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Named affectionately after someone who reminded us so much of her, Leyla earned her name as a very young puppy. Even then, there was something special about the way she approached life.hHappy, adventurous, curious, and completely ready to see what the world had to offer. Those qualities have only become stronger as she has grown.
Born here at Golden Ridge Leyla is a striking solid black long-coat female with an incredible combination of breed type, beauty, confidence, and personality.
Her pedigree brings together generations of accomplished European German Shepherds and some very recognizable names within the breed. Influential dogs behind Leyla include VA Digger von Edelweiss, VA Goran vom Bierstädter Hof, VA Memphis vom Solebrunnen, VA Rio dei Colli Storici, VA Cronos del Seprio, VA Quoran d’Ulmental, and Xari von der Lars-Aue. These are the kinds of dogs and bloodlines we value not simply for their names, but for the breed type, structure, working ability, temperament, and consistency represented through generations of the pedigree.
One of Leyla’s most beautiful physical characteristics is her head. She has a very attractive, distinctly German Shepherd head with a well-defined stop and a strong, substantial muzzle that remains proportionate to the rest of her head. Her muzzle has good length and depth rather than appearing narrow, pointed, or overly refined. Combined with her strong skull, large erect ears, beautiful almond-shaped eyes, and alert expression, she has excellent overall breed type while remaining unmistakably feminine.
Her solid black pigmentation makes those features even more striking. Rather than her color being the feature that defines her, it is the quality underneath the coat that makes Leyla stand out. She has good bone and substance, a strong overall framework, and an athletic appearance. There is a beautiful balance between femininity and strength that we particularly appreciate in her.
Leyla is also one of those German Shepherds who attracts attention everywhere she goes. We can hardly take her anywhere without people stopping to ask about her. Fortunately, Leyla believes her admirers are there specifically to meet her. She happily accepts the attention and is usually more than willing to repay a compliment with a few kisses.
Her confidence is through the roof. New places, people, sounds, surfaces, and experiences are opportunities to investigate rather than things to worry about. She wants to see what is happening, where everyone is going, and whether she can be part of it. She has been that way since she was tiny. Curious, environmentally confident, adventurous, and genuinely excited about life. The perfection comes in how she can recognize and self settle when the situation arise. Out to dinner, in a crowd, she goes calm and neutral.
Water may be her greatest love of all. Leyla absolutely loves to swim. Give her a river, lake, or another opportunity to get wet and she is completely in her element. Exploring trails, climbing across rocks, swimming, meeting strangers, or heading somewhere new with us all seem equally exciting to her.
What we love most is that all of that confidence comes in such an affectionate and socially engaging dog. Leyla has presence without aloofness and confidence without losing her sweetness. She is interested in her environment, but she is equally interested in the people sharing it with her.
Leyla is a beautiful example of what we strive to produce at Golden Ridge: recognizable German Shepherd breed type, a strong yet feminine physical presence, generations of accomplished European ancestry, exceptional confidence, excellent On / Off switch and a dog who genuinely loves experiencing life alongside her family.