RIDGEBROOK
German Shepherds & Schipperkes
Welcome to the home of "Ridgebrook" German Shepherds & Schipperkes.
Site last updated 04/05/2009
German Shepherds have been part of our lives for over 40 years. Our show career started in 1993 when we rescued a young male GSD called “Amiscus Wandering Minstral” aka “Gunner”. We entered him in an Exemption Show as they were called then and were instantly hooked. That was the beginning of our show career which has seen us exhibiting from Exemption level to Crufts level! The German Shepherd is and always will be our first love.
The German Shepherd (Alsatian) is a loyal, noble and powerful dog. Headstrong and wilful the German Shepherd is NOT a breed for the first time or novice dog owner. Socialization and obedience training are a must and should be started from as early as possible usually when the puppy can safely go out after its second vaccination. Give a German Shepherd an inch and it will take a yard. However with the right training and socialization the German Shepherd can and will make a lovely and loyal family friend.
Do rememember though ....... That that small fluffy bundle of fun will grow into a very large and powerful dog that will need a lot of maintenance and control!! To dispel a common myth!…...Some believe that the “German Shepherd” is long coated and the “Alsatian” is short coated. They are in fact one and the same, both are German Shepherds. Coat length being the only difference. They are NOT two different breeds of German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd name was changed by the Kennel Club from “German Shepherd ” to “Alsatian (German Shepherd)” due to the UK being at war with Germany and the name “German” being unfavourable. In 1971 the Kennel Club then changed the name back to its original one. From “Alsatian (German Shepherd)” to “German Shepherd (Alsatian)” keeping the “Alsatian” as a suffix so as not to confuse people with the change of breed name.
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Our association with Schipperkes started in 1998 when a friend of ours got one for her sister to show. These little black whirlwinds, so much like German Shepherds in character and intelligence, won us over and we have been showing them ever since. They really are a big dog in a little package!
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As we are a small kennel so litters are very few. Any litters we do have are planned with health and temperament foremost in mind. Puppies are born in the family home with all the hustle and bustle of everyday family life.
Potential owners are very carefully vetted and will have to sign a puppy contract to ensure our puppies have happy loving homes for life . All our puppies are vet checked and wormed with 6 weeks puppy insurance before going to their new homes.
** No litters are planned for 2009 or the near future**
Please feel free to browse our website....
Peter & Karen
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