When I contacted Tom Brown to request his help in finding the perfect GSD, I felt like I should have had the theme music of “Mission Impossible” playing in the background. “Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is……”
What I was asking for wasn’t simple. I wanted a dog to be a friend and companion, non-provocative when encountering wild life — I live in Alaska — but able to take care of business and provide protection when needed. And the same dog needed to be able to transition into a professional environment and display a calmness and steadiness of temperament that would allow him to be social and friendly when meeting strangers. No small task!
I had read Tom’s website postings and understood when he talked about the interbreeding and damage done to many American GSD. I grew up with GSDs on a farm/ranch environment and had almost given up hope of finding the type dog that I remembered.
Rocky 012 90.jpg I was pleasantly surprised when Tom understood immediately what I was talking about when I spoke of steadiness of temperament and, even more impressive, did not think it was Mission Impossible at all. So began a journey that I am enjoying immensely.
Tom looked through the available dogs both in his kennel and in his affiliates overseas and found Rocky. Rocky was 18 months old and already displaying the characteristics that I had requested. He was brought to the USA from Germany, tested thoroughly and then trained to meet my specific requirements.
The really fun part began when we traveled to Wichita and were greeted as friends as well as valued customers. My daughter and I peppered Tom and his family with questions and were met with endless patience as well as good humor. Not only did we learn a lot but there was laughter and the sense of friendship formed.
Rocky has been with me about 2-1/2 weeks and continues to amaze friends and professional acquaintances. He works with me as a partner and is calm and playful as the situation requires. He is sociable and a complete love bug but has already shown that he is equally determined to do his job and protect and defend as needed. When in his protection mode he is a force to be reckoned with and utterly determined to perform his duty. Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I would find it hard to believe that this calm, social animal was equally capable of ferocious defense. The real test of his adaptability was his acceptance of the Persian cats — with attitude — already in residence in my home. They coexist well now and all signs are that they will actually wind up being best buds.
I can’t say enough good things about the experience of working with Tom and his family and Rocky, well, he’s a gem. I have no doubts that he will be my lifelong friend and companion and I am equally confident that Tom will be available for support and guidance when and if needed. Besides, it’s a lot of fun to talk with Tom and his family just for pleasure!
I am happy to serve as a reference. I can be contacted at DnMlny@aol.com. Please identify Vom Fieldcrest Shepherds in your subject line as I do not open e-mails from addresses I don’t recognize.
Rocky is doing wonderfully. I couldn’t ask for a better dog. He goes to work with me often and gets along well with everyone. In fact, my nose is just a little bit out of joint because the first words out of everyone’s mouth when they walk in the door are “Where’s Rocky?”
Rocky 032 500.jpg Rocky goes into stores with me fairly regularly and is an absolute angel. Small children run up to him and he seems to know he needs to be careful with them. He sits quietly and lets toddlers pet him. People often ask me if he is a GSD and I have the opportunity to give my little speech about him coming from the old blood lines before they were over bred and given to an unstable temperament and hip dysplacia. He gets a lot of compliments and is admired by one and all just as you promised.
So, the long and short of it is that I love this dog! His temperament is perfect and steady, he knows his job and does it with determination and stability, and loves to do whatever is asked of him. He is a total joy! I know I keep saying this, but he is my definition of the perfect dog: babies and children adore him and grown men run from him. You can’t ask for more!
Thank you again for my buddy and friend, Rocky. He is loved and pampered and is thriving. Take care of yourselves!
Dona & Rocky
Just a quick update: Rocky can still amaze me as we continue to evolve in our relationship. Not only is he a beauty but his intelligence is humbling. He is my buddy and best friend. The bloodlines that Tom can access are true to the original intent of this breed. Don’t settle for less than the best!
Thanks Dona for the update on you and Rocky we love to hear the success stories.
Hello! Just wanted to stop by and brag a bit more on the best GSD known to man. Rocky has now learned to count — in Spanish. He may be one of the few trilingual GSD in existence!
Not that I’m bragging or anything. He now takes commands in three languages, not the same commands but understanding commands in German,Spanish and English. His latest trick is to allow his ball to be all but sitting on his nose but he won’t jump for it until he hears the count go from uno, dos, to tres. On tres he goes for the ball. Pretty awesome.
The bond between us is incredible. He is my constant companion going to work with me 24/7. If he doesn’t make it one day he is greeted the next day with “Hey, big guy! We missed you!” While I receive “Oh, hi, Dr. Maloney.” But that’s okay. I have come to except that my lot in life is to be his cheauffer.
In all seriousness he is a sweetheart and loved by one and all unless you show some type of evil intent. He is the dog you promised: loved by friends and neighbors (and children) but feared by grown men.
Dona love it. Rocky is a really a good dog. He was a great match for you. You have been a good partner working with him and that’s what it takes. Keep up the good work we love the stories. I am in the process of starting a women’s section to the blog that will deal with women’s issues as it relates to owning a protection dog and security issues in general.I think it will is long over due in our industry to address thess topics and give a place to talk about personal protection issues and fears and concerns from the women’s perspective. Dr. I think this would be a great out let for you and a welcome place to be involved to be part of an active blog about some of these issues. Thanks again for your post about your Personal Protection Dog “The Rock Man” Rocky.