Nearly forty years offering exceptional German Shepherd Dogs of distinction - puppies, adults, and stud service from premiere bloodlines. Most people who come to me for a puppy don't realize what goes into producing top-tier purebreds. I wish I had a nickel for everytime I was told "we only want a pet, we don't care about titles." Before stepping onto my soap box about that issue generally and my
breeding program specifically, let me give some pertinent biographical history for myself. I think it's important to realize that a breeder, or at least *this* breeder, isn't just someone who mates dogs, raises pups, and sells them. In my case the knowledge base includes a lifetime of training and competing (at one stage being ranked in the top 10 obedience competitors in my breed), the medical knowledge gained not just from decades of experience with my own animals but having run a veterinary clinic for 25 years and a boarding/training facility for 15 years, plus an educational background in biology which sets up my interest in genetics. I was around 14 when I was hired for my first "job" training dogs for a family in my hometown. They had an Irish setter and a boxer, neither of which would listen to them. Both dogs had more energy than the people could provide opportunities to redirect, and by checking out a book on dog training from my junior high library, providing some consistent attention, exercise, and simple obedience exercises, I soon had both dogs settled down as housepets. I worked with local folks' Brittanies and mutts occasionally thereafter, and longed to have the financial resources to buy a purebred I could train for titles. Once I left for college I took my little Spitz mix along and began training with a local kennel club where I quickly discovered I had two left feet and when I acquired my first GSD they made it clear that I hadn't, per the instructors, been nearly dominant enough with my dogs. They indoctrinated me into what I now call the "yank and jerk" techniques of certain trainers of the day. That approach very nearly ruined that first GSD, who I'd bought from a responsible breeder by saving earnings from doing commissioned pet portraiture. To give the instructors some credit, it was also the vehemence of their advice that I shouldn't get a German Shepherd because breeders had "ruined them" that made me determine, then and there, that I would develop a breeding program by which I might contribute to the best of my ability to maintain and perpetuate the versatility and well-deserved status of this magnificent breed as the most versatile dog on the planet. Fortuitously, we moved to the east coast after graduation, allowing me the opportunity to train with some Gaines Classic winners, which benefitted my 2nd GSD (son of GRV CH. Covy-Tucker Hills' Monte Alban, UD) and enabled he & I to go High Scoring GSD in our very first trial! Further seminars and education have brought me to some very fine trainers who have generously guided and honed my training style. At this stage of my advancing years, that style has deteriorated to mostly just enjoying my "pack" as hiking buddies rather than well-trained canine partners. Over the years I saw extremes of type come and go, yet when I look at my champions from the early days compared to my recent winners, I see a consistency that reflects my understanding of the ideals described in the Standard for the breed. "Beauty is as beauty does" is an old saying I think I recall from a horse book I read as a kid. It applies to dogs just as truly, and I've held my dogs to that criteria...they have to be able to carry their own pack when we go backpacking, they have to be reliable around children and household pets, they must have correct character and be physically and mentally able to perform the variety of tasks we expect from this breed. Over the years some of mine have gone on to do drug & bomb detection, Search & Rescue, Schutzhund, competitive obedience, tracking, agility, herding, therapy, assistance dogs, and of course multiple champions including the 2022 # 1 female German Shepherd in the USA: Multiple Best-in-Show winner GGRCH Hollow Hills' Steele River, OFA, DM clear. When someone buys from me (or any breeder worth their salt) they have access to the built-in resource of that person's experience in dogs, which translates into advice for socialization, physical development, nutrition, medical guidance, behavior shaping, training - a broad overview of most anything related to owning and living with a German Shepherd. Combining decades as a breeder, AKC performance & conformation competitor, involvement in Schutzhund, together with running the veterinary clinic that my ex-husband and I owned, reading every professional journal and more than a few textbooks that came across the desk. Added to that, fifteen years running a large (125 dog capacity) boarding/grooming/training facility for which I ran many years of all-breed obedience training classes. You can count on all of that melding together to provide support you can call on to help you raise a healthy, well-adjusted GSD. All that said, there are things many people do not stop to consider when inquiring about a puppy. One reoccurring issue seems to be the lack of understanding that this is not a "business" in the sense that a pet store, restaurant, zoo, or any other retail facility is a business. This is my home and if you'd like to meet the dogs I invite you to ask and I'll do my best to accommodate a visit to introduce you to them and to answer any questions we haven't yet addressed in correspondence on this page. Yes, I keep accurate records for not just the AKC but the state and feds so in that sense I run it, technically speaking, as a business because I'm an honest person. However, I do not have hours in which you can stop by to see the dogs. These are my personal dogs...first and foremost my companions and friends, partners in dog sports and shows, and the for my own personal enjoyment of hiking and other activities I enjoy in my retirement. But since I do breed, and since sadly I can't possibly keep every puppy born here, that necessitates puppies being offered for sale. I want to ensure that my pups are offered to homes that are knowledgeable about and willing to offer the level of care, exercise, training, and quality of life they deserve. As such, and to afford both myself and you as prospective owner of one of my puppies, it's usually beneficial to all concerned if we meet personally. Most days the window of opportunity to show someone around and "talk dogs" occurs midday, thus I typically offer visits at noon or 1:00, and I will block an hour for you. Please be respectful that ALL VISITS ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY and subject to both other life commitments and the vagaries of the weather, meaning we could make an appointment and need to reschedule if the weather is inclement that day.
Hollow Hills Shepherds. Private training by appointment. Canine portraits by commission. But I very much enjoy their freedom to "just be dogs", too.
