40 Years of Closed Breeding

DDR Dogs ? What is this ? Another New Breed ?

The popularity of the German Shepherd Dog (GSD) has been growing in numbers
since their origin by founder Rittmeister Max von Stephanitz. Little did anyone know
what an impact both World Wars would impart on the German Shepherd breed. The
German Shepherd was much sought after by the military for their profound working
abilities, loyalty , trainability, and their dedication to their owners or handlers. One of
the greatest impacts to astound the working dog world and the German Shepherd
breed was the onset of the Cold War.

Before the onset of the Cold War, Germany was one nation. Great Britain, France,
The Soviet Union, and the USA were allies during World War II. As World War II was
coming to an end, all 4 Allies occupied Berlin. At the end of World War II, the city was
split into 4 sectors.A large dispute arose over the boundaries. Thus began the Cold
War with the Soviet Union closing borders; hence the two nations for Germany were
formed, West Germany and East Germany ( Deutsches Demokratische Republik the
DDR ).

Many of us remember what communist controlled countries were like. They were not
allowed free trade or contact with the outside world and were dominated by their
government over decisions most of us take for granted everyday. So was it also for the
breeding kennels in East Germany. With the border and Berlin Wall up, closed
breeding within the DDR kennels kept the dogs at their standards without outside
influence.

Germany now divided became a satellite state of the communist regime on October
7th, 1949, East Germany is now officially the Deutsches Demokratische Republik DDR. It didnt take long for The Partei to quickly confiscate and gain control of the
German Shepherd pedigree registration and financial administration offices. With the
governments hand and control over breeding and registration, strong criteria and tests
were set forth as many of the dogs would be used for their military purposes.

Consequently only the best of the best would be suitable for their new duties. Strong
bones were needed for the great distances of walking they would endure, exposure to
the most ruthless of harsh elements also played a part in the development of
structure. Thus they were very athletic with straight lines and a large intimidating look
with large heads, broad shoulders and large chests. Other breeding criteria that
differed from West Germany was the DDR dogs could only be bred if they were
completely free of HD. Dogs that had fast normal hips or lesser could not be
bred. Dams had to appear with her whole litter for an inspection of teeth, ear set,
temperament, coat, total overall appearance and males naturally had to have both
testicles descended by I year of age.

Major differences in the working abilities skills tests included a straight wall of 1.5
meters and 1.8 meters instead of the inclined wall now used. They also had to go walk
a balance beam, 10 blinds to search instead of 6, the tracking tests include more
corners and angles; the FH 3 contained 16!

The Border Patrol Dogs

In 1946, the Soviet Union formed the Grenzschutz Polizei or Border Police. They were
in charge of guarding 1,378 kilometers of East German Border and also responsible
for patrolling 165 kilometers of the Berlin Wall. At the end of their first year of forming
there were over 3,000 soldiers comprising the entire unit. In 1951, their name changes

to Deutsches Grenz Polizei. And again in 1974 the name is changed to Grenztruppen
or border troops. Usually 100-160 dogs were assigned to each Grenztruppen battalion.

The Diensthundefuehrer ( Dog Team Leader ) was in charge of the overall care and
training for the border patrol dogs and their handlers. 50% of their training was spent
during the night for night maneuver exercises. The K9 leader had to have basic
veterinary knowledge and background in animal handling. They were also noncommissioned officers. The handlers had 3 different skill levels. Level -1 the highest
and level-3 being a basic skilled handler. They wore qualification badges or patches
on their uniforms.

The Grenztruppen and their dogs watched over minefields, border fences; many
people will remember Check Point Charlie and the watch towers. Many dog runs or
fenced pens also were set up throughout the border. These runs or pens measured
about 5 kilometers. Dog runs covered 97 kilometers of the border deploying
approximately 1,000 sentry dogs. The area fluctuated between 90- 120 kilometers.
200-250 dog runs or pens were in Berlin alone! The dog run comprised of dogs being

leashed to a suspended line. The dogs in the runs or pens were fed only once in a 10
day period to retain their ferociousness.

More than just a sentry dog, they served as tracking dogs, and attack dogs. The border
patrol also deployed a special dog pack to find deserters of their cause in large area
searches such as buildings, timber / woods, or fields.

The end of the Communist Regime

In 1989, the border was opened. Germany begins its initial stages of becoming a
unified nation once more. No longer needed, many of the DDR border patrol dogs
were sold, put to sleep, and many abandoned. The Grenztruppen were officially
disbanded on July1,1990.

There are only a handful of DDR breeders left in the world today. It would be a shame
to see this incredible breed of the working German Shepherd Dogs disappear. With
the closed breeding, it has given us the opportunity to preserve the DDR GSDs in its
most closest form to the standards set forth by the GSD founding father; with their
natural defense drive, tracking abilities, temperament and structure. The DDR border
patrol dogs no longer exists, but their great courage, loyalty, working abilities, and
devotion to their owner or handler survive throughout their lineage.

We at ddrledends.com, seek to preserve this magnificent animal. We hope more

people would follow suit, as they are a dying breed; and one we can not afford to lose.

Pam Cyrene