“I want a German Shepherd Dog for Christmas
Only a German Shepherd Dog will do
Don’t want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy
I want a German Shepherd Dog to play with and enjoy”
--Brittany Hawley, then age 14. (After the 1950s Christmas song, “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas”.)
The song finally did it! Brittany Hawley tormented her Mom, Lisa, with this refrain for the last months of 2005. After a persistent seven year campaign for her own German Shepherd Dog, Brittany won. Quenn v. Kirchenwald joined the Hawley family that Christmas.
“I want a German Shepherd Dog for Christmas
I don’t think Santa Claus will mind, do you?”
Brittany’s quest began when she was seven years old. It was all her father’s fault! Dad, Glenn, imprinted Brittany’s young psyche with a glossy magazine ad of the perfect family with their perfect dog—a German Shepherd Dog, naturally. Truth be told, Dad had always wanted his own shepherd. Small dogs were more to her Mom’s liking, however. Oreo is the resident Shitzu, while Sidney is Brittany’s favorite (not!)Yorkshire Terrier.
“I want a German Shepherd Dog for Christmas
Only a German Shepherd Dog will do
No collie dogs or Yorkshire terriers
I only like German Shepherd Dogs
And German Shepherds like me too!”
Natural dog training talent is a gift. That gift runs in the Hawley family. Brittany and her Dad enjoy all three Schutzhund phases, while Mom and brothers Tyler (13) and Bryce (7) focus on day-to-day proper behavior (“Bryce’s friends are not supposed to be terrorized?”).
Brittany discovered the world of show ring handling while helping prepare Kirchenwald dogs. In top condition from playing Varsity field hockey (as a freshman), Brittany had never even seen a conformation show until October 2007. Her handling debut at the Mid-Eastern USA Regional Show and Breed Survey was special indeed. Brittany opened by winning the 4-6 month female class with Bess Kirchenwald. (She didn’t realize that running in front of the other dogs meant that you won!) In her hands, Ben Kirchenwald made VP-2 in 4-6 males (litter brother Baran placed VP-1), Xena Kirchenwald fought to VP-1 in 9-12 females (defeating her kennel mate Zenta Kirchenwald), G-Fhazer Wolfstraum learned that the show ring is work (12-18 female), and V-2 Working Class Brady Kirchenwald convincingly challenged in a tough class. Brittany’s Quenn Kirchenwald won the Open Class males—and Brittany learned that double handling outside the ring has its own challenges. Brittany finished the weekend by presenting VA-Zeke Kirchenwald for his lifetime breed survey.
Brittany was “hooked”! Hurried plans were made for the 2007 NASS two weeks later. (There was the small problem of a Saturday night Homecoming date….) Brittany and her Dad flew to St. Louis on Thursday afternoon. On Friday, Brittany handled Baran Kirchenwald to VP-4 in 4-6 month males (litter mate Ben placed VP-3). In the 9-12 females, Brittany handled VP-5 Zenta Kirchenwald (trouncing her kennel mate VP-6 Xena Kirchenwald). For the 6-9 male class, Brittany double handled for her cousin’s dog, VP-2 Argos Kirchenwald. Back on a plane to Pittsburgh at the crack of dawn Saturday morning, Brittany shed her cleats and Kirchenwald jacket for heels, elegant chiffon and a lucky young man.
A voracious reader (and lyrics editor), Brittany’s favorite subject is English. French used to be high on her list, but German is the curriculum for the future. For Brittany, persistence and patience pays. Then again, there is that annoying little song….
“I can see me now on Christmas morning, creeping down the stairs
Oh what joy and what surprise when I open up my eyes
To see a German Shepherd standing there.
I want a German Shepherd Dog for Christmas
Only a German Shepherd Dog will do!
I only like German Shepherd Dogs
And German Shepherds like me too!”
282 Shepherd Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044