The Kiahs (Jerry and Denise)
Denise got her first German Shepherd when she was 12 years old when a relative of a family friend passed away suddenly and his bereaved widow couldn’t handle the big German Shepherd named Lisa. It was possibly the best gift Denise ever got……there started her love affair with the German Shepherd. Denise saved her small allowance to buy “Training you to Train Your Dog” by Blanche Saunders. She got up before school to walk her dog while most kids her age were still sleeping. Lisa was lost at a young age – probably due to spinal myelopathy – only it didn’t have a name back then.
Denise and Jerry have been involved with dogs their entire lives. Denise bought Jerry a puppy in 1987 who they named Chelsea and was a huge challenge because of her strong temperament. Jerry earned the AKC Companion Dog (CD) title with her and trained to the higher levels in competitive obedience before his job involved some travel that took him away from home and the time to train.
From 1997 to 2001, Denise achieved the AKC CD, Companion Dog Excellent (CDX), Utility Dog (UD), Agility Novice thru Excellent (AX) and Novice thru Excellent Agility Jumpers (AXJ) titles with Cruz vom Kiahaus, a dog who Denise and Jerry bred. Denise also achieved Therapy Dogs, Inc. certification with Cruz and they donated their time to help the elderly as well as disadvantaged, physically and mentally impaired children and adults.
In 2002, Denise was introduced to Schutzhund through her dog Kaela vom Klaushaus, who she adopted from a friend. Denise and Kaela attained the SchH1 in 2002 and achieved the SchH 2, SchH3 and the AD in 2003.
Denise is currently pursuing membership in USCA’s Schutzhund 3 Club (BH to SchH 3) with her dog Aska vom Betenhaus, BH, who is out of Aus dem Traumblick’s top producer Yarra van’t Enclavehof, SchH 1, Kkl 1A, OFA Good.
Jerry and his dog Kiahaus’ Diamond Rio have been in the top 3 German Shepherds in AKC agility for the past 5 years and was the #1 dog in 2002. Rio is the 2004 AKC German Shepherd National Agility Victor. The team has achieved the Master Agility Champion (MACH) title 3 times and are in pursuit of a 4th. Rio also earned the Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title with a Dog World award and Therapy Dogs, Inc. certification. Rio was bred by Denise and Jerry.
Jerry also has a Kaela daughter – KiaHaus’ Fast and Furious aka “Frenzi” – who is very successful in agility and well on her way to the top of the list. She has earned her AKC Novice, Open and Excellent Agility and Agility Jumpers titles and is now competing at the Master level. She also excels in the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA) venue.