FYI, Crash is doing great! He is about 45 pounds and a very smart and energetic puppy. He is smart and absolutely beautiful. I have a roll of film that will be developed next week and will send you some.

Tom

Crash, Tom and friend came to visit us May 30, 2004, and this is one of the pictures we took. He is a handsome male with wonderful temperament! Congratulations to Tom who has done a wonderful job with this puppy. Crash is about a year old in this picture. Once again, Crash is a great dog we imported for Tom from Germany as an eight week old puppy.

HI GUYS LONG TIME. I MEAN TO CALL YOU ALL THE TIME , BUT TIME GOES FAST. BOSS IS NOW 7 YEARS OLD! HE IS THE BEST ALL AROUND DOG THAT ANYONE COULD ASK FOR AND HE IS BEAUTIFUL.

JAY
Austin, Tx

Yaro passed his tracking title today with flying colors! He stayed right on the track, hitting every turn on the turn!

Revel
Bernville, PA

Yaro von Stroman is a littermate to our Desta and Dashel.

Hi Alice

This weekend is our 4th in a row we will be at Lubbock Fri-Sun.

In Denver Kizzy Q'd 5/6 runs with 4 Seconds and 1 First. Picking up her Novice Agility title in her first 3 times out. She started out with 3 straight scores of 100 and then 2 scores of 95. She did manage to back-jump a double in her last JWW class which resulted in a NQ, however her back-jump was an attempt on her part to compensate for running past it.

Since Denver Kizzy has gained a lot of confidence in the ring which is two-fold. First of all she is now running with a lot more speed than she has ever shown before, which is what will win once we get up to Excellent B level. Unfortunately I am unaccusomed to handling a dog with the speed which she is now showing me. Therefore we are remaining in the Novice level in order for us to gain a "team concept" which we are currently lacking, more on my part then on Kizzy's.

In her first McKinney weekend, she picked up another two standard legs with a Fourth place and another Second place and some really amazing speed. Her second weekend in McKinney, she picked up her last NAJ leg (another title) and another standard leg with two Second places. The general rule of our training group is that you do not move up to the next level until you have 3-consecutive perfect scores of 100. Although Kizzy started off in Denver with 3-consecutive perfect scores of 100, they have been eluding us since.

The errors that we are making are some "green" dog errors and some handling errors. I feel confident that in time this will all come together and she will be a spectacular agility competitor. She has been handling Excellent level courses in training, however since she didn't have the speed the handling changes considerably.

Linda
San Angelo, TX

Kizzy von Stroman is from our breeding of Camey and Sirk.

Hi again!

It's kind of funny but "innova" is exactly what I bought for Kaiser about a week before we got him! He is in his crate by the bed (that's where he was whining a little the first night) but Jen said that he dind't whine at all the next night. I am unfortunately still in Ottawa - going to Tucson today - but I will be back tomorrow morning and I can't wait to see the little one again.

Adam
Denver, CO

Anyway, Crash is great. He weighs about 33 lbs, both ears are erect, and he is gorgeous!! I have about 6 rolls of photos which have not been developed, but when they are, i will send you some copies. He is developing a small silver strap across his back just below his withers. He is looking less puppyish and more doggish every day. He is fearless, headstrong, smart, has great ball and prey drive, and basically is just a joy. He is going everywhere with me and is adjusting just fine. He loves people but also loves to assert himself.

Tom
Houston, TX

Crash is an import puppy from Germany.

Star pictured below...

"Star" took second place in the April-May 2003 basic obedience class at Joyce Morgan's training center. We lost by 3 points to a Labordor retriever and my mistake cost us 2 of those 3 points. Star was almost 6 months old when she started the classes and was imported from Germany in Feb 2003 via Fred and Alice Stroman whom we owe yet another big thanks. Star's sister Nicki lives in central Austin with her new 'dad'.

Jeff and Rhonda

Austin, Texas

P.S. I'll try to send an updated photo soon.

Star is an import puppy from Germany.

Dear Fred and Alice,

We named our new baby "Brawner." Brawner and Emmitt are getting along good. Emmitt sometimes gets a little rough. I keep telling him he will be sorry when Brawner gets grown. His ears are up really good and I think he will start teething real soon. Brawner is really smart. The first day with us he learned to open the back door. He also went for an accidental swim in the pool. He already knows his name and comes when called. Brawner is now 36lbs. We really love him. Thanks for getting him for us.

Carl
Mission, Texas

Brawner is a wonderful puppy we imported from Germany. He is pictured below!

Hi Fred and Alice

I just wanted to give you an update on Yaro. He's now U-CDX Dion von Stroman, CDX, AXJ. I hope to add an AKC UDT by the end of the year. He's a real joy to me. Still a clown dog. A very nice working dog! People come to ringside to watch "that shepherd" in the ring. He has placed everytime he's been in the ring--all all-breed shows. (wrong- he NQ'd once at a Specialisty but his performance was so good, he was the only dog in the trial to get an applause!) I hope he does just as well in the Utility ring! We will be doing an obedience demo for the local T.V. station next week. I just got a male puppy...he turned out to be Yaro's puppie. Yaro is very good with him! Thank you for this wonderful dog.

Revel
Bernville, PA

Dion von Stroman

Hi Alice:

Just wanted to touch base with you. Kizzy has settled down a lot over the past few weeks and is such a joy to be around. She is so smart and I am enjoying working with her.

I took her to her first High School Football game last week. She did great meeting all the people. The kids rolling around on the grass playing ball was more than she could handle (she wanted to join in!), so we tried to stay away from them.

We are doing some serious work in agility and she loves it. I expect to start competing with her next fall (I wanted to wait until after she was 2 to start jumping her at full height 24"). I have decided to wait with obedience competition until she is older as well. I have had some trouble with attitude with my other two shepherds which I contribute to my novice handling, and Kizzy has such a great attitude I don't want to damper it with obedience. We do the basic (sit, down, stay, stand, come) but it is all fun.

Linda

Kizzy von Stroman

Hi Fred and Alice

Once again I have to say how outstanding Star is at retrieving. I would have to bet she is one of the best retrieving dogs ever at her age, simply fantastic. It is rare where she will not bring the tennis ball back within 3 feet of you and drop it - I didn't teach her this, merely throwing or kicking the ball for her. Sometimes she'll run back and stop near another tennis ball, she'll drop the one she had, sample each and then pick up the one she started with and return it. She is nearly 25 pounds now and is simply gorgeous. She got her parvo booster yesterday and I'll start taking her out in public next weekend. One of the vets in our vet office said she was simply stunning - her mom is an AKC GS judge apparently. I'm working with her to stay now and she has done fairly well. I started on Thursday and today I got her to sit-stay for 10 secs before I called her. She still doesn't do it all the time, but she is catching on !! We also think she has figured out the correlation between door handles and the door opening - that we'll have to keep an eye on (we have the handicap type door handles which are easy to open). We are tremendously pleased with her and she is a joy.

Thanks, Jeff

Dear Alice and Fred,

Just wanted to let you know that Baron has the following OFA Report:
Hips: Good
Elbows: Normal

Dana & William

Baron von Stroman was over 5 years old when Dana and William had him x-rayed.

Hi,

My vet breeds Golden Retrievers and has been xraying hips for about 20 years and has a good handle on good and bad hips, especially since there are so many displastic Goldens. She said that she was quite surprised on how good Leika's hips were (she doesn't usually get real good German lines as clients). She isn't the OFA, but she said that they would range from a fair to good in OFA and definitely would pass. I am not going to send them in because she is spayed, this was just for me to be aware of her for health reasons and I am relieved! Guess it gave my vet a little more confidence in how conscientious and honest some GSD breeders can be!

Jacquie

Leika von Stroman

Dear Fred and Alice

Well we are really celebrating this afternoon, Chelsea passed her Canine Good Citizenship test!!! on the first try and she was the only one out of our class who passed. I'm so proud of her, she breezed through it. The trainers have been using her as the example dog, and in the testing as the dog who passes the one being tested, etc. By next year the Humane Society will have their agility, fly ball, and other activities set up and we can start that too. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful companion.

Wendy

Chelsea von Stroman

Madison is a big old lover!

When she is heeling she just stares up at you and prances while her tail wags all over the place. I have her doing off lead heeling in the back yard and she picked that up after one session.

All in all I would not trade her - she is my little girl.

John
Dallas, Texas

Madison von Stroman

This is a letter from the owner of a Dashel son. Aztec is doing Search and Rescue, and we are very proud of him!

Hey guys, I just thought that it was about time I gave an update. Aztec is now seven months old and he is showing me how great of a dog he is going to be. He is now an inch taller than Maya and weighs a whole 70 pounds! He is huge! He has a huge love for his toys and can't seem to get it out of his mouth when one is around. He is very smart and search training is going great! He really is taking to it. I finally got him to speak and man he does it all the time. He has got a great personality and sometimes can be a bit annoying, but its all good. He is still a pup even though he doesn't look like one anymore. He is turning more red and black than tan and black. I am glad because I think he is starting to look more like his Grandpa. I like the red look.

Jared

Hello Alice and Fred

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. We have been doing well busy with work, the kids and the dogs. Macho continues to amaze us everyday with his intelligence, his warmness and gentleness with all the family and my kids friends. By the way he is also very protective in the home. My kids have their friends come over and he wants to be the center of attention. He is approximately 90 pounds and looks very good. I will send you some pictures soon of Macho. If you remember that my biggest worry was getting a dog that was out of control. I wanted a dog that would protect the family but that was also a member of my community and a member of the family. I could not asked for a better dog. I sometimes believe he listens more to me than my own kids.

Thank You.

Joseph
Orlando, Florida

Macho von Stroman

Hello Fred and Alice,

How are you? Things are great here. I thought I'd send some pictures. I'll send some more with Mindy and I but I wanted to get these to you first. Gwen is doing great, she cried for the first night and has slept through every night since. she is just about potty trained and she is getting the handle on sitting. She has met the whole family and fits in just great. She is great with the baby,our cats and most of all my parents retriever, Glory. They play very well together, Glory is very patient. We keep them seperated for periods of time, those teeth are too much, but they are becoming good friends.

We are very happy, she is fitting in just great. I'll write again soon with some more pictures..

Charles and Mindy
Austin, Texas

Gwen von Stroman

Here is a picture I took yesterday of Kahlan sitting under the counter where I keep her food. She is just the cutest darling. I think she will be excellent at agility - she runs and jumps over everything. I am trying to restrict her from anything too strenuous and it is a full time job.

Will keep you posted.

Sue
Boerne, Texas

Kahlan von Stroman

Last night, somone tried to come in my front security door at 1:00 a.m. Chelsea became a lunging monster, a delight to see, and the intruder took his hand off the door knob, staggered back, yelling. Anyway, just wanted you to know, one more reason to thank you, and Chelsea.

Wendy
La Jolla, CA

Chelsea von Stroman

I really love Leika and am very appreciative about all the information that your provided up front. You selected the perfect puppy for me and my family. Everyone is impressed and loves this dog. I don't think that I could ever have two GSD's at the same time because they attach themselves to you and my Collies are little more aloof, which allows you to open your heart up for more than one dog. Leika has made Maxwell watch his p's and q's and not be so independent. Cute and fluffy doesn't make it over performance in my book.

Have a Happy New Year,

Jacquie
Atlanta, GA

Leika von Stroman

I just wanted to give you an update on my girl Madison. She is doing great, she had to be the biggest lover out of the group. I am actually finding it hard to believe she would actually protect the house as all she wants to do with strangers is give them kisses and play. I am attaching some photo's of Maddy enjoying her first snow.

I trust all is well and I will talk to you soon,

John.
Dallas, TX

Madison von Stroman

Well, Ecko is doing great. He is a GREAT dog!!! And he is a BIG dog!! Here are some new photos of Ecko. You canąt see it, but in #128 he is holding a rock in his mouth.

I thought the coloring of the rocks was perfect!

These were taken in Moab, Utah on our recent vacation.--he did great. We love him!

Thanks,

Paul
Las Cruces, NM

Ecko von Stroman

Thought you would enjoy this picture of Dickens that I took the other day. I am a little prejudice about how good looking the big boy is. He and I are spending the summer up here in Colorado, and he is just loving it.

Sincerely,

Ron
Tulsa, OK

Dickens von Stroman

Congratulations on getting your puppies into good homes and for all the wonderful progeny Quicki has produced! That is terrific about the track record of good hips and temperment she has produced! You'all have worked hard; you deserve to be proud.

Talk to you both again soon!

Best regards, Katherine
Dallas, TX

Aloe von Stroman

Just a few more pictures of Chelsea. Chelsea is a beautiful, happy, healthy dog. Thank you again for such a wonderful dog. I couldn't be more in love with her, and feel I will never again have anything so special in my life. We couldn't be more pleased and happy with her. Frank says thanks for the "Wonder Dog".

Wendy, Chelsea, Frank
La Jolla, CA

Chelsea von Stroman

Just thought I'd drop you a holiday note and a couple photos of Molly. She is doing well in obedience although still too much puppy energy for some things! She's got a great nose, and will be a good tracker someday. Just started on a light bite bar but shows tremendous drive-had to get her a chest harness because she pulls so much going into the helper. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Eric, Maura and Molly
Clarksville, MD

Molly von Stroman

I want to thank you for giving us the best German Shepherd we've ever had. Starr's a wunderhund in every way-super-intelligent, loyal, sensitive and protective. I hope you continue to breed shepherds for many more years, because you'll be the first one on my list when I want another puppy. He's 2 years old now and the spitting image of Quicki. The only problem with Starr is that he thinks he's human. He "owns" the sofa and knows English a little too well. We spell a lot of words around him.

Christine
Girardville, PA

Starr von Stroman

Deacon thinks that he is a poodle (just lives in a GSD body), he likes to cuddle and lay in my lap, the only problem is - all that fits is his shoulders, so he is just draped over both sides and just goes totally limp. He has total trust in his mom, that I won't let him fall off. He is so big that it is really a Kodak moment (he weighs 90 and I weight 110 lbs) but no one else is ever around to take the picture. He does weigh 90 lbs and it is not fat, really on the slim side.

Carolyn, Sentry K-9

Deacon von Stroman

Dear Alice and Fred,

My vet gave your phone number to a client who just lost their German Shepherd. He said Chelsea was the best GSD he'd ever had in his practice.

Chelsea went to the dentist with me last week. My dentist is an itty bitty man who has been scared of GSD's in the past, but loves Chelsea. He let me bring her into the office (didn't want to leave her in the car), and she greeted patients, watched the procedures on me with her head on Dr. G's knee, and then sat in the corner and watched quietly the rest of the time.

Dr. G said "She's an Angel!".

Thanks again,

Wendy

Chelsea von Stroman