Today at AKC's Headquarters in New York City, State Assemblyman Vincent Ignizio announced the introduction of Assembly Bill A9300 to recognize the German Shepherd Dog as the official dog of the State of New York. He was joined by Noreen Baxter, AKC's Vice President of Communications, and Anne Lettis of the Responsible Dog Owners Association of NY. Also on hand were several canines and owners from the German Shepherd Dog Club of Long Island as well as an NYPD K-9 unit. Several local media outlets attended, including the New York Daily News, Newsday, Staten Island Advance, FOX, WB and UPN.

"After the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City in 2001, search and rescue dogs — most of which were German Shepherd Dogs with the N.Y.P.D. — worked tirelessly side-by-side with rescue workers," said Baxter. "We are pleased that Assemblyman Ignizio also recognizes the diversity, loyalty and beauty of the German Shepherd Dog and its importance to all New Yorkers."

"I would like to thank the AKC for being a vocal proponent of this measure," said Ignizio. "They, like me, know that dogs may be man's 'best friend,' but the German Shepherd is New York State's 'best friend'."

...hmmm...i don't know about that. i've been collecting any and all pics of 9/11 dogs for years,and have them in one of my Webshots albums as a tribute to them,and i would say that there are at least as many Labs as GSDs that were on the job,from what i've seen so far. the way it looks to have been mostly GSDs and Labs on the job there,with Goldens and Dobies coming in second and third....

...so sue me...i get nervous about anything that tries to popularise my breed...the GSD is in bad enough shape in this country,we don't need more BYBs breeding the 'NYS dog'.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

It would be interesting to see if there is a spike in GSD ownership/breeding as a result of this. It probably wouldn't be anything like what happened to Dalmatians after the 101 Dalmations movies were made, or St Bernard's after that St Bernard movie, but I bet there will be a small increase in demand. People are certainly strange at how they make dog decisions.
Leah

...my grandma always said the worst thing that can happen to any breed is to become popular-surefire way to ruin it.its happened with GSDs,collies,JRT folks are fighting it...anytime a movie has an especially interesting dog in it,there is an increase in numbers of people who want a dog like *fill in the name*...

The thing that I find positive in this, is that since NY already has laws on the books to prevent BSL legislation, and GSD's along with lots of other large breeds, get bad press, that this may stem further animosity elsewhere, I hope.
Julie

good point-we have enough trouble with people wanting to BSL GSDs as it is. this is one reason i cringe inwardly when people act nervous with Anja,i started out with my first SD being a rough collie,and he was welcomed with open arms and calls of "look,mom! its Lassie,and shes a guide dog!' now people are silently edging away from Anja and i often,even though she will be ignoring them. her colour and type don't help-the Topeka PD has dogs like her,and Mals,and i have often heard comments about the "police dog doing guide dog work too'' near by.
*sigh*

While I certainly would like to see the GSD recognized, since FEMA was in charge of the rescue operation NOT NYPD, I would bet that while there certainly were dogs from NYPD and other resources on the pile, most of the dogs were FEMA dogs, not NYPD. And I'm pretty sure that a large variety of breeds were represented, not just the GSD.

While it's a noble thing to put forth, I just can't stand lies or in this case, half-truths.

This is good for the breed. Julie is correct, with BSL out there, positive press. . .and positive working dog press. . .is great.


How can someone ban GSDs when they are the official Dog on New York?!?!?

The breed has so much to offer society. . . .

Ya know,
I have mixed feeling about this.

It sickens me that the AKC will do this as a publicity stunt, while they conveniently leave out the fact that the majority of the dogs doing the work on 9/11 were *imports* due to the fact that the AKC is directly responsible for American Bred GSD's having such poor working ability.

And for the AKC to have that statue of the dog's of 9/11 in their lobby.......Lord, what hypocrites!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

It'd be nice for the American public to see that many, if not most of the true working dogs in this country have to be brought over to work ( or have literally no AKC dogs in their pedigree ) but instead the swarmy AKC officials and "owners from the German Shepherd Dog Club of Long Island" are out to show off in the limelight, although they couldn't produce a dog that would do the required work if their lives depending on it.

Just disgusting! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

I feel you on that one brudda!

BUT, most people know squat about GSDs. . .so it's still good to promote this very positive public image.

People see aggressive GSDs doing bite work, and they think "Police Dogs", which is positive. . .not "kid killers", which is what a lot of America sees when they look at other aggressive dogs.


I'll take this little bit of positive press, even with the AKC's spin on it, any day of the week.