Our beginning started in 1988 with the purchase of a pet German shepherd. Like most German shepherd enthusiasts we started in obedience. And like some ended up in the confirmation ring. Our first GSD was a GV Crunch daughter x a Dolmar bitch. Her registered name was Katelyns Edana of Dolmar. To us she was Willow . She was bred by Janice Lafountain and Marge Dolan. She was never a Champion but that didn't matter to us as she was the love of our life and our introduction into this wonderful and crazy world of breeding and showing the total GSD. Come along as I reminisce about how we began HardRock German shepherds.
In 1990 when the show bug hit hard we bought a young male pup from Totana Piperhill Kennels. Nikon was the first GSD that we showed in confirmation. He had a best puppy and had placed in his classes but as he matured he was not competitive and thus became one of our house dogs. He was a big mush and everyone who saw him wanted one just like him. He was our ambassador when people came to look at puppies. After Nikon there were a few that were purchased as show quality but never reached this level. I became very discouraged but didn't give up.
Nikon
Prizm
Little did I know that a call from a fellow club member was about to change our future.Tom Reed called and invited us over one day. He told us that Rose Quigley of Debonair German Shepherds was going to be stopping by with some puppies and did we want to take a look. So on that fall evening in 1990 I picked out a little blk/tan bitch that would eventually become our first Champion and foundation of HardRock German Shepherds. Am/Can Ch Debonairs Prizm of HardRock. TC OFA. Prizm took us to our first futurity and US national. She also took us to Canada where she obtained her Canadian Championship. Prizm could win in both rings. Everything I have ever bred goes back on Prizm. Thank you Rose.
Prizm placing first Veteran bitch at the 1998 National under renowned judge Helen Gleason.
So come along as we continue our journey and meet some of our dogs from the past to the present and into our future. Hope you enjoy the ride.
Sue and Matt Marchini
Hardrock German Shepherds
Killingworth Ct.
