Wyn Strickland and other GSD legends - Page 1

Hexe and Gustav both mentioned Wynn Strickland in a previous thread. I think she and her peers deserve their own thread. Wyn was a legend in the GSD world. She put 215 OB titles on dogs including more than a few perfect scores. She taught GSD's to do things that I would have thought impossible. When I lived in PA and was showing at AKC shows, Wynn could often be seen with 3, 4 GSD's riding in her Mercedes convertible (with the top down). They were all entered in one OB class or another. While one competed, the others were platzed at ringside awaiting ther turn. Today some would probably considered her teaching methods outdated, but no one can argue with the results. She was a staunch advocate of the GSD. Wynn was one of the main reasons that I bought my first GSD. She was kind to me, a novice to the breed, and answered all my questions ina positve way.

I'm sure others have had positive experiences with Wynn and other breeders and trainers. Let's take the high road and share those experiences.

From the Canine Professional Hall of Fame:

Winifred Gibson Strickland

Winifred Gibson Strickland certainly has had a full-life with dogs….and with her favorite the breed, the German Shepherd Dog.  She is known at Ms. German Shepherd of Obedience.  In November of 2002 she put her 208^thtitle on one of her dogs with a score of 297 ½.   Wynn has over 1500 awards and trophies to her credit.  One award she takes special pride in is the one from “des Verein fuer deautsche Schaeferhunde” or SV, the parent club for the Shepherd in Germany.  As the world’s largest single breed club (100,000 members) the SV rarely acknowledges outside accomplishments yet they gave her an award for Excellence in Obedience Training.  Over forty perfect (200) scores in obedience isn’t too shabby, either.

Ms. Strickland was an AKC Obedience judge for 18 years and judged all classes including Tracking. She was a Director of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America as well as a member for 54 years. She is President and Founder of the Diamond State German Shepherd Dog Club, Honorary member of the Southern New Jersey German Shepherd Dog Club, member of the GSDCA-WDA, the USA SchutzHund Club and the “des Verein fuer deutsche Schaeferhunde” (SV). As an author Wynn has written Expert Obedience Training for Dogs, Joll and Me, The German Shepherd Today, and Obedience Class Instruction for Dogs: The Trainer's Manual. Wynn also has three videos dealing with Novice, Open and Utility.  Ms Strickland has trained thousands of dogs in her Obedience classes and clinics.  They were all different breeds not only Shepherds.

With the rapid growth in Agility few recall that Wynn Strickland designed and put on the first agility test in 1971. It was much tougher to navigate than the current tests and had fewer obstacles.  It was held at the German Shepherd Dog Club of America National Specialty in Arizona.  

Her classic quote is, “Dog training is becoming a lost art.”

I learnt how to use a hair roller to help soft ears stand on a puppy from her book.

Does anyone know why she quit? Gustav, are you willing to share what she said?

Wynn died in 2012 at the age of 95. She was still showing in OB in her late 80's and had a few litters. I talked to her about a dog around 2010 and she was still breeding occasionally. She never quit.

Thank you Blitzen :)

Wynn had the life most of us wish we could.

Blitzen .. could Wynn talk to dogs and could she listen to them as well??  Two way communication with the dogs is the heart and soul of training and relationships with dogs.  With all her years and experience I suspect she deserved the title "dog whisperer" more than the TV show stars that I find kinda obnoxious.  I think it is that sense of connection, trust, and confidence that comes from good two way communication with these great animals which is the real reward for both dog and human.

Gustav did not say Ms. Strickland quit training/compeating. He said she moved from ASL to GSL dogs. I am also courious to hear what she told him but hope he waits to post what she said until after others chime in with their spin.

".............. In the last 25 years before she passed, Wynny had exclusively GSL dogs that she bred and competed with til she stopped. Do folks know why she stopped breeding, showing, and titling ASL dogs? She told me personally, but I want to hear what kind of spin can be put on this..........."

If you want to discuss the spins and pros and cons of ASL's start another thread please.