Standards Of Excellence

These are the Standards that sets Von Shap apart from the rest. Our philosophy is a Sound mind in a Sound body.

We specialize in AKC large and XL pups from import and old fashioned style lines. We have assembled genetics from some of the top breeding programs from all over the world. With strict breeding criteria such as size (we prefer a larger shepherd) temperament ( a confident dog who is protective and loyal) and health ( researching back generations in a pedigree to rule out any health defects) you can say that we go to extreme lengths to ensure that our puppies are from the best of the best. Because we hold Health and temperament in the highest of regard, our dogs must be temperamentally sound and health tested prior to breeding. We have and appreciate all colors of the Shepherd including black and red, black and tan, sable, solid black, black and silver, solid white, cream and the unusual and beautiful colors of blue, liver (chocolate), Isabella and occasionally the rare Panda and Fawn color.

We at a bare minimum test for genetic Hip Dysplasia and Degenerative Myelitis. Recently we have broadened our health testing to include OFA elbows, Cardiac (Heart), Thyroid, and Embark which is the worlds most comprehensive DNA test for canines screening for over 180 genetic diseases.

At Von Shap, our desire is to produce a beautiful companion with healthy conformation. Although we do show some of our dogs in conformation, we DO NOT breed for extreme angulation as seen in the AKC show ring. This body style is a gross distortion of the dog’s natural and healthy angulation, and the judges and breeders that promote it are doing this great breed a terrible injustice. It is our sincere hope that the AKC show line breeders will move towards a healthier body style for the German Shepherd in the years to come.

The German Shepherd was meant to be a breed capable of many jobs and should have the body style and stamina to be competent in Search and Rescue, Obedience, Tracking, Herding, etc.

 

Our dogs are NOT HIGH DRIVE.

We breed for a moderate activity level and calmer disposition, ensuring your German Shepherd has the willingness and ability to be as active as you want him/her to be without the constant need to be engaged or worked. Your Von Shap German Shepherd will be just as happy snuggling on the couch with you as they will be hiking, playing fetch, or running with you on your morning jog.. Even though our dogs are not high drive they still make EXCELLENT HOME and FAMILY GUARDIANS.

Producing sound, healthy, beautiful German Shepherds is our passion! Our Puppies are born in the Puppy Nursery which is a climate controlled building with 24 hour video surveillance. Puppies are handled daily and exposed to many sights and smells including vacuum cleaners, radio, television, and socialization visits from friends and family and our own loving pack members as they grow. Puppies are at first paper trained, then litter trained, and finally trained to utilize a dog door so by the time they are ready for their new homes they are accustomed to going outside to potty. This makes the transition from puppy nursery to home and housebreaking so much easier. We have dairy goats and puppies are given the benefit of raw goat milk and raw venison as their first solid food. We gradually transition them to victor kibble and nuvet plus immune support and vitamin powder. By the time they are 5 weeks old they are usually eating free choice softened kibble and mommy is in the process of weaning her little piranhas. We will have had visits from a select group of children and people and our friendly pack members. Weather permitting, we will also have puppy field trips to the great outdoors so they can explore and play in our special Puppy Discovery Zone. This area has obstacles and different things to stimulate the curiosity and cognitive development of the puppies. Mommy will completely wean pups by 6-7 weeks of age, and this is at her schedule. We allow her to accomplish this by giving her access to a separate area she can get into without the pups. She will gradually nurse them less and less. Mommy will be relieved of her parental duties by 7 weeks of age and the last week is a busy time with temperament testing, first shots, vet check, microchip and puppy aptitude test. Whew! Finally, at 8 weeks our puppies are ready to meet their new familes and leave for their new homes.Puppy selection and pick up will be on the same day with appointments scheduled in the order of deposits received on the litter.

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