- VA -
THE CROWN
The Crown Of German Shepherd World
Before we share with you, the Pride of our three Queens, three - VA - titled / rated females in our kennel, first - let's talk about, what - VA - means.
Behind every dog in our kennel:
There are years of training.
There are working trials.
There are health evaluations.
There are breed surveys with most.
There are countless hours of preparation.
There are breeders, who invested generations into the pedigree.
There are handlers, who worked with the dog.
And there is the dog itself - standing in front of a specialist judge and being evaluated.
... and with all the above - VA - competitions / shows are against some of the finest German Shepherds in the world.
That is why we call - VA - The Crown.
Before we share with you, the Pride of our three Queens, three - VA - titled / rated females in our kennel, first - let's talk about, what - VA - means.
Behind every dog in our kennel:
There are years of training.
There are working trials.
There are health evaluations.
There are breed surveys with most.
There are countless hours of preparation.
There are breeders, who invested generations into the pedigree.
There are handlers, who worked with the dog.
And there is the dog itself - standing in front of a specialist judge and being evaluated.
... and with all the above - VA - competitions / shows are against some of the finest German Shepherds in the world.
That is why we call - VA - The Crown.
What does - VA - mean?
If you have ever seen VA written before the name of a German Shepherd, you may have wondered what those two letters mean. It is a dream of every professional breeder, to have - VA - rated dog in their kennel in one lifetime.
VA stands for "Vorzüglich Auslese," commonly translated as "Excellent-Select." It is the highest conformation rating awarded within the German Shepherd's specialized Sieger show system / awarded only at National Sieger Shows or the World Championship = German National Sieger Show. It is not simply another show placement and it is not something a dog receives for having a beautiful appearance alone. A - VA - dog has been evaluated as an adult working-class German Shepherd under a system that considers structure, movement, working ability, health, temperament, pedigree, and breeding suitability. The requirements include recognized working qualifications, breed survey requirements, and appropriate health documentation. That is what makes - VA - so meaningful. It represents the idea of a complete German Shepherd.
Not just beautiful.
Not just talented.
Not just impressive on paper.
But a dog that has been asked to prove itself in several different areas and is representing VERY BEST - OF THE BEST!
It begins long before the show ring. A - VA - rating is not something that suddenly appears, when a dog walks into the Sieger Show.
The road begins years earlier.
A German Shepherd must first develop physically and mentally. Working titles and character evaluations are part of the journey. Health requirements must be met. Breed surveys establish suitability for breeding. And the dog must demonstrate, that it can confidently handle the demanding environment of the working-class evaluation.
At King Of Zion, over all - this is one of the reasons we place so much importance on conformation shows, working titles, and breed surveys. We believe the German Shepherd should be evaluated as a whole. The beautiful silhouette means very little, if the dog cannot work. We also believe, only true titles that are earned, not "purchases" titled to show up in databaze.
At the same time, working dog without sound structure, cannot fulfill the same purpose.
And a dog with impressive credentials, but an unstable temperament, is not what we want to pass forward.
We want all of those qualities together.
Health.
Temperament.
Beauty.
Working ability.
That is the German Shepherd we strive for.
VA stands for "Vorzüglich Auslese," commonly translated as "Excellent-Select." It is the highest conformation rating awarded within the German Shepherd's specialized Sieger show system / awarded only at National Sieger Shows or the World Championship = German National Sieger Show. It is not simply another show placement and it is not something a dog receives for having a beautiful appearance alone. A - VA - dog has been evaluated as an adult working-class German Shepherd under a system that considers structure, movement, working ability, health, temperament, pedigree, and breeding suitability. The requirements include recognized working qualifications, breed survey requirements, and appropriate health documentation. That is what makes - VA - so meaningful. It represents the idea of a complete German Shepherd.
Not just beautiful.
Not just talented.
Not just impressive on paper.
But a dog that has been asked to prove itself in several different areas and is representing VERY BEST - OF THE BEST!
It begins long before the show ring. A - VA - rating is not something that suddenly appears, when a dog walks into the Sieger Show.
The road begins years earlier.
A German Shepherd must first develop physically and mentally. Working titles and character evaluations are part of the journey. Health requirements must be met. Breed surveys establish suitability for breeding. And the dog must demonstrate, that it can confidently handle the demanding environment of the working-class evaluation.
At King Of Zion, over all - this is one of the reasons we place so much importance on conformation shows, working titles, and breed surveys. We believe the German Shepherd should be evaluated as a whole. The beautiful silhouette means very little, if the dog cannot work. We also believe, only true titles that are earned, not "purchases" titled to show up in databaze.
At the same time, working dog without sound structure, cannot fulfill the same purpose.
And a dog with impressive credentials, but an unstable temperament, is not what we want to pass forward.
We want all of those qualities together.
Health.
Temperament.
Beauty.
Working ability.
That is the German Shepherd we strive for.
What is actually evaluated?
The - VA - evaluation is part of a much larger system of breed evaluation.
Structure:
The dog is evaluated against the German Shepherd breed standard, including anatomy, proportions, topline, front and rear angulation, feet, bone, pigmentation, and overall construction.
Movement:
A German Shepherd should not only look correct standing still. Movement reveals so much.
The judge evaluates the dog's ability to move efficiently, with powerful rear drive, good reach, balance, and endurance.
Character:
A German Shepherd must be self-confident and stable. The dog is expected to remain composed and confident in the demanding show environment, including gunfire testing and has to pass Bitework/ Courage test at the Sieger Show (bite-work)
Working ability:
Working titles are not simply decorations added to a pedigree. They demonstrate that the dog has been trained and evaluated in disciplines that include tracking, obedience, and protection work.
At King Of Zion, we believe this matters tremendously because the German Shepherd was created to be a working dog.
Health documentation and recognized hip and elbow certifications are part of the requirements surrounding the highest ratings.
Breed survey:
The German Shepherd breeding system places significant emphasis on the Körung / breed survey.
This is another part of proving that the dog is suitable to contribute to the future of the breed.
Structure:
The dog is evaluated against the German Shepherd breed standard, including anatomy, proportions, topline, front and rear angulation, feet, bone, pigmentation, and overall construction.
Movement:
A German Shepherd should not only look correct standing still. Movement reveals so much.
The judge evaluates the dog's ability to move efficiently, with powerful rear drive, good reach, balance, and endurance.
Character:
A German Shepherd must be self-confident and stable. The dog is expected to remain composed and confident in the demanding show environment, including gunfire testing and has to pass Bitework/ Courage test at the Sieger Show (bite-work)
Working ability:
Working titles are not simply decorations added to a pedigree. They demonstrate that the dog has been trained and evaluated in disciplines that include tracking, obedience, and protection work.
At King Of Zion, we believe this matters tremendously because the German Shepherd was created to be a working dog.
- Must have at least a IGP 2 title. They must come from a survey and performance breeding (premium), the breed survey on the parents can be achieved up to one year after the birth. Dogs competing for the Excellent-Select rating a second time must have a IGP 3/IPO 3/SchH3 title.
Health documentation and recognized hip and elbow certifications are part of the requirements surrounding the highest ratings.
Breed survey:
The German Shepherd breeding system places significant emphasis on the Körung / breed survey.
This is another part of proving that the dog is suitable to contribute to the future of the breed.
- They must be registered with our organization, absolutely healthy with all pet vaccinations included
- A minimum of 2 years of age
- They must have successfully completed an endurance test
- They must have successfully completed a temperament test BH/BH-VT
- Received a rating of at least “good” in a breed show
- They must have obtained at least a performance title of IGP 1 for SV breed survey or SchH 1, IPO 1 or IGP 2 for USCA breed survey
- They must have certified hips and elbows.
- WB is required for SV Breed Survey for dogs born after 7/1/2019
Video:
Lucie and Erna
Bitework/ Courage Test - Sieger Show
Erna won Best Performance Award
Lucie and Erna
Bitework/ Courage Test - Sieger Show
Erna won Best Performance Award
Why this matter in our program?
At King Of Zion, we are honored and blessed to have dogs that have reached this level.
These are not simply dogs, whose names appear on our website.
They are dogs who have helped shape our program and are part of our family.
They represent years of work, dedication, training, showing, breeding, and, most importantly, love for the German Shepherd Dog.
These are not simply dogs, whose names appear on our website.
They are dogs who have helped shape our program and are part of our family.
They represent years of work, dedication, training, showing, breeding, and, most importantly, love for the German Shepherd Dog.
And at the same time, the titles are never the entire reason we breed a dog.
They are one piece of the picture.
Our mission is to produce German Shepherds who are:
Loving family members.
Natural protectors.
That is why we look beyond the show ring.
We want health.
We want stable temperament.
We want working ability.
We want beautiful structure.
We want intelligence.
We want dogs that can live in a family home and become deeply bonded to their people.
The VA title tells us something important about a dog - it tells us, that the dog has successfully passed through one of the most demanding systems of evaluation available to the German Shepherd.
But the ultimate test for us is still the same:
What kind of German Shepherd does this dog become in everyday life?
Can they work with their person?
Can they live peacefully in a family?
Can they handle the world with confidence?
Can they protect when protection is needed?
Can they love their family completely?
That is the German Shepherd, we work very hard to preserve.
And that is why, when we see - VA - before the name of one of our dogs, we feel proud - not simply because of the title, but because of everything that had to come together to earn it.
VA is the crown.
But behind every crown is a story.
And behind every King Of Zion dog, there is a story we are honored to tell.
*** At King Of Zion - All litters with one or both - VA - rated parent/s are Diamond Level in our pricing schedule.
They are one piece of the picture.
Our mission is to produce German Shepherds who are:
Loving family members.
Natural protectors.
That is why we look beyond the show ring.
We want health.
We want stable temperament.
We want working ability.
We want beautiful structure.
We want intelligence.
We want dogs that can live in a family home and become deeply bonded to their people.
The VA title tells us something important about a dog - it tells us, that the dog has successfully passed through one of the most demanding systems of evaluation available to the German Shepherd.
But the ultimate test for us is still the same:
What kind of German Shepherd does this dog become in everyday life?
Can they work with their person?
Can they live peacefully in a family?
Can they handle the world with confidence?
Can they protect when protection is needed?
Can they love their family completely?
That is the German Shepherd, we work very hard to preserve.
And that is why, when we see - VA - before the name of one of our dogs, we feel proud - not simply because of the title, but because of everything that had to come together to earn it.
VA is the crown.
But behind every crown is a story.
And behind every King Of Zion dog, there is a story we are honored to tell.
*** At King Of Zion - All litters with one or both - VA - rated parent/s are Diamond Level in our pricing schedule.
OUR CROWNED- VA - DOGS:
2x VA Otti dei Precision
VA1 National Champion of Canada 2023
VA2 National Vice-Champion USA 2023
SG5 World Championship BSZS 2022
Otti holds a particularly special place in the King Of Zion story ... our first - VA - . She became VA in 2023, not only one time, but twice within the same year!
This was first time, we tasted the sweet fruit of - VA - success. Success supported by many, who invested into Otti before she came to us, and those who guided us along the way during preparation time. We have learned, how incredibly difficult this journey can be, and made us appreciate and respect even more those, who went before us.
VA2 National Vice-Champion USA 2023
SG5 World Championship BSZS 2022
Otti holds a particularly special place in the King Of Zion story ... our first - VA - . She became VA in 2023, not only one time, but twice within the same year!
This was first time, we tasted the sweet fruit of - VA - success. Success supported by many, who invested into Otti before she came to us, and those who guided us along the way during preparation time. We have learned, how incredibly difficult this journey can be, and made us appreciate and respect even more those, who went before us.
VA Erna vom Wanakon
VA2 National Vice-Siegerin USA 2025
V1 USCA South Central Regional Siegerin 2025
V6 BSZS World Championship 2023
SG2 World Championship Vice-Siegerin BSZS 2022
Erna's story is one of the most personal stories in our kennel. We fell in love with her from a distance, following her in Germany and watching her compete before we ever met her. Today, she holds the VA2 rating from the 2025 USA National Sieger Show and remains one of the most highly accomplished sable females in the world. Her record also includes IGP1, IGP2, IGP3 and lifetime breed survey.
But when we look at Erna, we don't see a list of titles. We see our girl.
V1 USCA South Central Regional Siegerin 2025
V6 BSZS World Championship 2023
SG2 World Championship Vice-Siegerin BSZS 2022
Erna's story is one of the most personal stories in our kennel. We fell in love with her from a distance, following her in Germany and watching her compete before we ever met her. Today, she holds the VA2 rating from the 2025 USA National Sieger Show and remains one of the most highly accomplished sable females in the world. Her record also includes IGP1, IGP2, IGP3 and lifetime breed survey.
But when we look at Erna, we don't see a list of titles. We see our girl.
VA Betty vom Suentelstein
VA1 National Champion Siegerin of Canada 2026
V1 USCA South Central Regional Siegerin 2026
V1 BSZS World Championship 2023
V3 BSZS World Championship 2023
SG3 World Championship BSZS 2023
Betty represents another important part of our program and another example of excellence. Her achievements include the highest level of national and world competitions, and her success as a long-coat female is particularly meaningful to us as a kennel dedicated to the long-coated West German show-line German Shepherd. At the National Sieger Show in Canada, she was the only females, who received - VA - rating that year, which makes it even more humbling and honoring achievement.
V1 USCA South Central Regional Siegerin 2026
V1 BSZS World Championship 2023
V3 BSZS World Championship 2023
SG3 World Championship BSZS 2023
Betty represents another important part of our program and another example of excellence. Her achievements include the highest level of national and world competitions, and her success as a long-coat female is particularly meaningful to us as a kennel dedicated to the long-coated West German show-line German Shepherd. At the National Sieger Show in Canada, she was the only females, who received - VA - rating that year, which makes it even more humbling and honoring achievement.
