We want you + your new puppy to get the care you deserve.
Established in 1987, our family has spent more than three decades breeding and raising beautiful companions for families to love.
With our roots planted in obedience and trial work, Helen Upson followed her passion for this outstanding breed and purchased the female who would become the foundation of our bloodline - Chigwell Witchcraft, fondly remembered as Nikki. Her influence can still be seen in our dogs today.
Over the following three decades, Hanshi bred more than 20 individual Gold Medalists, Agility Excellence and Obedience Excellence titled dogs, along with multiple Best in Show winners. But while success in the ring has been rewarding, our greatest pride has always been producing sound, health tested, quality German Shepherd Dogs that become loyal family companions.
They have scaled mountains, swum in glacial lakes, and rolled in things they shouldn’t have - but most importantly, they have been the best of friends to the families who welcomed them into their homes.
As we step into a new generation, we proudly introduce Xitalia - a name inspired by our most awarded German Shepherd Dog, Xinara, whose legacy remains a cornerstone of our bloodlines.
Xitalia represents both heritage and progress - honouring the past while carrying our passion, knowledge, and dedication into the future.
39 years in the making
A modern approach
We believe breeding and raising great dogs starts with carefully planned pairings, with a strong focus on health, temperament, structure, and producing puppies that will thrive in the right homes long term.
Every puppy and every home is different, which is why we take a personalised approach when matching our puppies with their future families. Whether you’re looking for a loyal family companion, an adventure buddy, or a puppy with potential in sport or showing, we’ll help guide you towards the right fit for your lifestyle and goals.
Our support doesn’t stop once your puppy heads home either. From feeding and nutrition through to training, behaviour, and general puppy advice, we want our families to feel comfortable reaching out whenever they need guidance along the way.
Thinking about raw feeding? We can help with tailored transition guidance to move your puppy safely and appropriately onto their new diet.
Interested in obedience, agility, scent work, or showing? We’re always happy to connect our families with trusted clubs, trainers, and resources to help both you and your puppy get started on the right foot.
Our long-term vision extends far beyond breeding. We are currently planning the development of a boutique canine facility designed specifically with the wellbeing, conditioning, and recovery of dogs in mind - particularly athletic utility and working breeds.
The goal is to create a purpose-built environment that combines carefully designed day yards, outdoor exercise spaces, and structured care programs tailored towards dogs requiring rehabilitation, muscle development, conditioning, injury recovery, or specialised management.
Alongside this, we also hope to offer whelping assistance and support services for responsible breeders wanting additional guidance, monitoring, or peace of mind throughout the whelping process. With qualified veterinary nursing support available, our aim is to provide both breeders and litters with the highest standard of care possible during those critical early stages of life.
At the centre of it all is the same philosophy that drives everything we do - prioritising welfare, education, structure, and giving dogs the very best opportunity to thrive.