Ulu vom Alyeska and her handler receiving their critique from Judge Gottfried Dildei after their BH routine.

Ulu, pictured above at 9 months of age, in her Service Dog vest. When not in training for Schutzhund, Ulu serves as a Service and Mobility Assistance Dog. She is certified with the state of North Carolina and the International Assistance Dog Association. Ulu can perform countless tasks, including retrieving items as varied as medicine bottles, telephones and assisting her owner with standing when she is unsteady. Ulu accompanies her owner to classes at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.



























Hello Landis,
Wow, it’s been awhile since I have spoken with you. As you probably know from Chris’ e-mail we have had a major change in our lives, moving to North Dakota. I have thought about contacting you many times but something else always comes up and am only now feeling settled and in somewhat of a routine in our new home. Anyhow I wanted to give you an update on Lark. I really cannot say enough good things about her. She has become a very special part of my life.She traveled very well with us, almost 3,000 miles, continued to eat and drink, go to the bathroom, no fussing. It was a six day journey and Lark was unflappable, took it all in stride.
She has turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous dog. There is not one thing I would change about her. Her head is phenomenal in my opinion. She has such a rich black coat and carries herself with such pride and elegance. She moves effortlessly across the ground, a long reaching stride. One of my favorite pastimes is just watching her. I will send you some pictures in my next e-mail. (My camera battery is dead and won’t download until I recharge them)
She loves to chase her ball, ride in the car and hang out with me. I have my horse at a barn about 3 miles away from our house. Lark comes out with me every day. She sits in the front passenger seat of the car all regal and proud as if that is right where she belongs. If I have to go in the grocery store, I’ll come out and she won’t have moved. She just sits there likes a person and calmly watches what is going on outside. Any way, she loves going to the barn. She runs around like a maniac, gets along good with the horses and is very responsive to my voice. She comes right away when I call her from a dead run or if she is deep in investigating all of the glorious smells. I do a lot of training out there. It’s great for teaching her to listen and safe since there is no one out there but me and the horses. (It’s located on a quiet country road and the property is 28 acres of pasture.)
She has totally given herself to me, loves me lavishly. She is an absolute love, lays her head on me and is almost constantly by my side. She is a very perceptive and happy creature, very in tune to what is going on. She does remind me a lot of a horse. She pays very close attention to body language. She responds very well to the position of my body when I am working with her, moves away when I move toward her, comes to me when I show her my side and retreat. She will come over and lay her head on my lap if I am upset. I think she would make a great therapy dog. I’ve thought about maybe taking her to nursing homes and doing some therapy work when she is a little older. We’ll see.
She has become much more confident than she was when we first brought her home, boldly meets guests when they come to the door or when we are out and about. She is very friendly, not a mean bone in her body, yet I have the feeling she would protect me fiercely if ever the need should arrive. Although I hope I never have to find out, it feels good to know that I have a dog that has my back. I like that I can take her anywhere and do anything with her. She is not aggressive in any way, but she will be there when I need her.
Lark is wonderful with the kids. She very rarely knocks them over and doesn’t seem to mind their antics. It she gets tired of them messing with her she just gets up and leaves. She has never once in any situation the whole time we have had her ever offered to bite or growl or be grouchy in any way to the kids. That is awesome and I think says a lot about her character. Really, if she wanted to she could walk all over them. She is a fair amount bigger than our two littlest, but she doesn’t take advantage of that. She just gets it, which can be hard to find. I have seen so many dogs who have no respect or awareness of kids. Now granted, I don’t let the kids disrespect her either, but it really does seem to come naturally for her.
I love this dog. Thank you, Landis. I am sorry it has taken me so long to get in touch with you again. I plan on staying in touch since we are settled now and also to send you some pictures so you can see what a beautiful dog she is. I hope all is well with you and your dogs. I see from your website that you are probably very busy with all of those litters. Talk to you again soon.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Wakefield
DENALI K9 CLUB

THE DENALI K9 CLUB IS A NEW MAT-SU VALLEY BASED SCHUTZHUND CLUB. WE FELT THAT THERE WAS A STRONG NEED FOR A NEW DIRECTION IN SCHTZHUND TRAINING, AND MORE ALASKAN SCHUTZHUND CLUBS IN GENERAL AND, SO, THE DENALI SCHUZHUND CLUB WAS FORMED. THE CLUB IS VERY MUCH A LABOR OF LOVE. ALL MEMBERS ARE VERY DEDICATED TO THE CLUB AND WE LOOK FOR THE SAME IN POTENTIAL NEW MEMBERS. WE ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING NEW MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING THIS NEW CLUB FOR A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT, FUN SPORT AND TRAINING FOR YOU AND YOUR GERMAN SHEPHERD, AS WELL AS FOR CAMRADERIE WITH OTHER GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG ENTHUSIASTS, PLEASE CONTACT US BY EMAIL AND GIVE US YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER. IF YOU LEAVE A MESSAGE, PLEASE INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR DOG(S) AND YOUR GOALS. PLEASE ALSO INCLUDE A GOOD TIME TO REACH YOU. A CLUB OFFICER WILL THEN RETURN YOUR CALL AT A TIME CONVENIENT FOR YOU.