2/10/2026

Gunther von Hoffnung BN, owned by John and Karen Johnston, won First Place in his third Beginner Novice leg with an outstanding score of 198 out of 200. What an accomplishment for this puppy from Ranger and Ember, who is not yet even ten months old. ...

10/8/2025

Hooray for Mercy! She won Third Place at the Spokane Dog Training Club Trial! What a great venue for competition! The people are so nice and the prizes delightful. I now have a green bag to carry for my dog supplies. So proud of Mercy for her go-to attitude, her willingness to please, her confidence, and her non aggressive demeanor when bumping into other dogs or people. Mercy is a joy in every way! ...

7/29/2025

CONGRATULATIONS to Carol and Tula, Sunny x Cassie 2016, on their new CD Title, coming in First Place at nine years old!...

3/11/2025

[NIKA VON HOFFNUNG CGC, RN, RA, CD, CDX, NA, OA, NAJ, OAJ, AXJ, TKN, TKI, BH, AXJ.](/females/nika) Nika and her brother, [Ranger](/males/ranger),represent the culmination of twenty years of breeding here at Candle Hill Shepherds. Not only is she a beautiful red sable long coat, but her temperament takes us back to our original dog, [Tag von Hoffnung](/females/tag). Like Tag, Nika is easy to train, loyal, and eager to work. Her pedigree includes many of our favorite dogs, on her dam’s side: [Little Bear](/females/little-bear), [Bristol](/females/bristol), [Valiant](/males/valiant), [Cardinal](/males/cardinal), [Piper](/females/piper/), [Max](/males/max), [Wessa](/females/wessa), [Tag](/females/tag), [Dagger (external link)](https://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=494174-dagger-mir-wachter-vom-kanas?_v=20160426234228) and on her sire’s [Rohan](/males/rohan) and [Jake](/males/jake). Nika's coat type is sable, long coat. ...

12/19/2024

[NATIONAL CHAMPION KANAS KENEI VAN DEN HEUVEL SCHI, BH, CD, CDX , SEARCH AND RESCUE DOG, H.O.T. “HERO”](/males/hero) Handler owned, trained, and titled, son of the legendary **Norbo Ben Ju**, exemplifies his sire’s structure and working drives. His lines through both his dam, **Exa Z Esagilu**, and Norbo are 100% working Czech, with strong DDR backing. Hero is a dog of incredible heart and devotion, good with children and with other animals. With endless drive for the ball or tug, no hesitation on variable surfaces, a gusto that is pure delight, he has what I consider the ideal working ability. Hero’s coloring and coat type is Red Sable, standard coat. ...

1/27/2014

Anna, at the Portland, Oregon AKC Agility Trial, finishing her Open Standard Title in just two trials, as well as her Novice Jumpers Title. Also in the last year, Anna completed her AKC BN (Beginner Novice), and CD (Companion Dog) Titles, see the portrait below.  Karen and Anna , we are so proud of you!  ...

8/23/2013

Hannah and Jake, First Place Novice A, 2008 Are You Ready to Compete? Now there’s a question all of us have asked ourselves at one time or another.  When do you start competing?  How do you know if you are ready?  One place to start is to determine what you want to accomplish by competing.  If your sole purpose is to win you m...