Von Tasz White Shepherds
Established 1981 - Diana L. Updike - Livonia, MI
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Where did the name VON TASZ come from?
Many times throughout the years, I have been asked where I came up with the kennel name, "VON TASZ" so I thought I'd share this brief kennel name history. 
 
My first shepherd, White Taszmanian Angel, came to me in 1980.  Unfortunately, she was born with a congenital birth defect and had be be put to rest at only 14 months old.  I was devastated but was honored to have had our short time together as it was the very beginning of my love and devotion to this noble breed. 
 
In 1981, both Rascal and, shortly thereafter, Tasz (named in memory of my first girl), came to me.  Tasz went on to become my foundation brood bitch, my first AKC obedience titled dog, my first Champion pointed dog, and the Dam of many Champion and obedience/performance titled generations to follow.  To honor her, I founded VON TASZ.  ("VON" is of German origin and means "of" or "from".)  So, literally, "from Tasz", the beginning of my bloodlines...  ((smiling))

What the name VON TASZ represents...

Von Tasz eliminates the guess work associated with selecting the best puppy for you and your family. Our breeding program goal is to produce the "total dog" - sound in both mind and body. Our breeding stock is evaluated to be free of both Hip & Elbow Dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and/or PennHip. They are all Champion titled and/or are working towards performance titles. They are backed up with a pedigree reflecting several generations of excellence - demonstrating beauty, brains, and brawn.

White Shepherds are very social in nature, therefore, all of ours are a treasured family member first and foremost. They live in the house with us and have their very own toy box and many cozy doggy beds to relax on throughout. To keep them lean, well muscled, and in good health, we live on acreage that is fenced in and private, backing up to several hundred acres of open land and woods that will never be developed. We also regularly train and exercise our dogs to keep them mentally and physically sharp and receptive to learning new tricks and training exercises.

About the Founder...

Diana L. Updike (Dzis) has owned, bred, and trained White Shepherds since 1980. Her breeding program was launched with her foundation bitch, TASZ. She is married and has been "Mom" to many great White Shepherds throughout the years.

Her white shepherds have earned countless Champion titles including Best In Show wins, Reserve Best In Show wins, "Best of the Best", UKC Total Dog, Herding Group placements, advanced obedience titles with placements, Tracking Dog titles, Rally Obedience titles, SPOT and SPOT ON titles, Nosework titles as well as AHBA & ASCA (Sheep) Herding titles.

Her bloodlines produced the highest scoring White Shepherd Flyball Grand Champion of all time and the first ever U-UD and AKC UDX titled White Shepherd.

Since 1988, she has held national and local officer positions within prominent White Shepherd clubs including, but not limited to, United White Shepherd Club President, Secretary and Treasurer. She is formerly an obedience instructor at Wolverine Dog Training Club, a United Kennel Club (UKC) licensed obedience club, and has also delivered a White Shepherd breed presentation, explaining judging points to both UKC judges and exhibitors, at a multi-breed seminar.


In the late 1990's, she was one of the founding members of the United White Shepherd Club (UWSC), which successfully obtained official breed recognition for the White Shepherd, and served on the Board for several years.  She is the breeder/owner of the first ever UWSC National Best of Breed winner in 2016. To this day, she actively supports licensed United Kennel Club events as well as the UWSC.

When AWSA was formed in the mid 1990's, she supported the Club.  In 2008, she co-chaired hosting the AWSA Nationals which included Specialty Shows, AHBA Sheep Herding trials, and performance related events in Fowlerville, MI.   She has also actively participated with aspects of the White Shepherd Genetics Project since its founding as well as assisted with the majority of the annual Fund Raiser shows.

On a professional level, she is a retired Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Finance Business Analyst Manager that specialized in Intellectual Property.  She was there from 1981 to 2015.

Her love, dedication, and devotion to the promotion and the betterment of the White Shepherd breed have been her life's goals. She actively supports the United White Shepherd Club, the parent club recognized by the United Kennel Club..