Mayhew German Shepherds (formerly B&R Kennel)

Denise M.

Breeder of German Shepherds

  • Beaverdam, VA · 77 miles away
  • Meetup available in Philadelphia, PA
  • Responds within a few hours

Upcoming litters

Zeus
Xena

Expected German Shepherd litter

Due July 2026

Ready Oct. 9
Lotus
Nara

Expected German Shepherd litter

Due Aug. 2026

Ready Oct. 22

Meet the breeder

I'm Denise M., the breeder behind Mayhew German Shepherds (formerly B&R Kennel) located in Beaverdam, VA. I breed because I love my dogs and I want to bless others with this magnificent breed. By creating an environment of health and harmony for young puppies, I believe I am able to give each little pup the very best chance to reach its potential, express its best character, and bring forth its greatest gifts in the relationship with itself and to its family.

Q. & A. with Denise

  • Why did you start breeding?

    I initially started breeding because I wanted a puppy. I had a male and a female and they produced the most gorgeous pups! People saw how I handled the process and wanted pups of their own. The fulfillment of seeing new puppies born, watching them grow, and helping shape them and train them in preparation for their new forever homes is the most rewarding experience ever! It has been an absolute joy of a journey, and I am so happy to be able to share these wonderful dogs with other loving families and individuals.

  • What makes your program special?

    I put my time and energy into ensuring all of my puppy buyers get a thorough, professional, and exciting experience. I allow all buyers to come and play with their pups, I send daily videos of puppy activity, and I am available to them as they set out on this new and exciting journey. I also put a lot of emphasis on training and socializing my puppies. They are each house and crate trained before they leave my home and are showered with lots of love and affection!

  • 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, bi-color, and black and red. 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.

Getting a puppy from Denise

Denise 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.

After buyers complete the application and screening process, Denise partners with them to find the best puppy match.

“We take great care in placing puppies. The matching process is two-fold whereas, you tell me what you are looking for and I choose the puppy that will best fit your desires. Most people only look at the colors of the puppies and that’s how they base their decision; however, that is not what is most important. What is most important is the temperament and or workability or the drive that will best suit the home/family lifestyle that the puppy goes to. I am the best one to make that assessment; I am with the puppies every day, I handle them every day. I know them better than anyone else. ”

Price

Puppy prices include a $500 non-refundable deposit and between $2,250 - $2,750 final payment, before taxes & fees.
Pay over time with Klarna.

“The price includes Early Neurological Stimulation; Early Scent Introduction; Beginning crate training; beginning house-training; beginning basic obedience commands (sit, come, down, stay); beginning loose leash walking with a slip lead; AKC registration, microchipping, vaccinations, deworming, and puppy starter kit. Early . The deposit is required to hold your puppy once you select your puppy. Should you choose to not proceed with the purchase of the puppy, you do forfeit your deposit.”

Contract & health guarantee

Denise 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 Denise 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 Denise directly.

All contracts are handled securely through Good Dog.

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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
      • Microchip
      • Vet records
    • Extras
      • AKC registration
      • Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
      • Initial potty training
      • Puppy starter kit
      • Toys
      • Food & treats
      • Registration
      • Basic obedience & manners

Location & pick-up

You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Denise.

Breeder's location

Meet in Beaverdam, VA

77 miles away

·

Other pick-up locations

Meet at Washington Dulles Airport

6 miles away

·

Meet in Philadelphia, PA

138 miles away

·

More about Denise

  • Club memberships

    Denise is a member of German Shepherd Dog Club of America, United Schutzhund Clubs of America, and Central Virginia Schutzhund Club.

  • Certifications & recognitions

    AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.

  • Denise has been a member of Good Dog for over 5 years

    Denise was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2021.

  • Denise’s links

Denise is a trusted Good Dog breeder

Mayhew German Shepherds (formerly B&R Kennel) 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

Parent dogs

Parent health testing

Breeder-Reported Testing

Great level

Mayhew German Shepherds (formerly B&R Kennel) 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.

  • Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)

    Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.

  • 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).

Verified owner stories

Hear what other owners say about working with Denise to bring home their puppies.

  • Andrew C.

    Verified owner · Dec. 2025

    Denise is, in my heart & mind, the most trustworthy and honest person. As a breeder, she works harder than anyone to make her dogs' offspring the absolute best of anyone, any where❗️She is very knowledgeable about the breed and once she hands over a puppy, they have ALL of the basic training that could be imagined. She starts with championship bloodlines, carefully chosen for temperament and health, that insure each & every puppy will be a life changing experience. I did all of the research necessary to choose wisely, for almost 3 years, and I have no regrets whatsoever !! She cares that every GSD that she produces will be in a loving home, and that you have ALL the information needed to insure that you can continue to enjoy the fruits of her labor for a lifetime ❤️

    Theresa D.

    Verified owner · June 2025

    Denise was SO wonderful to work with. When I lost my soul shepherd I was so lost and had looked at other dogs but knew I couldn’t possibly get another one who looked or was anything like my girl I lost. I told Denise what my needs were and she was so patient with me waiting until I was really ready to move forward and for the right litter and the right puppy. She FaceTimed with me so I could “meet” the puppies and told me all about their personalities and behavior prior to my making a selection. Kaz has been the light I needed. He’s super friendly with a great temperament. He’s a very healthy and happy cuddle bug and everyone who meets him loves him.

    Dino P.

    Verified owner · May 2025

    Denise Mayhew, B&R Kennel, is a wonderful breeder who gave us our beautiful German Shepherd puppies Chloe and Gracie. She was available to quickly answer questions and concerns starting with our first conversation, through the adoption process and she continues to be a valued advisor even post adoption. We also appreciated her making our girls’ parents AKC and medical paperwork for our own files and the initial registration process with AKC. Preparing our GSDs with crate training made the transition at our home very easy and the girls have learned to jump into their crates happily without it being an issue. Denise’s “go-home” package was also well prepared and appreciated. All in all a wonderful process and Denise’s B&R Kennel is highly recommended. Dino Papas Colonel U.S. Army, Retired

  • KW

    Kathleen W.

    Verified owner · Sept. 2025

    Denise was very easy to work with. I must say she does an incredible job of raising pups. We purchased Marquess, now Ranger, and he's so calm, very smart, confident. I feel he is going to be easy to train. He already goes in his crate no problem. He is already catching on with potty training. And he is even been on long walks in the woods. Really adventurous and curious. Such a good boy. I am thankful for the wonderful preliminary work she put into this boy.

    Brittny B.

    Verified owner · May 2025

    Good communication easy to talk to great wants for how the puppy is trained and taken care of. Has sweet doogs qnd i now have the calmest sweetest puppy jet.

    Aidan B.

    Verified owner · May 2025

    It was an absolute pleasure to work with Denise. She was very knowledgeable about the breed and was able to provide us with a lot of information about our Bo mans parents health history etc.. Our puppy is an absolute joy and was even complimented by our trainer because of his attitude and personality! He said he was one of the best dogs he has ever worked with and has such an easy going attitude but loved to work! Bo is very calm, lovey and is such a joy to be around. We were lucky enough to find Denise and her B&R Kennel and get the best dog we could have ever asked for!!

Photos

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Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.

Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.