price/guarantee

There are a couple things we'd like you to consider when thinking about your new puppy purchase. First, think about what you want. A puppy or dog that will be safe around your children, friends and family. A healthy dog that will hopefully have a long life without problems. A furry best friend that brings you joy without asking anything in return. How much are you willing to pay for this type of quality? In a world where a decent bicycle can easily cost a thousand dollars, a week's vacation 2 - $5000.; what we charge doesn't seem like much for 10-12 years of love, protection and companionship.

Second, think about the folks that raise these dogs. We have sire and dams, siblings and growing pups to care for year round, 365 days a year. Every day begins and ends with animal care, including holidays, birthdays, sick days and rainy days. Some years we don't have litters, but there are still dogs to care for. Where we live (ALWAYS in the country, on acreage), the house we live in (has to have a puppy room and a door into a fenced yard), and how we live our lives every day is all done with the dog's best interests in mind.

When pups are born we are right with the mom for the 5-24 hours it takes to whelp a litter. Wendy stays by her side to make sure each pup is birthed without problems, and has been known to sleep in the kennel for several nights prior to the birth. (Some of the smart females learn to play this up after the first litter!)

For eight or nine weeks before you get your puppy it is handled many times a day. Starting at 2 weeks of age, each puppy is taken away from it's littermates and given individual attention. This stress stimulates the immune system as well as accustoming the puppies early to humans. At weaning time we feed 5-6 times a day. The last feeding is at midnight, the first morning feeding at dawn.

So please, take all this into account when you are looking at our prices. Remember that not all people raising or selling pups are the same. Know that pups from pet stores are most often obtained from puppy mills that keep dogs in cages for life. Do consider what it will cost you for good food and vet care and make sure you can afford a dog.

We encourage you to look at your local GSD rescue for dogs that need a home, especially if you don't have children and/or you have the knowledge to choose a good healthy pet.

Each puppy has been handled with love and attention since birth, and given individual attention. They are raised in a very particular manner which makes housebreaking easy. (For the most part this means keeping their eating, playing and eliminating areas separate and meticulously clean.) Your puppy will have:

1.) One vaccination (you will get a record of this and a schedule of upcoming vaccines that are due).

2.) Each puppy will have been wormed twice and a negative fecal report from a veterinarian

3.) Time in a crate for several days to accustom them to it.

4.) Handling and socialization several times a day

5.) Exposure to adult dogs, strangers, children, cats and livestock.

6.) Training to prevent nipping, barking, and jumping up.

7.) Nails trimmed and introduction to grooming.

8.) Several car rides.

9.) Each pup has individual attention paid to them every day, separate from the group.

* Why are males more than females? Supply and demand. We hope this will encourage more people to buy female pups. There is a strange bias for males. Wendy's own personal favorite dogs are always female. There is nothing that makes a male GSD a better pet than a female. Buy a boy if you like, but both our boys and girls are awesome!

What you get at this age: (in addition to all the above)

1.) A second set of vaccines, heartworm preventative and rabies vaccine at 16 weeks.

2.) A well puppy check at the vet to familiarize the pup with the vet and make it fun.

3.) Beginning leash work.

4.) Sit for treats.

5.) Prompt recall when called. (come)

6.) Additional time in the car travelling.

7.) Extended time in the house. We do offer housebreaking for an additional charge. Pups at 12 weeks and older will have been started on housebreaking.

8.) Each puppy is handled individually every day by several different people.

9.) Introduction to bodies of water.

10.) Continued crate training.

11.) Introduction to unfamiliar dogs at 16 weeks.

We give each puppy a two-year guarantee against crippling genetic diseases. In addition, you receive support via email for the life of your dog. You do NOT have to return your pup if it qualifies for a replacement, but you do have to spay or neuter to receive another pup. We will give you a copy of our guarantee when you get your pup so you know what to expect from us and what we expect from you.

Please keep in mind that a guarantee means very little compared to the integrity, knowledge, honesty and correctly applied experience of the breeder. We want you to have a healthy, sane, intelligent dog. We do not sell sick or mentally unstable dogs, EVER. On the other hand, you have responsiblities too. It's up to you to feed your dog an excellent quality food (we'll tell you all about that) in the correct amounts, to exercise your dog wisely, and to raise it mindfully. We'll give you fabulous quality clay; you'll be the one to mold it. Producing a great dog is a two-way street.