The German Shepherd dog breed is a truly remarkable dog to have in the family. These large furry angels are arguably the most versatile dog breeds to exist as their high level of intelligence means they can be easily trained to be anything, a working dog used for protection, a service dog used commonly as a therapy dog, or a show dog due to their large size and overall athletic build and nature. They truly are one of America’s most beloved and sought-after dog breeds.
With the increasing popularity of German Shepherds in the country, it’s no longer a surprise that states like Tennessee are home to lots of German Shepherd breeders with German Shepherd dogs available for purchase. But as we always preach, not all German Shepherd breeders are reputable enough to have the interest of the puppy at heart. This is why we always advocate for thorough and detailed research when searching for the next German Shepherd dog for you and your family.
In this article, we help make your search a lot easier by providing you with a list of 10 great German Shepherd breeders residing in the Volunteer state of Tennessee. These are good breeders with equally good breeding programs offering good German Shepherd puppies in Tennessee. So, do ensure you read the article till the end as we reveal our personal pick from the list.
1. Sequoyah German Shepherds
The first breeder to be reviewed on our list would be Sequoyah German Shepherds. They are a top German Shepherd breeder located in the foothills of Southeast Tennessee, specifically, in a town called Soddy Daisy. They are focused on German Shepherds with strong working backgrounds and have been raising high-quality German Shepherds for over 12 years. They are registered with the American Kennel Club and all their dogs are raised according to the high standards that the club sets.
Sequoyah German Shepherds is owned and managed by Sherle Thompson, a well-experienced vet with lots of certifications and a deep love for the breed. All their chosen sires and dams are imported dogs from impressive backgrounds that help improve the overall breed quality of their dogs. They are selected for their impressive qualities including good working hips and elbows with OFA certifications to show for it and strong healthy genes as they each undergo genetic testing.
Every German Shepherd that they produce is raised on a large property that is located in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee. These dogs are properly socialized with both human and non-human interaction such as stimulating sights, sounds, and textures. They offer top-tier training services for all dogs including German Shepherds as well as comfortable boarding services that your German Shepherd will be happy for. Your dog should come with a written health guarantee and updated medical records.
| Owner | Sherle Thompson |
| Breeder For | Over 12 years |
| Location | Soddy Daisy, Tennessee |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (423) 991-0979 |
| Website | sequoyah-german-shepherds.com |
| Sequoyah German Shepherds |
2. Mengerhaus Kennels
If you are searching for true family-bred German Shepherd dogs in the state of Tennessee, then Mengerhaus Kennels will be a great German Shepherd breeder to try out. They are located in Clarkrange, Tennessee, and are focused on producing the highest quality German Shepherd in terms of workability and health that there is. The dogs they produce go from regular family protection dogs to top competitors in PSA, IGP, dock diving, agility, SAR, and a lot more show events.
Sierra Menger is the breeder behind this special German Shepherd breed program. On a personal level, Sierra has been a vet tech for over 14 years and has also been given the role of a CGC trick title and Temperament Test Evaluator by the American Kennel Club. She is a certified AKC breeder with HEART and all her German Shepherd sires and dams are well-bred dogs with healthy genes, good hips, elbows, and eyes. They are all tested and each has the necessary documents to show.
When it comes to their socialization program, all German Shepherd dogs are raised in the family home with a loving family interested in improving the German Shepherd breed. They are exposed to Early Neurological Stimulation from day 3 as well as some other stimulating protocols to help improve the breed. They are also properly trained and checked by a licensed vet. Your puppy will undergo Volhard testing to help with matching the right puppy with the right family.
| Owner | Sierra Menger |
| Breeder For | Over 5 years |
| Location | Clarkrange, Tennessee |
| [email protected] | |
| Website | mengerhauskennels.com |
| Mengerhaus Kennels |
3. Twin Oaks German Shepherd Dogs
Coming down to Dickson, Tennessee is the location of the next German Shepherd breeder to be reviewed on our list. Twin Oaks Kennels is a German Shepherd breeder that focuses on German Shepherds with long coats of mostly black and red colors. They are mainly focused on family-bred German Shepherd dogs that could make great protection dogs. All their dogs are well-tempered dogs that are registered with the American Kennel Club and raised according to steep standards.
Their breeding is often planned as they believe more in the quality of the breed than they do in the quantity of the breed. All their dogs come from imported lines or backgrounds from Europe. They are blessed with the right pedigrees that help elevate the German Shepherd breed. Genetic health testing is a must for all their chosen sires and dams as they are certified to be free from genetic health defects. Also, they are properly certified by the OFA to have good hips and elbows.
The dogs are raised in a nice and comfortable kennel located in Dickson, Tennessee. They are introduced to both human and nonhuman interactions early on to help familiarize them with the environment they are placed in. Every German Shepherd that they produce should be appropriately vaccinated and dewormed with records to show it. They should come with written health guarantees and should be properly microchipped.
| Location | Dickson, Tennessee |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (615) 584-6468 |
| Website | twinoaksgsd.com |
| Twin Oaks German Shepherds |
4. Von Warfenburg Kennels
Taking up the 4th spot on our list is Von Warfenburg Kennels. This is another family breeder of German Shepherds with longhair coats. The color coats of their German Shepherd puppies range from red and black to sable and black. They are quite experienced breeders with the program being established in 1985. Their German Shepherd dogs make great service dogs, therapy dogs, work dogs, and of course, great family dogs.
Von Wartenburg Kennels are affiliated with the American Kennel Club and in fact, a lot of their dogs are raised according to the standards that the AKC sets. Their program has been given the title of AKC breeder with HEART. All their dogs come from impressive lines and they are each genetic health tested before being added to the breed program. They even have their hips, elbows, eyes, and hearts certified by licensed professionals.
The puppies are raised on a 50-acre farm that is located in Liden, Tennessee. They are raised alongside other animals including cattle, sheep, cows, and horses. The rural environment creates lots of opportunities for the puppies to explore and get acquainted with lots of sounds, sights, and textures. Every German Shepherd dog is vaccinated and dewormed. They also come with written health guarantees.
| Breeder For | Over 30 years |
| Location | Liden, Tennessee |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (931) 703-2640 |
| Website | warfenburg.com |
| Von Warfenburg Kennels |
5. Christians Guardian Shepherds
Christians Guardian Shepherds are the 5th breeder to be added to our list. They are a family-owned breeder of some high-quality German Shepherd dogs and are located in Spring City in Tennessee. The facility was established in the year 2007 by Joanne and Kodie Garland and since then, they have been dedicated to breeding German Shepherds with both short coats and long coats. Every dog that they breed is raised according to very high standards, having good health, temperament, and overall workability.
When it comes to their breeding program, Christians Guardian Shepherds import some top-quality German Shepherds from Czech, west German, Poland, and Hungarian show lines and work lines around the world. Every dog in their breeding program is properly genetically health tested. They are certified to be free from genetic health defects that are known to affect the German Shepherd line. Also, they have their OFA certifications which are available upon request.
All the newly bred German Shepherd dogs are raised on a large property in the beautiful Spring City in Tennessee. They are raised in a family environment with kids available to help in handling the German Shepherd puppies. They are exposed to stimulating protocols like puppy culture and a lot more. Every German Shepherd dog is given good food and supplements like NiVet plus to help with boosting their immune system. They are properly dewormed and vaccinated.
| Owner | Joanne and Kodie Garland |
| Breeder For | Over 15 years |
| Location | Spring City, Tennessee |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (865) 293-9212 |
| Website | christiansguardianshepherds.com |
| Christians Guardian Shepherds |
6. Mountain Lair Kennels
Mountain Lair Kennels is a fine breeder of German Shepherds that are from the finest European bloodlines. Their dogs are bred to help showcase the versatility of German Shepherds as their dogs are used for Schutzhund, police work, protection, and even for the assistance of people living with PTSD. Billy Hawley is the founder and owner of the breed program. He is an experienced breeder and trainer with a deep love for the German Shepherd breed.
Their breeding program is quite standard as they utilize some of the finest European bloodlines that are present. These dogs are imported into the country to help with the advancement of their breeding line. Mountain Lair Kennels ensures that all German Shepherds to be used in their program are tested for genetic health defects that are known to commonly trouble the German Shepherd dog. Tests held by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals are also done to show they have good hips, elbows, and eyes.
Every German Shepherd puppy that they newly produce is raised in Joelton, Tennessee, which is located next to Nashville, Tennessee. There, they are exposed to deep family love as they are interacted with and handled by people of varying age groups. They are introduced to certain stimulation protocols to help build confidence in the German Shepherd dog. And with the experience Billy has with training German Shepherds, they all are deeply trained.
| Owner | Billy Hawley |
| Location | Joelton, Tennessee |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (615) 247-8271 |
| Website | mountainlairkennels.com |
| Mountain Lair Kennels |
7. Lakeside Shepherds
When looking for a traditional breeder with well-grounded German Shepherd traits, Lakeside Shepherds of Lexington Tennessee are top notch and they are 7th on our list. Known for producing the old style German Shepherd dogs that are raised with straight backs, plush coats, and medium drives, their German Shepherds are top dogs used mainly as personal guard dogs, therapy dogs, security service dogs, and family companions.
The breeding program makes use of imports from top working lines that are used mainly by the Military and security services alike. They are top healthy dogs that are registered with the American Kennel Club and are raised according to the strict standards set by the club. All their dogs are made to undergo genetic health testing which is mandatory before being placed in the breeding program. Also, their hips, eyes, elbows, and hearts are tested and certified to be healthy by licensed professionals.
The puppies are raised in a clean and safe environment with other dogs so they get to properly socialize with each other as well as with people of different age ranges. They are properly vaccinated and their deworming is kept up to date. Every German Shepherd puppy is given basic training, but they can go a step further with a training fee included. All their dogs are health guaranteed and each has their records available upon request.
| Location | Lexington, Tennessee |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (731) 549-0205 |
| Website | lakesideshepherds.webs.com |
| Lakeside Shepherds |
8. Vom Zeder Haus German Shepherds
Vom Zeder Haus German Shepherds operate in two states which are Kentucky and Tennessee. They describe themselves as specialist breeders of German Shepherd dogs with impressive build and overall good traits ranging from high intelligence to good and decent temperament. Their dogs are raised mainly as family dogs or therapy dogs as a lot of their dogs have shown good work with people living with PTSD. All their German Shepherds are registered with the American Kennel Club.
Edward Denny, the breeder behind the program is a professional dog trainer and breeder with a lot of experience with the breed. He spends the majority of the day with his German Shepherds. He utilizes German Shepherd imports from top Authentic European Bloodlines in the world. These dogs are bred to very high European standards that are set to help improve the overall breed. All dogs are genetically health tested before being added to the program.
As stated earlier, they operate in two states, Kentucky and Tennessee, with Kentucky being their main base of operation. However, their facility in Tennessee is a nice 12-acre property which is located in Powell Valley. There, the dogs are exposed to a well-grounded socialization experience. They are raised alongside some other farm animals in a safe environment. All dogs are well-fed and given their proper supplements, vaccinations, and deworming to help improve their immune systems.
| Owner | Edward Denny |
| Breeder For | Over 4 years |
| Location | Powell, Valley, Tennessee |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (865) 455-7799 |
| Website | gsdpuppydog.com |
9. Camelot German Shepherds
This is a top breeding facility that is located in Chattanooga Tennessee. They specialize in breeding both the German Shepherd dog and the Belgian Malinois crossbreed. They are also quite experienced at it as they boast of 18-year breeding history with both dog breeds. A lot of their dogs can be found across the country and their breeding program is targeted through family and working dogs with orthopedic soundness, nerve, intelligence, and courage.
Their breeding program is majorly focused on German Shepherds from deep European lines with numerous champion titles in their pedigree. A lot of their dogs are raised mainly for orthopedic soundness and overall confidence. When it comes to genetic health testing, they ensure that only properly tested and certified dogs are used in their program. They are free from genetic health conditions known to trouble German Shepherds. Orthopedic health is also top-notch as their hips, elbows, hearts, and eyes are certified by licensed professionals.
All their dogs are raised in the family home which is a 4-acre property that is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. They are blessed with a strong temperament and nerves as all dogs are properly handled by family members of varying age ranges, friends, and strangers alike. They are properly fed with high-quality food and are each properly dewormed and vaccinated. Expect a written health guarantee with every German Shepherd dog that is obtained from Camelot German Shepherds.
| Owner | Angie Young |
| Breeder For | Over 18 years |
| Location | Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (423) 595-8317 |
| Website | camelotshepherds.com |
| Camelot German Shepherds |
10. Stonewick German Shepherds
Coming down to Madison in Tennessee, we have the 10th and final German Shepherd breeder to be included and reviewed on our list. Stonewick German Shepherds is owned and managed by Isiah McCarthy. He has been a lover of top-quality dogs since he was 14 years and has been devoted to raising high-quality German Shepherd dogs that are registered with the American Kennel Club and presented according to very high standards that help glorify the German Shepherd dog.
Isaiah and his wife, Karen are dedicated to producing family and protection dogs that can excel in any field they are placed in. A lot of their dogs have gone on to be good show dogs, work dogs, and therapy dogs. They make use of top European imports from good working lines. Each dog added to their breeding program is given a proper health check before being considered for the program. They are genetically health tested alongside orthopedic health tested with certifications to show their good health.
Every German Shepherd puppy that they raise is raised in the family house in Madison, Tennessee. They are raised around children and other dogs to further provide opportunities for socialization. They are properly started on different training protocols including crate training and obedience training. The dogs are taken on car rides and are exposed to different enrichment protocols. Your puppy should come with a 2 years health guarantee. They should have received their first set of vaccinations and deworming and should each come with a puppy starter kit.
| Owner | Isia McCarthy |
| Breeder For | Over 10 years |
| Location | Madison, Tennessee |
| [email protected] | |
| Phone Number | (615) 636-9928 |
| Website | stonewickgermanshepherds.com |
Final Thoughts
The state of Tennessee has a number of German Shepherd breeders advertising publicly. The 10 German Shepherd breeders listed above have shown good breeding programs and a deep love for the German Shepherd breed, as a result, they deserve to be on the list. However, my personal pick from the list will be Mengerhaus Kennels located in Clarkrange, Tennessee, and owned by Sierra Menger.
Although not the most experienced German Shepherd breeder on our list when looking at breeding history, Mengerhaus Kennels does show a tidy breed program that speaks volumes for them. Sierra Menger, the well-experienced vet tech owner is an AKC breeder with HEART and played the role of a Temperament Test Evaluator with a CGC trick title by the AKC which is quite impressive.
Asides from that, their breeding program utilizes top German Shepherd imports from great European lines that are genetically sound and Orthopedically tested and certified. Their puppies are properly socialized and even exposed to Early Neurological Stimulation from as early as day 3 of being born. They provide health guarantees to show their confidence in their program.
You are highly encouraged to carry out deeper research on any of these breeders above before deciding to patronize or work with them. Ask important questions and demand important documents and certifications. The German Shepherd requires a lot of attention so ensure you love your German Shepherd dog and provide all the attention they require if you must own any.
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 Tennessee 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.
Other states near Tennessee
Buyers rarely stop at one state line. From Tennessee, the shortlist usually grows to include what to look for from a Alabama breeder, what to look for from a Maryland breeder and who is breeding Shepherds in Oklahoma, and the state-by-state index covers the rest.
Best German Shepherd Rescues in Georgia