Welcome to Shawlein.com. I have been actively involved with the breed since 1970, finishing several CKC Champions, all of them Group winners, and several obedience titles. Less interested in breeding than in training and showing a few fine dogs, my interest has always been in the breed as a working dog. I've been disappointed by the direction taken by most modern show lines, particularly North American. The mania for sidegait and the ignorance of correct temperament has often resulted in animals that cannot truly be considered German Shepherd Dogs.

After many years owning American showlines, I decided some years ago that theEuropean working and DDR (East German) lines conformed most closely in vigor, temperament and structure to the breed's original design, and am thrilled with the dogs that I have from these lines. My first homebred, Tim, after several years of French Ring training, made the transition to schutzhund and earned his SchH3 at nearly 10 years of age! I am an active member of the Durham Schutzhund Club and the German Shepherd Schutzhund Club of Canada.

I have been a commercial illustrator for nearly twenty-five years, with experience in all phases of the industry. I studied for three years at the Ontario College of Art & Design, and hold an honours undergraduate degree in history, and a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Toronto. My fine work is in private collections across North America, Europe and the Middle East. My professional art site is www.linda-shaw.com which you can visit by clicking the address. I hope you will enjoy it too.

I firmly believe that good structure, not necessarily popular show structure, and good, working temperament must be inseparable, or you have only half a dog. You can see my boys by clicking on the portrait of my Tim below: