It's another cold, snowy night and the dogs have taken up their snoring positions. Something comforting about a snoring shepherd. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

For amusement, I went looking for German Shepherd photos.

Here are two sets at Getty Images.

creative.gettyimages.com

editorial.gettyimages.com

Click on either link and enter 'German Shepherd' in the search field.


Enjoy!

Special for OED Bob Scott -- Shepherds doing a JRT's job. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

GSD Having A Rat Killing in Circleville, OH ca. 1938

I don't know if I should start another thread. I have a question about catching the rat and other animals, like racoon. I always heard that they carry many diseases. My dogs caught rats many times. A female that I had caught a big racoon and trying to eat it. I aways yelled at them, and then they will spit it out coz I'm afraid of diseases. But on the other hand, I'm thinking those wolves and coytes living on those animals and thrive. So I'm wondering if they really carry those deadly diseases or if they will affect those canines?

Parasites are a greater concern than diseases. If your dogs are prone to killing and eating vermin, keep after your worming schedule for tapeworms and roundworms. I would pay much more attention to your vaccination schedule too -- especially for rabies.

Coons are another problem. They are a vector (carrier) for trichinella. This is the parasite that causes trichinosis. The coon population is also a reservoir for rabies. They can also tear a dog up pretty badly. A favorite coon tactic is to lure the dog out into water and then drown him.

Wild carnivores don't really live all that long. Being at the top of the food chain is a pretty tough way to make a living. You won't see sick wolves or coyotes because they die quietly and hidden. The bodies are quickly integrated into the lower end of the food chain. I suspect that if you caught a coyote and gave it a physical, you would find a pretty good load of worms and it would likely be heartworm positive.

Charlie, that dog's a keeper! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Shon, I've had many discussions with my vet about this very thing. My terriers have caught and killed most critters out there with fur. Their rabies and Lep shots are always up to date. I've never had any problems with worms. The key there is that no terrier worth a damn will bother/mouth/eat any critter once the kill has been made. That's a mortal sin for a terrier in the earth dog world. As Charlie talked about, the critters fleas are what carry the worm eggs.

charlie, what type of gsd is that??? looks more like a coyote cross.lol pretty good ratter though. just what o.e.d bob likes.

On a 1938 farm, I suspect it's a 'mostly' shepherd.

Here is a better shot of the dog ...

German Shepherd Ratter

I counted about 30 rats in the photo.

Coyotes are a much slighter animal. As a kid, my paper route included a block of retirement apartments. One of my elderly customers loved to talk. Sometimes I think I was about the only company she had. Each Saturday, when I would come by to collect, she always had warm cookies and some old-time stories.

One story was of a coyote they had adopted as a pup. Her dad had found the den and turned the rest into the county for the bounty. He let the girls keep that one for a pet. It achieved pet status by refusing to drown in the tub he tossed it in.

As she told the story, it was a good pet.

One problem they had was that it was death on chickens. Back then chickens usually had free run of the farmstead. The coyote was usually tied up. He learned exactly how far it could run out. Here is the clever part -- he would back off about ten feet short of the end of the rope. The chickens would come in closer and closer each day as they looked for seeds and insects. Eventually, he dashed out and claimed one. The chickens never learned. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Charlie that pic is just to cool. I've seen dozens of pics just like that but they always had some scruffy little terrier in it. After I left home, mom and dad had a little collie mix that would leave a present of a rat, mole, squirrel, etc on their back porch every morning. When she brought home a human leg bone, they started keeping her locked up.