Teufelshund (pronounced Toy-fel-soont) is the proper German spelling and pronunciation for "Devildog." (the plural has an "e" on the end) In the summer of 1918 the German Army was driving toward Paris. The French Army was in full retreat. In a desperate effort to save Paris, the newly arrived U.S. Marines were thrown into the breach. In bitter fighting lasting for weeks, Marines repeatedly repulsed the Germans in Belleau Wood. The German drive toward Paris sputtered and died. Then the Marines attacked and swept the Germans back out of Belleau Wood. Paris had been saved and the tide of war had turned. Five months later Germany would be forced to accept an armistice. The battle tenacity and fury of the U.S. Marines had stunned the Germans. In their official reports they called the Marines "teufel hunden," reportedly after the ferocious mountain dogs of Bavarian folklore.
Marines know "teufel hunden" which they pronounce, "too-full-hun-den," to mean "devil dogs" and they accept (and definitely deserve) it as a term of respect. Unfortunately, the literal translation of teufel hunden is "devil bitchdog."
I chose the name Teufelshund for my dogs 1. as a tribute to our Marines, 2. because I live in a suburb of my city known as Belleau Wood, 3. I was a Marine Corps wife for 28 years and many of my puppy owners are Marine Corps families. I love the Corps and all it represents: Honor, Courage and Commitment.
Ooh rah, Devildogs!
TEUFELSHUND GREAT DANES
Producing Quality, not quantity, in Mantle and Harlequin
Great Danes. Black and Merle puppies occasionally available.
1-11-10 Update: New Babies Have Arrived!: New Recruits
New CGC/Obedience classes begin January 16, 2010
Playdate in New Bern, 10-10-09. My "puppies" follow me just like they did when they were 6 weeks old. From left to right, Rufus owned by the Wilsons, Finnegan owned by the Hillbrands, Jude owned by the Codutos, my Grace, Merlin owned by the Reinerths and Maverick who is owned by the Andersons.
Playdate in Jacksonville, 11-08-09. From left to right (sort of): Aries (blue), Merlin, the Wilson's Boxer Sophie, Orion, Hunter, Zulu, Rufus, Finnigen and the little harlequin at the front is Echo. Who wants to host next month's playdate?
