Each of our dogs is screened for 173+ different genetic conditions prior to breeding. Including hip and elbow dysplasia, Degenerative Myelopathy, MDR1 Drug Sensitivity, Sly Syndrome, & more.
Each of our dogs is screened for 173+ different genetic conditions prior to breeding. Including hip and elbow dysplasia, Degenerative Myelopathy, MDR1 Drug Sensitivity, Sly Syndrome, & more.
Small Scale Quality Care for both you and your pup.
We operate for the best of our dogs and for the best of our clients in every aspect.
Our puppies combine some of the best pedigrees from around the world known for health, temperament, show, and sport accomplishments.
Hagerstown, Maryland is about 15-20 minutes away from both Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Our home sits on 3 acres off of a quiet country road.
We strive to produce dogs that improve the European German Shepherd with every breeding. Our dogs are tested for hip and elbow dysplasia, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), and 170+ other genetic conditions prior to entering our breeding program. They demonstrate great character, a sound and trustworthy temperament, and a personality notable of the German Shepherd standard. Our European line is most commonly characterized as "Red and Black German Shepherds." They must also be correct in conformation, pigment, coat, bite, etc. While our dogs are currently not titled in show, our criteria is that they have incredible potential to not only show, but to dominate their classes with high placements.
We are very small scale and family-oriented; it is even the long-term goal of our breeding program. Sara Chisnell, UKC Legal Counsel, says in her article, The Dog Breeder Dilemma, "I find it hard to believe that these high volume kennels can properly socialize puppies to prepare them to go into the pet homes they are destined for. Studies have shown that it’s quite common for dogs that originate from these situations to later have major behavioral issues that most pet owners are not prepared to deal with."
Early on, we realized this dilemma: we had a desire to continue to operate professionally with only a few family dogs in order to maintain coveted small scale quality care. For the best of the breed, and for the best of our dogs and pups. However, even with just the natural progression of a "small scale" program, with older dogs retiring and adding younger pups to the program to continue breeding, a person ends up with multiple sets of generations of dogs.
We developed a unique solution that would allow us to continue breeding professionally while still maintaining our vital small scale quality. Our Guardian Program gives each of our breeding dogs a family home (those that are not already our own family pets). We use our expertise in selection and then place a potential pup with thoroughly vetted, responsible pet owners who are committed to caring for and loving their new dog for the entirety of its life. The pup is continually evaluated as he/she grows, and if all goes well, they also pass health testing at the appropriate age. Thanks to the wonderful teamwork of our Guardian families, we are able to maintain excellence with more dogs than we would have been able to care for on our own. Since we are not overwhelmed by numbers, when a litter is born, the pups are just as well socialized and cared for. And when a dog retires from our breeding program, it already has a home.
This Guardian program has become the core of who we are: families raising pups for families. Our pups are highly versatile and have the potential for therapy, show, schutzhund, and a variety of other work or sport ventures. And while some of our pups go on to accomplish these titles when their owners pursue them, they're all family pets. We start with intentionally breeding to produce these temperaments alongside health for longevity, and end with preparing our pups well for family life while they're under our care.
We're a recognized AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. breeder!
Through continued education, we strive for ongoing improvement. We have agreed to and have already undergone routine inspection by the AKC resulting in high praise. We go beyond breeding two excellent dogs to produce quality pups; our goal is to also set our puppies up for success in all areas of health and behavior by how we raise them. We focus on socialization, conditioning and preparation for family life, high quality nutrition, and overall health and joint care. Each detail in these broad categories can determine a puppy's lifelong emotional and physical health.
Ready to welcome a puppy home?