In the beginning there were Brown (liver), black, and red German Shorthairs. The brown was preferred and the black and reds were no more. Later in the early 1900’s blacks were re-introduced, in the hope that the eyes would improve to a darker shade, as well as darker pigment in the skin tone. It was also felt by some that the Shorthairs of the time could be improved in the quality of their high nose type of scenting.
The men involved were some of the best Germany had to offer. Christian Bode, the famous Altenauer Shorthair breeder, such as “Mars Altenau”. Bode believed that the nose could never be fine enough. With the help of Bode’s associtate and friend Max Waechter of “Wash” Shorthairs. They re-introduced black, by using solid black Arkwright Pointers. Arkwright of England had access to the very best pointers of the time, and that’s where they got their start.
Dr. Waechter acquired their Pointer bitch, Beechgrove Bess. This began their breeding program. After considerable breeding their offspring were considered good enough that other prominent German breeders were encouraged to use them in their breeding programs.
In 1924 they were recorded in the stud book as a shorthair line. In 1934 the German Shorthair Stud book stated: “Due to the performance of such dogs as Angus v. Schwarzatal (Pr. K. 102), who is eight generations distant from Beechgrove Bess and inbred to the great Mars Altenau, and Tim Altenau, who is said to be only one part Pointer to 512 parts GSP” and to others even further removed from the Pointer outcross, it is time they are recognized as true shorthairs.”
Now let us fast forward. The Pottmes Kennel that goes back to 1903 in Pottmes Germany. This is the oldest continuous German Kennel, started by Apotheker Meyerheim at age 24. Mr. Meyerheim used an intense inbreeding program.
The currant increase in the popularity of the black and white, German Shorthairs in Germany and the United States, is due in a big part to quality, work loving dogs as the Pottmes Kennel produces. The first black and white KS - Kleeman Sieger (German Champion) Quell Pottmes, 1970.
It’s interesting that a solid liver dog Axel v. Wasserschling was the prepotent dominated GSP breeding for almost a decade in Germany. His offspring were exported world wide. Alex is my favorite Shorthair of history. He is behind Hustler, who is considered to be one of Americas greatest Dual Champions. Hustler and Axel are behind our Tom C Foolery, and was the reason we got Tom C.
What’s interesting is that now the prepotent dominate dog in Germany is a black and white ticked dog. KS Quell’s grandson WS Ciro v. Bichtelwald. Ciro’s influence has been compared to Axel’s, and some believed surpasses Axel. That’s quite a comparison.
The famous Hege Haus kennel used Ciro to improve their inbred line, and have been very satisfied. Many kennels in the United States have used the Pottmes Kennel lines. Just do a search for black German Shothairs and look at the pedigree, you’ll see.
We have used the blacks in our kennel, not because they were black, but because we were looking for dogs with better water work, natural retrieve, and closer working foot hunting qualities. They have truly changed our breeding program.
The men involved were some of the best Germany had to offer. Christian Bode, the famous Altenauer Shorthair breeder, such as “Mars Altenau”. Bode believed that the nose could never be fine enough. With the help of Bode’s associtate and friend Max Waechter of “Wash” Shorthairs. They re-introduced black, by using solid black Arkwright Pointers. Arkwright of England had access to the very best pointers of the time, and that’s where they got their start.
Dr. Waechter acquired their Pointer bitch, Beechgrove Bess. This began their breeding program. After considerable breeding their offspring were considered good enough that other prominent German breeders were encouraged to use them in their breeding programs.
In 1924 they were recorded in the stud book as a shorthair line. In 1934 the German Shorthair Stud book stated: “Due to the performance of such dogs as Angus v. Schwarzatal (Pr. K. 102), who is eight generations distant from Beechgrove Bess and inbred to the great Mars Altenau, and Tim Altenau, who is said to be only one part Pointer to 512 parts GSP” and to others even further removed from the Pointer outcross, it is time they are recognized as true shorthairs.”
Now let us fast forward. The Pottmes Kennel that goes back to 1903 in Pottmes Germany. This is the oldest continuous German Kennel, started by Apotheker Meyerheim at age 24. Mr. Meyerheim used an intense inbreeding program.
The currant increase in the popularity of the black and white, German Shorthairs in Germany and the United States, is due in a big part to quality, work loving dogs as the Pottmes Kennel produces. The first black and white KS - Kleeman Sieger (German Champion) Quell Pottmes, 1970.
It’s interesting that a solid liver dog Axel v. Wasserschling was the prepotent dominated GSP breeding for almost a decade in Germany. His offspring were exported world wide. Alex is my favorite Shorthair of history. He is behind Hustler, who is considered to be one of Americas greatest Dual Champions. Hustler and Axel are behind our Tom C Foolery, and was the reason we got Tom C.
What’s interesting is that now the prepotent dominate dog in Germany is a black and white ticked dog. KS Quell’s grandson WS Ciro v. Bichtelwald. Ciro’s influence has been compared to Axel’s, and some believed surpasses Axel. That’s quite a comparison.
The famous Hege Haus kennel used Ciro to improve their inbred line, and have been very satisfied. Many kennels in the United States have used the Pottmes Kennel lines. Just do a search for black German Shothairs and look at the pedigree, you’ll see.
We have used the blacks in our kennel, not because they were black, but because we were looking for dogs with better water work, natural retrieve, and closer working foot hunting qualities. They have truly changed our breeding program.