Barenstadt Kennels

Denise S.

Breeder of German Shepherds

  • Laguna Niguel, CA
  • Responds within a day

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.

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.

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

Puppy prices include a $1,000 non-refundable deposit that secures a spot in a litter. The remaining $3,000 is due before pickup, plus applicable taxes and fees.

“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.

All contracts are handled securely through 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

5795 miles away

·

Other pick-up locations

Meet at Ontario Airport

5761 miles away

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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’s links

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

Litter and program updates

Parent dogs

Parent health testing

Breeder-Reported 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).

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.

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