HARLEY D IS OUR DECEMBER 2013 DOG of the MONTH
What else would you call a big German Shepherd, but Harley D! You would expect him to be wearing a spiked leather collar! (He does not!) This dog could not be called by a “cutesy: name, not ever. Handsome and congenial Harley D is owned and loved by Bill, a retired Cleveland police officer, and his wife, Mary Ann. Harley is also mad about their adorable granddaughter. The two of them have mutual admiration for each other and are great friends.
Harley is quite mannerly and so well behaved. He didn’t start out that way. Even though he comes from a very law-abiding family, he found himself on the wrong side of the law when he would run away! Of course, this was in his younger days and he was always picked up and returned to his loving family. Therefore, Harley became a student in one of our training classes. It was there that he met his lady love, Callie. She is also a beautiful German Shepherd and since that fateful meeting in class, they have been an item at Central Bark.
Harley is very vocal, much like a lot of German Shepherds. He announces his arrival at Central Bark with whines and barks. He is very excited to see his buddies and play. He also repeats his vocalizations when his family picks him up. Harley enjoys greeting any late-comers to the play group with very big barks. He particularly likes pool time, as do most of our pups! Harley has an “older sister,” Storm, a Siberian Husky. A lovely female who enjoys pampering, Storm comes to Central Bark for baths and blow outs, and probably to check on her popular younger brother.
Since German Shepherds are a very popular breed, most people know they are the world’s leading police, guard, and military dog. However, this dependable breed is so much more than that. The German Shepherd is also a loving family companion, herder, and show competitor. The breed is approachable, direct and fearless, with a strong, muscular body. They come in several colors, but the most common black and tan. The German Shepherd originated in 1899 in Germany because of the efforts of Captain Max von Stephanitz and some others. The dog you know today was founded on the old breeds of herding and farm dogs. The first German Shepherd exhibited in America was in 1907. This breed became popular when two dogs, Rin-Tin-Tin and Strongheart, became movie stars. The movies played on variations of the boy and his dog theme and this shot the popularity of the breed sky-high.
Is a German Shepherd the right breed for you? Well, Bill and Mary Ann KNOW Harley D is the right one for them. Shepherds are energetic and fun loving, very fond of children once a relationship is established, a loyal family pet and a good guard dog. They do require regular exercise and grooming.
Our Harley D is the December Dog of the Month and is a superb example of his breed. Congrats, Harley!
