By DAPHNE HUTCHINSON

By DAPHNE HUTCHINSON

Rappahannock News Staff Writer

Led by Rin-tin-tin, Roy Rogers wonder dog Bullet, and thousands of police and Army k-9 corps dogs, German shepherds have fought a battle over the past 50 years to win the hearts of America. Carol Miller is one of the countless willing captives of the campaign.

She was first taken hostage by a long haired shepherd bought as pet for the Miller V" son Jay. From owner of a pet quality dog, Carol has moved on to breeding some of the finest German Shepherds produced in the Washington, D. C. area.

“I love the dog’s mind," she said, explaining her involvement with the breed. She first started raising shepherds with the aim of producing animals suited for obedience training. Her husband Newbill, speaking from his experience as an Angus cattle breeder, suggested that she broaden her goals and go first class. “Newbill said if you’re going to breed, you might as well breed the best,’’ Carol recalled, “so I gradually moved over to confirmation. I still loved the dog’s mind but 1 wanted a beautiful dog as well as an intelliegent one.”

After just eight years as a serious breeder, her dogs are consistently whelping litters with show ring potential. The kennels behind the Maples in Washington have 1 1 shepherds in residence. Five are breeding stock—bitches with some of the best bloodlines in the country. Two have “finished” and carry the designation of champion before their names, the title awarded animals who’ve accumulated the 15 points in dog shows required by the American Kennel Club.

Because of the popularity of shepherds and the large number of dogs entered in shows throughout the country, the breed is the second most difficult “to finish a dog in,” according to Carol. She noted that nationally, only 80 shepherds were awarded the coveted champion title last year.