Meet Gretel
Gretel is the epitome of versatility, an important characteristic of the German Shepherd breed. Her first endeavor was as an air scent dog in Search and Rescue, something she still loves to do for fun. She is also adept at agility and holds several titles in this event. Gretel loves tricks and is always learning new ones. She has become a very driven tracking dog as well.
What do those titles mean? Figuratively, they mean we have spent a great deal of time with Gretel, teaching her, trialing her, and giving her the opportunity to fully develop skills and positive behaviors that are innate in most dogs. Earning titles is not a way of showing off or of producing valuable dogs, rather they are one way of ensuring that a dog leads an enriched and rewarding life. Most dogs, especially Gretel, simply love to learn and each title is evidence of this.
Literally, the titles mean this: BH is an IGP (formerly Schutzhund, then IPO) obedience title. CGC means Canine Good Citizen. ATT is an AKC temperament test. OA, OAP, NAJ, OJP, OF, XFP are all agility titles.
TKE means Trick Dog Elite Performer, the highest American Kennel Club (AKC) trick dog title offered. Gretel also qualified for, and was the Number 1 GSD, in the AKC National Trick Dog competition in 2020 and 2021.
T1 is a tracking title through Working Dogs of America (WDA), an organization similar to IGP. FO is an obedience title through WDA. TDU is Tracking Dog Urban, an AKC tracking title. CD is Companion Dog, meaning Gretel has her AKC Novice obedience title. Lastly, VCD1 is a versatility title Gretel earned by having a required number and level of titles in various venues.
Gretal recently earned two more titles, RH-Fl-1 and MFP. The RH-Fl-1 is her first RH title and is for area search. Her MFP, Masters Fast Preferred, is in agility.
Besides this, Gretel is an intelligent, beautiful dog who is always ready for a new adventure. She is devoted to her family and close friends, including Elsa and Janie and Polly the cat. She is the dog who all the other pets look up to. And she is the one who holds the gold standard that will be challenging for any dog to ever surpass.
Gretel’s sire was bred by Bobbi King of Redwood Kennels, and VA Ghandi Von Arlett, 2x VA1 Yasko vom Farbenspiel SCHH3, FH, Kimmelot, and Bullinger lines appear in the top line. Her dam is from a Temar kennel breeding and VA4 Ilbo Von Holtkamper See SCH 3, and Mittlewest lines are in her pedigree.