Meet our family.

Who We Are

Hi, I’m Aimee.

Born into the world of German Shepherd Dogs, I’ve grown up surrounded by every generation of our bloodlines and the incredible people and dogs that helped shape Hanshi Kennels into what it is today. From the highs of the show ring to the long nights raising litters, this breed has always been a huge part of my life.

In 2022, after more than a decade away, I had the opportunity to reignite the flame behind Hanshi alongside my mother - founder of the original bloodline and breeding program. Together, we welcomed a litter that became incredibly special to me for reasons far beyond dogs. Shortly afterwards, Mum passed away suddenly, making that litter one of the final chapters we shared together within the breed we both loved so deeply.

Today, this next chapter is one I’m incredibly proud to continue alongside my partner, Brian, whose support, encouragement and shared love for the dogs has helped me continue carrying forward the legacy Mum and I rebuilt together.

Hanshi has produced Multi Best in Show winners, obedience and agility excellence award holders, working dogs and most importantly loyal companions for families around the world. Being able to continue that legacy today is something I carry with immense pride.

Dogs have taken me all over the world throughout my life, including representing New Zealand at Crufts and handling at the Sieger Show in Germany - experiences that further deepened my passion and appreciation for correct breed type, temperament, structure, and purpose.

Alongside breeding and exhibiting, I am currently studying Veterinary Nursing to further strengthen my knowledge and ensure best practice, health and care remain at the forefront of everything we do. I am also working towards my specialist judging licences, continuing my education within the breed and striving to contribute meaningfully to its future both here in New Zealand and abroad.

Breeding has never been just about producing puppies - it’s about preserving generations of carefully planned bloodlines, producing dogs that are sound in both temperament and structure, supporting owners long after their puppy leaves home, and continuing to learn, grow, and advocate for ethical breeding practices and the preservation of the German Shepherd Dog for future generations.

A woman and a large dog sitting on a sandy beach at sunset, with cliffs in the background.
A woman sitting outdoors in a wooded area with two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is jumping and licking her face, while the other is sitting calmly.
A woman kneeling on a beach, holding a large German Shepherd dog, both smiling. The beach has footprints on the sand, and the ocean is visible in the background under an overcast sky.
A young girl with blonde hair and a pink headband, wearing a polka dot dress, squatting on the grass and smiling next to a large German Shepherd dog lying on the ground. The girl is holding the dog's leash. There is green grass, trees, and a wooden structure in the background.
Young girl with blond hair smiling and hugging a large black and tan puppy sitting on grass in a backyard.

Meet our German Shepherds

  • A German Shepherd dog standing on a grassy field, looking to the right, with a happy expression.

    Filo

    Hanshi Force of Nature EX VG+

    The result of our “Reignite the Flame” litter, Filo is everything we love about the German Shepherd Dog wrapped up into one very loyal shadow. Medium sized with a beautiful plush double coat, she has been graded both Excellent + Very Good Select and holds multiple class in show wins - but titles have never been the thing that defines her most.

    Want to spend the day exploring up the river? She’s already in the car. Need someone to supervise every job around home? Filo takes that role very seriously. She’s the kind of dog that happily follows you everywhere, always wanting to be part of whatever’s going on.

    One of her favourite outings is visiting our local café, where she patiently soaks up attention from children stopping by for pats and cuddles. Gentle, affectionate, and endlessly loyal - she has the kind of steady temperament that makes life with a German Shepherd so special.

  • German Shepherd dog on a leash standing on grass field, person holding the leash, trees in background.

    Jethro

    Hanshi Jet Fighter

    Known as Jethro to most and "Jeff" when he's being a character, this young male has been a favourite from the very beginning.

    Jethro resides with Lisa of Reichund Kennels, whose support of our breeding programme has been invaluable. Lisa is also the owner of the beautiful Tazor, sire of our Reignite the Flame litter, making Jethro a much-loved member of the extended Hanshi family.

    One of Jethro's greatest strengths is his temperament. He is the sort of dog that wins people over effortlessly - confident, social, and always happy to be involved in whatever is happening around him. He genuinely enjoys meeting people, loves being out and about, and takes everything in his stride.

    In the ring, Jethro is always keen to show, carrying himself with confidence and enjoying every minute of the experience. Combined with his outgoing nature and quality breed type, he is a young male we are extremely excited to watch mature and one we believe has a very bright future ahead of him.

  • A German Shepherd dog sitting in a grassy field during daytime.

    Xinara

    NZ Ch Hanshi Xinara BSCL1 GCM EX

    Xinara was a truly special female and one of the most successful German Shepherd Dogs in New Zealand history. The daughter of Swedish import, Gold Medalist, and New Zealand Champion Medebas Harco, Xinara combined breed type, soundness, and presence in a way that left a lasting impact both in and out of the show ring.

    Over her career, Xinara achieved more than 80 Challenge Certificates, multiple Gold Medals, and an incredible 9 Best in Show awards across both the specialist and all breeds rings - an achievement very few dogs attain.

    Behind Xinara was another exceptional female, her mother Hanshi Halleys Comet - a true dual-purpose German Shepherd who excelled in both conformation and agility, earning titles and excellence awards in both disciplines.

    More than the titles and achievements, Xinara represented everything we strive for within the breed - sound structure, strong temperament, versatility and the ability to succeed not only as a show dog, but as a capable and well-rounded German Shepherd.

  • A German Shepherd dog sitting in a golden field with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.

    Ruby

    Hanshi Young & Reckless

    Aimee’s sidekick for over a decade, Ruby was everything you could hope for in a German Shepherd Dog - loyal, endlessly loving, incredibly intelligent, and always ready for the next adventure.

    Want to disappear into the mountains for a six-hour hike? Ruby was already waiting at the car before you grabbed your boots. Heading away for the weekend, exploring rivers, camping under the stars, or simply wandering anywhere outdoors? She never cared where the adventure was, only that she got to be part of it.

    Ruby was deeply loved by everyone who met her - known for her expressive howls, gentle nature, and ability to make herself part of every moment, whether invited or not. She wasn’t just a beautiful representative of the breed, she was family in every sense of the word.

    A life well lived - full of muddy paws, tail wags, camping trips, dead squeaky toys, and countless adventures. Forever loved and endlessly missed.

  • A German Shepherd dog standing on green grass with trees and a fenced area in the background.

    Zorba

    Ch. Hanshi Little Zorba BSCL1 CDX EX

    Zorba was Mum’s heart dog.

    A true dual-purpose male, Zorba represented everything the breed was intended to be: sound, athletic, intelligent, and capable both in and out of the show ring. During the height of New Zealand’s specialist scene, he collected multiple Best in Show awards while also proving himself through obedience titles.

    In 1996, Zorba attended the Australian Nationals, where he caught the attention of a German film crew producing a Discovery feature celebrating the breed’s 100-year anniversary - a special piece of Hanshi history.

    As the son of our founding female Nikki, Zorba became a cornerstone of the Hanshi bloodlines and his influence can still be seen within our dogs today. He carried the kind of moderate, functional structure we continue to value deeply within the breed - balanced angulation, athletic movement, and the ability to not only look beautiful, but to work and perform as a true German Shepherd should.

    At a time where exaggeration in hindquarter angulation continues to be widely debated, dogs like Zorba serve as an important reminder of the value of moderation, soundness, and preserving the original purpose of the German Shepherd Dog.

    Zorba was deeply loved - a once-in-a-lifetime dog whose legacy continues through the generations that followed him.

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