Before you read our puppies page, we want to remind you that the main purpose of this website is to educate you about the German Shepherd Breed. If we find a responsible, intelligent person to place a puppy with in the process, then so be it. The main thing is that you dont support one of the MILLIONS of so called German Shepherd breeders in the United States who are exploiting this breed. By exploiting, we mean breeding German Shepherds for money, which involves breeding and producing inferior dogs.  There are many things that Human beings shouldn't do for monetary gain, breeding dogs is one of them!!
     The Vom Zeder Haus German Shepherd breeding program adheres to the European Standard for quality and a well balanced dog.The basic premise of this standard is that German Shepherds are only to reproduced for one reason, and one reason only... to improve the German Shepherd breed and take the breed forward. 
   Very often, people will see a particular German shepherd, and because they find it physically attractive, they will say "I want a puppy from that dog'' when in fact, they have no idea what the dog reproduces, nor do they know the cognitive/mental qualities or flaws of the dog which will also be reproduced.Were not just talking about potential German Shephed owners, but also German Shepherd Breeders!!!!  Each time two German Shepherds are bred, there are at least 50,000 genetic variations that are in play. Thats why in most American bred German Shepherd litters, there is not much uniformity because the genes are all over the place. Now you have an idea of whats wrong with the German Shepherd breed in America, and why the American bred German Shepherd is plagued with both physical and behavior problems!!
   In order to produce European quality German Shepherds, the breeding program has to involve very select dogs,and then be carried out by Breeders who have the knowledge to do so. Our goals are also to provide Families or working organizations, with the finest German Shepherds possible.
    Unless you are well educated about the breed, pedigrees, conformation and such, then it could be very confusing and frustrating for a person in America who simply wants a quality German Shepherd from a quiality breeding program. There is one sure-fire easy way to immediatly recognize whether in fact, a so called breeder is producing European qulaity dogs, or wether they are producing the typical American bred German Shepherd. ANYTIME, and we mean ANYTIME that a so called German Shepherd breeder has live puppies for sale, or tells you that they can provide you with a puppy within a few weeks, this is someone who is in need of your money, and they are breeding and producing inferior dogs.  Here's why....Depending on which European Schutzhund Judge, SVV Judge, or Breed Warden that your talking to, there are between 7-9 German Shepherd Breeders in the entire Untited States, that are producing the same type of dog that you would acquire from a good breeder in Europe. Most people refer to such dogs as a ''Real'' German Shepherd, we refer to them as European quality dogs. People who are truely producing European Quality German Shepherds are overwhelmed with request for dogs from people who know this breed. These include, retired or active Law Enforcement personnel, Retired or active Military personnel, European Americans, or people who have done their research [As you are doing now] and know the difference. Breeders adhering to the European standerd, and breeding to improve the Breed are producing a maximum of 30 puppies anualy. These same breeders are receiving 100-5000 request for German Shepherd puppies anualy......... So do The Math!!!!!!   An example to help put this in perspective...... If your a home Owner, you know that the roofers and flooring people who will do a professioanal job for you, you will have to get in line for their services, and it will be weeks before they can get started.  The people who will do a mediocre or poor job for you, they will be there this week!!!!!!  The same applies with German Shepherd Breeders!!!!!!!! Regarding the 7-9 breeders in the U.S. that are actualy producing European quality dogs, this is 7-9 out of the literaly Millions of people who are breeding German Shepherds in the U.S.  Again...... ANYTIME a so called breeder has live German Shepherd Puppies for sale, let this serve as a RED FLAG for you!!!! Your simply NOT going to acquire a ''Real'' ''True'' or European quality German Shepherd from such a breeder. To own a True European quality German Shepherd, you must first be selected as a placement, then placed on a waiting list for a short while.  Unfortunately, some people are either too stuborn, or do not have the open-mindedness to comprehend that producing high quality German Shepherds is a process. Or with children crying for a dog,or a spouse wanting a dog, some people are dead set on aquiring a German Shepherd quickly. If you find that you fall into one of these categories, and your absolutely going to acquire a dog within the next few weeks or next month,don't support the puppy mills and the people exploiting the German Shepherd breed!!.....Your local animal shelter has many dogs that need adoption,and we Guarantee that such a dog will be a better dog for you than an inferior,poorly bred German Shepherd........   Sometimes people tell us that they know good breeders that have live puppies for sale and sometimes in the $400-$600 range.  Our response is that such so called German Shepherds, just like Labs, Golden Retrievers and many mixed breed dogs will make you a good pet, they are just NOT a Real and TRUE German Shepherd. We are talking apples and oranges here. 
       Even dogs that are imported to the U.S. from Europe are seldom high quality dogs.While the Europeans will trade among themselves, the best German Shepherds in Europe rarely make it to the United States.The German Shepherds that you see in the magazines and all over the internet that are being advertised as World Class dogs, While these dogs may be imports, 95% of the time, these are dogs that were not wanted in Europe. If you look closely at many so called World Class German Shepherds in the U.S., their  titles and such did not occur in Europe.These dogs received their titles in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, etc. Schutzhund outside of Europe,is like comparing High School Football to the N.F.L.  In order for a person in the U.S. to obtain high quality German Shepherds from Europe, he or she must have excellent contacts there. Then he or she must be in a position to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars. If the reason for breeding German Shepherds is money, this is NOT going to happen!! You may be thinking to yourself ''But I only want a pet'' your seeking a German Shepherd because you want a quality dog, and the German Shepherd that you choose, will be a member of your family for 12-15 years!!!!
      A breed quality German Shepherd is a dog that possesses the physical and mental qualities,attributes and instincts to take the breed forward.No German Shepherd is perfect, so the breed quality dog then has to be bred with another breed quality dog in which ones weaknesses are offset by the others strengths. A German Shepherd breeder has to know which genetics are prone to be more recessive, and which genetics and traits are apt to be carried and reproduced thru the Y chromosome and which thru the X chromosome.Then there are in-crosses and out-crosses regarding particular dogs and pedigrees. A German Shepherd breeder has to know all these things and then be able to apply this knowledge in an effective way in order to produce the highest quality puppies and improve the German Shepherd breed .There is a science to reproducing any mammal in an effective way,especially animals such as German Shepherds in which many of their traits and characteristics can easily go one way or another.An example of this is that these dogs are extremely intelligent and affectionate, and of course can be the best family companions.On the other hand, they are aggressive high energy working dogs.All of the attributes that these dogs have....Intelligence, incredible instincts,Beauty-[correct structure, proper color and pigmentation] working ability,health, and having a sound positive temperament are all a result of recessive genes.However, Hip Dysplasia, OCD cartridge problems, inappropriate aggression,cancer, poor body structure and a lack of high intelligence, of course  are also a result of recessive genetics.     The point here is that reproducing a fine tuned, high performance animal which is the result of 120 years of very select breeding under the supervision of the German S.V. is very much a science. For Americans to try to reproduce an animal that the Europeans have been carefully breeding for 120 years, is like taking a new Ferrari or Maserati to some U.S. garage or mechanic, and telling them to work on it!!  
     When pursuing a German Shepherd in America, ALWAYS keep the following in mind.... Breeders with true European quality German Shepherds,breeding under the German standard do not produce puppies and then try to find people to buy them. Breeding German Shepherds is a process of improving the breed as a whole. The clients or people who are pre-arranged placements reap the benefits of this process by acquiring the puppies,and only for a fee that will support the process!....
      Anualy,we meet with the top Geneticist, Molecular Genetic Scientist, and top Genetic Mutation Scientist in the world to learn about re-producing the German Shepherd Dog. We then apply this knowledge, along with what we have learned from old school Europeans, and along with good old Common Sense, in breeding the German Shepherd. As a result, Vom Zeder Haus has produced some of the highest quality dogs in the world over the past several years.

    Depending on the development of a particular litter,our puppies are separated from their Mother at 37 days of age,and then kept outside in an area that provides them a nice lawn,weeds,trees and a creek to play in. The following 2 weeks or until placement,our puppies are kept in this environment.They are also taken on short hikes around the farm each day. By being kept outside during this time, they are exposed to temperature changes, the darkness of night, and all of the sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors. While many of our puppies and dogs spend allot of time in the homes of their owners, it's much easier for a puppy to adjust from the outdoors to the inside, rather than having to adjust to living outside after being in a house all of their young life. Keep in mind that these are German Shepherds, not poodles or Cocker Spaniels.
       We temperament test our puppies and gain much info about a persons lifestyle in order to custom match the right person with the right dog. Example....Lets say we have a person wanting to put a Schutzhund III title on a dog, an elderly person wanting a dog, and then we have a person or a family wanting a dog for companionship, protection, running partner etc. Thats why we temperament test. A so called German Shepherd Breeder who will just let you pick a puppy doesn't care about you or their dogs, they just want your money!! If a person who teaches music, reads poetry and partakes of Opra, walks into a child adoptin agency to adopt a child, then a person who coaches High School Footbal, goes hunting, fishing and camping, shoots guns etc. walks into the same agency to adopt a child, were talking about two completely different children for these families. The adopting families don't know the difference in the children, but the Adoption home administrator should!! The same applies with Professional Geman Shepherd breeders and new owners!! All Vom Zeder Haus Puppies are custom matched to their new owners, depending on the Owners environment, lifestyle, and what they want in a German Shepherd.
   ANYTIME you see German Shepherd puppies advertised as 1st pick, 2nd pick, show quality, pet quality,or Schutzhund quality, this is nothing more than a Con game from some person who needs your money to pay their bills!!!!! Experienced professional breeders can evaluate temperment in puppies. Such Breeders can also evaluate coat texture and bone volume, but for a person to tell you that a German Shepherd puppy is a show quality or Schutzhund quality dog, is no more reducullous than if you were adopting a 6 month old human child, and the adoption agency told you that the child would grow up to look like a Super Model!!!!!! People advertise puppies like that as to try to get more money out of your pocket.

    The price of a Vom Zeder Haus German Shepherd puppy is 1250.00. If we priced our puppies at 3500.00 we still couldn't meet the demand,however at 1250.00 were able to cover our overhead and that's all we want to do. We know of no other kennel however placing German quality,confirmation/Schutzhund quality puppies from West German VA lines for under 2500.00. Most are 3000.00-3500.00.You may be told that dogs are German quality/German lines etc. Just do a little research,visit as many kennels as you can, and most of all....Use common sense!!
     When considering a breeder ask them the following....Why are you breeding? What is your means of financial support? Ask a German Shepherd breeder about how they are applying in-crossing and out-crossing in their breeding program. Ask a breeder about Genetic Diversity in their breeding program. Ask a Breeder how each dog in their breeding program is re-producing thru their Y Chromosome vs their X Chromosome. Additionaly, ask a breeder about Genetic Expression within their breeding program, and its function with each dog that is being used for breeding. Now as a person seeking to find a good German Shepherd breeder, you shouldn't have to know what these terms mean, however a breeder should not only know what such terms are, but he or she should be able to describe each in detail, and how they are being used and applied within their breeding program. The reason for this is because when your considering a breeder, you want to know if the person is a true professional who is seeking to improve the German Shepherd Breed, or is this simply someone who has acquired several dogs and built a website because they who need your money. Among other things, asking such questions will quickly let you know who and what you are dealing with. You may be thinking to yourself, all this isn't important, I'm only seeking a pet/companion.... The dog that you choose will be a part of your family for 12-15 years!!  The irresponsible, laid-back approach that Americans take when pursuing a German Shepherd is how and why the Millions of puppy mills and people producing inferior dogs, have been getting away with this for YEARS!
     When seeking a breeder, you want to know that you will get ''Service after the sale'' Regarding growth and cognitive development, medical issues and training, your breeder should be very knowledged in all of these fields. You shouldn't have to rely on some  Veterinarian who knows very little about European dogs and probably has never even seen an actual European German Shepherd to help raise your dog. Nor should you have to rely on books or some internet chat-room or forum to try to raise your dog. 
       Visit as many kennels as you can, you will personally see and experience the difference between dogs that are bred by novice breeders breeding inferior dogs because they need your money, and professional breeders, both breeding and producing German quality dogs....Even though you may only be seeking a dog as a family companion,your seeking a German Shepherd because that they are intelligent noble animals that should be capable of performing an array of tasks. Dogs that are being bred should be very elite dogs.Tell a breeder that you want to see their dogs perform and that you want to see them work.The breeder should be willing to show their dogs perform in either obedience or protection,and this should be done while the dog is off a leash. If the breeder is unwilling to do these things,thats because they are breeding inferior dogs who CAN"T do these things. If A German Shepherd is not capable of work, you may as well have a Collie or Cocker Spaniel..... 
     Even though professional breeders are only producing 3 to 5 litters a year,they will still have several dogs in their kennel.This is so they won't over breed the dogs that they have,and a quality breeding program designed to take the breed forward requires several German Shepherds with various attributes and qualities, this is for Genetic Diversity. The point here is that true European German Shepherds are high energy working dogs that require allot of room and exercise, and a quality breeding program will have many of them. If a breeders house,and the kennel with several dogs isn't located on at least 10+ acres,then common sense should tell you that your at  the wrong place.
      The hand full of kennels in the world who are still breeding for the right reasons and producing world class dogs,all have one thing in common....we all have a waiting list for our dogs....So ask yourself....when there are Millions of German Shepherd breeders with dogs and puppies available today...why would some people wait on certain breeders to acquire a dog. These are intelligent responsible people who have visited multiple kennels,done their homework and research, and simply understand that the American bred vs a True European German Shepherd are two completley different animals!! 
         Although very rare in this line, we give a written warranty for crippling Hip Dysplasia.Our dogs hips are either certified in Europe or their x-rays are on file with our Veterinarian here in Tennessee. We also have a 100% buyback policy for every puppy that we place from Vom Zeder Haus. If we place a puppy with you and for any reason you become dis-satisfied with your dog, as long as he or she is healthy and not pregnant, Vom Zeder Haus will pay you 1250.00 to bring your dog back! This warranty is for 90 days/three months following the placement date.
      If Vom Zeder Haus and a potential new Owner mutually decide to go forward, Vom Zeder Haus requires 250.00 to reserve a puppy. If we cannot provide a puppy within the time frame agreed on, then your deposit is refundable. In the event that we agree to place a puppy with you, and while waiting for your puppy and after we have told many good potential placements that your puppy is sold, you ask for your deposit back, at that point your deposit is non refundable.This is a very rare event as Vom Zeder Haus only seeks responsible, quality people who appreciate the breed, and are familiar with these elite lines to place our puppies with. 
      We are the ONLY kennel in the world that we are aware of offering confirmation-Schutzhund, German quality puppies from this very elite West German line for under 2500.00, most are 3000.00-4000.00.We then back them up with a full registration, Hip and buy back warranty. Regarding a confirmation- Schutzhund quality dog, if you don't know the difference, you need to research and familiarize yourself with the bloodlines.
       The relationship with your breeder shouldn't end when you take your dog home, this is when your relationship actually begins or should begin!! After most breeders in the U.S. get your money, they really don't want to hear from you anymore. We at Vom Zeder Haus actually want to be involved with your dog for life, and help you with any issues that may arise. Be it 3pm or 3am, we are always available if you need us. If we place a puppy with you and your not calling for advice and help, then were concerned!!
     You may notice that we do not publish positive feedback and testimonials from Vom Zeder Haus dogs owners and clients.We feel that such bespeaks desperation on the part of a breeder when they have to place personal statements made by people on their website,so they can sell their puppies.We however can provide good potential placements with as many references,names and phone#'s for Vom Zeder Haus dog owners and clients, as you would want.
      Vom Zeder Haus is in a position in which we can be very selective with our placements and ensure that our dogs and puppies are going to the right homes. While we sometimes feel overwhelmed with the request we receive for dogs, we are always looking for intelligent, responsible, quality people who lead active lifestyles to place our puppies with. If you consider yourself to fall into these categories, Vom Zeder Haus wants to hear from you!!
      In regard to a person seeking a dog or puppy from a quality breeding program,your best bet is to visit as many German Shepherd kennels as possible.... Quality speaks for it's self,and there is no substitute for Quality!!!!
     We were once told that we take all this way too seriously LOL!!   It was a grand compliment to us!!  Back in the day when Max V. Stephanitz, Arthur Myer, WolfGang Hobbes and Konrad Most were developing the German Shepherd Breed, they were frequently told the same!!
    If you do not have the patience or financial resources required to acquire a European quality German Shepherd,do not support the puppy mills and people exploiting the German Shepherd breed. Your local animal shelter has many good dogs that need adoption.....

                             Vom Zeder Haus German Shepherds
                                          423-912-6888