Ak’is
A Blessing Vom Nordwald Celhaus
whelped 5/8/26
shown at 13 weeks.
photo folder: 799 Akis 13 wks headshot for main page
See Ak’is from birth to arrival
See Ak’is at 9 weeks: playtime and nursing home visits
See Ak’is at 10 weeks: on the Puppy Obstacle Run and nursing home visits
See Ak’is at 11 weeks: One ear up!
On the morning of July 26th, he woke with one ear up. I rushed to get photos, but even early in the morning the sun was glaring. The left ear flops up when he runs – quite funny to see.
See Ak’is at 12 weeks: on the Puppy Obstacle Run and with
Two ears up!
Yes, on August 2nd, Ak’is’ second ear came up. And stayed up. Of course, his ears are in what we call the “bonnet” position, but as his head widens, they’ll start standing up straight. I rushed him out for photos just after daylight to avoid the hot-sun glare. And, amazingly, I caught him doing the head tilt back and forth as I talked to him to encourage him to stay still long enough for photos. Be sure to c lick on the “Two Ears Up!” link above to see all the head tilts.
See Ak’is at 13 weeks: on the Puppy Obstacle Run, handled by a five-year-old boy
See Ak’is at 15 Weeks: Revisiting Green House Living
Many thanks to Tracy Cooper of Von Nordwald German Shepherds for this beautiful boy.
When I was forced to neuter Justice because he produced some health problems, I began the search for a stud prospect. I emailed serious German Shepherds breeders and trainers whom I respected. A good friend in New York, Joss, told me of a litter from a line – especially the male, that she really liked, bred by Jody Potter. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a pup for me, but Jody told me of a recent breeding to her male of a really, really nice female, and sent me to Tracy Cooper. That litter DID contain a pup for me.
Getting the puppy here was a huge adventure. You can’t ship pups in airline cargo any more, especially in the heat. A friend who now lives in New York was going to fly him to Billings, hand him to me, then fly back. BUT on July 1st, the airline announced changes to the flight schedule. No longer did that plane turn around and head right back to New York; now it went to Salt Lake City, then to Atlanta, Georgia and then finally back to NEW York – about 17 hours in the air. She couldn’t be gone that long.
I was going to give up on the puppy – until friends in Ft. Collins heard about it and offered to fly to pick him up in New York. They would fly home with him and then drive up here with him the next morning. If the airline wouldn’t let him fly in the cabin for any reason, they were going to rent a car and drive him here! They were bound and determined to get the pup to me. (Thankfully the flight went without a hitch.) What fantastic friends I’m blessed with! I’m still in awe.
My new pup’s registered and call names reflect that. He was from an “A” litter, so his registered name is “A Blessing.” His call name, Ak-is (pronounced uh-KEEZ) is the Navajo word for friend.
Info from the breeder, Tracy: “I do have a litter planned out of Josie, and I’m very excited about this pairing. This will be my first litter, and I’ve been very intentional in planning it. Josie comes from the Von den Sturmfalken program, which is rooted in German working lines with a strong foundation in SAR, detection, and sport work. I’ve been extremely happy with her temperament, trainability, and overall versatility.
Josie is an extremely athletic and agile female with exceptional endurance, outstanding trainability, and a remarkable temperament. She is confident, environmentally stable, and possesses strong hunt drive with excellent recovery from new experiences. Whether performing demanding protection work, tracking, or scent work, she gives everything she has, yet she transitions effortlessly from intense work to happily playing Frisbee with children. She spends her weekdays at a busy grooming salon, where she is calm, level-headed, and relaxed around people, dogs, and the daily activity. Social and approachable while remaining clear-headed and focused, Josie embodies the versatility, stability, and work ethic that define the German Shepherd Dog at its best.
She holds multiple titles including BH, FDC, BCAT, SWN, CGCA, CGCU, TKA, ATT, and DM, and she earned High in Trial in AKC Scent Work when titling. She is currently training toward IGP1. She has excellent hunt drive, is clear-headed, environmentally stable, and social while still maintaining strong working ability.
The sire, Qiro (AS2), is a very driven, balanced male with excellent hunt drive and a solid off-switch. He is neutral with people, lives well with other animals, and is the type of dog that can work across multiple environments.
This litter is being bred with versatility in mind—dogs that can excel in SAR, tracking/nosework, and sport, while still maintaining the temperament needed for service or therapy work when appropriate.”
Qiro
Sire, Qiro: Qiro is a powerful and driven male with a true working mindset, titled 2024 American Schutzhund 2 National Champion, with high scoring AS2 Scent Work and Protection, as well as Helper’s Choice and High in Trial. Known for his intensity in work paired with a calm, balanced demeanor in everyday life. He brings strong hunt drive, excellent food and toy motivation, and a natural desire to engage in work, making him a versatile and capable partner. Despite his drive, Qiro maintains a clear head and neutrality in public, living successfully in a home environment with other animals, including a cat. He is environmentally solid, confident, and able to settle when work is done—an important trait for producing well-rounded dogs. Structurally, he is health tested with good hips, normal elbows, and a clear back, and he carries the long coat recessive. Qiro’s pedigree includes proven working dogs, including strong international competitors, supporting his genetic consistency for performance and stability. He is expected to contribute drive, resilience, and strong working genetics to this pairing.
Info from my friend, Joss, about Qiro:
Jody Potter ran the breeding program at Fidelco Guide Dogs for over 20 years. She breeds working dogs – mostly SAR – but also for competition in American Schutzhund (https://americanschutzhund.com/faq/). She is only person I know with a line over 25 years. She has a male, Qiro, who is my perfect dog. He is from a line of her females.
I’ve watched 3 of Jody’s litters recently. And I’ve known her dogs for 25 years. Qiro, the sire, moves my heart. And the puppies I’ve seen from him carry his stamp. Qiro is high drive, but he is intelligent and has high pack drive – he cares what Jody thinks and feels about him.
Info from my friend, Joss, about Josie:
Josie is super bred for your purposes. Her mother line is excellent.
I really like Champ as her sire. Champ is an IGP3 dog who is a real service dog,. When I was looking at males, my helper friend who is also another pedigree nut, James, suggested Champ, because he was a good working dog – worked really well – AND a real service dog.