von den Hoehenluft-about us

*Lynne Lewis

*Gail Sanford-Richard

*Walt Richard

Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest (Tacoma, Washington), Hoehenluft is a small, very selective German Shepherd Dog breeding and training program. Our goal is to provide you with structurally correct, intelligent, genetically healthy and happy German Shepherd adults and puppies. Not only do our dogs excel as loyal family companions but many contribute by working for their communities (law enforcement; narcotics and bomb detection, search and rescue, therapy dogs, guide dogs) while others work with their owners competing at all levels (Regional, National and International) in Schutzhund, AKC & CKC Obedience Trials, Herding Tests, and Agility Competitions. We believe the German Shepherd is a versatile working dog capable of being trained to perform a wide variety of tasks ... family pets, police dogs, guide dogs, search and rescue, bomb and drug detection dogs, sheep and cattle herders, hunting companions, guard dogs, obedience champions, avalanche dogs, assistance dogs and show dogs.

**Lynne Lewis has been active in the sport of Schutzhund since 1982. She has trained many dogs from BH to Schutzhund 3, FH and is a top competitor at local, regional, national and international levels. In 1992 Lynne competed and won the opportunity and honor to represent the United States of America at the World Championship Dog Trials (WUSV) in Linz, Austria where over 100 dog handler teams competed. Lynne won a prestigious 9th place with her dog "Corro vom Papst" (whom she purchased as a 9 week old puppy) and finished with a score of 97-92-96 = 285 points. Since that time Lynne has remained in the spotlight as an elite competitor and trainer. She is a superior teacher and mentor for trainers all over the USA. Now, together with Gail and Walt, she has been instrumental in developing a world class breeding and training program here in the USA.

**Gail Sanford-Richard has also been active in the sport of Schutzhund since 1982. She has trained multiple dogs to Schutzhund 3, FH and for many years was a top competitor at local, regional, national and international levels. In 1992 Gail also won the opportunity and honor to represent the United States of America at the World Championship Dog Trials (WUSV) in Linz Austria where she competed with her top dog "Kay vom Blauen Stein" (whom she imported from Germany as a 10 week old puppy). In 1993 Gail won High In Trial at the USA Northwest Region, Regional Championships under SV Judge Frank Mensing with a score of 96-96-98 = 290V. Gail bred dogs for years under the SV registered kennel name of "vom haus Gaea". Along with Lynne, she shares the passion of breeding working German Shepherd Dogs and now breeds under the registered kennel name of "von den hoehenluft".

**Walt Richard has worked as a Special Agent for the Bureau of Narcotics and is currently working as a Detective-Senior Special Agent. With over 30 years of experience in law enforcement, Walt has made well over 200 arrests using K9's. During this time he has developed a special respect and admiration for the German Shepherd Dog. He shares the goals of Gail and Lynne and is dedicated to the world class breeding program developed here at Hoehenluft.

As a hobby, Walt and Gail also breed and show Bengal Cats under the cattery name of "Absolutely Bengals". Please share with them their passion and these stunning spotted cats www.absolutelybengals.com.

Regardless of their particular role, a sound German Shepherd Dog, raised and trained well, makes an owner forget that other breeds even exist.