| Home HIS HISTORY RY OF THE GERMAN BEAUTY |
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In Germany, near the beginning of the nineteen hundreds, a few breeders began creating a show type Racing Homer through selective breeding of Racing Homers. At the beginning they were not exhibited but continued competing as Racing Homers. The actual changes only began when a few breeders began crossbreeding the racing pigeon with other breeds in order to achieve certain characteristics. The breeds used for crossing were primarily Show Homers and Oriental Frills. Others which were used included Show Antwerps, Dragoons, and Modenas. |
   
1947 Ideal, Painting by Sieffert |
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In January 1908 an organization was established for the purpose
of giving the breed a specific focus, it was given the name German Show
Racing Pigeon. On February 10, 1910, the first standard came into
being. From this point on the appearance of the German Beauty
Homer began to take on a more uniform appearance. Though interrupted by
two wars the growth and popularity of the breed continued to increase.
By 1925 the organization had over 2000 members. In 1930 the name
Show Racing Pigeon was changed to Deutsche Schautaube which translates
into English as German Show Pigeon. Over the years the appearance
of the breed has changed. During the 1930's there was an ever
increasing emphasis on the utility of animals for food, which led the
Beauty Homer to get bigger and heavier. As a consequence it lost
it's previous flying facilities. Upon leaving the nest a young
Beauty Homer was expected to weigh 1 pound. In 1948 the standard
was refined and remains the official description of the breed.
Through the years the German Beauty Homer grew in popularity until it
emerged as one of the most widely appreciated breeds in Germany.
Even today the German Beauty Homer remains one of the most popular show
pigeons in Germany.
German Beauty Homers were first imported into the U.S. by Maj. L.F. Tharp in 1946, who bred them in large numbers and distributed them throughout the U.S. Fanciers soon discovered the German Beauty Homer not only as a new fascinating breed in itself but also it's advantages as a cross with other breeds. The popularity of the German Beauty Homer in the U.S. never reached that which it enjoys in Germany. The breed has had the support of a number of longtime loyal supporters, with the addition of interested newcomers over the years, The American German Beauty Homer Club was formed in 1968. Robert Durig served as the clubs first secretary-treasurer. The American German Beauty Homer Club sponsors meets yearly and welcomes interested fanciers. Numerous recent imports have sparked a new interest in the breed and have added a new dimension to the breed here in the U.S. Quality German Beauty Homers can be seen at most major shows across the country History of the German Beauty Homer translated by Robert Durig from Die Schonheitsbrieftaube und ihre Verwandten by Otto Herbst und Ferdinand Korber |
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