A new baby has entered the household, Mike and Judy went to Germany Sept. '07 to bring this gorgeous boy home. "Baerle," which means "Little Bear," is from amazing working lines and we club members love having a new baby on the field. Mike and Judy created and maintain the grounds where the club meets, "The Field of Dreams." They provide this space out of the love for the sport, we are so thankful to them!!

Mike is our club Training Director and Judy the club Secretary & membership officer.
(more info coming soon)

Judy

"I have had several dogs in the past, but I'm sorry to say that I was not a responsible owner until I discovered books and the internet on the subject. It was several years before I decided to get another dog. This time I researched the different breeds to see what would be a fit. Initially my first choice was a Siberian Husky. But I found out that they are hard to train, noisy and were not appropriate for apartment living. The Rottweiler was the breed that fit my criteria. Needless to say, for me, once you've had a Rotty you never go back. I am totally hooked on the breed."

"I am fairly new to Dog Sport. In fact it was in 2002 when I adopted Merlin that I became interested in Schutzhund. I had to learn how to train right along with Merlin. The learning never stops and that's the fun of Dog Sport. I love training and earning a title is frosting on the cake."

My interest: "My number one interest is Rottweiler and Pit Bull rescue. I am a volunteer (although due to current circumstances I am not as active as I'd like to be) for 'Seattle Purebred Dog Rescue,' and 'Rescue Every Dog.' I have rescued, transported and fostered dogs (adopted Nadja this way) and did home visits for prospective adopters. My next most important interest is caring for/protecting the environment. I love nature and all of it's living things. I love to read, listen to music, drive and just being outdoors. I enjoy doing physical things. I am a movie nut and own close to 200 DVD's."

My hobbies: Dog Sport and Gardening.

My Profession: "In my last two jobs I guess my profession would have been a mechanic. I helped build aircraft body structures for Boeing and helped build and test silicon wafer polishing machines. My current job is with Siltronic, a company that manufactures and processes silcon wafers. I work as a process technician."

"I bred Hovawarts in Germany for two decades (Sixties-Eighties, Kennel "vom Sandberg"). Presently I am the breeding warden for AHNA (Authenic Hovawarts of North America). I imported Luna from Germany 2 years ago, knowing the Hovawart's specific potential for guarding. (We were burglarized, and the Border Collie had slept through it all.) In between I had a Rhodesian Ridgeback in Texas, worked AKC obedience and conformation with him. He became American Champion. We also have a 14 year old Border Collie, "Maura," she is still strong. Both her parents worked cattle in West Texas. Maura used to be a certified therapy dog. We worked as a team with the Delta Association in San Antonio, Texas, which was extremely rewarding."

"The decision to train a dog for the VPG takes a lot of commitment. It takes patience, respect, love and endurance from the team and the willingness to learn. But as an owner of a talented working dog breed I feel an obligation to provide for my dog's well being, and that definitely involves giving her the chance to live to her potential."

Interests/Hobbies: "When I am not doggone I love to read, play the piano, use my green thumb in the small garden, cook some exotic dishes, which I frequently invent. Music and movies play a big part in my life and my taste in both fields is eclectic."

Profession: I am a visual artist (painting, sculpture, drawing, works on handmade paper).

Family: "It was in 1988 when I came to the USA from Germany and discovered Columbus, my now husband. My sons, grandchildren and all other relatives live in Germany and I try to visit with them every year. We moved to Portland from Texas 2.5 years ago. We fell in love with this city and the incredibly beautiful nature of the Pacific NW during a vacation trip along the Pacific coast and decided that it was time for a change after having lived for almost 16 years in San Antonia, Texas."

"I can't believe I am actually training my Hovi, Luna, for VPG AND having so much fun! Must be something about 'The Field of Dreams'...I can't imagine my life without dogs."

Uta and Luna earned their Obedience A Title twice, first at our club Fall '07 Trial and again at our club Spring '08 Trial-good work, ladies!

"I have been into dogs since I was in the 7th grade. I am now (3/07) a Junior becoming a Senior this year. When I thought of getting a dog, I had set out some pictures of the dog breeds I was interested in (which were as follows:) The German Shepherd, Pitbull, Doberman Malinois and Standard Poodle. This was before I was into Schutzhund. I narrowed it down to the Doberman, Malinois and the GSD. After a long time of reading on the breeds, I ended up choosing the GSD. Since then I have been in many dog sports including Schutzhund, Rally, Agility, Herding, 4-H and Flyball. I love teaching people about the German Shepherd as I am trying to protect the SV standard. Too many Americans think bigger is better so they breed these ridiculous giant size, over standard GSDs either to 'protect' them or for an image. I see this too many times and try to educate people on what a REAL GSD looks like. I love talking about my dogs to the public considering I'm at the Clark County Fair showing my dogs for a whole week. You meet very interesting people..."

Interests/Hobbies: "I love any dog sport as long as it's fun for me and my dogs. I have tried almost every dog sport there is. Besides dogs, I am into Japanese things, especially Japanese Rock. My favorite bands are 'Dir en grey,' 'Gazette,' and 'Nightmare.' I love going to anime conventions where I cosplay my favorite characters. I also have a hobby in photography. I love black and white photos and the experience of having to develope your own photos. It takes a long process but the joy of seeing my final picture come out is a great feeling. I like drawing on my own time and reading a lot."

Profession: "I groom dogs for a small amount of money. I just love grooming other people's dogs. In the future, I'm going to a grooming school to become a professional dog groomer."

Family: "I live with my parents, Kathy and Reggie. I also have 4 cats that I show in TICA (The International Cat Association). My 2 blue boys: 'RW SGM AC Git-R-Dun Dallas' (RW: Regional Winner, SGM: Supreme Grand Master, AC: Agility Champion), and 'Haru no Kuro Toshiya.' My 2 tortoiseshell sisters: 'RW SGM Neko Baby Serenity,' and 'DGM Phoebe the Charmed One.'

"Growing up, my family usually had herding dogs (Aussies and Border Collies) and Black Labs"

Hobbbies/Interests: "I have two horses that I trail ride with. I also have 3 barn cats. I have a quad that I ride in the sand or on trails."

Profession: "I work for Mike Duncan at Solid Gold Northwest, a company that distributes Holistic animal products. I'm a customer rep and also do some accounts receivable."

Kristina and Flint earned his BH title at our club's Spring '08 Trial-yeah!

"Finding Zeke was also finding Schutzhund since his pedigree is packed with Schutzhund titled ancestors. Originally I just wanted a dog to take camping and also earn AKC obedience titles with. I was curious as to what Schutzhund was, visited some clubs and decided it was definitely something I'd like to try. The change I saw come over Zeke when he went onto the field was like seeing a fish put in water for it's first time-it's where he belongs, it's who he is. Sharing that total fullfillment has me completely hooked on the sport. I am still also pursuing Zeke's and Gayla's AKC obedience titles. I feel the Schutzhund training helps to infuse some fun into the AKC training."

Hobbies/Interest: "Obviously anything and everything dogs and learning, learning, learning...about dogs! But also...Video games (I own 6 systems). Music, "Radio Head" and "Sigur Ros" being my favorites right now. Old movies and independent films. Crossword puzzels (although I suck). Naps and beer drinking. "Lost," the TV series. Camping. The ocean. The woods."

Profession: "Currently I am a VERY part-time merchandiser for American Greetings."

Family: "My Husband of 20+ years works as a residential Building Inspector for The City and is a maniac about Super Bikes and Moto GP. He also LOVES dogs and is the softie they all go running to when they get into trouble with Mom (me). I have a 22 yr. old wild-child son. He is the lead "screamer" in a metal band that plays all over the state. He lives at home and works VERY part-time on the Fixture Crew for American Greetings."

Cid and Zeke have earned their BH twice now, 1st at our club's Fall '07 Trial and the 2nd time at our clubs Spring '08 trial-yipee!

"We both grew up with dogs as pets, but Rex is the first dog we've had together. We knew he'd be a handful, he was very high drive, but we are excited about the chance to give him a "job" and some training in the club. Everyone had been so helpful! Rex is not very well socialized (to put it mildly). We both work a lot, so since we don't get out a lot neither does Rex."

Profession: "We both work for Toys R Us. Pancho is the sales manager at (one location,) Jessica is the store director at (a different location.)"

Hobbies and Interests: "We spend as much time outside as possible. When we can get away for a few days we camp, hike, bike, fish and like to go canoeing. At home we work on our yard and keep expanding our garden space. We love to do anything that Rex can participate in, although fishing and canoeing has presented some challenges."

Family: "Pancho's family lives in Arizona and Nevada. Jessica's family is in Alaska. Somehow we managed to meet and ended up right in the middle!"

Richard and Ben earned Ben's Schutzhund 1 title at our club's Fall '07 Trial-wow, good work guys!

(more info coming soon).

Becka

(more info coming soon).

Falina

Hobbies/Interest:"(I) love working with dogs, watching them do what they were bred to do, training at AHK (Allgemeiner Hundesport Klub)."

Profession: United States Marine Corps Dog Handler 1985-1991.

Sharon and Shefka earned their BH at our club's Spring '08 Trial-congratulations!

(more info coming soon).

(more info coming soon).