Kleinen Wiese German Shepherds

Posted By Sandy Wilson on September 4, 2010

Aiko von der Kleinen Wiese

Producing good dogs generation after generation is not by accident – it is breeding with purpose and excellent genetics.  I also think that you must make the decision to keep high standards to produce the best dogs that you can, rather than make exceptions and lower standards for breeding.  I have  a vision in my head of what I want to produce and have always kept to those standards which I have set for myself.  I don’t want to make compromises when breeding, as the goal is to always try and improve what you have and make it better and also keep what is good in your genetics strong. Good breeding can be a challenge — there is so much to consider.  There is no way to control what is going to come to surface in each dog’s gene pool such as recessessives, etc, so when selecting a breeding pair of dogs, it can be quite  a challenge.  The better you know the dogs your breeding and the more homework you do on the dogs such as researching progeny produced and also what characteristics are coming out strongly from each dog, the better you are able to predict what might come out in your breeding.   You can’t just select dogs for specific traits to improve breeding, but you must look at the dog as a whole and what it possesses that makes it a great dog worth breeding.  Breeding is a crapshoot, but the better you know the dogs and the more reseach you do, will help you to “load the dice” to produce an outcome in your favor.  Finding dogs whose gene’s “nick” together are probably the best and when you find that special match of male and female, you can produce some very special dogs!

For me, dogs that posses natural herding instinct, genetic obedience,a full grip, a solid temperament, and good work ethic start from good genetics and we have been lucky enough to see the progression of these fine attributes through selective breeding.  This has been our goal since we started breeding our dogs, as we have never lost sight of it in our breeding program and we hope to continue breeding very selectively and produce good dogs.

Hera v. Fafnerhaus with “A” Litter

(Hera v. Fafnerhaus X Diesel v. Schulmeister, SchHI, AD)

Also important for breeding good dogs is structure, especially for working dogs.  They must possess solid structure and  movement, hips and elbows must be x-rayed and be free of any dysplasia (I prefer OFA at 2 years of age),  the dog must move properly coming and going thereby exhibiting true balance of movement and not extremes in any aspect.  Balance and freedom of movement are important in a dog’g longevity and also allows a working dog to perform to it’s fullest capability.  The well structured dog will have the ability to work for longs periods of time and possess good agility to do all different types of work.  You cannot merely base breeding decisions on a dog’s coat color, side movement, ear set, etc.; it is the dog as a whole that makes a a good dog worth breeding, not just one aspect.

Below you will see several photographs of several generations of dogs that have been carefully bred.  Below is Alf v. Fafnerhaus, known as Nicky, his son Dux v. Fafnerhaus, known as Luki, then two great grandsons, Aiko von der Kleinen Wiese and Caden von der Kleinen Wiese, and lastly a great granddaughter to Nicky, our little Delta von der Kleinen Wiese.  I know and have known each and everyone of these dogs personally and I can truly say that the fine qualities that I look for in a working dog have surely been passed down from generation to generation.  Nicky is a dog who I would love have all of my dogs be like – he is the vision of a dog that I want to always produce in my breeding program.  To me, he was the total package!

Alf v. Fafnerhaus working at Nickelsberg Farm – Nicky worked everyday his whole life – what a dog he was.

As I have mentioned in my earlier posts, Nicky was the last dog that was produced out of Schafermeister Manfred Heyne’s last HGH dog.  Nicky’s sire was Nick von der Stammherde Ramholz, HGH, and the dam was Margaret von Fafnerhaus, SchHI.  Together these two dogs produced one of the best herding dogs I have seen that still possessed the old herding blood and had the genetic obedience that Manfred always talked about.  His work ethic was simply incredible and his temperament flawless in my opinion.

Below is a Nicky son, Dux, who Manfred handpicked from a Nicky litter when he was in the US.  He took Dux back to Germany with him and titled him with a HGH and also used him for his everyday working dog to herd his flock of sheep.  When Manfred was too old to work Dux anymore, he sent him back to the place of his birth to continue to do the job he loved the most, tending sheep.  I know Manfred missed this dog terribly, but he had such love for Luki, that he knew that he would be happiest working as he had done for Manfred.  To this day, at 12 years of age, this dog still can move sheep and has such a presence.  What a boy he is – so proud — such HEART!!

Dux v. Fafnerhaus, HGH “Luki” – Nicky Son

Pictured above, Dux v. Fafnerhaus, HGH (Alf v. Fafnerhaus X Ussa von Kuchenthal, HGH), working on Nickelsberg Farm.  Dux or “Luki” as Manfred Heyne called him, was his last true working dog before passing away earlier this year.  Luki was very well trained by Manfred.   I was so lucky this year to have my boy Aiko work along side of him, herding the sheep together – it was really a sight I won’t forget and a memory I will have forever.  I have been extremely fortunate to have seen several of the dogs who Manfred had trained himself –  what dogs they were – Manfred was a genius when it came to dog training and breeding, but more than that, he loved these dogs with his heart and soul and loved the German Shepherd Breed for what it was originally bred for – real work, true intelligence, a dog with real spirit and with a zest for life.

Aiko von der Kleinen Wiese – Nicky Grandson

Aiko herding over 300 sheep at Nickelsberg Farm where his grandfather Nicky had once worked the same flock.  I know Nicky would have been proud of his grandson!

Aiko (Hera von Fafnerhaus X Diesel vom Schulmeister, SchHI, AD) is out of our Nicky daughter Hera.  Hera was our first true herding dog that had all the herding instinct and talent we could ever ask for.  She is obedient beyond belief and a super worker.  She was a dog that could do everything.  She could track, do protection work, obedience, agility and herd sheep – she is amazing.  We were so in love with these genetics, that we knew we had to try and save these special working dogs and so we decided to breed Hera.  We produced our Aiko von der Kleinen Wiese and also kept a daughter Arla von der Kleinen Wiese.  Aiko is so much like his grandfather Nicky – intelligent, possesses great work ethic, natural herding abilities and a wonderful temperament and balanced structure that allows this dog to trot all day.  We loved this breeding so much, that we repeated it later on and produced some very nice puppies.

Caden von der Kleinen Wiese – Nicky Grandson doing schutzhund work (Repeat Breeding “C” Litter)

Caden is presently training at the Calgary Schutzhund Club in Canada and doing very well.   Donna Brinkworth is training under the direction of Dan Waters and Training Director Wade Waters.   Best of luck to Donna & Caden!

Below is a picture of our Delta, the next generation and she is proving to possess those same wonderful qualities in these genetics that are so prepotent.  Delta is very obedient and extremely intelligent and so easy to train – she is really a joy to work with.   Delta is a great granddaughter of Nickys.  She is just a little over a year old now and really working beautifully on the boundary.  She is just starting out, but I see that she is so happy to work, and she listens so well!  She loves working the sheep and looks so forward to her weekly lessons and I see that each week she is progressing with great confidence.  Delta is out of our Arla von der Kleinen Wiese (Hera & Diesel) and Hawk v. Eichenluft, SchHIII.  Hawk was a nice match for Arla as he has such strong working dogs in his pedigree, a solid temperament, and he also comes from a line of intelligent dogs.  Best of all, I was pleased to find Hawk had some significant HGH dogs in his lines that go back to “good” old blood.  To me, it was so important to find a dog that nicked together well with our lines, but still have our lines be prepotent in the breeding and so far that is happening.  Hawk added greatly to our gene pool and we were so thankful to have the opportunity to breed our Arla to him.  Hawk is retired now and getting older, but what a super dog he is and in great shape.  Thank you Kandi and hugs to you Hawki (Click on Rokanhaus German Shepherds on the sidebar for more on Hawk)!

Delta von der Kleinen Wiese

(Arla von der Kleinen Wiese x Hawk v. Eichenluft, SchHIII)

Delta always seems to be in perpetual motion; she loves to play ball or do anything that involves going outside and being the center of attention.  Right now she is training for herding and we are going to get back to her tracking this Fall.  She is an awesome tracker!

Delta – she is an intense pup when at work!

More on Delta later as she progresses in her training with the large flock!

Category: Herding, Schutzhund, Tracking | No Comments »
Tags: Aiko vd. Kleinen Wiese, Alf v. Fafnerhaus, C-Litter, Caden, D-Litter, Delta, Dux v. Fafnerhaus "Luki", Hawk v. Eichenluft, Schutzhund, Sheep Herding

Posted By Sandy Wilson on August 27, 2010

This Spring I took some of my wool to be processed into roving for hand spinning.   Until I got my wool back, I played with some beautiful merino wool that I had bought at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival.  I think I am getting much better with my spinning and my wool looks more uniform now.  It looks so pretty spun up single ply and even better when double plied.  I can’t wait to actually knit something with it now.

Below is the dyed merino wool roving that I had bought at the festival –  maybe I can make a scarf with it.  It is just so beautiful to look at!   The colors are rich and a beautiful blend of cranberry, red, blue and gray.   The roving had just the right combination of colors to make a beautiful yarn.

Merino wool roving that I got in Maryland & my new spinning stool!

Below is the same roving spun on my spinning wheel!  This wool is so soft and much shorter staple length than I was used to spinning.  It was quite nice to spin, but I needed to alter my spinning technique a bit for this fine wool.  Once I got used to handling the wool, I loved it and it really came out nice.  Merino is such a beautiful wool.

Finished Wool Plied!

Wool on bobbin before plying.

Now that I have spun up all the roving into yarn, it’s time to actually make something with it.  That I have to think about, but a scarf might be a possibility.  I absolutely love to spin, so of course since I got my own wool back from the show, I could hardly wait to see how well it would spin up.  I am working on some white wool right now and I will post some pictures soon.  I also got some dark colored wool made into roving as well, so I can’t wait to get my hands on that – should be beautiful.

Stayed tuned for pictures of finished border leicester yarn!

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Posted By Sandy Wilson on July 18, 2010

AIKO

Aiko von der Kleinen Wiese (Hera v. Fafnerhaus X Diesel v. Schulmeister, SchHI)

Our boy Aiko is out of Hera v. Fafnerhaus and Diesel v. Schulmeister, SchHI. Aiko has some of the most outstanding herding dogs in his pedigree that ever lived and I am so happy that these strong genetics have passed down and are still so strong in these lines.  Aiko’s mother, Hera, is a daughter to Alf v. Fafnerhaus, also known as Nicky.  Nicky was the last dog produced from Manfred Heyne’s original herding lines.  We are so proud to see these herding genetics come alive in these dogs.

Each day we worked the dogs early morning and late in the evening to avoid the extreme heat.  Just so happens there was a heat wave, but that didn’t matter much to the dogs, they were totally committed to their job.

We worked different grazes each day and evening.  It was the first time Aiko had worked a flock this large and had never been to the Catskills to work in a strange place with other dogs.  Aiko was only interested in the sheep and his work.  He definitely had alot of ground to cover on the boundary to contain the sheep in these vast grazes.  The grazes that we worked were surrounded by all open space and the sheep could have taken off in any direction, so this was a good indicator to us that Aiko was strong enough to keep these sheep contained and he never lost one sheep.  It was really nice to see what a strong and dedicated worker he really is.   I think herding that many sheep is really a challenge to a dog, but it was one that he was up for and we were so proud that he handled it so well.  

Boundary around grazing area is wide and good for multiple dogs working.

These grazes were a considerable size as they had to allow for over 300 sheep to spread out and graze and so it was a lot of ground to cover all the borders, but Aiko is very much a thinking dog.  He would watch and observe closely to see where he needed to go to cover the boundary.  These dogs are so smart and they know instinctively where to be to put the  pressure on the boundary to keep the sheep in the graze.  Mostly the lambs were the biggest challenge as they don’t always follow the rules, so Aiko had his work cut out for him and I think he did a fantastic job – we were so excited just watching him work.

Watching over the flock!

Aiko worked very independently with a bit of help from his handler, but all in all he showed us that he can work a large flock with no trouble.  He works independently and very confidently along the border and definitely has the respect of the sheep.  The sheep were able to graze very close to the border with Aiko patrolling, but if a sheep was outside the boundary, there was Aiko to place them right back in the graze.  I think these dogs take their jobs so seriously, but they also get great joy in proving they are in charge of the flock.  I would many times see a border closely packed with sheep and Aiko would race down the boundary and you could see all the sheep move back   You could just see the smile on that dogs face as he pushed the sheep back and he knew he did a good job – these dogs just love their work.

Aiko vd Kleinen Wiese (Nicky Grandson) and “Luki” Dux v. Fafnerhaus (Nicky Son)  working the boundary together!

Aiko working the flock alone!

When it was very hot outside, we took Luki and Emma in to just let Aiko work the flock alone and he really took pride in taking charge of the whole flock.  I could tell he was really growing in experience and confidence in these few days that we really let him work!  It was great to see that he could work like his grandfather once did and now work along side Luki, a Nicky son.

Luki, Dux v. Fafnerhaus, was a professional HGH dog, who lived most of his life in Germany herding sheep as a full time job working with Manfred Heyne, a professional shepherd.  Luki was a great mentor for Aiko.  Both dogs patrolled along the boundary keeping the sheep perfectly under control.  I always find it fascinating to watch how these dogs work together and communicate silently – one dog covering one area of the flock while the other dog  covers another part of the graze.

It’s just so beautiful in the Catskills with the surrounding mountains and waterfalls, but what makes it memorable to me is watching these dogs tend to the sheep – it really gave me goosebumps as I observed Aiko move along the boundary, as I  so fondly remember watching Nicky, Aiko’s grandfather,  do the same years before.  All you hear is the sound of bird’s singing, sheep munching on grass, and the feel of the breeze on your face – doesn’t get better than that.

Sheep all munching nicely while Aiko patrols the boundary!

During the days we spent herding in the mountains,  I think too, my husband learned to trust his dog more and direct less and just let Aiko work.  It is so important in the relationship to empower your dog and make them feel good about what they are doing; this is achieved sometimes saying nothing at all and just let them enjoy working!  These dogs do not need constant praise.    It is what these dogs were bred to do – work!

Below are some candid shots taken while in the Catskills and also around the grazes while Aiko worked the flock!  You can see the lovely scenery of the Catskills in many of the pictures – the mountains are immense, the waterfalls are shimmering in the sunlight, and lay of the land just beautiful with rolling hills covered in lush grasses, wildflowers, and clover.

Baaaaaaa, Baaaaaaaa!

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Tags: A Litter Puppies, A-Litter, Aiko, Aiko vd. Kleinen Wiese, Herding, Wide Graze

Posted By Sandy Wilson on July 14, 2010

Aiko von der Kleinen Wiese working a flock of over 300 sheep in New York.

Over the 4th of July weekend, we traveled from Pennsylvania to New York to do some sheep herding with our dogs.  The Catskills of NY are just devine and the sights from the mountainside are breathtaking indeed.  It really is a small piece of heaven just looking off into the beautiful mountainside with the sunset as a backdrop.

Of course of all weekends to go on vacation and work our dogs, there happened to be a heatwave, but that didn’t prevent us from taking the sheep out to graze.  This was really a momentous  time, as we were spending time with very special friends and also working our dogs in the place of their birth.  Our foundation bitch, Hera v. Fafnerhaus, is a daughter to Nicky “Alf v. Fafnerhaus”, one of the best herding dogs I have ever seen in my lifetime, but who has sadly passed away.  Nicky was the last dog bred from Manfred Heyne’s original genetics.

Alf v. Fafnerhaus – also known as Nicky!  Working in his prime in the Catskills of New York at Nickelsberg Farm.

Hera von Fafnerhaus – Nicky Daughter working at Little Meadow Sheep Farm in Pennsylvania

We were uniting three special dogs to work together, Dux v. Fafnerhaus, HGH, also known as Luki, who was Manfred Heyne’s last working dog and also a Nicky son.  Along with Luki working the sheep was our own Aiko v.d. Kleinen Wiese, who is a Nicky grandson and Emma v. Fafnerhaus who is a Nicky granddaughter.  I can’t tell you how neat it was to work these dogs together and how well they all worked in harmony covering the boundaries to contain the sheep.   I always find it truly amazing how they all work in sync without the direction of our commands.  Luki, who was the veteran of the group didn’t need any direction. while Aiko and Emma worked in cooperation with each other.  It was the first time I have seen three dogs work sheep collectively and what a fine sight it was to see.  They all worked, but I must admit, they all had a little fun too!

Emma v. Fafnerhaus – looks just like grandfather Nicky!

Above is a Emma v. Fafnerhaus, who is in the beginning stages of training on the boundary and doing great!  She is a  very confident dog and very strong on the border.  She has that same intense interest as her grandfather did and it was so nice to see her working – she has so much potential.  It was good to have Aiko helping Emma too as she could watch him work and she could see him be steady on the boundary.  It is so nice to see so many of Nicky’s offspring have these strong genetics come through!

For four days straight, we worked all three of these dogs morning and evening.  It was absolutely an awesome sight to see and to witness these three dogs all working on the boundary simultaneously.  I think what tore at my heart the most while watching these dogs was to see Luki still tending to the sheep while past his prime, teaching his niece and nephew some of the tricks of the trade so to speak.  I could see the pride in this dog, even at 12 years of age, Luki worked with such joy and compassion for his work – it is what he was bred for.

Luki – Dux v. Fafnerhaus, HGH – still taking his job seriously on the border – what a boy!

Several times during the course of our sheep herding I watched Luki closely and I saw a dog that was taking these younger dogs under his wings – they really can teach each other things. At one point our Aiko was coming up the border and Luki was ahead of him and he saw some lambs too close to the border and Luki trotted over to the lambs and pushed them back, then he stepped away and let Aiko finish the pass.  Luki just stood there and watched as if watching a son taking over a job for him.  It made me all warm and fuzzy inside when I saw this.  Luki was teaching Aiko and it was very apparent as we watched.  I don’t think you could ever appreciate this sight unless you witnessed it for yourself, but if you have ever seen dogs communicate and work together the way these dogs do, it is a sight you’ll never forget and you’ll always treasure as long as you may live – I know I will.  These dogs are truly special!

“Luki” Dux v. Fafnerhaus and Aiko von der Kleinen Wiese working the boundary together as partners.

Luki working as the sun was rising, as he once worked for Manfred.  This dog has so much heart even at 12 years of age.  You could just feel inside how happy he was to be part of this “family” gathering.  Truly amazing and a sight I shall not soon forget!

As I look at this picture above of Luki working, it just brings tears of joy to my heart.  Luki is an amazing dog – Manfred loved this dog so much.  He still has so much pride and presence as he moved along the boundary.  I know Manfred is smiling even now watching his boy!  Luki is the last of the real HGH dogs from his genetics to show what real work ethic is all about and his genetic obedience is something you just don’t find often.  These dogs possess qualities unlike any I have seen and I feel very gifted to have dogs from these genetics!

Aiko and Luki

Early morning and late in the evening we worked the dogs for several hours.  The flock is over 300 head of Texel/Dorset crosses who are totally grass fed by pasture.  Luki’s job was to first  gather the sheep in the fenced  pasture and bring them out to the open, unfenced pastures for grazing. Luki was slow, deliberate and methodical in his actions  and the sheep obeyed and responded to him as if he were like “Babe” talking to the sheep to line them up perfectly to follow the shepherd to his grazing area.  I wish Manfred would have been here to see how his boy was still working and doing what he was bred to do and with such a smile on his face.  You could tell by this dog’s attitude that it brought him such pleasure to being doing a job he loved.

Aiko working as the sun goes down into the evening hours.

At 12 years old, Luki is unable to run as a young dog can, but he has such power and authority in the way he moved around the sheep, he didn’t need the speed of a young dog.  He just knew what to do and where to be.  He was trained so perfectly by Manfred to calmly move the sheep in a way without causing the sheep to startle or to run. That Luki has so much style and grace!  Bless his heart!  It really gave us a “Picture” to remember how this type of herding is done with such a seasoned dog. Luki had done this work all his life  in Germany for many years with Manfred Heyne and in competition.

“Luki” Dux v. Fafnerhaus, HGH – Luki as a young dog working a large flock.

Luki and Bill standing on the boundary while Aiko is tending to the sheep.  WE LOVE YOU LUKI!

We really had a super time up in the Catskills of New York – what a beautiful part of the world to experience – doesn’t get any better when you can spend time with special friends and your family and dogs.  I must say it was a treat to be able to bring all of my 5 German Shepherds with me on vacation and fit my children in our van too!  LOL!  Our dogs are family and vacation is just not the same without them.  Can’t thank Ellen & Jost enough!

More on our Aiko herding in NY later!

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Tags: Aiko, Dux v. Fafnerhaus "Luki", German Shepherd, Hera v. Fafnerhaus, Sheep Herding, Wide Graze

Posted By Sandy Wilson on July 8, 2010

Aiko von der Kleinen Wiese herding a flock of 300 sheep in the Catskills of New York!

This July 4th weekend we visited very special friends of ours in the Catskills of New York.  It was a very hot couple of days, but that didn’t stop us from getting the flock out to herd with our dogs.  We got up before the sun rose up high in the morning to do some morning grazing with the sheep and then we took the sheep out late in the evening just before the sun sunk down below the mountains – the view was just breathtaking!

Texel/Dorset cross flock – over 300 head of sheep!

Our Aiko had the time of his life working with his Uncle Luki, also known as Dux v. Fafnerhaus, and his cousin Emma v. Fafnerhaus for the first time and these dogs worked together beautifully.  It was just an amazing sight to see and the dogs had such a great time.  More on the details of our herding adventures in New York coming soon!

In addition to our adventures herding, we also saw some absolutely beautiful waterfalls in the Catskills, visited the Howe Caverns and then we went for an exciting  Zipline Canopy Tour – it was a fantastic vacation – dogs and family – doesn’t get better than that!

I   L O V E    New York!

More details coming on our sheep herding in the Catskills!

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