and finally another GSD, Alta-Tollhaus Trumann, owned by Mark and Debbie McHenry, again breezed thru the track.
The first TDX dog up was Ruaraigh's Wild Irish Rose, owned by Shirley Harder and Kathryn Brandt. She was worried her dog's feet would get icy and she'd have to stop but this little dog was going so fast, I really only got one picture, the one where the handler fell down and it looks like she is crawling after the dog who is looking back at her like, what are you doing crawling around after me, she raced her way thru cross tracks, article, then up a steep ditch, going down another leg to a path then into some woods, took a right turn perfectly in the woods, went about 80 yards in the woods came back out again, the dog gracefully leaped across a ditch, the handler ended up on the ground and then two more corners, a 7 corner track and the dog just motored thru it, awesome job.
The next passer was a GSD, who again did a picture perfect job., Ruger R S Vom Springer, owned by Patricia Robinette, down the first leg, crossed a road, took a right, got an article, the 2 sets of cross tracks, to another article a left down into some woods and right out and up a hill to the final article. Yippee. What a great day to have so many passers.
Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors.
Keep your dog warm, dry and away from drafts. Tiles and uncarpeted areas may become extremely cold, so make sure to place blankets and pads on floors in these areas.
Your dog needs a well-groomed coat to keep properly insulated. Short- or coarse-haired dogs may get extra cold, so consider a sweater or coat as long as it does not impede the use of a harness. Long-haired dogs should have excess hair around the toes and foot pads trimmed to ease snow removal and cleaning.
Towel or blow-dry your dog if it gets wet from rain or snow. It is important to dry and clean its paws, too. This helps avoid tiny cuts and cracked pads. A little petroleum jelly may soften the pads and prevent further cracking.
Don't leave your dog alone in a car without proper precautions. If the engine is off, the temperature in the car will get too cold.
Antifreeze, which often collects on driveways and roadways, is highly poisonous. Although it smells and tastes good to your dog, it can be lethal.
Rock salt, used to melt ice on sidewalks, may irritate footpads. Be sure to rinse your dog's feet after a walk with a warm, damp cloth or towel and be sure to dry them off afterwards.
Provide plenty of fresh water. Your dog is just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer.
Frostbite is your dog's winter hazard. To prevent frostbite on its ears, tail and feet, don't leave your dog outdoors for too long.
Be very careful of supplemental heat sources. Fireplaces and portable heaters can severely burn your dog. Make sure all fireplaces have screens, and keep portable heaters out of reach.
Dogs can be more susceptible to illness in the winter. Take your dog to a veterinarian if you see any suspicious symptoms.
Don't use over-the-counter medications on your dog without consulting a veterinarian.
Patti Lou Brown
July 10, 1937
-
December 26, 2019
Patti L. Brown, 82, born on July 10, 1937 went to be with her Heavenly Father and loved ones after a long illness on December 26, 2019.
She and Tom, her husband of 48 years, raised and showed quality German Shephard's for many years. She loved to feed and watch the wildlife including all the deer, turkey, fox and humming birds.
She was preceded in death by her son, Phillip. She is survived by her husband Tom; loving daughter, Cindy; sister, Kay Kerby of Springfield; brother, Jerry and Evy Goss of Spokane, WA; 3 nephews and 1 niece.
Until we are together again, you are deeply loved and dearly missed.
~~~~~~
Submitted by Chris Kimerer
I met Patti Brown at the German Shepherd Dog Club classes at the park across from the Nelson Art Gallery in the spring of 1986. I had a young German Shepherd and had heard about the club and the classes and started attending. Patti and Tom Brown of Summitwood Kennels were welcoming and kind and in a very short time, became my mentors. My young male ended up being severely dysplastic, and after putting him down I got a puppy from Patti. I spent many hours talking with Patti on the phone, I learned so much from her and what it meant to be a student of the breed. They invited me to a dog show, the Emporia KC shows which were held at the fairgrounds. I immediately got hooked. Patti and Tom patiently explained what a conformation dog should look like, structurally, and I learned quickly the difference between companion dog and show dog.
Patti loved the puppies, her and Tom raised beautiful correct German Shepherd’s and the Summitwood dogs were well known in the Midwest. Several club members had Summitwood shepherds and I don’t know a single person that didn’t love Patti. She was patient, kind and fiercely loved the breed and taught me the value of pedigree’s and how to read them. I learned about Hammer, Hawkeye, Scorpio, Lance, Zito, Zeus and so many other great dogs that influenced our breed. Patti passed her love of a well-bred dog to me, allowing me to have a bitch and whelp a litter and learn the art of raising puppies. She unselfishly shared her knowledge with others and would spend hours on the phone discussing dogs and their bloodlines and what combinations worked and didn’t work.
But most of all, Patti was my friend, my mentor, my role model and I truly loved her. I miss her dearly but feel so very blessed to have had Patti in my life for so many years. She is with so many of her beloved dogs now and discussing pedigrees and dogs with Barbara Amidon, Peggy Douglas and many others in our breed.
Farewell my friend, you were truly loved by many and we will all fondly remember you and your beautiful Summitwood dogs.
~Chris Kimerer~
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My Memories of Patti Brown
I met Tom and Patti when I became a German Shepherd Dog Club member in 1978. How could one not like Patti, with her cheerful personality? We both discovered how much we had in common. I felt lucky to be chosen to purchase a German Shepherd Puppy (Arko) out of a show litter. Patti was very selective who her puppies went to. She was very attached to her puppies; best puppy mother ever and hated to give them up. One had to live up to her expectations.
After Arko crossed the Rainbow Bridge at the age of 11, I bought another male German Shepherd puppy from Tom and Patti, this was Heiko. Both dogs followed a show career. Patti always enjoyed hearing about their ribbons, trophies or any titles earned. How much fun it was going to Winstead’s after dog training classes in Volker Park. Patti loved her tall glass of ice cream topped with whipping crème and a cherry.
I went to Tom and Patti’s house many times, just to visit, and enjoyed a bit of country living. It reminded me so much of the places we once called home in Germany. Whenever Patti called, her conversation began: “It’s Patti-Got a minute? Our minutes turned into many more and then “Lucy”, a brown little Dachshund, came into her life. This little dog brought her so much joy. All wild creatures loved Patti too, the deer, coyotes, raccoons, and whatever came to the house regularly, to enjoy a good meal, they will miss her too!
These are my wonderful memories of my friend Patti. She will always live on. Like so many of my friends I lost over the years, Patti too will never be forgotten.
~Anne Mackey~
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Patti Brown
I was introduced to Tom and Patti when I became a member of the GSDC of Greater Kansas City in 1981. They were so friendly and welcoming; it was always a pleasure to visit with them at shows and club events. I was always amazed at Patti’s ability to remember every bloodline and dog that we watched at the shows; she could give you all the details!
I lost my three-year old GSD to a pulmonary aneurysm, tragically in the winter of 1982 and Tom and Patti knew how devastated I was. I had two young children, ages 3 and 6 months at the time, training my dog was not just a hobby but a passion for this stay at home Mom. Patti offered me the chance to take one of the males from their kennel, who was done showing in conformation. His name was Aaron of Oakhill, he was out of their first litter and he was three years old at the time. I thought long and hard about bringing an adult intact male into my home with my two very young children, but Patti assured me this dog was special. And he was! We changed his name to Baron of Oakhill, because our daughter’s name is Erin…too confusing to have the same name and he became a part of our family. We went on to have many adventures in the obedience ring, including titles and exciting wins.
My favorite memory of Baron, is when I was gardening that summer in our backyard, our baby Ryan was not quite a year old at the time. I put him down on a quilt under the apple tree in the yard while I worked close by. Baron laid down next to him and every time that baby rolled over toward the edge of the quilt, Baron would nudge him back with his big head. He looked at me as if to say, “I got this Mom.”
We went on to purchase other puppies from Tom and Patti over the years, having so much fun sharing their successes in the ring, but mostly just wonderful family pets. Phone calls with Patti would last quite a while, but she was always a wealth of knowledge and encouragement. I enjoyed visiting with them at their home, taking the children to play with new litters of puppies and seeing the horses. I miss my friend Patti, but I know she is with her son, and I’m sure they are playing with all their sweet German Shepherd Dogs.
~Debbie McHenry~
This was the Christmas Awards dinner. The award was for Baron of Oakhill. Pictured Debbie McHenry with Patty Brown winning the Perpetual Obedience trophy.
National Police Canine Association
Officer Ryan Hubbell pictured with Chris Kimerer, President and Mike Kennedy, Treasurer was presented an additional check from the proceeds of the 2019 Wine Pull at the January 14 General Meeting. The money raised benefits our local canine officers that are members of the National Police Canine Association.
NPCA is a non-profit association dedicated to the training, development, and certification of law enforcement canine teams and their administrations. NPCA strives to be the best resource for the professional canine unit. NPCA offers nationally accepted certifications throughout the year, across the United States. NPCA also provides regional and national canine training seminars. Certifications offer realistic and attainable goals for today's working service dog team. NPCA promotes and assists in the utilization of police service dogs in prevention and detection of crime. NPCA has Trainers, Instructors, a Standards Committee and Board of Directors with vast canine experience in all canine related aspects.
Bobbie Schiffelbein and Lynette Stone are once again chairing the Annual Fundraiser Wine Pull. This will be our 5th Annual fundraiser for the NPCA. Please be generous in your donations that serve a great cause for our community.
Contact Bobbie or Lynette if you are willing to assist with this worthwhile event.
2020
Event & Program Schedule
(Program outline subject to changes from time to time)
General Meeting, Tuesday January 14, 7:00 pm, Annual Meeting/Election of Officers & Directors,Recognition of North Kansas City Canine Officers
General Meeting, Tuesday February 11, 7:00 pm, Presentation from Pet Wants out of Olathe KS
General Meeting, Tuesday March 10, 7:00 pm, Program – GSDCA & SV with Russ Osbourne
Bone-Anza, Saturday, April 4, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, (Easter Egg Hunt for Dogs at Waggin Trail Park
General Meeting, Tuesday, April 14, 7:00 pm, Program – First Aid when your GSD Torsions/Bloats
General Meeting, Tuesday, May 14, 7:00 pm, Program—Officer Baker & Officer Hubbell
No June General Meeting/Conformation Shows, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, June 5th, 6th & 7th, Smith’s Fork Park, Smithville
General Meeting, Tuesday, July 14, 7:00 pm, Ice Cream Social/Macken Park
Obedience & Rally Trials, July 25th & 26th, Greater Kansas City Dog Training Center, Raytown
General Meeting, Tuesday, August 11, 7:00 pm, Dog Walk in the Park/Macken Park
Picnic, Saturday, September 26, Noon, Smith’s Fork Park Shelter House
Howl-O-Ween, Saturday, October 10, 1:00–2:30 pm, Waggin Trail Park- North Kansas City
Thanksgiving Dinner, Tuesday November 10, 7:00 pm, The American Legion
Christmas Luncheon & Awards Banquet, December 5, Shoal Creek Golf Course
2020 GSDCGKC Committee Chairs
Budget & Finance - Board of Directors
Hospitality - Ray & Betty Laughlin
Membership - Nancy Kennedy
Cheers & Sympathy - Bobbie Schiffelbein/Nancy Kennedy
Newsletter - Marion Baker
Social Media/Marketing - Board of Directors
Website - Marion Baker
Puppy Referral - Becky James
Year-End-Trophies - Jo Clair Gipe
Membership Pins - Nancy Kennedy
Awards Ceremony - Chris Kimerer
Training Classes - Debbie McHenry
Obedience - Bruce Hudson
Rally - Nancy Kennedy
Conformation - Chris Kimerer, Lynette Stone
Tracking - Pat Robinette
Wine Pull - Bobbie Schiffelbein/Lynette Stone
Policy & Procedure Manual - Chris Kimerer
Supplies & Trailer - Mike Kennedy
Calendar - Becky James