Life with sweet Champ, the jealous German Shepherd

Free Malaysia Today

10-07-2025

For Ravinder Kaur, her German Shepard Champ is her overprotective child. (Ravinder Kaur pic)
SUBANG JAYA : Ravinder Kaur can't sweep the floor. She can't pet her other dogs. She definitely can't stop to greet a neighbour during walks. Why? Because her German Shepherd, Champ, simply won't allow it.
'He holds the broom if I try to sweep!' she said, laughing. 'I can't even shower my other dogs – he'll bark and run around in circles. Mummy is just for me,' she said.
Two years old and fiercely loyal, Champ acts less like a pet and more like a toddler with serious attachment issues.
Ravinder, who also rescues and feeds strays in her neighbourhood, said it all started when Champ was given to her at just two weeks old, shortly after the passing of her previous dog, Rocky.
'He came from Ipoh when he was just two weeks old. I instantly became his mum,' she said. 'Every morning I gave him milk. He just can't do without me. He has to hear my voice.'
Champ and Maxi are the best of friends, although Champ playfully bullies her from time to time. (Ravinder Kaur pic)
That early bond only grew stronger with time. Ravinder described Champ as 'more loving, more caring, more playful' now – but also incredibly clingy. The moment she starts packing for a trip, he senses something is wrong.
'If he sees my luggage, his face goes down. He knows I'm going somewhere and he becomes very sad,' she said.
'When I went to India for a week, he didn't eat properly. I kept checking on him through CCTV, but he just looked at the camera, and looked very depressed,' she added.
Things don't instantly go back to normal when she returns either. 'He won't come to me straight away. He'll sulk in a corner for a few minutes until I call him. Only then will he forgive me.'
Jealousy is another one of Champ's big traits. Ravinder also has an older Golden Retriever, Maxi, who's more attached to her husband. While Maxi and Champ are now best of friends, that wasn't always the case.
Champ was quite the mischievous pup before. (Ravinder Kaur pic)
'When we first brought him home, Maxi was angry and Champ was scared. But now they're like brother and sister,' she said. 'Still, he bullies her – pulls her ear, her leg, her paw – until she's so tired!'
Champ also doesn't like competition for Ravinder's affection. 'If I sit with Maxi, he'll start licking me, kissing me. He just wants mummy's attention all the time,' she shared.
So how does Ravinder feel about all this drama?
'He's like my child. A loving, caring child. I talk to him all the time. If he's naughty, I say, 'Mummy is going to rotan!' Then he puts his face down like he knows he did something wrong. But I won't rotan – I'll just scold them a bit,' she said.
Champ may be overbearing, overprotective, and occasionally a bit too much – but to Ravinder, he's also her everything. 'Dogs are very innocent,' she said softly. 'He just wants to be with me.'