Background: Max von Stephanitz, considered the Father of the German Sheperd Dog .

Once Herr Stephanitz realized his intrepid herding dogs were running out of sheep so he formulated a plan. von Stephanitz approached police departments to see if they would be interested in the utilization of his beloved dogs as Police dogs who could accompany police officers and help in the apprehension of criminals.

Initially, the German Police scoffed at the idea but as we know, they later came around. Today, the German Shepherd Dog is still the most widely used dog for Police - Canine Service Dogs, Patrol, Narcotics, Cadaver, Explosive and Accelerant Detector Dogs bar none.

While the German were the first to also use the German Shepherd Dogs as messenger dogs in WWI, they were also the originators of the first guide dogs for the blind.

Americans were the first to use our beloved breed as Explosive Detector Dogs - specifically the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C.

von Stephanitz once visited New Jersey in the early 1900's to view several German Shepherd Dogs owned by new American faciers of the breed. While they were beaming about their personal dogs, wondering whose dog he would select, von Stephanitz brought a shotgun out from underneath his overcoat and fired it!

The American dogs became spooked while von Stephanitz' dogs remained in position.

He turned to the American fanciers to say, 'that (the stability under gunfire) is what I developed the breed for, not beauty'.

Devoted fanciers of the breed today, who believe in the work ethic of the German Shepherd Dog, many bring beauty into the equation.

In our devotion to this most utilarian breed, we strive for character, good nerve and the best possible choice for every family.

The German Shepherd Dog is not just a pet or companion, but has a reputation as a protection dog - one not to be trifled with.

von Waldgeist 'Spirit of the Forest' German Shepherd Dogs are individually selected for each prospective owner by Len and Mary Ellen Paquette.

After an interview/intake to determine family structure, attitudes toward dominance or submission and owner's preference toward gender and temperament, we select the puppies best suited for each family member.

We have never used the 'see-them-pick-one' philosophy so endemic to indiscriminate breeders

After a battery of our own tests, we select the best possible puppy for the new owners.

And we do believe, once you have left von Waldgeist after socializing with our dogs and puppies, you will have left here wilh a permanent pawprint in your heart and mind on what the perfect Duetsche Shaferhund should be.