Ziva

Ziva (Thulani & Kalidor) has been part of our family for almost a year now. My husband and I have had many GSDs in our lifetimes and I can honestly say she is by far the BEST! She has never had an accident in the house. She slept through the night from day one. Unlike any of my past shepherd she never mouthed or nipped at my hand. She is happy and silly but solid and sound. She is extremely smart. She graduated from Beginner, Intermediate I, Intermediate II and Advanced obedience before she was 6 months old. She is well on her way towards her CGC. She has been a perfect companion for Max our 3 year old GSD and plays gently with our partially blind Yorkie/Jack Russell mix. She was and is the perfect match for our fuzzy family! You do an amazing job of breeding and raising GSDs. If we add to our family In the future it will be a puppy from you!

Thank you for letting us bring her into our home and our hearts.

Marguerite

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Baron

Hi Sharon,

We are celebrating Baron's birthday today and invited his best friend (charcoal lab) Rigby over. Baron is the best! Social with people as well as other dogs. Good temperament and sweet nature. No issues. He loves to chase the ball and play the "try to take it away from me" game. He could play that all day long! Loves to herd the chickens. Makes sure that they are where they're supposed to be and not scattered around everywhere. Doesn't try to hurt or catch them, though. We love him (can you tell?)

You sure know what you're doing when it comes to breeding! Thanks so much!!

Michael and Linda

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Jack

Greetings from Alaska where my best pal and I are enjoying many adventures. Jack (son of Ike vom haus Vianden and Thulani von Sonnentanz) was selected for me after much time and attention was spent getting to know me, my living situation, interests and reasoning for choosing a GSD. Jack has a gentle and affectionate temperament that continues to surprise trainers, veterinarians, neighbors, and mail carriers! He will certainly respond according to threat and instinct, but he has also been accused of being a golden retriever in a GSD body. He is absolutely stunning to look at, amazing to watch, to train, and to travel with. He is gentle with people and dogs and lives to play, play, play. This is an excellent thing, as even total strangers want to approach and touch this beautiful dog, everywhere we go. Sharon continues to offer support and an ear for my questions or to offer advice and guidance. It makes a huge difference for me to have such a wealth of love and knowledge supporting us like family.

Jack has also been nicked-named "Tracker Jack". We started at 6 months old and Jack has been working with Search and Rescue Dogs learning track and trail. He has an excellent work ethic and will absolutely find his object. Once accomplished, his reward centers around interaction and affection, rather than toys or treats. He really loves people and other dogs much more. He is simply amazing. His talents and abilities are only limited by my ability to communicate with him and how well. He is a healthy, happy, and beautiful dog who stops people in their tracks...friends, GSD owners, strangers, trainers, and dog lovers of all kinds who want a look at him and to ask about him. By 11 months old we had achieved Canine Good Citizen certification and had mastered most of the required agility and ALL of the obedience marks for Search and Rescue.

Jack is adventurous and reasonably cautious in new environments. He quickly loves what is safe and fun and has a smile to prove it. He's confident but not aggressive and overly dominant. He will hold his own, and yet will submit for play to any dog so far. I can't imagine a better companion for me, a better protector and playmate. I can't wait to experience more adventures in Alaska with Jack.

Jill

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Rainier and Sophia

Hi Sharon and Fran,
I just returned from a 3000 mile trip to Yuma and back to help a friend get home to Kalama. So Rainier did spectacularly. In fact he was much more active in Yuma making me think the warmth was good for his pain. Both he and Sofia were amazing. They both did very well with the ramp. He always wanted to get back in the truck. They slept most of the time while on the road. They got more used to being around other dogs. Sofia always accommodates Rainier. She gives him the most space. She is just the sweetest dog and very funny and obedient. He is a bit less obedient in his old age and of course that is my fault. I stopped frequently to give them breaks but they always were eager to get back in the truck and be on our way.

Yesterday they had a lot of beach time off leash at south beach. They both just love the water. They seem to know they can't go in too far. I keep a close eye on them because of sneaker waves and rips. We had fun.

I sure got a lot of compliments on these two -how beautiful, how well behaved . One guy driving by slowed down to tell me how beautiful they are. Someone was watching them play in the surf day before at Beverly beach and when we got to the parking lot told me how fun it was to watch them. It was nice to hear. I wasn't sure how they would do and was nervous. They were perfect. So well bred.

Cynthia

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Django

Hi Sharon,
I am surprised that a year has passed in my boy's life. He was born with a grown-up soul and a huge loving heart. I would have had such difficulties coping with the stress of our pandemic, the loneliness and isolation but he has been with me every minute, a constant presence, alert to my every move. He is my joy, as is Anya my 10 year old German Shepherd. We are a true family, causing many smiles and comments about how beautiful they are. Django especially has caused many to ask where he was from and what kennel? "What a good looking dog!" My trainers have said "he is a good dog!" Of course that is because he is exceptionally intelligent and has a focused work ethic! We are trying to enter the Bell Vernon Kennel Club Tracking Trials. Django will hopefully be in the draw for a TD track. He could actually probably enter a TDX track but he needs the TD first. What an excellent tracking dog! He loves it and can't wait to get to the start flag. And he was certified to enter a trial by my teacher Sil Sanders. That was 2 months ago. We were too late in entering the Portugese Water Dog Trial at the beginning of January, so hopefully we will get in the BVKC trials which are the last weekend in January. Coming right up! I will notify you immediately of our results.

I am so grateful to you and Mark for the time you give new puppies. It truly makes a tremendous difference in joining a family. You are able to know who is who in the puppies and who will be a good choice for those waiting in the wings! Winters Django was mine and I was his the very first minute we met. He loves me unconditionally and is very expressive with his affections. My Shepherds have taught me so much and I have many years ahead for Django's compassionate teaching and forgiveness of my many mistakes.

In Dog We Trust Always the best to you and Mark, Pamelia, Winters Django and Anya

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Vesper

Hi Sharon,
Boy does time fly! Vesper is quickly approaching 3 years old and I can't say enough about this amazing fluffy girl you gifted me. The journey I had prior to Vesper was difficult and you couldn't have picked a better fit. I still laugh at my application when I said I preferred a standard coat boy! I think I am a long hair convert now. You were so wonderful to invite myself and my mom into your home to see the puppies and talk to you about raising my new pup. I love that we can contact you anytime and you are always there to answer any questions. It was a really special experience to be able to see the puppies as they grew and how you vetted their personalities to match the pup and parent. All the stimulation and experiences you give them really do lead to healthy, well rounded dogs with great temperaments.

Vesper is very silly and playful but she is still a shepherd through and through. No leaf can fall, no squirrel can move and no mail carrier can come on the porch. I feel so safe and protected by her. She attends daycare a couple days a week and the team there will ask to borrow her and use her as the introductory/test dog with new daycare clients since she plays so well. We recently completed World Treiball League for 2020. It was 8 matches and she scored full points for the season! We are also still working towards our Nose Work NW1 and hope to complete that soon. She has more of a social life than I do!

I just can't say enough about the wonderful job you do raising such amazing dogs. I feel blessed that I got to be part of your pack!

Jen and Vesper

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Wolfrik

Hey Sharon,
As we are approaching Wolfrik's 4 months of age, we wanted to give you a little update with some pictures and videos. He has been a wonderful addition to our family. He is so smart, and growing into a very big boy (I just weighed him this morning and he is at 52.5 lbs). We have been trying to find a balance between introducing him to as many dogs and people as we can while keeping both him and ourselves safe. As I'm sure Carrie as informed you, we have been trying to see her once a week, and it looks like Jen is trying to get a puppy walking group together (which we are very excited for). We also have a friend with their own dog, and we often have play dates with him as well. We are practicing commands everyday, as well as treat puzzles. We have also started going on walks in a trail near our place, and Carrie introduced us to a spot of the river where Wolfrik can get some experience in the water. Jessica just made a snuffle mat for him, as well as one for Hoshi which we plan on giving Carrie this weekend.

We are both incredibly happy to have Wolfrik in our lives, and we try to make sure that he is as happy as we are. Wolfrik seems very happy, and is always excited to people when we introduce them. We'll try to keep sending you pictures and updates as he continues to grow.

Thank you again,
Eric and Jessica

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Rella

Hello Mom, it's your Pup Rella. I turned 3 this weekend, and my Human Mom told me to send you an email. I've been a very good girl. I obey and have proven to be extremely trustworthy. I hang out around my human Mom's feet each morning til she tells me I can go to and get the children. I love waking up the children, and playing with them. I play tuggy with all my might with the 12 year old, but when the 4 year old wants to play, I hold the tuggy in my tiny front teeth and let her drag me around the house. I also love chasing squirrels! And I love to SWIM! I play hard all day and snuggle with the kids after they eat dinner. I often choose not to eat my dinner until they are in bed, because that is when I feel my job is done. I have been extremely healthy and happy. My family has been so thrilled with me and my human like intelligence. Many times I have seen them doing something and I join in helping them. I have several friends. They are all doodles and I have to help teach them how to behave. My friend Aspen and I like to hug when we first meet (photo below).
I hope you are doing as well as I am Mom.
I love you!
Rella

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Piper

Well, it's been two years since our little bundle of GSD, Time To Pay The Piper Von Sonnentanz aka "PIPER" came into our lives and we couldn't be happier. I can't begin to say how happy I am with how Piper is turning out. Your knowledge of the breed and care in your breeding means I have a dog sound in temperament and structure and, if I do say so myself, absolutely gorgeous as well. She truly represents all the best qualities of the breed.
The extra care with hands-on raising and socialization you put into your puppies means they're more than ready to make the easy transition to their new families. You know each of your puppies and work diligently to ensure a good family match and that's exactly what we received with Piper. Even as an experienced German Shepherd owner and trainer, I had to pass muster with you before I was approved and I would expect nothing less based on your love for your breed.
Piper an absolute joy to train and work, constantly keeping me on my toes as a trainer as I try to keep that proverbial one step ahead of her. She's got personality to burn, is a loving family companion as well as my working companion and can be as mischievous as heck with her playful, fun antics. We've been having fun with our training and I can't wait for the day when we're finally ready to step into the obedience ring.
Piper has been such a wonderful addition to our family and we're looking forward to many more years of fun and frolic with our little girl. I can't thank you enough.

Blain and Heather Lawson, CPDT-KSA, KPACTP

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Danny

Eve and I met Danny for the first time on February 11, 2017. He was just shy of 10 weeks, ten kilos (22 pounds) of fluffy puppy and endured the six hour drive to our Canadian home with the kind of toughness, good nature, affection and intelligence he continues to show almost nine months later - now over 33 kilos (73 pounds) of handsome - the favourite descriptor of fellow hikers we meet during our long walks on the mountain trails close to home.
Eve grew up with a Standard Poodle and horses. I entered the world protected by a German Shepherd called Blitz. Prior to Danny, we have had three Shepherds, from pup to old timer - and they have never disappointed. After our last one (a big male called Will) died of degenerative myelopathy, we agreed that he was the last GS, indeed, the last dog, we would own. And then, at a local outdoor market, Eve saw one of Sharon Smith's pups, spoke to the owner, got Sharon's contact information and we began a discussion that happily led us to Danny. Being 70, we both knew Danny would probably be our last dog. And for months, we discussed whether or not we would want to make the kind of commitment owning a dog places on a married couple whose children are grown and gone. After all, like everyone else, we too had worked hard for our independence. So, when we decided to get another GS, we checked a couple of local breeders as well as one in Germany - and were instantly disappointed. Money seemed to trump the stewardship of this intelligent breed. However, we still wanted to check out the US breeder of that beautiful GS pup that had caught Eve's eye on that summer's day in 2015.
We drove down that October to meet Sharon and Mark and her Shepherds. And, essentially, that sealed it for us. As owners, we've come to know and love German Shepherds. Experience has taught us to sense the subliminal as well as to identify the obvious markers of a fine breeder. Sharon's experience, intelligence, intuition and her obvious love of the breed convinced us that we could count on her. And she has not disappointed. She took time to show us her dogs, listened well to our concerns and our particular requirements, learned some things about how and where we lived. In return, she told us what was important to her and why these things were important. We left Stevenson fully trusting Sharon's judgement and integrity. Between then and Feb. 11, 2017, we had more specific questions and sought Sharon's advice. Her response were always thoughtful, pertinent and balanced. And then, we waited.
A week before we picked him up, Sharon told us we would be getting a male and one with which we would be happy. What we wanted is exactly what we got. Danny well represents his breed with his intelligence, loyalty, alertness, and energy. But he also has a great sense of humour, is the most athletic GS we've ever had, is dependably independent, has an insatiable curiosity (good for, amongst other things, learning about the limits of play other dogs have), loves play with young and old as well as with other dogs, loves to listen, absolutely loves cuddling and, after more than six months, seems as if he has always been a member of our family - about whom he is very protective.
In Danny, we got exactly what we asked for simply because Sharon (and Mark) knows German Shepherds and the people who really want them. Eve & David

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Rico

My experience with Sundance German Shepherds was absolutely wonderful. I will not get a GSD from anyone else. A mutual friend referred me to Sharon after I lost my "heart dog" in June of 2016. I couldn't even get through our initial conversation without crying. Sharon was so kind and understanding. As we talked, I realized that she is exceptionally knowledgeable about this breed and that healthy dogs with a sound temperament are her top priorities. She cares for her dogs deeply and does not sell to anyone that calls. She asks a lot of questions to ensure that her dogs are going to be well loved and cared for throughout their life. That means good quality food, lots of socialization, adherence to the latest vaccine protocols, a fenced yard, training, exercise, proper veterinary care and lots of love. Her expectations were very reasonable and spoke volumes to me about her passion for this breed and the puppies she raises. I got on her waiting list and purchased a puppy born on December 5, 2016 that fulfilled all of my hopes and more. Sharon kept in touch during the entire process, providing information and photos as the puppies grew. I had heard from other long time dog lovers that Sharon excels in placing the right puppy in the right home. They were right; she watches them closely and does an amazing job socializing them. You will bring home a puppy that is confident and ready to take on the world. I have had dogs for many years and never raised an easier puppy than Rico, who is now approaching nine months old. He's a beautiful dog with a confident, sweet disposition. He snuggles with his favorite cat but is also already an excellent watch dog and a great ambassador for this breed. I wasn't sure if I would ever have another heart dog... but now I do. Hugs and thanks to Sharon and Mark for my amazing new family member and their friendship.

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Ollie

Hi Sharon,

Tim won't let me rest until I have shared this story with you. Sometimes we take Ollie to doggie daycare when the day is going to be a long one. He went on Monday and Tuesday last week. When I picked him up on Monday, the 'sitter' told me she had dubbed him 'George' after George Clooney who always has the ladies swooning over him. I guess there are several females who are enamored with our boy (even though he is fixed!). there is a Shilo Shepherd who sulks when she has to go home because she doesn't want to leave Ollie. She said she pictures the shilo with little cartoon hearts dancing above her head any time she is around Ollie. Then when I picked him up on Tuesday, the 'sitter' said 'I don't say this often and I don't ever say it unless i really mean it but...(pointing at Ollie) THAT is one great dog!' He has only gone there about a total of 7 or 8 times but she says she feels she knows his temperament well enough now to try him with less secure dogs. She had one that was very scared (first time at daycare) and was cowering in a corner. She let Ollie out with him and he carefully approached the little dog trying to encourage him to play. The dog was scared and Ollie just backed off...then he tried a different approach, from the side, he came up to the dog and gently nudged him out of the corner, they began to play and before you know it were frollicking in the grass! The 'sitter' was floored. She is now calling Ollie her 'helper' dog. We are so proud of our sweet little guy. We were walking through an area in town that was a bit crowded, out of nowhere, three dogs were barking and snarling at him. He simply looked at them, continued to walk and then a bit past where they were tied up but where they could still see him, he lifted his leg and peed on a planter! you gotta love him LOL. He is a wonderful dog!

Tim and Sheila Otterson

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Elsa

Hi Sharon,

Everything is going GREAT!!! Elsa learns so fast. She still hasn't had any house accidents. She knows sit and wait, is walking on the loose leash with little or no difficulty. She has a real good start on leave it and down. She is sleeping in our bedroom with the crate door open. At meal time she sits and waits patiently while I make her food ,then she waits until I tell her she can have it before she eats. I am amazed at how fast she learns at only 11 weeks old. We haven't started puppy class yet, the last class started May 5th so we will start 6 weeks after that. We are working on the basics every day at home. We have also been to junior high school, and to visit friends with dogs, so we won't miss out on socialization until class starts. She is such a mellow puppy, we could not have gotten a better fit. Thank you so much for all the hard work it takes to breed and raise such a wonderful puppy. We all love her and could not be happier with your choice for us.

Stephanie and David Underwood, Sam, Shannon and John

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** Here is an update on Elsa. **

It's hard to believe Elsa will be three in just three months. She has turned out to be a big girl, she now weighs in at just over 100 lbs.She is very gentle and extremely tolerant. We recently moved into a house without a fenced yard, I was very nervous about outdoor time until we can get the yard fenced. There wasn't any need to worry. I showed Elsa the borders of the yard and told her" far enough". She hasn't crossed the line yet, in fact she watches our Boxer,Emily and herds her back when she gets too close to the edge.(Of course they are never out without supervision. ) She continues to learn and be eager to please.

She is my constant companion, my "Heart Dog". I have a closer connection with her than with any dog I have ever had. You did an amazing job of matching us and I will be forever grateful!

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Odin

Sharon,

I've been remiss in letting such a long time go by without giving you a report on Odin. Suffice to say, if there is a perfect dog out there, Odin is it. Seriously, he is a joy to have around, very smart and eager to learn and please. He also is the most cuddly dog I've ever owned – he just loves physical contact. He's getting pretty big. He weighed 75 pounds when I ran him by the vet for a weigh in a couple of weeks ago. I've attached a couple of recent photos. As you can see, he not only loves people but gets along great with all kinds of dogs too. These were taken yesterday by his day care provider, Leanne Stevens. Leanne knows GSDs well and she is also a trainer (she's part of Shade's team), so he's in good hands when I'm at work. I work from home one day a week and occasionally I take him with me on my work travels, which he loves.

Anyway, I wanted to let you know that Leah and I could not by happier with Odin. He's a wonderful addition to our lives.

Regards,

Fritz

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Ozi Optimus Prime von Sonnentanz

Fact #1: Our 15 year-old daughter is an animal person. She's had dogs and cats and chickens and fish and bunnies and horses. If you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up she replies with a wink "I want to be an animal hoarder."

Fact #2: We have two old Labradors who are almost 14. We adore Labs. They're easy add-water-and-stir dogs and such chunks of sweetness. We hardly trained them but they've helped us raise our kids, put up with our crazy schedules, and gave us unconditional love.

Fact #3: Our children are either launched or just about ready to be launched into this big world. Our old Labs are slowing down. My husband, Scott, would say things like "Soon enough, we'll be free! Our kids will be off seeking their fortunes. And we'll be lying on Mexican beaches without the massive logistics of pet-sitters, doggie daycare and all that cash flying out the window."

Now you have the foundation for our story.

One day, in the middle of last winter, my daughter and I are sitting by the fire drinking cocoa. Scott is out of town. She starts talking about German Shepherds as she has done so often in the last year. I remind her that we can only consider pets with a three year lifespan because she's going to college in three years. She replies, "Natural lifespan?" I roll my eyes and then ask the question that changed everything. "Alright, alright. What's up with the German Shepherds? Why are you so interested in them?"

Now she begins, "...the intellect, the will, the devotion, the history, the allure, the challenge, the fun. These dogs are amazing. It just doesn't get any better than a German Shepherd. In fact, I've researched the breeders on the west coast and I've found the best - Sundance Shepherds. They breed for health and for temperament." I listen. I read. I'm actually intrigued.

My husband comes home and I tell him that I need to have a really awkward conversation with him that will only last 15 minutes. He'll probably feel really uncomfortable and be filled with anxiety, so if after 15 minutes he wants me to stop talking, that's okay. He replies "Oh my god, what do you have to tell me??" I tell him we're living a life of work and I'm tired of trying to insert activity into it, because we always fail. I want us to be better-rounded. I want to flip our lives inside out and live an active life that we fit responsibilities into. I start talking about German Shepherds and how I think I want one and how I think we've found a breeder. Let's do this for us, I say! He listens. He's actually intrigued.

So I call and talk with Sharon Smith from Sundance Shepherds. I discover that her dogs are magnificent. I learn that she shapes, molds and trains each puppy so she deeply understands their individual personalities. That after having many conversations with prospective families, she selects the puppy that fits them best. We research further and find out that her experience and wisdom are well regarded. Her devotion to healthy, holistic breeding is so progressive and her reputation is stellar.

We picked up Ozi Optimus Prime at 10 weeks. He's from the "O" litter. We started Puppy Kindergarten several days later and at 12 weeks, we started weekly sessions with a trainer. We socialized him all over this state and by the pivotal 16th week, had exposed him to trains, planes, horses, construction sites and car washes. We took him into all kinds of retails shops, doggie playgroups, kiddie playgrounds and he trotted alongside a 20 member bagpipe band. We rode elevators and played on the coast, rivers and bays. By four months, our Ozilicious was a confident, happy pup who could go anywhere and be around anyone. At six months, we started him in Nose Works and found such drive and such heart. He's balanced, he's connected and he's whip-smart.

Throughout this entire time, Sharon the Shepherd Sherpa held our hand, connected us to her vast network, gently corrected our mistakes, and helped us all flourish. We could never have done this without her guidance and her support.

We're in love. Ozi has improved our lives in ways we never dreamed of. In fact, we're thinking about renaming him OMG. Truthfully? He's the dog we always wanted... and never knew we needed.

Trisha and family

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Tori

Sharon,

Our little girl, Tori, is a delight. We visited her in OR @ 4 wks and picked her up on 3/25 & 10 weeks. We drove from OR to Redding, CA & she was adjusted to her crate. Tori learned her name within 2 days and would come when called. She slept in her crate @ night from the first day we got her..first 3 nights she would wake us up to go outside..she now sleeps thru the night..& if we are later going to bed she will go to her crate and wait for us @ night. She loves to be outdoors and we love watching her discover all the new nature sounds and listening to the other dogs barking in the area. Tori started puppy socialization class this week. Like all new pet owners you condition yourself to watch her and put her outside to take care of business.. Tori is a good eater & got a thumbs up from the vet. The vet was so surprised @ how well she was already trained by the breeder. Tori was and is being introduced to new people of all ages and also other dogs. The only sounds that she doesn't like is the weekly trash pickup..but she has adjusted to all the sounds in the house..tv, hair dryer, sweeper, ice maker, washer & dryer...as you can you tell that we LOVE our pup.

I would highly recommend Sharon as a breeder of GSDs to anyone who is seriously interested in having a great dog for a pet & companionship. Tori is so SMART & loves to go for a ride in the car (inside her crate)

Sharon has done more work as a breeder with her pups than any other breeder we have come across..Tori is our 5th GSD.

Anna Kay and Tom

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Edie

Sharon,

We have had Edie in our lives for one year now and she continues to delight us with her outgoing personality. She has done well at the training classes we attend and learns everything so quickly. We are constantly getting compliments on how beautiful she is.

We live on a 60 foot boat and Edie has adapted to this lifestyle with ease. She learned to use a small target mat on the foredeck for her potty needs after only two days in our care. Housebreaking was easy and teaching her good boat etiquette impresses all that meet her. She will not jump onto the boat or off the boat without a command to do so. She loves going for dingy rides and digging in the sand is a real passion with her. We have to spell the word "beach" as she gets so excited when she thinks we are going ashore. She never tires of retrieving sticks, balls and her favorite Kong. She has made friends all over Bainbridge Island including the Kindergarten class at the park last month. All of the kids took turns throwing a ball for her!

This is my tenth German Shepherd and I feel comfortable in saying that we purchased a wonderful dog from Sharon. Edie is an excellent example of what a German Shepherd should be in performance, personality, health and intelligence.

Barbara Wood

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Nathan

Hi Sharon,

thought you might enjoy a picture of our boy. He made it through 4th of July, he was okay if he could be right next to me. He is doing so great! He goes everywhere with us and shows no nervousness at all anymore around any kids or adults. We bring him to the boy's baseball games and he is totally comfortable with everyone that comes up to him. He's fine with all the big dogs he meets, but he still doesn't seem to like small dogs, so we are still working on that. He hiked to snoqualmie falls on Saturday, he loved playing in the water! We get so many compliments about how beautiful and well behaved he is wherever we go. Thank you again for such a wonderful dog.

Love, The Guffey's

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Kierra

Hi Sharon,

I know this is a little late! Kierra is almost 2! I just wanted to send you a picture of her with our family. We adore her and she is doing great! She goes on trail rides with us and our horses, she loves going places with us. I took her through the obedience course with the guy from Canyon Creek. She did really great. She has tons of energy and needs to be kept busy! We think she is gorgeous! Hope everything is going good for you. Thanks again for a wonderful dog.

Megan Fowler

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Dorie

Hi Sharon,

Dorie is the puppy I've waited 10 years for! She was the best Christmas present I have ever had - in over 50 years! She is smart, sweet, loving, brave, has a wonderful temperament and is ready to take on the world! From the moment she walked into the house and was greeted by 11-year-old Boomer and 9-year-old Rosie, she calmly went about schmoozing the two elder dogs and wrapped them around her little paw. It was delightful to watch her charm them and, as she grew a little bolder, to see how they gently corrected her and taught her pack manners. She was housebroken from the start, slept soundly at night in her crate from the first night, and has brought much light, love and joy into our home.

Sharon, there are really no words to fully express how much I love my Dorie. She is the most special puppy. Watching her birth and her development during her early weeks, and participating in the Early Neurological Stimulation exercises with all the pups in her litter were experiences I will treasure. Certainly, it helped solidify my bond with Dorie but, more than that, it deepened my appreciation for all that you do to bring a puppy into this world and prepare it for a long, healthy and loving life.

Everywhere I go with Dorie, she is admired for her beauty, sound structure, friendliness and stability. "Where did you get her?" everyone asks! She is a wonderful ambassador for the German Shepherd breed. Our obedience trainer loves it that she naturally "gives me eyes," and that she has such a strong desire to learn and work for me. Dorie has never said "no" to anything I have asked her to do (especially if a B-A-L-L is involved!). She is my special girl, and we're going to have a wonderful, happy, long life together. Thank you so much for my Pandora's Halo von Sonnentanze, aka: "Dorie", "Hunky-Dorie", and "Pandoriffic"!

Elaine Booker

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Samson

Hi Sharon,

My extended family and I are all loving Samson so much! I just got back from his well puppy check up and the vet said Samson's demeanor made him feel like crying! The vet was so happy for me because he knew what a tough time I had been through with my sick Doberman puppy.

Samson is absolutely the best puppy I have ever had the privilege of having in my family. Samson sleeps through the night in his crate and during the day he is already my little buddy and follows me everywhere. He is friendly with my other dogs and cat and loves meeting new people. Samson is alert and checks out new sounds and is practicing being the guardian I wish him to be. Each day, Samson is happy to be at my feet or ready to take a walk when I am.

...And did I say how 'smart' Samson is??? He learned how to 'sit' the first night with me. Also, he is easy on the leash and comes when I call him - not bad for under 11 weeks!

You did such a great job with this litter of puppies. Your love for what you do shows forth through Samson. Maybe someday you can help me pick a "Delilah"...

Hugs and many thanks-
Lori & family

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Circe

This is Valerie and our new puppy, Circe. She is our 5th GSD. Circe came to us so healthy and happy it was hard to believe she was 9 weeks old! We so appreciate the love and hard work you put in to make her the best puppy she could be and give us such a head start on helping her become the amazing dog she will be!

James and Valerie Meyer

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Skeeter

Hi Sharon,

Sketer is the smartest dog I have ever had. As you can see from the heart walk photos, he does well around other dogs. Lately he has gotten to play more & so he tends to not ignore them on our walks as much. We are working on that. He is definitely attentive to me. Never leaves my side & always has eyes on me (except when off leash at a park where he can run, then he ignores me - decides when he wants to 'come back'). We are working on that too. My schedule changed just a few months after I got him & I was forced to go back to 3 - 12 hr shifts per week. It made it difficult to work with him as much as I wanted, but he is doing fine just the same. He is a great dog. Keep up the good work!

Claudia

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Teague

Working with Sharon was an absolute delight. Her breeding program focusing on excellent personality and behavior along with classic physical characteristics is obviously among the best in the northwest. The degree of care and concern she shows extends not only to proper whelping and early puppy development but also to a keen assessment of suitable pairings between prospective owners and the individuals within a given litter. In our case, she had picked out who we were likely to want as early as the 5th week based on our our prior experience with the breed. Her choice was absolutely correct and our Teague is everything we sought. If you are serious about GSD's, you won't find a more dedicated breeder who is both dog and people-oriented. We are delighted to endorse her and will always be available to give personal references for Sharon

- Jud, Tamara, & Hillary Crane

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Memphis

Hi Sharon,

Memphis is doing great. He is getting so big. At just a little over 7 months he weighs 75 pounds. He is so happy and energetic all the time. His training is going well. Erin and I are also looking at more training for him soon. I hope all the other pups are doing great, as I'm sure they are. As for another litter, I would definitely stick with Echo and Gordy. What beautiful children they make!

Just a side note, one funny thing that Memphis does is when he yawns; sometimes his upper lip gets caught on his gums resulting in a very funny smile.....

Justin, Erin and Memphis

 

Rein

Hello Sharon!

It's nice to hear from you again! We love our Rein. He has started obedience training and is doing very well. he is doing great. He is so extremely handsome. We started to go to 4H with my daughters too. They love to show off their dogs. Would love for you to see Rein. He gets lots of compliments from people. We are really pleased with him and how you are so organized and keep in touch with your families. Anyways, we love Rein and you should be proud of the great care you gave to your puppies. He is very handsome and very healthy. The gals at the Vet Clinic always rave about him. We will keep in touch and thank you for keeping in touch with us too. Take Care and thank you for such a great dog!

Rose & Family

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Sienna

Hi Sharon,

Sienna has been a joy! She's amazingly intelligent, alert, energetic, and responsive. She's been a great companion for Bentley, and the two of them together are an endless source of laughs. Although he's older and has 40 pounds on her, she has the speed, wit, & resourcefulness to be the boss. Plus she WANTS it more than he does—she can be very stubborn and she wears him down. She's in great health and has had no problems to speak of. When we had her spayed, she weighed 68 pounds—so the runt of the litter has grown a lot! The biggest problem with her spaying was that we were supposed to keep her laying low for two weeks, but the day after surgery, she acted like nothing had happened. It was a long two weeks! Fortunately, we're beyond that now and she's romping at full speed. Speaking of playing, her favorite games are tag and keep away (she does the keeping away). She's really fast and sneaky and loves to make up new games (mainly to frustrate Bentley). Anyway, she's been a great dog. She bonded with us really quickly & easily, and she's a treasured member of the family. Hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving.

*UPDATE*
Here's a picture we took of Sienna last week. As you can see, she's healthy, beautiful, and very photogenic! Hard to believe she'll turn four this spring! She's a delightful family member—always wants to be with us, loves other people, and gets along much better with other dogs. She & Bentley are great buddies although on somewhat different tracks. She has inherited her mother's obsession for sticks and is never happier than when we're throwing sticks for her until she's gasping for air! She's very intelligent, well-behaved and responsive to our wishes. We love Sienna very much and can't imagine life without her.

Paul & Anna

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Luna

Hi Sharon !!!

Luna is such a dream... She's awesome Sharon... I just love her more and more each day - she's such a 24 hour companion to me... she is so smart too - she has these hillarious pouncy downs that are really fast and then she bursts into the air upon release - and her recalls are zooming with her ears flat back and just blasting to me... sigh... how in love can I be :)... Luna is a GREAT swimmer... she'll swim fast after another dog in the pool here and fetch toys... you really made the most incredible puppies Sharon... if all continues to progress - you must repeat the litter and your prior people can sell them for you :)... Luna is a great cuddler too - more than any other dog I have ever had... she buries her nose under my hair and falls asleep at night... she's so cute... she is the most perfect puppy for Cindy.... she's the greatest constant companion... she uses her hands too much :)... I tell her she's not an Italian Shepherd but she loves to express herself with her paws... she's protective and appropriate in what she feels is potentially unsafe and listens to me for every cue... she is incredible. We are such a team - - thank you again for my most beloved puppy...

Cindy

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Grace

Hello Sharon,

Gracie is watching me as I write this, laying beside me. We consider her our little clown, she entertains us and makes us laugh. As a training partner for me in competition obedience it is very easy to motivate her with toys or food. Her ability to understand is wonderful and she tries very hard to please me. I am looking forward to many years of training and showing her in different venues. We have already done some tracking and she loved it and so did I. She is not as hectic as some of the tracking dogs I have had in the past, that is a big help as I get older.

Hugs, Paula and Gracie (Bill too of course along with Mandy, Chance and little Scott the BC)

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Anja

Anja is an absolutely fantastic dog. Not only is she gorgeous she is healthy, playful, and affectionate. She has not yet met a person she did not like. Anja, also loves to tease and play "rope" with my rescue dog Cass. We are still working on her keeping all four feet on the floor and not standing up to kiss new people as she meets them.

JoAnn

 

Cairo and Oskar

Hi Sharon,

Just wanted to tell you, again, how wonderful these dogs are! It's been 5 weeks with our new baby and the dogs are fantastic. They were a little unsure at first. Cairo was very interested but Oskar would stay away as much as possible. Now - they are like my live in nannies. I don't even need a baby monitor because they come running when he cries. They will lay next to him when he's on the floor to keep him warm. They are always checking on him when he's sleeping. I think that Oskar is still a little bit unsure or unhappy about it all. I just don't force the issue - I never "made" them visit - when they come over to sniff, I don't get excited or upset, I pet them while I'm holding the baby so that they don't get jealous and it's been great. I think that my son will grow up with two wonderful companions at his side! Take care!

joey, simon, liam, cairo and oskar

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Sophie

Sharon -

Here it is the new year and I wanted to let you know how happy we are with our little Sophie. As you remember, she was born the first of July and we took her home in September. We were looking for a dog that would be a companion and would do well with other animals and children. We are happy to report she is all of that and more. From the first, she was sleeping through the night in her crate, going outside to do her business and a joy to have in the house. I am very grateful to you for the training and socializing you did before she came to us. We remember raising children and we thought long and hard about whether we were willing to spend the time and effort it would take to raise and train a puppy. You were such a help with the books you advised us to read, and all the tips you gave and still give us. We have tried to follow most of your suggestions and consequently, we have a healthy eager pup that is a pleasure to live with. She loves to run the open space on our property and she quickly learned the basics of heel, fetch, sit, come and stay. At your recomendation we have enrolled her in obedience classes designed for the breed and she is on her second set. We could not be happier with the sweet loving pup you helped us select and we look forward to years of good times with her.

- Linda and Pat

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