Prices
All of our puppies $1500. Older puppies or dogs may be more, according to the
level of training.
Deposits and Waitlist
A deposit of $500 will reserve a puppy. The deposit is applied to the purchase price. Deposits are non-refundable
and non-transferable.
If we are unable to provide the buyer with the puppy for any reason, a full refund of the deposit will be provided to
the buyer.
As puppies become available, we work from the top of the waitlist in the order the deposit was received. They
buyer can choose to pass on a puppy and move to the next litter.
Puppy Selection
Our goal is to match each puppy and family to the best fit for everyone. Puppy selection takes place around 7
weeks old, after their drives, temperaments, and personalities are more apparent. Puppy selection is based on the
needs of the family and the needs of the puppy, in the order of deposit received. Consideration will be made for
gender preferences and color preferences when possible. We will not place a puppy in a home we believe will not
be a good match. Ultimately, everyone ends up unhappy if the match is not a good fit.
Puppy Care
We raise our puppies in our home using many of the Puppy Culture protocols. Our goal is to give each puppy it’s
best start through love, play and exposure to many different experiences to enable them to be healthy, confident,
happy puppies when they leave our home. We de-worm the puppies several times according to standard care
protocols for puppies. We provide their first round of vaccinations as well as microchip. They will also be examined
by our veterinarian before leaving our home. Our puppies are ready to go home at 8 weeks old.
Health Guarantee
Our puppies are guaranteed to be free of debilitating genetic disorders. Hips are guaranteed to be free of
dysplasia. It will be the buyer’s responsibility to have the puppy/dog x-rayed and OFA certified by an orthopedic
veterinarian at two years of age. Having your dog spayed or neutered before two years of age nullifies this portion
of the contract. Failure to maintain a healthy weight nullifies this portion of the pup’s guarantee. Failure to
complete OFA certification by the age of 26 months nullifies this portion of the pup’s guarantee. If a problem is
seen within the allowed time frame, written OFA verification will be required before any refund or replacement is
given. We highly recommend, especially for sport dog families, that “pre-lims” be done by an orthopedic
veterinarian by 12 months of age. If dysplasia is verified by an orthopedic veterinarian, the puppy/dog will be
replaced from the first available litter.
Names
We put a lot of effort into planning our breeding’s and raising our puppies. Therefore, we are proud of the dogs we
produce. To recognize your dog as coming from our kennel, feel free to include our kennel name (Antler Ranch) as
the suffix of each dog we produce.
Training
German Shepherd Dogs are very smart, active dogs. They need regular mental and physical stimulation. Training
may be as complex as Schutzhund, search and rescue, personal protection or as simple as obedience and daily
walks. Our dogs excel in a variety of different training venues including those listed above and agility, nose work,
barn hunt, competitive obedience, tracking, etc. Training is a great way to bond with your dog. We are always
happy to help match you with resources in your area to find a good fit for you and your dog.
Spay & Neuter Policy
We recommend that should you decide to spay or neuter your dog, you wait until they are at least two years old,
giving your dog’s growth plates time to close. The latest research indicates early spay and neuter can negatively
affect joint, bone, and ligament development. It can also increase the risks for some cancers, hypothyroidism,
diabetes, obesity, and cause urinary incontinence in females. Neutering can also increase aggression, fear and
anxiety, and excitability. Research indicates the earlier the dog was neutered, the more negative the effect on the
behavior. Here are links to several articles and studies to read more.
Study Finds Early Spay-Neuter Surgeries in German Shepherd Dogs Increase Risk of Joint Problems
Early Neutering Poses Health Risks for German Shepherd Dogs, Study Finds
Neutering of German Shepherd Dogs: associated joint disorders, cancers and urinary incontinence
Spay Neuter And Joint Disease
Spaying, Neutering Large-Breed Dogs Linked to Higher Risk of Obesity and Nontraumatic Orthopedic Injuries
Assisting Decision-Making on Age of Neutering for 35 Breeds of Dogs: Associated Joint Disorders, Cancers, and
Urinary Incontinence
Behavioral and Physical Effects of Spaying and Neutering Domestic Dogs (Canis familiaris)