Since Karl's name has been mentioned here so often I would like to know more about him. Anyone have any information on him and his skills

Karl Fueller is one of the most known if not THE most known shepherd from Germany. His kennel name is vom Kirschental. He’s been a very successful sheep breeder, GSD breeder and competitor in the HGH herding competitions

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Ulf Kintzel
White Clover Sheep Farm
PH: (973) 875-7427
Email: mailto:ulf@nac.net
Web Page: http://www.users.nac.net/ulf<br />===========================

I see his kennel name in pedigrees all over in the working sport dogs. Does he breed just for herding?

I don't think Karl Fueller ever bred "just for herding" -- like many serious breeders of working GSDs, I believe he intended his dogs to be used for sport work and service work as well.

Later the Kirschental lines became quite popular in show pedigrees, and they continue to be. I don't know Herr Fueller personally, so I can't say whether he intentionally began to breed dogs more for show than for their working ability. There are people who do believe this. I think it's safe to say that these days the Kirschental lines are favored primarily by show breeders.

Karl did have two different bloodlines, one for show and one for working. He is such a great trainer that he is able to take sooe of his show dogs and title them in the Schutzhund sport or HGH.

He has (had) a different set of bloodline for the dogs he won the HGH championships with.

Karl Fuller is one of the best breeders and herding dog trainers that has ever been involved with the GSD.

More recently Karl does combine his herding lines with the show lines and has been quite successful at this.

Most qualities you want in a herding dog would be very simular to the qualities wanted in any working dog.

I have a Kirschental dog that is the combination of his herding line and a show line. There is no doubt that he can do the work required for SchH; police , SAR and thus far I am very pleased with his herding instincts and qualities.

Hello there... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
While Kirschental has moved into show lines in their breeding program, they most certainly CAN still work, and not only in herding, as they have many active K-9 dogs even on this continent.
So don't let the beauty of their dogs mislead you into thinking they can't work..not SO!
I truly believe that Kirschental's breeding goals were and still are, to produce the true GSD, that is to say, structure and workability, be it herding, K-9, SAR whatever!!!
As the owner of this board says, a GSD is a working dog...but one needs NOT sacrifice beauty to have the workability...that is what makes most Kirschental dogs so special..they have it all! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
And what Ed has stated on his website about Karl having the uncanny abiliy to "see" those traits, he STILL breeds for the same results! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
And "I" would say, their lines are favored not only by show breeders but breeders concerned about preserving the workability in the breed without sacrificing the conformations of the GSD. As they once were in the not too distant past!!!
JMHO... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> AND speaking from experience of owning several of their dogs.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Michele