Widerhall

Sierra Working Dogs

Wenatchee German Shepherds Walburga German Shepherds Widerhall German Shepherds

Located in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, Widerhall Kennels is a small breeding kennel specializing in German Shepherd Dogs. Our breeding stock consists mostly of East German working dogs. While we are believers in the breed standard and make every effort to comply to it, we breed for function and health. All our breedings are done with the mentoring of Julie Barnes. The puppies are all temperament tested by Jim Barnes at 4,5 and 6 weeks of age. Great effort is put into placing the right puppies with the right families.

Our first litter was born March of 1996 in our small cabin surrounded by 15 feet of snow. As first time breeders, we were well broken in when “Asia” delivered 11 puppies! Twelve hours of delivering puppies and our first 24 hours of “parenting” left us exhausted. Then at 3 am we had an unexpected visitor. A brown bear got himself locked in our mudroom! He was thrashing around trying to get out and almost came through the door into the house. We were trapped, with the only way out blocked by the bear. We retreated to the only other room with a door, the bathroom (which was the size of a small closet!). There we waited, the two of us, two adult German Shepherds and 11 puppies in the bathtub! The Sheriff’s department finally arrived about an hour later to let us know that the bear had gotten out on his own (thank God!). When the puppies left us 8 weeks later we knew we could handle just about anything when it came to raising a litter. Fortunately, our following litters have not been quite so eventful!

Nikki Von Edison

“Asia”

Out of that litter we kept “Cinder” in hopes that she would someday become an accelerant detection canine. Cinder far exceeded our expectations and easily became certified as an arson dog. She accompanied Wendy to work every shift at the El Dorado County Fire Protection District until Wendy’s retirement in 2000. Cinder still works occasionally, but not as much as she would like!

In May of 1990 we added “Ilsa” to our pack. Ilsa earned her therapy dog certification thru Delta Society. She enjoyed her job of visiting patients at our local hospital. But what Ilsa excelled most at was raising her puppies. Ilsa loved being a “mom”. She played with and taught manners to her pups right up until the time they left for their new homes. Now she fills in as babysitter for any new pups coming into our home.

Ilsa Von Frolich Haus

“Ilsa”

We still occasionally breed litters for companions and working dogs. Our puppies are raised in the house until they go to their new homes. Along with this, early stimulation exercises start at three days old and are done daily. Puppies are litter box trained and introduced to a crate while they are here. They are socialized as much as possible without exposing them to disease. Our Widerhall family has stretched far and wide. Nothing pleases us more then to hear how our babies are doing. Take a look below and see some of our stars.

Sincerely,

Brian & Wendy Kirk

209-295-3279