Barenstadt Kennels
- Laguna Niguel, CA
Upcoming litters
Expected German Shepherd litter
Due Sept. 2026
Meet the breeder
I'm Denise S., the breeder behind Barenstadt Kennels located in Laguna Niguel, CA. I’m Denise Scelsi, a four-time WUSV World Championship competitor with decades of elite working-dog experience. Through Barenstadt Kennel, I combine proven genetics, expert evaluation, and purposeful development to produce exceptional German Shepherds with strength, stability, and drive.
Q. & A. with Denise
Why did you start breeding?
I got into breeding because I wanted to produce genetically strong working dogs with the drive, stability, health, and temperament needed for sport and real-world work. Just as important, I wanted every puppy raised with love, confidence, structure, and thoughtful early development from the moment they are born.What makes your program special?
What makes Barenstadt Kennel special is the experience behind every breeding decision. As a four-time WUSV World Championship competitor, I understand the genetics, temperament, drive, and stability required in a true working dog. Every litter is carefully planned, health tested, raised hands-on, enriched from birth, evaluated at 7–8 weeks, and thoughtfully matched to the right home.What are the different breed coat types in your program?
Our puppies have stock coats. Coat types may vary depending on the parent dogs.What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include sable and black. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
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.
Denise partners with buyers to find the best match as the puppies develop and their personalities take shape. Typically, matches are finalized when the puppies reach about 7 weeks old.
“We take great care in matching each puppy with the right owner. Around 7–8 weeks of age, we evaluate temperament, confidence, drive, energy level, and personality, then consider each family’s lifestyle, experience, and goals to help ensure the best possible lifelong match. ”
Price
“Our puppy price includes health and genetic guarantees, AKC registration, age-appropriate vaccinations, routine deworming, and hands-on early socialization for a strong start. A $1,000 deposit is due four weeks before go-home and is applied to the purchase price. Deposits are nonrefundable unless there are not enough puppies available to fulfill the reservation.”
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.
You’re protected
on Good Dog
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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
- Toys
- Food & treats
- Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
- Puppy starter kit
- Initial potty training
- AKC registration
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Denise.
Breeder's location
Meet in Laguna Niguel, CA
Other pick-up locations
Meet at Ontario Airport
More about Denise
Club memberships
Denise is a member of German Shepherd Dog Club of America and United Schutzhund Clubs of America.
Certifications & recognitions
Professional Handler, Puppy Culture Breeder.
Denise has been a member of Good Dog for less than a month
Denise was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2026.
Denise is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Barenstadt Kennels 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
Parent dogs
Zarra Bett Silver, mom
German Shepherd
About Zarra Bett Silver
Zarra Bett Silver is a valued female in the Barenstadt Kennel breeding program, selected for the qualities we believe are essential in a true working German Shepherd. She brings strong working genetics, intelligence, confidence, drive, and a clear, stable temperament. As a mother, Zarra has produced puppies with the potential for sport, working homes, and active family companionship. Her combination of natural ability, sound character, and maternal instinct represents the type of German Shepherd we strive to preserve for future generations.
Axel, dad
German Shepherd
About Axel
Axel vom Barenstadt represents the qualities we value most in a working German Shepherd: strength, intelligence, confidence, stability, and natural working ability. Selected as an important part of the Barenstadt breeding program, Axel brings the genetic foundation we look for when producing dogs capable of excelling in sport, working roles, and active homes. His temperament, presence, drive, and trainability reflect our commitment to preserving the character and versatility of the working German Shepherd.
Parent health testing
Excellent level
Barenstadt Kennels 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 (rDVM, not 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.
Temperament Test, Vet Wellness Exam
A breeder may perform additional tests on their dogs that do not fall into these general categories. These tests may be more uncommon or very specific to a particular breed.
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).
