1921 German Sieger
VA Harras Jeuch PH Kkl 1

1921 VA Harras Juch PH Kkl 1
SZ 67936
Breeder: 
Owner: 
DOB: February 22nd, 1918

German Shepherd Dog History by Gordon Garrett

"Harras's bloodlines, although going back to many quality animals, were different from the popular lines of that day. Why the big change? Obviously Von Stephanitz felt the breed was losing something. I think the breeders let him know that in order to maintain breed type he was losing temperament. He was becoming like the "Lux" breeders, that he put down many years before for losing sight of the working dog. He was also looking to go back to both of his own herding lines, Audifax and Adello.

In one account of the show it is reported that near the end of judging for the final day, Von Stephanitz entered the ring, raised a pistol and started firing in the air. The account said that he shouted as he was doing this, yelling at them to get the shy dogs out of the ring. From what I can gather it appears that was probably the first gunfire test in German dog shows. It has now become commonplace in every show in Europe. There was criticism for the lack of warning for the tests.

From the reports it seems that almost all the dogs ran from the ring, with tails between their legs, even before Von Stephanitz started yelling. Another account of the incident has a car backfiring in the first instance, not a planned test at all. By this account it was then that Von Stephanitz came in the ring firing his gun when he saw the reaction the noise had caused.

There is no disagreement on accounts about this part, Harras von der Jeuch PH stood tall, sound and proud through the whole incident. He was the best of those passing. Von Stephanitz made him Sieger. By the following year the traditional lines were back in the front of the line at the big show. As we look at the only picture available of Harras it is not hard to understand. He looks very high and shows what has to be a terrible front, very straight in upper arm, - short. As shown by his pedigree, he is a Nores son.

He produced well. It is not known whether temperament was as much a problem by 1922 with the top dogs but for sure the doubtful were left at home. It is also not known whether they kept the test going at that time but if not it soon returned to stay.

Harras was used probably more than would have been the case if he had not been Sieger and had not shown so well in the '21 incident. From pedigrees where his name is seen I would say the experience and resultant inclusion of this dog was good for the breed."

 

 

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