I'm Julie H., the breeder behind Milestone GSDs located in Apex, NC. We are strong advocates of responsible breeding practices. We breed top-quality German Shepherds and strive to continually improve while sharing our knowledge with our buyer families. Our goal is to better the breed through thorough health testing and selective breeding decisions.
Q. & A. with Julie
Why did you start breeding?
My journey into breeding began with a desire to make meaningful contributions to the German Shepherd Dog and the organizations that support the breed. Having seen the effects of breeding without accountability — and experienced being dismissed when raising concerns — I became determined to do things differently: with integrity, transparency, and unwavering commitment to the dogs themselves.
What makes your program special?
We raise and train our dogs with utmost care. They’re part of our family, living in our home and receiving constant attention. I actively participate in IGP clubs and events, believing that diverse activities enrich their lives. Beyond protection, obedience, and tracking, I encourage my dogs to earn CGC+ titles and enjoy sports like Dock Diving, FastCat, and IGP.
What are the different breed coat types in your program?
Our puppies include stock and long coat varieties. Coat types may vary depending on the parent dogs.
What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies are 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.
Ana (Light Pink collar girl)
Went home
Female
Aisha (Pink Collar Girl)
Went home
Female
Arlow (Black Collar Boy)
Went home
Male
Adey (Tan Collar Girl)
Went home
Female
Archie (Blue Collar Boy)
Went home
Male
Azee (White Collar Girl)
Went home
Female
Astro (Red Collar Boy)
Went home
Male
Albie (Light Blue Collar Boy)
Went home
Male
Bauer
Went home
Male
Bamm Bamm
Went home
Male
Billie
Went home
Female
Banks
Went home
Male
Benny
Went home
Male
Blake
Went home
Female
Brooks
Went home
Female
Getting a puppy from Julie
Julie has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
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
Puppy prices include a $1,000 non-refundable deposit and between $3,500 - $4,500 final payment, before taxes & fees.
“Price includes a health guarantee, vet records, deworming, vaccinations, microchip, AKC registration, and early development assessments. Puppies come with a take-home kit. Our puppies vary in price, depending on if you want a family companion/service dog, working dog, or champion show dog.”
Contract & health guarantee
Julie 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 Julie 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 Julie directly.
Milestone GSDs 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
Julie H.
Litter update on 13 Nov. •
Puppies are 6 days old 💜
Urso and Shakira's litter
Julie H.
Litter update on 12 Nov. •
Shakira x Urso litter; 4 days old!
Urso and Shakira's litter
Julie H.
Litter update on 09 Nov. •
Shakira welcomed her 3 puppies into the world on November 8th, 2025!
Urso and Shakira's litter
Julie H.
Litter update on 23 Feb. •
Negus and Viktoria's litter
Julie H.
Litter update on 15 Feb. •
Puppies are 4.5 weeks old
Negus and Viktoria's litter
Julie H.
Program update on 31 Jan. •
Julie H.
Litter update on 30 Jan. •
The puppies are growing! 2 weeks old.
Negus and Viktoria's litter
Julie H.
Litter update on 24 Jan. •
Puppies are 9 days old! Eating and sleeping a lot!
Negus and Viktoria's litter
Julie H.
Litter update on 23 Jan. •
Puppies are 8 days old!
Negus and Viktoria's litter
Parent dogs
Shakira, mom
German Shepherd
About Shakira
Shakira di Casa Caputi, IGP1 (Hips/Elbows: f. Normal / Normal) Don di Casa Caputi
Darhma di Casa Caputi (Jimmy v.d. Zenteiche, Marlo von Baccara lines)
There’s something about Shakira that makes her unique. Over-medium in size and medium-strong, she combines a noble, lively expression with powerful structure and balance. Her head is beautifully shaped with dark, intelligent eyes; her back firm and straight.
Every stride reinforces harmony — strong, dry muscles, excellent moderate angulation with no extremes, and a ground-covering gait that shows both strength and elegance. Confident and self-assured, with a pronounced TSB.
Her show journey so far under ACOA Ecuador 🇪🇨: • VV1 – July 10, 2022 — Dr. Tito Mendoza • VV1 – December 17, 2022 — Sr. Harald Hohmann • VV1 – January 29, 2023 — Sr. Javier Estevez • SG1 – March 19, 2023 — Sr. Christoph Ludwig • SG7 – May 21, 2023 — Sr. Nikolaus Messler • SG1 – September 17, 2023 — Ab. Doubosky Marquez • SG1 – October 29, 2023 — Sr. Robert Lang
Shakira di Casa Caputi moved through her character assessment like poetry in motion. Balanced, self-assured, and calm, she meets every sound and surface with quiet confidence. She stays unimpressed, curious, composed at loud noises. Her play is instant, her drive intense, her focus unwavering. Under pressure she stays steady, her persistence quietly powerful. In isolation she shows her soul: attentive, open, free. Shakira isn’t loud in her greatness — she’s grace under scrutiny, strength in stillness, confidence that doesn’t need to announce itself.
Elyf, mom
German Shepherd
About Elyf
A large, strong, and strikingly typical female with correct structural proportions. She has well-formed hindquarters angulation and good forehand angulation. She possesses high withers, a straight back, and a harmonious underline. Her front is straight, and her movement is well-balanced, showing expansive gaits. TSB pronounced. A correctly structured breeding female suitable for improving overall conformation.
Digger, dad
German Shepherd
About Digger
VA, IGP2, KKL Digger von Edelweiss
Normal/Normal on hips & elbows
PennHip - .36 L/R the tightest GSD hips that our vet has ever seen at 8 years old. No arthritis or dysplasia present.
Digger von Edelweiss represents the pinnacle of the modern day German Shepherd Dog. I believe that Max von Stephanitz, the breed’s founder, would have been proud to see Digger as the epitome of what the German Shepherd was meant to be.
While no dog is flawless, Digger comes incredibly close. He stands apart by exceeding expectations not only in physical conformation but also in mental strength, work ethic, efficient movement, and stable temperament—all qualities that many modern GSDs often lack in the show ring. Digger reflects the true spirit of a balanced working dog, having excelled in ways that have become rare.
Digger’s true legacy lies in his offspring such as Kaster van Contra, who carry forward his exceptional qualities. He’s more than a champion; he’s a progenitor of excellence, shaping the future of the breed for years to come.
Digger’s remarkable consistency is what truly sets him apart. He has always risen to the occasion, whether in competition or as a loyal companion at home. His steady mental strength highlights his exceptional nature, proving time and again that he never fails or falters, even in the face of challenges or setbacks beyond his control.
Though there may never be another like Digger, his legacy endures through his remarkable progeny, each carrying forward the best parts of his spirit and traits. Digger von Edelweiss is not just a dog; he’s a true ambassador of the breed and, to me, the timeless Universal Sieger—a shining example of what can be achieved through love, dedication, and respect. His story will leave a lasting impact on the breed forever. 🐾
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Excellent level
Milestone GSDs 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.
Temperament Test
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.
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).