A Tier Above Shepherds
Nicole and Ralph hasn't uploaded photos yet
- Newsoms, VA · 170 miles away
- Responds within a few hours
Meet the breeder
I'm Nicole and Ralph C., the breeder behind A Tier Above Shepherds located in Newsoms, VA. I'm the breeder behind A Tier Above Shepherds located in Newsoms, VA. At A Tier Above Shepherds, we strive to breed dogs of health and temperament. We want these dogs to be lifelong companions and workers for their families, bringing beauty with brains. We love all colors that German Shepherds and will never compromise health to get a specific color. Our puppies go through ENS and ESI exercises to offer them and the families who get them the very best.
Q. & A. with Nicole and Ralph
Why did you start breeding?
After my Husband attempted to apply for a service dog and was told that it was a three to four year wait for something that is so critical to veterans it made us want to try to hep get quality service dogs to veterans and our love of working with the dogs grew from there. In the end we want to see happy families and help people in need.What makes your program special?
For us this is a whole family approach. We have 4 boys, and we all learn the ins and outs of raising dogs, training them, and breeding. Everybody helps with every part of raising the dogs from when they are whelped to getting the puppies to new loving families as we grow.What are the different breed coat types in your program?
Our puppies include long and stock coat varieties. Coat types may vary depending on the parent dogs.What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include sable, black and tan, blue, and white. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Girl 4 hot pink collar
Went homeFemale
Girl 1 orange collar
Went homeFemale
Girl 3 yellow collar
Went homeFemale
Boy 2 blk collar
Went homeMale
Girl 5 lilac collar
Went homeFemale
Boy 1 white collar
Went homeMale
Girl 2 silver collar
Went homeFemale
Boy 3 drk green collar
Went homeMale
Light pink
Went homeFemale
Boy 5
Went homeMale
Light blue
Went homeFemale
Drk pink
Went homeFemale
Blk collar
Went homeMale
Boy 4
Went homeMale
Drk green
Went homeMale
Drk blue
Went homeMale
Blk collar
Went homeMale
Drk blue collar
Went homeMale
Lime green collar
Went homeMale
Purple collar
Went homeFemale
Red collar
Went homeMale
Light blue collar
Went homeMale
Boy 4 OD green
Went homeMale
Boy 1 Black Collar
Went homeMale
Collar 5 red
Went homeFemale
Boy 3 light blue
Went homeMale
Collar 6 orange
Went homeFemale
Collar 7 dark pink
Went homeFemale
Neon green 11
Went homeFemale
Collar 10 purple
Went homeFemale
Boy number 2 Dark Green
Went homeMale
Collar light pink 8
Went homeFemale
Collar 9 yellow
Went homeFemale
Getting a puppy from Nicole and Ralph
Nicole and Ralph has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready, reach out to ask about the puppies or anything else on your mind. You’ll get to know each other through messaging, phone, or video and pay securely, all on Good Dog.
Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
“Price includes early start learning, vaccines as needed, vet checks, regular worming, a small transition bag, and a high quality puppy. All of our puppies are the same price regardless of color. Deposits are generally non refundable if a buyer changes his/her mind and backs out. However if the puppy should have something happen on the breeders end before it travels to his/her new home the buyer would be refunded.”
Contract & health guarantee
Nicole and Ralph may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Nicole and Ralph offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don't hesitate to reach out to Nicole and Ralph directly.
You’re protected
on Good Dog
When you pay and communicate on Good Dog, you’re covered by Payment Protection.
What's included
From Good Dog
- Lifetime support from Good Dog’s Care Team
- 10% lifetime discount on Figo pet insurance
- Puppy Training Program & private community
Enrichment & socialization
- Various sounds
- Car rides
- Surface & tactile stimulation
- Socialized with children
- Socialized in new places
- Scent introduction
- Daily handling
- Socialized with other dogs
- Introduced to people of different ages and appearances
- Socialized with other animals
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
- Vet records
Extras
- Toys
- Food & treats
- Initial potty training
- AKC registration
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Nicole and Ralph.
Breeder's location
Meet in Newsoms, VA
170 miles away
·
Other pick-up locations
Meet at Norfolk Airport
164 miles away
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Flexible meeting point
Nicole and Ralph can meet at a location that works for both of you
More about Nicole and Ralph
Club memberships
Nicole and Ralph is a member of KSCOA.
Nicole and Ralph has been a member of Good Dog for about 1 year
Nicole and Ralph was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2025.
Nicole and Ralph’s links
Nicole and Ralph is a trusted Good Dog breeder
A Tier Above Shepherds meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
- Responsible breeding practices
- Health of breeding dogs and puppies
- Puppy environment and enrichment
- Buyer education and policies
Litter and program updates
- NC
Nicole and Ralph C.
Litter update on 29 June 2025 •…All puppies have found their homes! We hope everything is going great for them and the new families! If any of the families see this we love updates…
Kovu and Spartan's litter
- NC
Nicole and Ralph C.
Litter update on 29 June 2025 •…All puppies have gone off to their new homes I hope the families who have gotten them love and find them as cute as we did! If any of the families see this we would love updates of any kind and we hope potty training is going well!!!
Kovu and Freyja's litter
- NC
Nicole and Ralph C.
Program update on 17 June 2025 •Freyjas litter is quickly growing and they are almost old enough to go to their forever loving homes. Last Friday they had a vet check and are all doing great! We even had a few ears start to pop up!
- NC
Nicole and Ralph C.
Litter update on 17 June 2025 •A few of these puppies are still waiting for a home! They are not letting that stop them from learning and exploring this week has been all about teaching them to follow and working on potty training! Some have even went on a car ride!
Kovu and Spartan's litter
Parent dogs
Siff, mom
German Shepherd
About Siff
Siff is a black and silver with a Hobo mask, though she looks like a husky on the outside she is all German Shepherd on the inside. Higher energy and extremely athletic but with a lovey side that wants to be with her humans with a big smile on her face. She is DM clear and has Embark DNA done.
Kovu, dad
German Shepherd
About Kovu
Kovu has a calm demeanor and is great around kids, He is Embark DNA clear and has OFA on file and is good for hips and elbows.
Rune, mom
German Shepherd
About Rune
Rune is a solid little working line sable/silver sable German Shepherd who is trained as Ralph’s backup service dog. She is smart, nimble and confident.
Freyja, mom
German Shepherd
About Freyja
Freya is as sweet and protective as they come she’s pretty and knows it she loves with her whole heart and loves to be with her family
Spartan, mom
German Shepherd
About Spartan
Spartan is a task trained service dog from strong DDR/Czech working lines and is able to go from relaxed to full on work and back at the drop of a dime. She is Embark DNA clear and has a medium high drive for work.
Thor, dad
German Shepherd
About Thor
Thor is a male German Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of his breed, Nicole and Ralph decided to make him part of their program. Nicole and Ralph has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Parent health testing
Great level
A Tier Above Shepherds reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for German Shepherds.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
DNA Disease Panel, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A)
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).
