Getting the right German Shepherd puppy that suits your lifestyle and family can be a bit overwhelming especially if you do not know where or how to start your search. For states like Virginia, there are lots of breeders that are focused on producing German Shepherds puppies but sadly, a lot of these breeders are puppy mills that simply do not care for the health and wellbeing of the German Shepherd puppies but are only focused on making money from them.
The German Shepherd is blessed with lots of exciting traits that define them. From their beautiful conformation to their strong working ethic, to their high intelligence and easy trainability. You need a good breeder that could help identify these lovely traits in their puppies and produce the best for you.
In this article, we have provided a list of some really good German Shepherd breeders located in the Old Dominion state of Virginia to help get you started on your search. We have provided their contact details to help you get in touch with them. Remember this list should be used as a guide only. So do endeavor to carry out personal and detailed research on any breeder you choose to work with.
With that being said, we recommend that you read this article to the very end as we provide our personal pick from the list.
1. Trademark Kennels
Started in the year 2012, Trademark Kennels has been fully dedicated to providing high-quality German Shepherd puppies that make great family dogs while still being excellent show dogs. They are located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and have long established a healthy bloodline of good AKC registered dogs that have excelled in numerous AKC sponsored competitions, coming out with championed pedigrees to help improve the breed.
Vera Symonds, the breeder behind Trademark Kennels is a well seasoned dog lover and trainer with numerous AKC related awards and titles She has been a lover of the German Shepherd breed all her life and has since devoted a lot of her time and resources to the breed. Her sires and dams are registered with the AKC, they have their genetic health tested and certified to be free from genetic defects. They also have their OFA certifications available upon request. Their dogs should come with a written guarantee.
The dogs are raised in a kennel facility in Fredericksburg, Virginia. They are properly socialized from the very first day. They get to sleep in temperature-regulated areas and are properly fed. Vera Symonds has organized multiple classes to help with improving the breed. They are given basic training before being sent to their new home. All their dogs should be vaccinated and dewormed.
| Owner | Vera Symonds |
| Breeder Since | Over 10 years |
| Location | Fredericksburg, Virginia |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (540) 834-9043 |
| Website | trademarkkennels.com |
| Trademark Kennels |
2. North Mountain Kennels
North Mountain Kennels is the next breeder to be added to this long list of German Shepherd breeders residing in Virginia. They are located in Strasburg, Virginia. They claim to produce world class German Shepherd puppies that make great family dogs as well as great service dogs. The puppies are registered with the American Kennel Club and are raised to the very high standards that are set by the American Kennel Club. Audrey Estep is the breeder behind this breeding program.
The cool thing about North Mountain Kennels is the sires and dams used in their breeding program. They come from well-written and documented pedigrees that have been carefully bred through many successful generations to produce excellence in health, temperament, intelligence, and in conformation. All their dogs are properly tested for genetic health issues. Although not all the dogs have their OFA certifications, they do have their hips tested and elbows by licensed professionals.
All their dogs are raised in the family house in Strasburg, Virginia. They are raised by Audrey and her family who has master degrees with a focus on zoology and canine behavior. Socialization is a must as all their dogs are carefully socialized or are provided with the needed facilities to make it so. The puppies are carefully trained and are given their vaccination shots and deworming.
| Owner | Audrey Estep |
| Breeder Since | Over 5 years |
| Location | Strasburg, Virginia |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (703) 869-2684 |
| Website | northmountainkennels.com |
| North Mountain Kennels |
3. Straight Back German Shepherds
The next breeder is located in Sterling, Virginia. They are Straight Back German Shepherds. They are a strong breeder with strong ethics that have been breeding straight back German Shepherds for over 18 years. They are very committed to producing German Shepherd puppies that are blessed with the strongest possible genetics. And all their dogs both puppies and adults, are registered with the American Kennel Club.
Because they are registered with the American Kennel Club, all their dogs are raised according to very high breed standards which are set by the American Kennel Club. They are only focused on breeding straight back German Shepherds and each of their chosen sire and dam is given full genetic health testing for conditions like DM. They also have their orthopedic health tested by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
Each of the newly produced puppies is raised in the family house in Sterling Virginia. They stay in such close proximity to the family so they can be monitored and provided the special care and attention they need to grow and thrive. They get to interact with every member of the family including each other and the different pets in the house. Household desensitization is necessary for all puppies. They have their vaccination and deworming taken care of with their medical health records fully updated.
| Breeder Since | Over 18 years |
| Location | Sterling, Virginia |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (703) 444-9775 |
| Website | straightbackgermanshepherdsva.com |
4. Von Haus Wisen Baker
Von Hause Wisen Baker praises itself as a prestigious, responsible, licensed, experienced, and insured breeder of the German Shepherd dog. They produce German Shepherd puppies that are registered with the American Kennel Club and they are even certified by the AKC of being good breeders with HEART. Alena Bennett is the breeder behind Von Haus Wisen Baker and they are located in Clifton, Virginia.
All their breeding dogs come from some of the world’s finest lines in Germany. They are blessed with impressive world class pedigrees. They are selected for their high intelligence, proper conformation, decent health, and a lot more. They also have their genetic health properly tested to show they are free from genetic problems with health that could affect the quality of life the litter enjoys. All their dogs also come with OFA certifications.
The puppies are raised in the family house which is situated in Clifton, Virginia. There, they are provided with top-notch facilities that could make their socialization and training very easy. The puppies are given proper training, they have a large puppy yard that allows for each puppy to run around and stay fit. They are given the best of puppy food and quality nutrients to help boost their immune systems. Each puppy is vaccinated and dewormed, they should also come with a health guarantee.
| Owner | Alena Bennett |
| Breeder Since | Over 30 years |
| Location | Clifton, Virginia |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (540) 321-4999 |
| Website | vonhauswisenbaker.com |
| Von Haus Wisen Baker |
5. Top Gun Shepherds
Peggy Stoltzfus is the breeder behind Top Gun Shepherds. They are a premier breeder of German Shepherds dogs with impressive health and temperament located in Fairfax Station, Virginia. They are registered with the American Kennel Club and are even given the title of AKC breeders with HEART. Their puppies are raised to be good family companions and their breeding program is quite experienced with over 15 years of history behind them.
A lot of their chosen sires and dams are registered with the AKC and are raised according to the high standards set by the AKC. Some of their dogs are imported from west German bloodlines with impressive pedigrees. Before being added to the breeding program, all dogs would have to undergo a mandatory genetic health testing. They should also have their hips, elbows, eyes, and hearts fully checked and certified by a licensed professional. The puppies they produce should come with a health warranty.
The puppies are raised on a 5 acre property that is located in Fairfax Station, Virginia. Socialization is a main priority for the puppies at this stage in their development. They are allowed to interact with varying simulations including sound, sights, human interaction, and a lot more. They are also given basic training. All their dogs should come with a puppy starter kit.
| Owner | Peggy Stoltzfus |
| Breeder Since | Over 15 years |
| Location | Fairfax Station, Virginia |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (703) 489-1337 |
| Website | topgunshepherds.com |
| Top Gun Shepherds |
6. Cedar Creek Shepherds
Cedar Creek Shepherds are taking up the 6th spot on our list. They are a reputable, family German Shepherd breeder and trainer led by Amy Jimenez. Aside from the German Shepherd, Amy also breeds Belgian Malinois puppies. They are registered with the American Kennel Club and are awarded breeders with HEART by the AKC. They are focused on breeding German Shepherd puppies with great conformation ready for AKC titled events and sports. Their dogs also make great family dogs.
Amy has been a breeder and trainer of puppies for over 20 years. Her chosen sires and dams are registered with the AKC and as such, are raised according to very high standards. They are first health tested for genetic health and general health before being made to undergo orthopedic healing testing. Once they pass all possible testing and temperament checks, with certifications to prove it, they are allowed to breed.
All newly produced litter are kept and raised in the family house which is located in Sterling, Virginia. Being a well-experienced trainer, Amy introduces her dogs to a lot of training programs to help ensure they excel in various sports like obedience competitions, Schutzhund, and a lot more. All their puppies should be well-socialized, come with a written health guarantee, and should be properly vaccinated and dewormed.
| Owner | Amy Jimenez |
| Breeder Since | Over 20 years |
| Location | Sterling, Virginia |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (703) 244-4548 |
| Website | cedarcreekshepherds.com |
| Cedar Creek Shepherds |
7. Haus Juris German Shepherds
Haus Juris German Shepherds is located in Nokesville, Virginia, a few minutes from the borders of Washington DC. They offer breeding services of good quality German Shepherd puppies as well as grooming services, training services, and boarding services for dogs within the area. They are focused on breeding a truly versatile and multi-purpose dog that makes sport dogs, working dogs, search and rescue dogs as well as family dogs.
Their puppies display high intelligence and easy trainability. To achieve this they have to be very particular about the sires and dams being paired in their program. Their selected sires and dams are mostly imports from some of the highest German Shepherd lines you can find. They are chosen for their health, conformation, and temperament. Their dogs are properly genetically health checked and they should also have their elbows and hips checked by professionals.
The kennel facility is located in Nokesville, Virginia. There they also offer other services including boarding and training services. Their German Shepherds are properly taken care of. They are socialized and well vaccinated and dewormed. They would be sent to their new homes with puppy starter kits, a written health guarantee, medical records that are updated, and a lot more. All in all, you should be going home with a well-rounded puppy you would certainly love.
| Owner | Megan Judge |
| Location | Nokesville, Virginia |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (703) 594-9925 |
| Website | hausjuris.com |
| Haus Juris German Shepherds |
8. Little Creek German Shepherds
If you reside anywhere near Culpeper in Virginia, then consider checking out Little Creek German Shepherds. They offer great German Shepherd dogs from good working lines and show lines. They aim to produce German Shepherd puppies that are intelligent, well-tempered, and well-socialized for families within and outside the state. They are blessed with over 20 years of breeding experience and they have shown great love for the breed.
All their chosen sires and dams are well-rounded dogs themselves. They partake in AKC sports events and are from good German working lines and show lines with good pedigrees to show for it. Health is a priority when choosing the right breeding dog for their puppies. They have their elbows and hips checked by either SV or the OFA, they are also checked and declared to be free from genetic health defects that could cause trouble for the litter in the future.
Every puppy is raised in a good, family-oriented environment with a lot of love to give. They are provided with the necessary nutrition and care to help make them happy dogs. They are socialized using human handling as well as with introduction to different stimulating experiences. They undergo basic training before being sent to their new homes. Every puppy should be properly microchipped.
| Owner | Carol Georgiades |
| Breeder Since | Over 20 years |
| Location | Culpeper, Virginia |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (540) 229-3849 |
| Website | littlecreekgsd.com |
| Little Creek German Shepherds |
9. Vom Lightner German Shepherds
Vom Lightner German Shepherds are the next breeder to be added to our list. They are experienced breeders of West German Shepherds from a well-bred show line. They are mostly focused on the quality of the puppy which is why they do not breed a lot of German Shepherd litter each year. Their puppies are not only suitable as show or sport dogs, but they also make great family companions which is due to their nice temperament.
All their sires and dams are from west German bloodlines that are mostly imported. They are registered with the AKC and have their full health tested before being allowed to breed. This includes DM testing for the puppies and hips and elbows testing which is done each year for the breeding parents. They also partake in Schutzhund and other show events which are regulated or organized by German SV.
Their puppies are raised in a family-centered environment where they are made to build up confidence through active socialization protocols. They are handled by people of varying age ranges and are exposed to lots of stimulating experiences to help them become well-rounded angels. They undergo basic training and are given their full vaccinations and deworming by a licensed vet. They should come with a written health guarantee and should be microchipped.
| Breeder Since | Over 5 years |
| Location | Haymarket, Virginia |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (703) 851-0666 |
| Website | vomlightnergermanshepherds.com |
10. Autumn’s House Of German Shepherds
Autumn’s House of German Shepherds is the 10th and the final breeder on this very long list of German Shepherd breeders residing in the state of Virginia. They are located specifically in Lorton, Virginia and are quite new as they were established in 2020. They aim to improve the overall breed standards of the German Shepherd through good breeding practices. They are focused on West German show line dogs with impressive pedigrees.
Their methodology is quite simple, they carefully plan each newly produced litter through careful selection of their sires and dams. Their chosen dogs are from championed bloodlines that come with great pedigrees. They are very healthy as they believe in testing their dams and sires for genetic health defects as well as general health defects which could affect the quality of the litter being produced. They also have their elbows, hips, and eyes checked by licensed professionals.
All their puppies live in the family house with them in Lorton, Virginia. There is a portion of the house that is fully furnished and dedicated towards the whelping and raising of the German Shepherd puppies. The space is properly cleaned and is fitted with top-notch facilities to help with improving the socialization and development of each puppy. They send their puppies to their new homes with written health guarantees and a lot more.
| Owner | Charmayne and Don |
| Breeder Since | Over 2 years |
| Location | Lorton, Virginia |
| Phone Number | (571) 462-9153 |
| Website | autumns-house2.com |
| Autumn’s House of German Shepherds |
Which one stands out on paper
There you have it! 10 great breeders of the German Shepherd located in the very beautiful state of Virginia. These 10 breeders have shown great love and care for the German Shepherd breed through impressive breeding programs, strong socialization protocols, and a lot more. Of those listed above, the one that stands out on published information is Von Haus Wisen Baker in Clifton, Virginia.
How that assessment was made, and its limits. This is a desk review of what each breeder publishes about itself: health testing described, transparency about lines and results, and how much detail is given about how the dogs are raised. We have not visited these premises, bought a puppy from them, or independently verified their testing claims. Treat it as a shortlist to start from, not a recommendation, and run the checks further down this page yourself before you pay anybody.
Alena Bennett, the breeder behind Von Haus Wisen Baker has done a great job with their breeding program. First off I would commend the level of transparency that exists on their website. It is always a great thing for an aspiring dog owner to get all the details of your program with ease on your website. With 30 years of breeding experience, while still managing to stay relevant to date, you know they are doing something right.
Another thing that is very interesting about Von Haus Wisen Baker is their commitment to producing the very best German Shepherd puppies. Their sires and dams are selected from world-class championed lines with very impressive pedigrees that are personally imported from Germany. Asides from that, they are health-focused as all their dogs are tested genetically and orthopedically. They also have decent socialization and training programs.
Still, this should not be enough reason to work with this or any other breeder listed above. It is still a strong recommendation of ours that you perform detailed personal research on any breeder that interests you. Always learn to ask the important questions, and demand the necessary documents and certification. You can also make out the time to personally visit the breeder to be sure of their stated programs and practices.
You might want to check: Top 3 Best German Shepherd Rescues in Virginia
Other states near Virginia
Buyers rarely stop at one state line. From Virginia, the shortlist usually grows to include German Shepherd breeders in Louisiana, who is breeding Shepherds in Tennessee and German Shepherd breeders in Arkansas, and every state we have covered so far covers the rest. If adoption is also on the table, Virginia has breed-specific Shepherd rescues too.
German Shepherd Resources
- German Shepherd Colors and Patterns
- Top 8 Different Lines and Types of German Shepherds
- Sable German Shepherd: A Special Dog Breed with a Special Color
- 8-Week-Old German Shepherd: Loyal, Energetic, Active Canine Partner
- 3-Month-Old German Shepherd: A Busy, Active, Playful Ball of Energy
Verify any breeder yourself, including the ones on this page
A directory is a starting point, not an endorsement. Breeders start up, stop breeding, move and change practices, and a listing accurate when it was written can be stale by the time you read it. Check before you travel or pay a deposit, whether the name came from this page or anywhere else.
The good news is that most of what matters is checkable in an afternoon, because the things that separate a careful breeder from a careless one produce documents.
“AKC registered” is not a quality claim
This is the most common misunderstanding in puppy buying, and it is worth being blunt about. AKC registration turns on parentage, not health or quality. A litter is eligible when it “is the result of a mating between an AKC-registered Sire (male) and an AKC-registered Dam (female) of the same” breed (AKC litter registration requirements, retrieved 2026-08-12).
So papers tell you who the parents were. They tell you nothing about whether those parents were screened for anything. A puppy mill litter and a carefully bred litter can both be registered.
What to ask for, and what the answers should look like
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals puts the buyer’s job simply: “Research the common health problems of the breed beforehand and ask your breeder for proof of screening (e.g. OFA certificates)”, and “Ask to see at least one of the parents (preferably both) of your puppy, and review the health screenings of both parents’ bloodlines” (OFA, Information for Prospective Dog Owners, retrieved 2026-08-13).
For a German Shepherd specifically, four things are worth naming.
- Hip grades on both parents. The OFA scale runs through seven grades: Excellent, Good, Fair, Borderline, Mild, Moderate and Severe (OFA hip dysplasia, retrieved 2026-08-11). Ask which grade, not whether they are “clear”. OFA also notes why the parents matter so much: “Young pups can’t be screened for it, so it’s very important you review the parents’ and grandparents’ screenings” (retrieved 2026-08-13).
- Elbow grades on both parents. Screened at the same time as hips, and skipped surprisingly often.
- Degenerative myelopathy (SOD1) status. There is a DNA test. The OFA notes that breeding two carriers is predicted to produce 25% of puppies with two copies (OFA, retrieved 2026-08-12), and carriers are healthy, so testing is the only way anyone knows. Merck states there is “no specific treatment… and no evidence that glucocorticoids, other drugs, or supplements alter the course of the disease” (Merck Veterinary Manual, retrieved 2026-08-12), which is why avoiding it at the breeding stage is the only real intervention.
- MDR1 drug sensitivity. VCA gives German shepherds at roughly 10% (VCA Animal Hospitals, retrieved 2026-08-13). It matters because affected dogs process several common drugs abnormally, including sedatives used in routine anaesthesia.
Look the results up yourself
You do not have to take a breeder’s word for any of it. Results submitted to the OFA are public and searchable by the dog’s registered name (OFA database search, retrieved 2026-08-13). Ask for the registered names of both parents and look them up before you visit.
One detail worth knowing, because it gets used as marketing. A CHIC number does not mean a dog passed. The OFA states that a dog achieves CHIC certification “if it has been screened for every disease recommended by the parent club for that breed and those results are publicly available”, and that “the CHIC number itself does not imply normal test results, only that all the required breed specific tests were performed and the results made publicly available” (OFA CHIC Program, retrieved 2026-08-13).
So “CHIC certified parents” means tested and published, which is genuinely good, but it is not the same as “passed”. Look at the actual grades.
Why this matters more in this breed than most
The screening emphasis is not arbitrary. A VetCompass study of 12,146 German Shepherds found the most common causes of death were “musculoskeletal disorder (16.3%), inability to stand (14.9%), neoplasia (14.5%) and spinal cord disorder (13.6%)” (O’Neill DG, Coulson NR, Church DB, Brodbelt DC, “Demography and disorders of German Shepherd Dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK”, Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 2017;4:7, retrieved 2026-08-13).
Take the first, second and fourth together and roughly 45% of deaths in that study relate to the dog losing the use of its back end. Hips, elbows and DM are exactly the screenable end of that. It is the single most consequential thing a breeder decides on your behalf, before the puppy exists.
The signals to walk away from
- Several breeds available, puppies always in stock. That is a volume operation.
- Health testing described but never shown. “Vet checked” is not a screening result. Neither is “our lines are healthy”.
- You cannot meet the dam, or cannot see where the puppies are kept.
- Deposit demanded before any of the above.
- No questions asked about you. A breeder placing dogs carefully wants to know your household, your hours and your experience.
- Puppies available before eight weeks.
- “Rare” colours at a premium. Colour is not a health or temperament feature, and a price built on it usually means the money went somewhere other than screening.
What the price actually reflects
There is no registry, breed club or veterinary body that publishes what a German Shepherd puppy costs in Virginia or anywhere else, so treat any figure you read, including on this site, as something to check rather than rely on. Ask three breeders in your own region what they charge and what it includes.
What is worth understanding is what moves the number: the health testing on both parents, any titles or working results, what is included (vaccinations, microchip, registration, contract terms), and what happens if the dog later develops a condition the parents were screened for.
A puppy priced far below everything else you have been quoted is a reason to ask more questions, not fewer. The usual explanation is that the screening which makes up most of a careful breeder’s cost was not done.
Adopting instead
Breed-specific rescues take in more German Shepherds than most people expect, including young dogs and the occasional puppy, and an adult dog with a known temperament is often an easier match than a puppy whose adult self is still a guess. Our German Shepherd rescue directory covers that route.
Disclaimer: PetVR shares general information based on our contributors’ firsthand experience with German Shepherds — it is not veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian about your dog’s health, diet, or behavior. Read our full disclaimer.
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