Who Am I.

The German Shepherd Dog. It’s why I’m here! As a child of the 80s, I grew up on superheroes like The Bionic Woman, and her trusty sidekick Maximilian. That was it! I was hooked! It took years, it was tough convincing my mom. We made a contract, a literal document. If I dumped a boyfriend she did not approve of, she’d let me get a puppy. I bought my first German Shepherd in 1991 at 16. There has been no looking back! Hard-working, loyal, diverse, sensitive and family oriented, this is the only breed for me.

Logan. My first GSD was certified in animal-assisted therapy. We visited senior nursing facilities. I’ll never forget watching a woman with advanced dementia (who couldn’t remember her name) play the piano as Logan watched on. Logan also witnessed a wonderful human woman cross her own rainbow bridge with dignity and respect. He had his own group of friends! Before he died, at least 10 people came to visit - just to say goodbye to him. He was special. I was hooked. 

Fast forward 18 years later, I have raised American herding and show lines, West German show lines, and found my niche in Czech working lines. There’s just something to the depth of this line that makes a person want to train all day!  We have done canine good citizen, rally, dock diving, farm dog, herding, barn hunt, conformation. You name it, we’ve probably dabbled in it. Then I found schutzhund. It is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before! I’m so grateful to my coaches, influencers and supporters (that I do not deserve) within the dog community. Thank you all for your willingness to allow a newcomer into your world. I’m so grateful and happy to be here. The dog club world has proven such a supportive environment. We are organized, efficient and spend our time bettering our dogs, our handling skills,  - focusing on the path ahead of us. 

Over the years, through trial and error I have learned about genetic testing, long-term health of hips/elbows, appropriate diet for longevity in life and health. 

I am so proud to report I have accomplished a 10-year goal of creating a strong and ethical breeding program of the working line German Shepherd Dog. I couldn’t have done this without mentors and my supportive family. 

Currently, I have put more than 25 titles on our VonO dogs, and there’s no stopping there! We have young dogs to raise and mature dogs to prove on the schutzhund field.

What a blessing this life is. Our vision is a pedigree with purpose. And we reap those benefits every day. We look forward to a long career in schutzhund IGP sport and sharing the love of the German Shepherd breed with others. 

So much gratitude! 

Christine, and all of us here at 

Von Overen German Shepherds