We are a small breeder of working line German Shepherds formerly from GA and now in beautiful Colorado just outside of Fort Collins. This is not a kennel or a large facility full of dogs and puppies at all times.  Our belief is simple...and our goal is realistic.  We believe that breeding is a huge responsibility, and we will do things the right way, or not at all.  We strive to produce quality German Shepherd dogs who possess the qualities that make them one of the most versatile breeds in the world, and doing our best to minimize the risk of health issues that can affect the breed.  

Altvater German Shepherds will only breed dogs from working lines who have hip and elbow evaluations, and are genetically compatible for avoiding DM (degenerative myelopathy).  Keep in mind that these are dogs...living creatures...we aren't manufacturing toys.  No genetic test or x-ray is a 100% guarantee that a dog will or will not have a certain condition, but we will not breed dogs who do not clear the tests we have available to try and lessen the risk.  

Owning a dog is not a right, it is a privilege.  Owning a dog is also an enormous responsibility.  Dogs are a lifestyle and we will thoroughly screen every potential client to see that our dogs end up only in wonderful homes with wonderful lives, and never end up in a shelter or in an undesirable situation.  

Altvater German Shepherds will produce dogs that are healthy in body and mind, with the temperament, drives, and nerves to do real work.  Whether it be protection, police, sport, farm, service work, or the best family pet...our puppies will be suitable for a variety of duties.  

We will not claim that you will get "the best", or "extreme", or "highest drive", etc... Extreme anything usually ends badly, and to use all the right buzzwords just to sell a dog defeats our purpose.  The only claim we will make is that we plan our future and potential breedings so far in advance, and with so much research behind it, that you will get a dog capable of doing what the breed was intended to do...and that is a little bit of everything.  We provide the right genetics, environment, and exposure...the "nature", so to speak.  The "nurture" is up to the owner after the puppy comes home.  

If you are looking for a puppy to be available now, or for us to have litters often...keep looking because we are not that type of breeder.  If you have carefully thought about what you want, don't want, and what you intend to do with a German Shepherd...and feel the right dog is worth waiting on to have a good match, then we can pick the right puppy for your lifestyle and working dog needs.