These select working puppies have all been trained to heel, sit, stay, come and finish. They are starting to be trained to down as we speak. Several of the boys have been introduced to narcotics odor and one male has been introducted to explosive odor.

These puppies are not show lines and are not for the squeamish. They have a tremendous drive to protect the family, have great nerve and are targeted for working homes.

Die Mutter (the Mother/Dam): Nelly vom Grafental is a Schutzhund III, tracking, obedience and protection and has been breed suveyed as Excellent. Nelly also has her KKL1 (Koerklasse One) the best designation, which is unusual for working lines. Nelly also had to complete the Ausdauerprufung or Endurance Test prior to her breed survey. The 'AD' degree requires that Nelly run alongside a bike for twelve (12) miles and then perform obedience exercizes under the guidance of a judge.

Nelly's hip rates is: Excellent and she has been 'DNA' cleared against von Willenbrand's disease.

von Willenbrand's disease (vWD) is an inherited disease that affects the clotting system of animals. Whenever an animal is injured and blood vessels are broken, it is essential for the blood to clot thereby sealing the vessel and preventing excessive bleeding. If clotting does not occur, the animal will ultimately bleed to death. As important is the clotting process is to prevent unnecessary bleeding, excessive or inappropriate clotting may also result in fatal consequences. Thus, to achieve careful control over the clotting mechanism, animals have developed a very complicated system to regulate the clotting process. There are many proteins involved in the clotting. Each of these proteins are under genetic control. von Willenbrand's factor is the protein that is defective in vWD. Although this information concentrates on vWD, there are several other inherited diseases that affect the clotting process of the dog. Genetic disorders of the clotting system have been described for factor VII, factor VIII (hemophilia A), factor IX (hemophilia B), factor X, and factor XI. Thus, vWD is not the only inherited disease to affect the clotting system; but it is one of the most common and has been found to occur in the Briard.

Genetics of the Disease Before we discuss the cause of vWD some terms and concepts need to be defined. Every gene (with the exception of some of the genes that occur on the X chromosome of male dogs) has two copies. One comes from the mother while the other comes from the father. A dominant gene will hide or prevent the expression of a recessive gene. Thus, if one gene is dominant and the other is recessive only the effects of the dominant genes will be detectable. An example of this type of inheritance is in coat color. The gene that encodes for black hair color is the dominant gene, while the series of genes that encode the various patterns of tawny are recessive to the black gene. Thus, with this pattern of gene expression only the dominant gene will be seen and the recessive gene will be hidden (the dog will be black if one or both of the genes encode the black pigment - the dog will be one of the various types of tawny only if a black gene is not present).

Although the exact inheritance pattern in still in dispute, the most recent data indicates a recessive mode of inheritance for most forms of vWD. This means that if one normal gene is present, it will be dominant over the defective vWD gene and that the dog will be normal (although the levels of circulating von Willenbrand's factor may be on the low to moderate side of normal). Even when two copies of the defective gene are present some functional von Willenbrand's factor is produced. Most (85%) of the time the defective gene produces an abortive non-functional product; but a small (15%) portion of the time the normal protein is produced by the defective gene. This is important, for without any normal von Willenbrand's factor, all the animals would die. However, with 15 to 30% of the normal product, a dog may live a fairly normal life, depending upon other factors.

Signs of the Disease The symptoms of a dog with vWD are variable. Animals that have one copy of the vWD gene are usually normal but carry the defective gene and can pass it on to subsequent generations. Generally, in those animals that have two defective genes, the disease is most pronounced when the animal is young. Many such puppies die in the womb or early in life from problems that result from excessive blood loss. Others animals may survive, but may show one or several of the following signs: frequent nose bleeds, dark-black-tarry-stools (from bleeding in the intestinal tract), blood in the urine, prolonged bleeding during estrus, excessive bleeding after surgeries, and/or excessive bleeding during toe nail trimming. Such animals are also at an increased risk during surgical procedures. If an animal is known to have vWD, purified von Willenbrand's factor or whole canine plasma should be give to the animal prior to surgery as a precaution. Ultimately, the outcome of an individual animal depends upon many factors: the amount of von Willenbrand's factor present in the animal, degree of stress exposure, the level of other clotting factors, hormonal levels, and the degree of trauma the animal experiences.

Diagnosis Currently the only way to diagnose vWD in the Briard is through a blood test, where the ability of the blood to clot is determined and the level of von Willenbrand's factor is measured. It is best to perform the test when the animals are young, as the levels of von Willenbrand's factor at this time are usually lower. Re-testing may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Recently, there have been some new developments in the diagnosis of vWD. For German Shepherd Dogs, Doberman Pinschers, Shelties, Scottish Terriers, and Manchester Terriers, there is a DNA test that can positively determine if the dog is free of the gene, has one copy of the gene, or two copies. Mutations in the gene have been demonstrated to be different for several breeds of dogs. However, it is hoped that such a test will soon be available for the Briard as well. The DNA based tests are being developed by VETGEN (3728 Plaza Drive, Suite 1, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48108 USA Phone:(313) 669-8440). This company is interested in determining the mutation that is responsible for vWD in other breeds of dogs and would appreciate material from Briards that are known to have the disease.

Fortunately, we are nearing a time when DNA based tests will become more available to the breeder and once developed should be instrumental in removing or at the very least substantially reducing the incidence of a variety of genetically based diseases.

Nelly is a dark sable and has the correct attitude towards work, the optimum willingness to please. Both Dam and Sire can be viewed at www.pedigreedatabase.com.

Der Vater (the father/sire): Sando vom Haus Iris Sando vom Haus (Schutzhund 3) is an extremely typey, solid black male with a KKL1 designation as well. His hips are also rated 'A Normal' like Nelly's hip rating. Sando is also DNA cleared against vom Willenbrand's disease.

While Nelly is large, Sando is surveyed as 'good medium' - size (gut mittlegross). This balance in a breeding program proves the merits of the German Breeding Guidelines. The Germans do not breed Large to Large or ('gross' to 'gross').

Sando's breed survey also indicates 'gute Bewegung' or, good motion. In other words, Sando is a good mover. His puppies already show that trait.

Sando has also been given the rating of Sehr Gute Verfassung (very good constitution, disposition, etc.) So, his temperament is tremendous, as is Nelly. We invite you to come and visit our puppies and we can assure you, you will meet and enjoy socializing with German Shepherd Dogs who will leave a pawprint in your mind and heart and understand the correct temperament of the Deutsche Schaferhund, regardless of the purpose of that individual dog.