Ask any Show and Working Line German Shepherd breeders what the most loyal and focused German Shepherd you can own is, and most will agree: The Working Line German Shepherd which is why we have list of the best working line German Shepherd breeders for you right here.
Many German Shepherd breeders, however, do not fully understand what the term “working line” means regarding the dog’s physical, emotional, and mental makeup.
The following is a description of the Working Line German Shepherd breed, followed by a summary of the best Working Line German Shepherd breeders on the market today.
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Contents
Working Line German Shepherd Criteria
Understanding the Working Line breed criteria is important because it is so specific. While there are many similarities between a show line and working line dog, some significant differences might influence your decision to try and find authentic Working Line German Shepherd puppies for sale.
Understanding those differences is critical to ensuring you get the type of dog that matches your needs and desires as a pet caretaker.
What is the Working Line Standard in General?
Working Line German Shepherds are bred to serve a specific purpose in the context of work they can perform. These dogs are larger and more robust than non Working Line German Shepherds. Additionally, the general perception is that they are more focused, professional acting, and intelligent than their show-line counterparts.
Other characteristics of a Working Line German Shepherd include, but are not limited to:
- Thicker and straighter body
- Longer hind legs than Show Line German Shepherds
- Medium-length double coat for temperature regulation
Additionally, Working Line German Shepherds are bred to have a specific “drive” for their work. Drives bred in German Shepherds include hunting prey, defense, and using scent to identify targeted substances, objects, and people.
Because of their focus and intensity, Working Line German Shepards tend to bond more slowly with their handlers but also more intensely.
Finally, Working Line German Shepherds are bred to have stable temperaments, be less excitable, and follow orders thoroughly. That is what makes them so proficient in certain fields like law enforcement, Search and Rescue, livestock herders and protectors, and home self-defense.
Once engaged, it is all but impossible to move a Working Line German Shepherd off its target or duty.
Breed Specifics
Apart from characteristics that are specifically bred into Working Line German Shepherds, there are specific breeds of German Shepherd that meet the Working Line criteria. Those are:
- West German Working Line
- East German Working Line
- Czech German Shepherds
Depending on the line you purchase, certain traits will be evident soon after your purchase.
West German Working Line German Shepherds, for instance, are known for their balanced temperament, working drive, and superlative athleticism.
East German Working Line German Shepherds are known for their high work ethic and endurance, intense loyalty and companionship, and superior alertness to perceived dangers.
Czech Working Line German Shepherds tend to be smaller but have many traits of the East German Working Line, Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Czech Working Line German Shepherds have been bred to be more family oriented. Of all the working line dogs, the Czech German Shepherds are the most popular because of their looks, size, and temperament.
Are Working Line German Shepherds Good Pets?
If you select your German Shepherd carefully, you can find a working line dog that is as great a pet as any other dog. The key is matching your desire for a dog with the personalities of the puppies you see and their bloodlines (what it was bred to do.)
That makes the advice of your breeder particularly important. Most people do not know the specific breeding lines available or what dogs have been bred to perform what type of tasks for specific drives or personality types. The German Shepherd breeder will be able to tell you exactly what each puppy is like and the type of home it is most suited to live in.
Are Working Line German Shepherds Difficult to Find?
If you are set on adopting a Working Line German Shepherd, you must check out whatever breeder you visit very carefully. Some breeders imply their dogs are Working Line, but in reality, they are a mix of Working Line and Show Line German Shepherds.
Others mention they got their dogs “from Europe” or “from Germany,” but that does not mean the animals are Working Line dogs.
Always check out the pedigree of your breeder, their history, and customer reviews. If something is unclear, ask to see paperwork proving whatever the breeder asserts is true. Get paperwork for every aspect of your puppy, from its pedigree to its AKC paperwork.
Best Working Line German Shepherd Breeders
Now that you know a little bit about the various options for Working Line German Shepherds, here are selected breeders that have a reputation for producing quality dogs. All of these are located in the USA.
Mittelwest German Shepherds
About 70 miles northwest of Chicago, Mittelwest German Shepherds is in Wonder Lake, IL, and sits on a 150-acre facility. In terms of German Shepherd care, Mittelwest is a full-service shop.
They offer breeding services, Working Line German Shepherd puppies for sale, club training, boarding services, and grooming.
Mittelwest is one of the most respected breeders in the country. The organization stands by its product, even offering a warranty for all dogs and puppies sold. It is also an American Kennel Club (AKC) Breeder of Merit participant.
The Breeder of Merit certificate certifies that the breeder in question has:
- 5+ years of involvement with AKC events
- 4+ Confirmation, Performance, or Companion event titles on dogs the breeder bred
- Verification via a certificate of all required health screens on dogs
- Is committed to getting all puppies AKC registered
Their puppies are bred from superior-pedigree German Shepherds. Each dog is bred for intelligence, temperament, loyalty, and ability to integrate with a family. Each puppy is given a medical review and verified as having good hips and elbows. The verification is certification by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
One selling point, besides the quality of the dogs they offer, is that Mittelwest ships their puppies worldwide. The best place to acquaint yourself with Mittelwest German Shepherds is their website. The site offers purchase and ownership details, available dogs and their lineages, and the organization’s services.
- Email: Available via a portal on their website
- Phone Number: (815) 653-1900
- Website: https://www.mittelwest.com/
- Location: Wonder Lake, IL
- Social Media: Facebook
Heidelberg German Shepherds
Heidelberg German Shepherds is in Texas and has a history of producing prize-winning German Shepherds. In 2018, for example, the breeder had dogs win at the Westminster Dog Show and the BOB at Kentucky K. C. Each prestigious award indicates the caliver canine the organization produces.
Heidelberg’s facilities include boarding and training areas. There are three half-acre to full-acre runs and access to a lake for the dogs to run, play and swim. Each dog is bred for temperament, loyalty, courage, and intelligence. German Shepherds from Heidelberg are known for picking up commands easily, maintaining poise, and being gentle, but protective.
Physically, Heidelberg German Shepherds are larger than most. They have deep chests and a slight tuck-up to the abdomen area. The dogs are also very broad-shouldered, and males and females, on average, exceed 20 inches tall.
Every puppy is examined by a vet, de-wormed, and given the first three rounds of shots before they leave the breeder facility. Additionally, because no puppies leave the facility until 12 weeks, every puppy has completed the first socialization stage and is into the second.
One unique feature is that every pup receives a tattooed identification number on its inner right thigh. This number is the puppy’s ID and is kept on record at the breeder’s facility. The facility does not do micro-chipping but does recommend it. Facility staff will help you fill out the paperwork for AKC status and will keep a record of the paperwork in your puppy’s file.
- Email: Available via a portal on their website
- Phone Number: 281-350-3732
- Website: https://heidelberg-gs.com/
- Location: 1623 Riley Fuzzel Road, Spring, TX
- Social Media: Facebook
Jagermeister German Shepherds
Jagermeister German Shepherds breeds, imports, trains, and shows Working Line German Shepherds. Located in New Jersey, the breeder’s facility sits on 12 acres and is in the shadow of Six Flags Great Adventure. The results speak for themselves. They have a waitlist for puppies, and their dogs have done very well in competitions.
The facility offers training courses covering everything from basic to advanced behavior, socialization, and how to use your working dog to its fullest potential. There are two yards for play, training courses, and a fully equipped Olympic-sized training field.
The breeder, Carlos Rojas, has worked with Working Line German Shepherds and other dogs for over 30 years. The puppies his dogs produce are ideal companions, personal protection, service, and support dogs. His dogs get utilized by law enforcement, canine sports, and as therapy animals and are bred for temperament and intelligence.
In addition, Rojas’ dogs have excelled in competitions. Since 2002, Carlos and his animals have won over 35 awards.
Each puppy has a warranty that covers hip dysplasia for up to 24 months.
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone Number: 201-873-8496
- Website: https://k9cr.com/
- Location: 11 Laurelwoods Drive, New Egypt, NJ
- Social Media: Facebook
Kraftwerk K9
Concluding our list of the best of the best Working Line German Shepherd breeders, located in Washington state, Kraftwerk K9 has been lauded in European media as “the most successful breeder in America.” Beginning in 1987, the organization has produced quality Working Line German Shepherds. The breeder, Wayne Curry, has a storied history of producing show-quality German Shepherds and providing caretakers with one-of-a-kind animals.
Part of the success of the Kraftwerk K9 facility is that it incorporates two standards of quality into its dogs:
- Kennel Organization criteria
- Country of origin breeding and training standards (Germany)
Those two aspects of the program ensure every animal produced has a good chance of excelling at whatever it is asked to do and being a fantastic companion. The double criteria also prepare dogs for competition, work demands, and family life.
Kraftwerk K9 is on 25 acres and features state-of-the-art facilities. Each dog has a specifically designated kennel and their own tree for shade. Dogs can exercise and play in a spacious training ground. Puppies are given medical examinations and training in obedience and socialization before they are released to new caretakers.
In addition, the facility can provide house training, word association, leash response, and basic commands. For example, the Kraftwerk program gives Working Line German Shepherds a leg up on life to quickly acclimate to their new home and seamlessly become part of the family.
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone Number: (360) 273-6125
- Website: Kraftwerk K9
- Location: 11303 183rd Ave. SW, Rochester, WA
- Social Media: Facebook
Conclusion For “Best Working Line German Shepherd Breeders”
Some people may not associate a Working Line German Shepherd with an animal that is a great companion, friend, and protector. Those people are missing out. But, as any owners covered here will tell you, Working Line German Shepherd dogs are some of the best pets anyone could ask to receive.