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Ransomshire Shepherds

Intelligent family dogs for work and play

ABOUT OUR DOGS

It is our goal to produce quality German Shepherds which conform to the breed standard, are very intelligent, and are able to work like German Shepherds were meant to do. We have a litter about once a year. We focus on doing all we can to produce physically and mentally sound dogs.

As members of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America and the German Shepherd Dog Club of Greater Raleigh, NC, and breeders of American Kennel Club (AKC) registered dogs, we keep current with what is happening in our breed, get exposed to educational programs, hear about updated rules and regulations, and have an opportunity to share concerns, information and ideas with other knowledgeable dog people who have a passion for this breed. We have done some conformation, obedience, tracking, agility, and herding with our dogs over the years, but our focus is NOT on competing or showing.

When we have litters, we try to make sure our puppies are sold to loving committed homes. We screen the owners to ensure a good match between the puppy and the buyer. Before the puppy leaves our home, it has been well cared for and socialized as written in the book The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete. Please read this book!  It is up to the puppy buyer to complete the job we have started. The new owner is responsible for the further development of the puppy’s personality through structured discipline, training, guidance, and TLC. In an effort to ensure that our puppies will receive the love and care they require throughout their lives, we ask potential buyers to complete a questionnaire. If you wish to be put on our puppy waiting list you must complete and return the questionnaire to us with a deposit.

All of our puppies are Temperament Tested at exactly 7 weeks to attempt to better match each puppy with the right home. Because we have been observing them during their development and know them better than potential owners, we prefer to make the decisions regarding which puppy goes to which home based on these observations and the results of the Temperament Test. Therefore, it is unlikely that you would solely be able to "pick" your own puppy, unless there is more than one that fits your individual needs. Contrary to popular belief, there is much more to picking a puppy than choosing the first one that comes to you. We want the best match, and will work with you to find that right pup.  That means it is very important for you to communicate your desires to us.

Prior to taking the puppy home, you will be given information on training and care of your puppy and a list of the proper equipment and supplies to obtain before bringing your puppy home. On pick-up day, you will be given a completed contract (for you to sign), your puppy’s AKC slip (AKC registration application), a copy of the pedigree, health records, some puppy food, feeding instructions, and a blanket and toy that smells familiar. These items are by no means everything the puppy needs, but we include all of these things to make the transition as smooth as possible for you AND the puppy. We give The Art of Raising a Puppy to new puppy owners who don’t have a copy. We require you to take your pup to training classes and have a fenced yard or safe play area for your pup.

We make every effort to ensure that our puppies are free from inherited defects by screening every dog we breed for problems common to our breed. We breed only OFA Good or Excellent hips. Of course, with complex genetic interactions and environmental factors beyond our control, we cannot absolutely guarantee that a puppy purchased from us will be free of any health disorder, but we do our best to keep improving the health and quality with each generation. (BTW, we want to know whenever any of our dogs have medical problems of any kind, and always ask that our puppy owners keep us informed.)

Please research German Shepherds before deciding to buy one. Do not make the mistake of buying ANY puppy on impulse. It could be a really bad mistake which costs you and the puppy months of sorrow. A 7-week old puppy is a cute little bundle of fur. But a German Shepherd is only a cute little puppy for a few short weeks. Very quickly, it becomes a big awkward teen-aged dog who is highly intelligent, has a great sense of humor, has boundless energy, and is constantly looking for an outlet for that energy. Do not expect a German Shepherd to act like a mature dog for two years. Do expect to spend a good amount of your time troubleshooting the "growing-up" issues which arise in training and everyday living with your German Shepherd.

Dog ownership is a MAJOR responsibility and should not be taken lightly. We only want the best for our puppies and want them in homes where they are considered important members of the family and not "just a dog." A puppy depends totally on you for all his needs. They need lots of love, attention and structured discipline. Dogs in general are very people oriented and look to you for leadership and companionship. If you feel that you are not up to this time-consuming lifelong commitment, please consider waiting to buy a dog until your life is better suited.


Thank you for your interest.  Please email us at shepherds@ransomshire.com for the puppy owners’ questionnaire. If you would like to be on our waiting list for the next litter please let us know. Waiting list requires a $500 deposit and approval of the completed questionnaire.