GSCA National Specialty (Top 10 and Obedience), 1999

This collection is dynamic and rich. It contains a wealth of photographs and written material on the history and health of the breed as well as the club.

The publication series comprises the bulk of the collection. It contains items such as What You Should Know About the Giant Schnauzer which is comprehensive in nature; it’s a great source for its history, care, exhibition, and breeding among other topics. The GSCA’s official publication Giant Steps makes up the bulk of the series. It begins with the first Giant Steps published in 1962 and continues until 2009. Each contains ubiquitous items found in a parent club publication such as event results, articles, meeting minutes, photos and other information. The club’s Yearbooks are also a valuable source, which spans from 1976 to 2001 and 2007. Interestingly, this series also contains a sizeable amount of foreign items such as the German Stud Books and Germanic books.

The document series contains a variety of items such as a survey on obedience, standing rules, a lengthy pedigree for Ch. Terra v. Greifensee and a 1966 account about how this dog was acquired.

The correspondence series include the dwarfs sub-series which is comprised of a hand-written correspondences by owners with a few photos and an accompanying study by the University of Pennsylvania Veterinarian School of Medicine.

The typescript series contains a noteworthy item– The German Giant Schnauzer published by Dr. Erich Harms in 1949. It goes into great detail about the Giant Schnauzer’s origin and development beginning in the mid-19th century. He proviand provides personal anecdotes about his experience with the breed. The other item in this series is a transcribed interview between Klaus Anselin and H. Hoeller.

The photos, negatives and 35 mm series are extensive. It contains the GSCA’s National Specialty of 2004 that includes application forms and a summary of a study on canine epilepsy–a Canine Health Foundation grant-funded study. The folder marked Betty Blake’s dogs contain several of her titled dogs including: BJ’s Teddy O’Ber; BJ’s Shnazzy Jazz, CDX; Skansens BJ’s Snitzel Maus; Can/Am. Ch. Dragonair’s Boshja; Can. CD; BJ’s Razz Beri; Can/Am. Ch. BJ’s Ms Benji, CD, TD. The folder marked Judi Boston’s dogs contain images of several dogs including: Ch. Dolric Maritz v Gestern, CD; C. Terrestas’ Hallmark v Gesi, CD; Ch. Sonnens Chein Crusta Belle, CD; Ch. Von Gestern’s Shot in the Dark; Ch. Sonnens Chein Ezi Lady v Shot; Ch. Sonnens Chein Fultilt Boogie; Sonnens Chein Fast Lane. Folders marked various dogs contain numerous images of well-known dogs owned by Mr. & Mrs. Sprenger owners of Krayenrain and Bob & Bonnie Barker owners of Tueblu kennels; it is recommended to review by hand.

The video series include several national specialty shows including their 2007 show and an accompanying disk of still images.