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Dr Dalrymple is correct. However, two facts should be added. The name
Alsatian (Elsaesser) was borrowed from a region long disputed by France and
Germany (Alsace, Elsass) and Hitler would have referred to Blondie as a
German Shepherd, never as an Alsatian. He considered the breed the best
under the canines. However, he did have a strange attitude concerning dogs
and their right to live.
The elite of Hitler's military and law enforcing personnel was the
SS. Their name identified their duties. Schutzstaffel or protection squad.
Several sub units, such as the Leibstandarte consisted of meticulously
selected loyal soldiers and, information handed down from insiders who had
personal knowledge of Hitler's many secretive activities reported that one
branch of personal bodyguards, members of a sub group of the SS, would
begin their training in the company of a German Shepherd puppy which they
would live with and raise as their own.1
Most SS groups, including this one, were required to take their oath
and pledge in front of Hitler, in contrast to most other branches of the
law enforcement and military powers of the state who pledged to the German
People.
During the ceremony, the cadets were required to end the life of
their canine companion by cutting its throat using their combat knife.
This was to show undying loyalty to the Fuehrer.1
Yet the Nazi regime was very big on the protection of animals, they
acted as if they had invented it.
Much about this, including the fate of Blondi, Hitler's dog (a
Deutscher Schaeferhund) who was sacrificed by Hitler shortly before he and
Eva Braun committed suicide, can be found in the work, Blondi's Schatten.2
Although there is little official material about the alleged act of
loyalty by the graduating SS men, it appears quite plausible.
Shortly after Blondi had died from the effects of the cyanide pill,
Hitler had her very young puppies put to death.3
References: 1.Personal and direct communication with teachers W.
Bauer and H. Goeldner, Eisenach school district, Germany 1960
2.Renate Bruckner-Karnowski Blondi's Schatten (personal
communication with the author 29-04-08)(also published in
animalrights.de)
Hitler's Dogs
Dr Dalrymple is correct. However, two facts should be added. The name Alsatian (Elsaesser) was borrowed from a region long disputed by France and Germany (Alsace, Elsass) and Hitler would have referred to Blondie as a German Shepherd, never as an Alsatian. He considered the breed the best under the canines. However, he did have a strange attitude concerning dogs and their right to live.
The elite of Hitler's military and law enforcing personnel was the SS. Their name identified their duties. Schutzstaffel or protection squad. Several sub units, such as the Leibstandarte consisted of meticulously selected loyal soldiers and, information handed down from insiders who had personal knowledge of Hitler's many secretive activities reported that one branch of personal bodyguards, members of a sub group of the SS, would begin their training in the company of a German Shepherd puppy which they would live with and raise as their own.1
Most SS groups, including this one, were required to take their oath and pledge in front of Hitler, in contrast to most other branches of the law enforcement and military powers of the state who pledged to the German People.
During the ceremony, the cadets were required to end the life of their canine companion by cutting its throat using their combat knife. This was to show undying loyalty to the Fuehrer.1
Yet the Nazi regime was very big on the protection of animals, they acted as if they had invented it.
Much about this, including the fate of Blondi, Hitler's dog (a Deutscher Schaeferhund) who was sacrificed by Hitler shortly before he and Eva Braun committed suicide, can be found in the work, Blondi's Schatten.2
Although there is little official material about the alleged act of loyalty by the graduating SS men, it appears quite plausible.
Shortly after Blondi had died from the effects of the cyanide pill, Hitler had her very young puppies put to death.3
References: 1.Personal and direct communication with teachers W. Bauer and H. Goeldner, Eisenach school district, Germany 1960
2.Renate Bruckner-Karnowski Blondi's Schatten (personal communication with the author 29-04-08)(also published in animalrights.de)
3.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blondi
Competing interests: None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests