Apolda is a small town in Thuringia
(Germany); in the late nineteenth century the population numbered
about 20 thousands there. The population was occupied with
automobile manufacture and wool production, as well as foundry
engineering. Apolda was a capital of Herzogtum Sachsen-Weimar.
Annually in the marketplace a festival was navigated; it was a
fair of various dog breeds that was well-known not only in this
territory.
This slide commercial represents Doberman
The fair was carried out under the direction of “Union for
improvement of dog breeds in Thuringia”–the only organization in
Germany laboring at pedigree breeding and aiming at the
improvement of different dog breeds.
A thoroughbred dog was a rarity because nobody went about doing
selection and professional breeding at the time. The dogs existing
in Germany then, basically were admixtures of user dogs used by
butchers (butchers’ dogs), shepherds (shepherds’ dogs) and hunters
(hunters’ dogs).
Thus, “Union for improvement of dog breeds” of Apolda set up a
very actual problem consisting in development of the notion
“pedigree dog” itself in the population in order future owners of
domestic animals could be particular about quality of dogs and
pedigree value of puppies purchased.
Yearly carried out fair of dogs in Apolda enabled this event; it
functioned as selling exhibition of all dog breeds and where with
the course of time arrived experts of dog breeds and dog breeders
not only from Germany but also from other countries. Town
authorities in Apolda gave permission for the marketplace to be
used free as a selling exhibition of the dogs because they
realized the importance of the arrangement.
Levies for participants of the exhibition were so poor and summed
50 Pfennige for a dog. The money gathered for dog owners went into
“Union for improvement of dog breeds” disposal as it was an
organizer of dog fair.
The dogs exhibited for sale were divided into types of use in
order to facilitate a choice of the dog for buyers; the visitors
could see such puppies to be offered for sale: “grand”,
“domestic”, “hunting”, “butcher’s” and “shepherd’s” breeds.
Grown-up dogs, puppies and whole litters were sold and bought.
Doubtless, dog fair in Apolda was a bright nameable happening for
participants and residents of the town. Starting from the early
morning high atmosphere reigned in the town, local orchestras
struck into music thus amusing the guests and dog fair turned into
general holiday with obligatory entertainment, pass of ceremonial
procession accompanied with dogs, musicians and the masker
cross-town. Midday feast calmed down only after dark.
Gradually Apolda’s dog fair became perceived as folk holiday; one
of the most funny and that drew many people of every age and rank
from everywhere.
Todays day of breed cradle–APOLDA, keeps memory about glorious
history of Doberman breed, regional museums show material
evidences on breed origin, first studbooks, also the exhibitions
are held there and famous worldwide Dobermanists are aware of
them.
