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 We have always been taught and teach our children to have compassion
for both people and animals and believe that the two have much to
offer each other in many aspects of living. We are not professional
breeders. We are a small family Kennel located in the heart of
Missouri. We moved here after my husband retired from the Navy. We
wanted a place to raise our children, horses and our German Shepherd
dogs. I have always had dogs in my life and a love of the German
Shepherd since I was very young. Our breeding program was born out of
my desire to produce a quality and healthy therapy dog. Our effort was
furthered when we were lucky enough to be adopted by “Buddy”. Buddy
has reminded me of all that the GSD can be. He is truly our
inspiration.
As a Licensed
Counselor/Therspist with a PhD in Clinical Psychology, I've worked
in Doctor's offices, residential home care, hospital’s, nursing homes
and family homes. I have always had dogs in my life and remember as a
child how they were so loving unconditionally. Now I am in a position
to realize my dream. To do the work that I love with the dog that I
love. I use GSD’s to work with disabled, sick, terminally ill,
emotionally challenged and abused adults and children. I have seen the
relationship of the two work with and for each other. I have seen
these dogs gain the trust of people that others never could and
comfort people who before could not be comforted. For years it has
been in the back of my mind to see many more of these relationships be
allowed to happen for both dogs and people so that they can benefit
from each other.
Out of our love
for the GSD came a concern for the future of the breed. I researched
the physical and social changes of the breed over the years as well as
what they were being used for. I was horrified at what I found. Puppy
mills and backyard breeders were mass breeding these and other dogs
for profit. Inbreeding led to painful hip and elbow dysplasia and a
“dwarfing of the breed”. It was then that we decided that if we were
to establish a breeding program it would be for the betterment of the
breed. Breeding first and foremost for health, stability and
temperament. Using only the finest bloodlines to breed the total dog.
We wanted to bring back the German Shepherd as it used to be.
We have found
it possible to breed the “total dog” which is suitable for therapy,
work, service and Schutzhund and always as a stable loyal family
protector and pet, without compromising breeding standards. We were
lucky enough to find a line of original old fashioned German
Shepherd’s brought from Germany to England in the 1940’s during the
second world war, to be used as military and police dogs.
We only breed a
few times a year and work (extensively) with one litter at a time.
Socialization and imprinting begin at birth and continue until the
pups leave our family to become part of yours. We begin
desensitization at 17 days old and we do temperament testing at seven
weeks. We carefully watch for genetic and character flaws in order to
ensure that they are not replicated and we research each breeding very
carefully. We understand what an enormous responsibility it is to
bring forth a litter of puppies, both for them and for you. We give a
health guarantee on all of our puppies and make sure they are current
on wormings and vaccinations before they go home with you. Our
commitment to them, and you, goes beyond the day that you take one
home. We are available always to assist you and hope that you’ll keep
in touch (and send pictures). This also helps us to plan for future
litters.
We are excited
for you to look around our website, take a look at our magnificent
dogs and contact us with any and all questions.
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Most sincerely,
Mary Beth, Joe, Chris, Joe & Nick of
Show Me Shepherds |
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