Here at Vom Waldestraum, we adhere to the breeding guidelines and standard as set forth by the WUSV for our dogs and those bearing our kennel name. All of our dogs that we use in breeding have breed surveys. One of our main goals is to produce healthy high quality puppies in every litter that can not only compete at high levels but also pass the breed survey. WIth this in mind, we only select dogs for breeding that come from strong family lines; lines that are known to produce strong working ability with correct structure. A family of great dogs means that there is more than just one excellent dog in the litter. This type of dog has numerous outstanding aunts, uncles, cousins, and littermates.

With our breeding females, we chose females with great care for strength and power, giving much creedence to their mothering skills since we believe the mother to be powefully influential in the first few months of life. Our stud dogs are chosen to compliment our females in drives, temperament and structure; as one must breed form for function. All of our breeding dogs are excellent representations of the German Shepherd Dog as dictated by their bloodlines - meaning they look-like and work as their bloodlines would dictate. With outside stud dogs, we chose males that we have seen both on and off the schutzhund field as well as their progeny. Even after given careful selection, we recognize that there is no perfect dog. Its not a matter of what is good or bad, just a matter of "what is". With this insight, we strive not to be "kennel blind" and therefore are able to recognize strengths as well as weaknesses to further improve upon the bloodlines that we use and produce. Only through using tools such as these can one hope to better predict the outcome from selective breedings with a higher ratio of success.

Dean's knowledge and selection process comes from having been a student of the German Shepherd Dog and the sport of Schutzhund for almost thirty years, traveling extensively throughout Europe to mentor with the greatest trainers and helpers as well as to compete at the top level. These travels have allowed Dean to witness first hand, and on many occasions, to work great dogs and observe their progeny, as seen by many only in pedigrees; as well as to discuss with the European breeders why they select the bloodlines they use in their breeding programs.

We have a vision with our breeding program, thought out for generations to come and are not merely interested in breeding dogs to produce puppies after puppies. We produce puppies that are bred for us in an effort to perpetuate the health, temperament and drives necessary for great working dogs. In the end, we strive to produce not only superior breed quality working dogs but also what the germans call great "family farm dogs"; meaning that the dog is first and foremost a successful member of the family as well as a farm dog that can live in harmony with other farm animals.

As a breeder, we only want the absolute best for our puppies while exceeding the expectations of our puppy owners. With that in mind, we diligently care and evaluate each puppy daily as they develop. Wanting to ensure the best beginnings in life, we incorporate the use of the early neurological stimulation exercises for our puppies as given in the Bio Sensor program (or more commonly known as Super Dog Program) developed by the US Military. Additionally, we expose them to many different sensory stimulations; through sight, sound, scents, and touch. As they grow older, we spend countless hours playing with our puppies; such as rag play and doing short retrieves. After innoculations, we socialize our puppies and allow them to explore our acreage. At roughly seven weeks, we start them in short motivational obedience sessions and tracking scent pads. All the meanwhile, evaluating each puppy.

To help create a more positive experience for a smooth transition with our puppy buyers, each puppy is familiarized with spending quiet time in the crate as well as experiencing separation from littermates. We dremel nails weekly and most puppies have had several baths before they leave. Each puppy is examined by a liscensed veterinarian for any obvious congenital defects and has had at least one set of vaccinations prior to leaving our home. All of our puppies are tattooed in the right ear and are registered with USA (where applicable) and the AKC. As for our puppy buyers, we communicate frequently as the puppies develop so as to become better acquainted with our future puppy owners and to develop a sense of understanding of what each is looking for in their puppy because we not only offer a health guarantee with our puppies but also offer a lifetime of training support and advise.

With all this said, we strive to be the utmost reponsible breeders in hopes to place our puppies with responsible puppy owners in a forever home!