“Sovereignty” was the best word to describe Ryker. He possessed dignity, intelligence, character and strength, with just the right amount of silliness thrown in, he represented the ideal GSD temperament. He was a natural tracker who was always V or SG in his Schutzhund ratings, calm, quiet and intense. His protection work derived from a delight for the fight — the tougher the better. Yet he adored children and was completely safe around everyone. In obedience, Ryker was, unfortunately, handicapped by a handler who was a total novice. “If we knew then what we know now” Ryker would have shined in obedience as well.
At 14, Ryker was still the quiet alpha of the house. Confident and never needing to display his power, he could still cause Ivan or Hawk to fawn and grin like puppies.
Take a look at the motley pedigree below. Everything from “vom Lierberg” to “Gertie XII”! Ryker’s father, Dirk, was an outstanding tracking dog, while his mother enjoyed our early Schutzhund practices and was a balanced, nice dog in both structure and temperament.
Crosswind’s Dirk v. Heiterhaus
OFA GS-13697T
CDX TD
Heiterhaus Cabot
OFA GS-10837
*Masko vom Konigstein
SZ:
SchH3
*V-Mars v. Sonnenberg
SZ:
SchH2
*V-Olly v. Lierberg
SZ:
SchH 3
Schokrest Oh My Darlin’
OFA GS-7449
CD
Covy’s Oregano of Tucker Hill
ROM OFA
Philberlyn’s Rhoda of Marin
OFA
Heiterhaus Debra Joy
OFA GS-10949
CH Judd von Kristy
OFA GS-3899
CD
US CAN CH Von Der Ley’s Midnight Cowboy
OFA
Von Leebrin’s Adelheidi
Covy Tucker Hill’s Spirit
OFA GS-7448
US CAN CH Cobert’s Reno of Lakeside
ROM OFA
Covy Tucker Hill’s Glimmer
Kuss vom Schatz
OFA GS-18094
Der Hans vom Kriegerhaus
PSD
AKC WE430798
Heinz Peters
Krieger von Hiatt
AKC WC226109
OFA GS-4270
SchH3 FH
CDX TDX KH SH
Phyllis Hiatt
Wenatchee’s Armando
CD
Freia vom Pross
Vilma von Pfersee
AKC WD 640250
OFA GS-7644-T
SchH3 CD TD SH KH
Phyllis Hiatt
V-Roon v.d. Freiheit Westerholt
SZ:
SchH 3 “a”
V-Inka von Pfersee
SZ:
SchH 1 “a”
Gertie XII
AKC WE942411
Alf vom Hessenhof
AKC WC615659
PSD
Rogue XVII
AKC WB352322
PSD
Missy v Portnoy
AKC WC275038
Greta von den Lachenden Augen
AKC WE755797
*VA-Roll vom Sieben Faulen
SZ:
AKC WC784120
*Sun Shine’s Daisy Mae
AKC WD857821
PSD
Ryker and Warren after finishing their SchH 3 in Pocatello, Idaho. (Pam Christensen photo)
New CD, Fall of 1987
Schutzhund 2 heeling — doesn't look too bad for Ryker! This photo appears in Dog Fancy's German shepherd edition. (Judith Strom photo)
Courage test for the schH 1 in Spokane with helper Jim Elder. (Kerin Elder photo)
With helper David Macias during a seminar in Helena. (Judith Strom photo)
29 November, 2000
I always knew Maggie and Ryker would go at the same time.
We put Maggie to sleep Monday night. We’d been concentrating so much on Maggie that we chose to ignore the fact that Ryker was going downhill. By Tuesday morning he’d crashed. He had a temperature of 105+ deg, and though a shot of banamine brought it down, he never recovered. By Wednesday morning he couldn’t walk at all, and even rolling over onto his chest took everything he had. So, last night, Ryker went too.
No matter how prepared you are, it’s still hard. Our vet came to the house around 8:00 last night. Ryker had enough energy to sniff her and wag a time or two before laying his head back down.
This is the worst part about having dogs in your life.
But, life goes on. It snowed 4 or 5 inches last night and Gator, Rosie and Ivan are all maniacs outside, charging through the drifts with their mouths open, scooping up snow and beating each other up. They come inside with snow all over their faces and big happy grins.
To those of you with dysplastic dogs, Ryker is proof a dog can have an active, long life with bad hips. He was diagnosed with moderate dysplasia at the age of two; got his SchH 3 at five (when he was finally showing signs of pain and refused the wall on the way back) got his FH at six, and then for many more years helped train new decoys on the training field.
Ryker may be seen in the Dog Fancy special GSD issue and several pet-oriented GSD books. He was a special dog. We’ll miss you, Doodles.
Ryker
Ryker vom Polarstern SchH 3 FH CD TD
b. 22 October 1986 – 29 November 2000
aka “Ryker Doodles”
Ryker at 14
“Sovereignty” was the best word to describe Ryker. He possessed dignity, intelligence, character and strength, with just the right amount of silliness thrown in, he represented the ideal GSD temperament. He was a natural tracker who was always V or SG in his Schutzhund ratings, calm, quiet and intense. His protection work derived from a delight for the fight — the tougher the better. Yet he adored children and was completely safe around everyone. In obedience, Ryker was, unfortunately, handicapped by a handler who was a total novice. “If we knew then what we know now” Ryker would have shined in obedience as well.
At 14, Ryker was still the quiet alpha of the house. Confident and never needing to display his power, he could still cause Ivan or Hawk to fawn and grin like puppies.
Take a look at the motley pedigree below. Everything from “vom Lierberg” to “Gertie XII”! Ryker’s father, Dirk, was an outstanding tracking dog, while his mother enjoyed our early Schutzhund practices and was a balanced, nice dog in both structure and temperament.
Crosswind’s Dirk v. Heiterhaus
OFA GS-13697T
CDX TD
Heiterhaus Cabot
OFA GS-10837
*Masko vom Konigstein
SZ:
SchH3
*V-Mars v. Sonnenberg
SZ:
SchH2
*V-Olly v. Lierberg
SZ:
SchH 3
Schokrest Oh My Darlin’
OFA GS-7449
CD
Covy’s Oregano of Tucker Hill
ROM OFA
Philberlyn’s Rhoda of Marin
OFA
Heiterhaus Debra Joy
OFA GS-10949
CH Judd von Kristy
OFA GS-3899
CD
US CAN CH Von Der Ley’s Midnight Cowboy
OFA
Von Leebrin’s Adelheidi
Covy Tucker Hill’s Spirit
OFA GS-7448
US CAN CH Cobert’s Reno of Lakeside
ROM OFA
Covy Tucker Hill’s Glimmer
Kuss vom Schatz
OFA GS-18094
Der Hans vom Kriegerhaus
PSD
AKC WE430798
Heinz Peters
Krieger von Hiatt
AKC WC226109
OFA GS-4270
SchH3 FH
CDX TDX KH SH
Phyllis Hiatt
Wenatchee’s Armando
CD
Freia vom Pross
Vilma von Pfersee
AKC WD 640250
OFA GS-7644-T
SchH3 CD TD SH KH
Phyllis Hiatt
V-Roon v.d. Freiheit Westerholt
SZ:
SchH 3 “a”
V-Inka von Pfersee
SZ:
SchH 1 “a”
Gertie XII
AKC WE942411
Alf vom Hessenhof
AKC WC615659
PSD
Rogue XVII
AKC WB352322
PSD
Missy v Portnoy
AKC WC275038
Greta von den Lachenden Augen
AKC WE755797
*VA-Roll vom Sieben Faulen
SZ:
AKC WC784120
*Sun Shine’s Daisy Mae
AKC WD857821
PSD
Ryker and Warren after finishing their SchH 3 in Pocatello, Idaho. (Pam Christensen photo)
New CD, Fall of 1987
Schutzhund 2 heeling — doesn't look too bad for Ryker! This photo appears in Dog Fancy's German shepherd edition. (Judith Strom photo)
Courage test for the schH 1 in Spokane with helper Jim Elder. (Kerin Elder photo)
With helper David Macias during a seminar in Helena. (Judith Strom photo)
29 November, 2000
I always knew Maggie and Ryker would go at the same time.
We put Maggie to sleep Monday night. We’d been concentrating so much on Maggie that we chose to ignore the fact that Ryker was going downhill. By Tuesday morning he’d crashed. He had a temperature of 105+ deg, and though a shot of banamine brought it down, he never recovered. By Wednesday morning he couldn’t walk at all, and even rolling over onto his chest took everything he had. So, last night, Ryker went too.
No matter how prepared you are, it’s still hard. Our vet came to the house around 8:00 last night. Ryker had enough energy to sniff her and wag a time or two before laying his head back down.
This is the worst part about having dogs in your life.
But, life goes on. It snowed 4 or 5 inches last night and Gator, Rosie and Ivan are all maniacs outside, charging through the drifts with their mouths open, scooping up snow and beating each other up. They come inside with snow all over their faces and big happy grins.
To those of you with dysplastic dogs, Ryker is proof a dog can have an active, long life with bad hips. He was diagnosed with moderate dysplasia at the age of two; got his SchH 3 at five (when he was finally showing signs of pain and refused the wall on the way back) got his FH at six, and then for many more years helped train new decoys on the training field.
Ryker may be seen in the Dog Fancy special GSD issue and several pet-oriented GSD books. He was a special dog. We’ll miss you, Doodles.
—sam