A German Shepherd Dog That Changed The Breed

For a student of the history of the German Shepherd, an examination of important dogs of the past that exerted a tremendous influence on the development of the breed presents a fascinating study.

One of the most influential dogs in the history of the breed was the controversial 1929 German Sieger - Utz. vom Haus Schuetting. There are probably very few German Shepherd Dogs exhibited in the show rings of any part of the world today whose pedigrees in which the name of "Utz" does not feature.

Because we are talking about the history of the breed and the particular period of the late 1920' and early 1930's when there was an enormous increase in German Shepherd Dog interest, research into your dog's pedigree will obviously involve delving back many generations.

What was interesting about "Utz" is the fact that he was the subject of a great deal of controversy in the German Shepherd Dog world, whose virtues were extolled by some and harshly criticized by others.

"Utz" represented a completely departure from the long-legged, somewhat shelly type of Shepherd in vogue at the time. He was born on the 12th March 1926, bred by Dr, Funk of the well-known "Haus Schuetting" kennels in Munich. Dr. Funk became president of the S.V. from 1956 to 1971.

At the 1929 annual Champinship in Germany, "Utz" became the Grand Champion - "Sieger". He was subsequently exported to the United States where he obtained his American and also his Canadian championship tittles.

What sort of dog was "Utz"? From description and reports of well-known authorities at the time, it would appear that he was somewhat smaller than the type of dog popular at time. He was also described as being somewhat unimpressive due to a certain dullness in temperament. Nevertheless, he was a beautifully constructed dog with excellent balance and he proved to be a remarkably prepotent sire.

Prior to his departure to America, "Utz" was extensively used at study in Germany and proved his worth as a Sire. His most famous son in Germany was the 1932 "Sieger" "Hussan v. Haus Shuetting. "Hussan" himself was the sire of two "Siegerins" - "Jamba v. Haus Schuetting" the 1933 winner and the winner of the 1935 title "Stella v. Haus Schuetting".

In the United States "Utz" sired a host of champions and also two Grand Victors. These were the 1935 Grand Victor "Nox of Ruthland" and the 1939 Grand Victor "Hugo of Cosalta" bred by Marie Leary.

In Great Britain his influence was also profound. Mrs. Gwen Barrington's famous international Champion "Gerolf of Brittas" was sired by the imported dog "Voss v. Bern" a son of "Utz".

Another famous bloodlines though which Utz is perpetuated is that of "Ingosohn of Errol" who was sired by the famous Utz descendant "Ingo v. Piastemdamm". Since Ingosohn was the grandsire of Champion Avon Prince of Alumvale, one of the most widely used studs of his time, the extent to which the blood of "Utz" has been spread through the breed in Great Britain can be appreciated.

"Utz" has been widely criticized for being responsible for poor temperaments and fading colors and it is an acknowledged fact that his Dam - "Donna zum Reurer" - was a particularly light colored bitch. However, it would appear that it was the indiscriminate "mis-use" of "Utz" rather the use of this important dog was the root of the trouble.

Mrs. Barrington of the well-known "|Brittas" kennels wrote in 1942..."the benefits of his blood far outweigh the disadvantages. Most of the faults attributed to Utz are in fact due to strains of blood allied to this though the bitches he was mated to..."

Colonel Baldwin, of the "Picardy" kennels, also a legendary figure in the development of the breed in Britain, made the following comments in an article published in the September 1946 issue of the American publication the "Shepherd Dog Review"...

"It is quite common to hear people say that Utz bred, light washy colors, was very shy, bred shy stock, etc. On the contrary he was lethargic and disinterested. Looking at him I always thought: There is the shape and the type, but we must add nobility to it. I am sure Utz blood his extremely valuable if it is used properly. Use it to get shape and type and then add nobility..."

Finally a well-known American breeders, Mrs. Margaret Horn, expressed similar comments in the April issue of the same magazine.

"I take nothing from the good Utz did to the breed, but I do say he has been overdone and with this comes the danger. Utz was no villain. We the American fancy are the villains in our over-use of him. No one wants a cup of pepper in one's soup"

It would seem, therefore, that "Utz" must be definitely be regarded as one of the most important dogs in the development of the breed. It is apparent however, that because of his own remarkable qualities and his rare ability to reproduce these qualities he was used indiscriminately.

Clearly there is a message to be learned. Today there is also a tendency for breeders, keen to sell pups sired by well-known show winner, to mate their bitches to the dog, irrespective whether the animal is the most suitable or not.