Top Dogs

Last fall, dozens of hopeful human contestants accompanied by their participating German shepherds and supporting teams gathered at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida. Excitement and pre-competition jitters were on the rise for Alonzo and Lucie Williams, United members and owners of King of Zion German Shepherds in Alvarado as they geared up to contend in the German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA) Sieger Show 2022.

In the United States, the GSDCA and the United Schutzhund Clubs of America (USCA) serve as the two largest German Shepherd trial and show organizations. Every year, the GSDCA hosts both the Universal Sieger Show as well as the National IGP Championship where more than 100 dogs compete for various rankings, titles or classifications.

“Sieger” in short, translates to “winner, victor or champion.” The GSDCA Sieger show emulates this description due to its composition of strenuous performance categories. During the competition, each German shepherd is strictly judged on events such as instinctive behavior, self-confidence, the ability to cope with stress and much more.

At the conclusion of the GSDCA competition day, King of Zion German Shepherds received 2nd place for the 2022 Long Coat Kennel Group award.

“When SV Judges Bernd Weber and Torsten Kallenbach began thanking the presenting kennels at the closure of the show, I began to get emotional,” Lucie said. “The judges said to us, ‘We understand what kind of work it takes to even present a kennel group at a Sieger Show, so we wanted to genuinely thank you for investing so much into the breed.’”

In many ways, the couple express gratitude for their consistent achievement dating back to the genesis of their business. After only three years since launching in 2020, the pair has built an international brand, titled numerous dogs under their kennel name and even contributed to purposeful causes such as providing dogs that will go on to work as service animals.

In the beginning, the Williamses researched more than a year for the most sustainable German shepherd pedigrees and later found the perfect dog overseas in the Czech Republic to launch their kennel. The King of Zion kennel mainly seeks bloodlines of European descent because Europe tends to uphold more rigid standards for German shepherd breeding regarding regulation, traits and physical characteristics in comparison to the states, according to the Williamses.

The couple has a sincere motive when raising and training their animals. “Health, temperament, beauty,” states their mission statement. “Our three core values are something we strive to be the best in. When we welcome new dogs into the King of Zion family, we want them to be healthy so they can lead a life of temperament and begin to fill the ‘family protector’ role for potential owners and future trials or shows,” Alonzo said.

When the Williamses are not working to elevate their German shepherd kenneling business, they mutually serve as directors for a Christian ministry known as 33rd Company. The purpose behind 33rd Company is to bring religious messages to dangerous and unreached parts of the world with the hope to inspire others.

Ultimately, the success of both the ministry and the kennel are blessings from God, Lucie said.

The Williamses stay in constant communication with business partners in Germany, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands for their kennel. 33rd Company also expands its connection far and wide to locations such as Pakistan, Iraq, Brazil and more.

To maintain communication with the multiple states and countries that are demanded by 33rd Company and King of Zion, having reliable internet could not be more critical for daily operations, Alonzo said.

“It’s truly from our living space here in rural Texas, that we are able to stay in constant communication with the nations,” he said. “We tend to participate in a lot of Zoom calls for the ministry. Lucie also consults with our King of Zion partners and mentors frequently using the cell phone reception. Without United’s internet, none of our work would be possible.”  

In an effort to build positive relationships with the public, the King of Zion kennel aims to go beyond traditional run-of-the-mill business transactions. The Williamses facilitate a camaraderie with each new puppy owner via the internet and various social media outlets.

“We have created a Facebook group that’s only for our puppy owners,” Lucie said. “We share all our best practices with nutrition and merchandise. We always tell everyone who purchases a dog from us, ‘Welcome to the King of Zion family,’ and this is just another way we show our support to our owners.”

Staying in contact with Lucie was an easy and enjoyable experience, said Taylor N., who recently purchased a puppy from the kennel around one year ago. Lucie was always responsive to any questions that came up along the way.

“I’m so glad I joined the King of Zion family,” she said. “Our puppy, Theo, is one the most gorgeous and smart dogs we have ever had.”

The real game-changer for the King of Zion owners was to have extended internet reception to their kennel building as opposed to only having a reliable connection within the barriers of their home.

“Since we did the second installation of our internet into the kennel detached from our house, it has been so helpful,” Lucie said. “I can often be found with earphones in, multitasking because there’s always something that can be done. Having the reception in both buildings has given us the freedom to work more proactively.”

Lucie said businesses like King of Zion German Shepherds abide by high expectations and continue to raise the bar within their field. Investments, upcoming events and innovative planning are underway for the Williamses and their animals.

Inspiration for an upcoming project, titled the Narrow Path Dog Club, is expected to be up and running towards the beginning of next year, she said.

“Founding this club will allow us to host shows and trials,” Lucie said. “There are two sides to the German shepherd world, and we want to be able to host both closer to home in Texas. Hosting through our Narrow Path Dog Club will also give our dogs more opportunities to continue titling, complete ratings, and build their resumé up to what it deserves to be.”

The couple sees their work as a crucial effort to protect and preserve the German shepherd breed standard. A key part of the groundwork achievements in their profession is their marriage commitment to one another.

“In a marriage, and as a couple, we always make sure our hearts are in the same place with everything,” Lucie said. “Otherwise, Alonzo couldn’t support me the way I need to be supported, and I couldn’t support him the way he needs to be supported. We’re always exactly in sync with anything, especially when it concerns the kennel.”