Welcome to RiverRock German Shepherds in St. Cloud, Minnesota

Honah Delivers Her First Puppy

Getting Started in the Breed

I purchased my first show-quality bitch and attended my first show while in college in the 1970’s.

Sitting ringside at this show, with the breeder of my new bitch, I correctly picked the winners in each class. The breeder was impressed with this and asked me if I would like to be trained as a handler and handle his dogs at shows throughout the Southeast. This was part of my dream-come-true, and I learned about the breed standard and about the correct structure, movement, and temperament of the dogs.

I was also fortunate to be in the ring every weekend with some of the great handlers like Jimmy Moses, Doug Crane, Kim Knoblach, and Lamar Kuhns who were generous with advice and were models of sportsmanship.

I also saw many of the great dogs of the era like Ch. Lance of Fran Jo and his progeny.

Since that time, I have bred, owned, trained, and shown many German Shepherd Dogs from both German and American lines.

Breeding Program Philosophy

I do not breed for profit. My goal is to contribute dogs excelling in soundness, performance, beauty, and style to the German Shepherd gene pool.

While I prefer the American-bred dog in type, I believe that well-bred dogs from both American and German/European show lines have value in the gene pool.

I have no more than one litter per year. Months of careful study go into the planning of that litter.

Puppies are given the very best of care and receive extensive socialization from an early age. Puppies are given early neurological stimulation as well and are temperament tested in order to place them into situations that match their personalities.

Puppy buyers receive a health guarantee. See the slide shows on the Puppies page to get an idea of our puppies’ early experiences at RiverRock.

Soundness in a German Shepherd Dog and Puppy

A beautiful dog is nothing unless both physically and mentally sound:

• A sound dog is a healthy dog with a long lifespan (10-13 years).
• A sound dog is free of crippling hip and elbow dysplasia.
• A sound dog easily passes the Temperament Test.
• A sound dog will be a friendly, yet protective, family companion.

The breeding of sound dogs requires a thorough knowledge of all dogs in a pedigree for at least five generations. The gene pool is small, and even the best pedigree research cannot rule out health problems entirely. What it can do, however, is reduce the probability of problems related to health and soundness.

Reputable breeders take this responsibility seriously by researching the pedigrees of prospective breeding partners, breeding only dogs who are free of health and temperament problems at the time of the breeding, and guaranteeing puppies against maladies proven to be genetically transmitted.

River & Honah with Karla in the Puppy Garden

German Shepherds and Performance

Sound dogs will have both the physical and mental capacity to perform in sports like conformation, obedience, rally, agility, herding, and schutzhund. They will be useful as assistance or therapy dogs. They will be an asset to law enforcement and the military.

Personally, I enjoy herding competition with my dogs. Since this is the purpose for which the German Shepherd Dog was originally developed, the herding instinct is still present in many of our dogs today.

I select breeding partners with herding instinct and/or working titles in their backgrounds in order to breed for both beauty and working ability. I also participate in obedience and rally competition.

Beauty in the German Shepherd

Beauty is determined by the degree to which the dog conforms to the official Breed Standard.

The Standard defines the proper structure of the dog from nose to tail, describes how the dog should move at a trot, and outlines correct temperament. The Breed Standard is a blueprint which should guide both breeding decisions (including the important decision not to breed a given dog) and the independent, objective evaluation of dogs by judges trained in the application of the Breed Standard.

There is a link to the Illustrated Breed Standard on my Links page.

German Shepherd Style

Style is a matter of personal preference regarding appearance plus attitude.

I like a “classic” type American-bred dog with a black saddle, a plush coat, tight feet, a beautiful head, and the unmistakable “look of eagles”.

I prefer a well-balanced dog over a dog with extreme angulation.

I expect a strong work ethic, unwavering loyalty, and a desire to please. In attitude, I value an intelligent dog who exudes nobility yet exhibits playfulness and a sense of humor; a dog who is gentle, yet would give his life to protect his family.

Puppy Placement Process at RiverRock German Shepherds

First Conversation

In our first conversation or email exchange, I will address any questions you may have about acquiring a German Shepherd puppy and/or about my breeding program. Please spend some time reviewing this website as there is a lot of information that a puppy buyer will find informative and helpful.

I will also have some questions for you. These will include the following:

1. Why do you want a German Shepherd? Do you have a preference for a male or female? If so, why?
2. Have you owned a German Shepherd previously? If so, where did you acquire your dog(s), and what was your experience with the dog(s)?
3. Will you be willing to attend puppy socialization and/or obedience classes with your new puppy?
4. How did you learn about my dogs?
5. Do you have any interest in showing, breeding, or competing in performance events?
6. Do you own your home?
7. Do you have a fenced yard or kennel area?
8. Do you have children? If so, how old are they?
9. What would a puppy’s typical day be like at your house?

Visiting RiverRock German Shepherds

Meeting with you, and having you visit our home and spend time with the RiverRock dogs is the next step. Interacting with the dogs will give you an opportunity to experience the type of temperament and personality our dogs have.

We will discuss any additional questions or issues you would like to address. I will show you pictures of the sire and of dogs in the litter pedigree. We will discuss the puppy evaluation process and anticipated placement dates. These meetings normally run a couple of hours. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your entire family.

Following this meeting you will be asked if you want to be included on the contact list for a puppy. While a deposit is not required, you will have the option of putting down a completely refundable $500.00 deposit at this time. This is one-third of the purchase price for a companion puppy. You will receive a written receipt. This receipt guarantees you a full refund if either you change your mind for any reason or if, following the puppy evaluation, we do not have a puppy that is a good match for you. If this is the case, I will be happy to refer you to other reputable breeders of quality dogs in the area. Puppies will be placed in the order that deposits are received. The balance of the purchase price will be due when the puppy is picked up between 8-10 weeks of age.

Successful Placement of a German Shepherd Puppy

The successful placement of companion puppies in appropriate situations where they will be well cared for is every bit as important to me as finding the next champion in the litter. I will be in contact with you periodically and will be available to answer questions and make suggestions throughout the lifetime of your dog.

There is no better friend or companion than a German Shepherd Dog. At RiverRock German Shepherds, we are committed to placing beautiful, healthly, intelligent, protective-yet-friendly dogs in loving, responsible, forever homes.