10 Best German Shepherd Breeders (2024): Our Top 10 Picks!

Best German Shepherd breeders places to find German Shepherd puppies for sale

With so many self-claimed German Shepherd breeders out there, finding a reputable breeder might be difficult. Over the years, I’ve found out that the chance of finding a quality breeder is as high as running into puppy mills (beware!).

You don’t need to worry much, though! I am here to help you find a good breeder where you can purchase your German Shepherd puppy.

If you really are interested in owning one, you can scan through my top 10 list of the best German Shepherd breeders in America!

Vital information including the breeder’s facilities, achievement, and history are also listed to help you out in deciding where to purchase your German Shepherd puppy.

RECOMMENDED READING:
It has become a norm to see dog breeders marketing their available litter thru websites, social media pages, and ads. If you are looking for German Shepherd puppies for sale online and are not sure how to identify a puppy scam from a legitimate breeder, read our ultimate puppy buying guide. It offers useful tips on how to safely transact via the internet and to identify scam red flags.

10 Places to Find German Shepherd Puppies for Sale

The following German Shepherd breeders are the best in the market which were handpicked through a set of criteria and considerations.

I can affirm that the breeders on this list are accredited and recognized by kennel organizations in the United States to ensure that puppies are bred according to the prescribed standards.

In this list, the professional background of the breeders and trainers, their facilities, and the credibility of the breeders are taken into consideration in recommending German Shepherd breeders to ensure that you will only meet puppies that are healthy and stable.

1. Mittelwest German Shepherds – Illinois

The Mittelwest German Shepherds is one of the breeders in America which were granted with an AKC Breeder of Merit.

In order for a breeder to acquire this recognition, they must show an excellent commitment to breeding GSDs in adherence with the standards for years and must participate in events that promote owner-pet bonding and responsible breeding.

Breeders who were granted this merit have passed the objective evaluation and strict standards required by kennel clubs.

Thus, you can assure that the Mittelwest breeder excels in demonstrating overwhelming dedication and commitment to the breed.

The German Shepherd puppies that Mittelwest sells are all pedigree dogs – meaning, the puppies are born in the lineage of purebred German Shepherds.

They apply selective breeding in their breeding process to ensure the quality of the litter that will be produced.

The puppies sold in Mittelwest are all bred with a great temperament, trainability, and adaptability in any environment. These are puppies that can grow into great working dogs or good house companions.

Mittelwest has dedicated facilities for their breeding program. Aside from selling puppies that are pure breed, they also offer private training services for puppies and grooming for dogs.

If you are a parent, they also have kids training services where they teach children how to work and interact with dogs.

Currently, Mittelwest can import dogs around the world. If you are interested in owning a quality German Shepherd from them, I have listed their contact information below for you.

Mittelwest German Shepherds Breeder Information and Details:

2. Kraftwerk K9 – Washington

This Washington-based German Shepherd breeder is hailed as the “most successful breeder in America” by Der Spiegel – the largest publication in Europe.

The name has an interesting meaning behind it. Kraftwerk came from two German words: “kraftig” which means power and “werk” which translates to work. On the other hand, K9 is an abbreviation for canine or dog.

Since 1987, Kraftwerk has been breeding and importing working lines of German Shepherds. The founder of the breeding facility, Wayne Curry, is a visionary leader and an international Schutzhund winner.

He has proven the quality of his German Shepherd’s lineage through competing and winning on various dog events national and international.

All of the German Shepherd puppies in Kraftwerk are bred with the highest standards required by kennel organizations while incorporating the qualifications practiced in the origin country of the breed – Germany.

The German Shepherds in Kraftwerk are trained to be excellent working dogs, house companions, and top-level competition dogs.

So no matter if you are looking for a house guard or show companion, Kraftwerk has a German Shepherd that fits the description.

You will also see the dedication and commitment of Kraftwerk through the structure of its training grounds and breeding facilities.

The camp is a 25-acre property built with state-of-the-art facilities. It is a combination of concrete structures and a green environment.

Each dog has a designated kennel that is situated under a tree to give them a refreshing shade. A spacious training ground is also available where GSDs can freely play and train. All of which ensure that the GSDs are well-trained and accommodated.

This breeder also offers German Shepherd puppies that are already trained with basic obedience. Such puppies are already exposed to house training, collar and leash response, word association, and basic commands such as sit, stop and stay.

Kraftwerk K9 Breeder Information and Details:

  • Website: Kraftwerk K9
  • Address: 11303 183rd Ave. SW Rochester, WA 98579
  • Phone: (360) 273-6125
  • Email: contact@kraftwerkk9.com

RECOMMENDED:
Panda German Shepherd: Are Panda Shepherds Purebred?

3. South Florida Shepherds – South Florida

South Florida Shepherds was established in 1996 and has since then dedicated itself to breeding top-of-the-line German Shepherds. All of the puppies come from purebred lines which are imported from Europe.

This breeder is also recognized by the American Kennel Club as a responsible German Shepherd breeder. Most of their puppies are trained in a nursery inside the owner’s home together with the parent dog.

The other German Shepherds are held in a farm facility near Orlando, Florida where they are kept and trained.

All of their puppies are AKC registered and undergo health check-ups including vaccination and deworming. You can also ask for their detailed health records. They also use microchips for their pups.

A lifetime (the word lifetime refers to the period of 10 years from your puppy’s birthday according to their website​)genetic health guarantee is also included upon purchase.

South Florida Shepherds breeds GSDs to improve the behavior, temperament, and health of the breed’s line. If you are looking for GSDs with good health and character, you might as well try to contact them.

South Florida Breeder Information and Details:

  • Website: South Florida Shepherds
  • Address: 3541 NW 20th St, Miami, FL 33142, United States
  • Phone: (1-305-9049796)
  • Email: info@southfloridashepherds.com

4. Alta-Tollhaus – Michigan

The German Shepherds that are bred in Alta-Tollhaus are physically exceptional compared to other shepherds.

The breeders in this kennel facility follow the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV) standard which is why their dogs are referred to by many as “World-Class.”

This kennel also boasts about the temperament of their pups. They claim that their German Shepherds can be trained into working dogs, companion dogs, therapy dogs, and show dogs.

Moreover, they also assure that their puppies fair well in IPO/Schutzhund sport, obedience, and agility events.

Testimonies from customers have proven the intelligence and courage of the Alta-Tollhaus Shepherds as companions and working dogs. In fact, they are well-reviewed by many GDS owners in various pet communities online.

This is expected since they have good standing with the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV), UScA, GSDCA, AKC, and UKC.

Alta-Tollhaus Breeder Information and Details:

  • Website: Alta-Tollhaus
  • Address: 20250 17 Mile Rd, Marshall, MI 49068
  • Phone: 269-781-7800
  • Email: julie@alta-tollhaus.com

5. Nuckols Canines – Texas 

Nuckols Canines is a family-operated breeder located in North Texas that specializes in breeding AKC-registered German Shepherds. Their primary focus is on breeding healthy, purebred German Shepherds, particularly the long coat variety.

For the last five years, they have been providing families with quality AKC German Shepherd puppies for family companions, show homes, and protection.

Their German Shepherd puppies are born and raised within the family home environment. They ensure the puppies are well-socialized and prepared to transition naturally into their new homes.

The breeder also employs a temperament matching process at seven weeks to their new owner using Volhard testing to facilitate optimal pairings.

All their puppies will receive a comprehensive health examination by a qualified vet, receive age-appropriate vaccinations, and be covered by a five-year genetic health guarantee.

Nuckols Canines Breeder Information and Details:

  • Website: Nuckols Canines
  • Address: Dallas, TX 75205
  • Phone: (469)-790-8111
  • Email: info@nuckolsk9.com
  • Socials: You can also get in touch with them via their Facebook page.

6. West Coast German Shepherds – California

West Coast German Shepherds is a family-owned breeding facility in Sun City, California which was established in 2007. Their main goal is to produce GSDs with an impressive temperament that adheres to the standard of the breed.

For years, dogs from this German Shepherd breeder have been actively participating in various national and international breed shows.

In connection to this, they ensure that aside from their dogs’ regal appearance, they are also in their fittest and healthiest when they are presented alongside other German Shepherds.

All of their GSDs are hip and elbow certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and the German SV a-Stamp Program. They also have them undergo tests to make sure they are free from degenerative myelopathy.

To view their available litters, all you have to do is visit their website and check out the page “Puppies for Sale.” Meanwhile, if you are interested to learn about their pricing, visit their “FAQs” page.

West Coast German Shepherds Breeder Information and Details:

7. Von Der Otto German Shepherds – Texas

Von Der Otto German Shepherds specializes in producing pedigree dogs by breeding only world sieger German bloodline German Shepherds.

The parent Shepherds are AKC registered, microchipped, elbow and hips certified, and DNA tested.

This gives assurance that the puppies which will be born are of high quality and champion lineage. A guarantee is also given to customers upon purchase.

The German Shepherds in Van Der Otto are bred to be excellent protectors for kids and families and as working dogs.

This is a result of the dog experience of the founders. Since they are ex-law enforcers, they have seen the exceptional traits of a German Shepherd first-hand.

During pregnancy, the females are kept in the home of Otto and are given the attention needed. Puppies are also exposed to socialization at an early age as they believe it helps in the growth and development of the dogs.

Von Der Otto has two properties where puppies and dogs are brought to run freely and train.

Von Der Otto German Shepherds Breeder Information and Details:

8. Jagermeister German Shepherds – New Jersey

This German Shepherd breeder has also been producing quality puppies for quite some time. German Shepherd pups are trained to attain superb temperament to be family companions or protectors.

This breeder is also involved in training shepherds for k9 sports, law enforcement, and therapeutic services.

Another great thing about this breeder is that they have dedicated facilities where the dogs could freely play and train. Their 12-acre property is solely structured to provide the dogs the space they need to enjoy and train.

Training obstacles are also present in the vicinity. Different training programs were established to address the needs that vary from simple tasks to advanced training.

As early as five months old, puppies can already be enrolled and trained in a special program in this breeding facility.

If you are interested in purchasing a German Shepherd puppy in Jagermeister, it is highly suggested that you should make a reservation as early as possible.

In addition, although their open field is spacious, they only have limited space for boarding and training programs so you should make an appointment earlier.

Jagermeister German Shepherds Breeder Information and Details:

  • Website: Jagermeister German Shepherds
  • Address: 11 Laurelwoods Dr. New Egypt, New Jersey 08533
  • Phone: (201) 873-8496
  • Email: jagermeister408@aol.com

9. Austerlitz German Shepherd Dogs – Oklahoma

Austerlitz German Shepherd Dogs was founded in 1993 by Susanne Shelton and Larry Pinkston. They started with only four young German Shepherd pups which over time have grown into more than 50 litters.

One of the edges that Austerlitz has been upholding to is the dedication of each member in studying and improving their breeding process.

All of the breeders and trainers in their facility have at least 20 years of breeding experience with some even granted with AKC Breeder of Merit.

They see puppy raising as a delicate task that must involve rigorous planning to accomplish. They even have their own puppy raising protocol which they call puppy culture!

A vast amount of effort and attention is given to puppy training, health examination, emotional stability exercises, and behavioral training.

From an early age, the trainers in the facility are already teaching the German Shepherd puppies basic polite communication and early toilet training.

Producing excellent companion dogs with the ability to become outstanding working companions is the specialization of Austerlitz. They only breed shepherds with exclusive German bloodlines to hone their intelligence and obedience further.

Some of the GSDs in their facility have proven their value by winning regional and national competitions.

Austerlitz German Shepherd Dogs Breeder Information and Details:

10. Select Shepherds LLC – New Hampshire

Temperament, health, intelligence, working ability, and beauty are the standards of Select Shepherds in breeding German Shepherds and raising puppies.

For years, they have been dedicated to selectively breeding healthy and fine European German Shepherd puppies. They are granted the AKC Breeder of Merit and are a recognized member of USCA, SV, and GSDCA.

The dogs in Select Shepherds are hips and elbow OFA certified and have also undergone DNA testing. Nutritional completeness and consistency in the diet are also observed in the nutrition of the dogs.

This German Shepherd breeder also makes sure to adhere to the standards in breeding German Shepherds as provided by kennel organizations.

The application process is quite simple as they have an application form that is accessible on their website. The questions in the form are quite simple but personal to ensure that you’ll find the perfect dog for you.

Some questions include family members, allergies, previous experience with dogs/pets, preferred dog, and vicinity/home. Upon purchase, you will also be entitled to a lifetime return policy.

Select Shepherds LCC Breeder Information and Details:

  • Website: Select Shepherd LCC
  • Address: PO Box 812 Grantham, NH 03753
  • Phone: (603) 763-2877
  • Email: info@selectshepherds.com

All the German Shepherd breeders included on our list passed our standards. However, if you want to verify their legitimacy, read our ultimate puppy buying guide for some proven tips on how to safely find a breeder online or how to find a puppy for sale while avoiding scams.

RECOMMENDED:
Puppy Buying Guide: How to Buy a Puppy Online Safely

Other Sources for German Shepherd Puppies

German Shepherd puppy for sale

Finding a German Shepherd puppy might prove really hard since they are in demand. Don’t worry though! There are still many places where you can try to search for your GSD puppy and here they are!

  • AKC Marketplace – You will never go wrong with AKC Marketplace as it is run by the American Kennel Club – one of the largest recognized kennel clubs in America. This is the place where registered German Shepherd breeders promote themselves. You have the assurance that the puppies sold in AKC Marketplace are pure-breed and high quality. There is a large chance that you’ll get to meet your German Shepherd puppy here!
  • German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA) – You can also find registered breeders of German Shepherd at the site of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America. It is the parent kennel club of all German Shepherd clubs in America. A lot of registered German Shepherd breeders promote and sell puppies in the organization. You can try contacting their website or visiting the nearest club near you.
  • Puppies.com – PuppyFind is a national website where breeders can promote and sell their puppies online. Navigating through their website is easy. You can find different breeds of dogs in their listing and German Shepherd is one of them. The site operates 24/7 and they ship puppies worldwide.
  • PuppySpot – PuppySpot is another online platform that enables registered breeders to advertise their puppies. You can find a diverse listing of puppies including German Shepherds. Transporting the puppies is not a problem since PuppySpot works with licensed professional delivery companies to deliver your puppy safely.
  • Euro Puppy – This international puppy finder website has been servicing people around the world for 20 years. Euro Puppy also ensures that all the dogs in their site have met the standard health requirements and are safely transported no matter where.

How Much Does a German Shepherd Cost? Puppy Prices and Expenses

If you are to purchase an average purebred German Shepherd puppy, the price could range from $500 to $2,000.

However, you want a purebred German Shepherd puppy with a world sieger lineage, then expect to cash out at least $2,000 to $10,000. This price can still go higher depending on the quality, certificates, and accomplishments of the pup’s parents.

The reason why German Shepherd puppies are expensive compared to other dog breeds is due to the fact that the cost of breeding and raising a German Shepherd is not a joke – especially if the breeder is reputable.

Since GSDs are mainly used as working dogs and show dogs, training is imperative in raising them.

After purchasing the puppy, what you need to be aware of then are the expenses for the food, health maintenance, supplies, beddings, toys, and other pet essentials. For larger breeds like German Shepherds, their annual miscellaneous expense could reach up to $3,500.

How to Find German Shepherd Puppies in Your Area?

Looking for German Shepherd puppies in your area is easier than you think it is. There are a lot of reputable German Shepherd breeders across the country nowadays.

If you are lucky to find one, this will make owning one easier – you can visit the puppy more frequently if it’s just near your home.

Here are some ways you can do to find a German Shepherd puppy in your area:

  • Ask for referrals from trusted and knowledgeable people. There is no arguing that veterinarians would know who among the German Shepherd breeders in your area are reputable. If you have a local vet, ask for referrals. They will definitely not sell you out. You can also try asking German Shepherd owners. More often than not, they are a member of an organization where breeders advertise.
  • Join groups online or use social media platforms. A lot of breeders nowadays are also using social media platforms to promote their puppies. What’s best is that soc-med sites have a new feature that enables users to locate sellers near them using GPS. There are also dedicated groups for German Shepherd breeders and owners in different sites.
  • Visit rescue centers. I know. There is no assurance about the lineage of the puppies in rescues. However, if you are not after the lineage and blood origin of your soon-to-be pet, you might find a treasure in rescue centers. You will not only find a companion, but you will also save a soul.
  • Check local classifieds. If nothing worked, you could try this as your last resort. You can scan through the printed ads or posters in your area that advertise puppies. Nonetheless, always be cautious in dealing with unknown breeders as they might be involved in puppy mill breeding.

Final Thoughts

Ensuring that the puppy we will bring to our home is raised in a desirable environment and well-trained is essential as it will tell what kind of behavior the puppy will develop.

With the top ten German Shepherd breeders on our list, finding the best German Shepherd puppy for you is now easier.

If you are really determined to own one, make sure that you are emotionally and financially ready as you are not just buying a plush toy – but a creature that is alive.

Just a reminder! Always be careful in dealing with suspicious breeders. Always ask for the certificates and medical history to avoid being scammed.

Leave a Comment

You may also like