Shepherd's Meadow Guardians
- Missoula, MT
- Responds within a day
Meet the breeder
I'm Carla V., the breeder behind Shepherd's Meadow Guardians located in Missoula, MT. We place an emphasis on breeding a working dog that is happy, healthy, intelligent, trainable and social. We want our puppy families to have a companion that can compete in sports, be a protector and at the same time settle nicely in the house. We believe that all of these traits go hand in hand and that when they come together you have the perfect German Shepherd. This is the goal of our breeding program.
Q. & A. with Carla
Why did you start breeding?
It has been my dream since I was 8 years old to own and breed German Shepherds because of my love for the breed.What makes your program special?
We love our dogs and are dedicated to doing what is best for them. They are family and we want our puppies to be loved in the same way. We will do everything we can to help our puppies become solid, confident and social family members. We stand behind them 100% and if for any reason one of our puppies needs to be rehomed we insist that they be returned to us so we can find them a suitable 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, black, and black and tan. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Getting a puppy from Carla
Carla 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 $500 non-refundable deposit and between $2,000 - $2,500 final payment, before taxes & fees.
Pay over time with Klarna.
“AKC limited registration, puppy socialization with Puppy Culture, health guarantee, puppy vet check along with 1st worming, and 1st vaccinations. Full registration can be earned by titling your dog and doing the necessary health testing. Deposits can be moved to a future litter if the need arises.”
Contract & health guarantee
Carla 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 Carla 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 Carla directly.
Always communicate and pay on Good Dog.Learn more
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
- Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
- Initial potty training
- Puppy starter kit
- AKC registration
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Carla.
Breeder’s location
Meet in Missoula, MT
1912 miles away
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Other pick-up locations
Meet at Missoula Montana Airport (was Missoula Airport)
1910 miles away
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Flexible meeting point
Carla can meet at a location that works for both of you
More about Carla
Club memberships
Carla is a member of Big Sky Tracking Dog Club of Montana.
Certifications & recognitions
Puppy Culture Breeder.
Carla has been a member of Good Dog for less than a month
Carla was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2025.
Carla’s links
Carla is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Shepherd's Meadow Guardians 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
Carla V.
Program update on 17 Nov. •We have a singleton! A beautiful sable male!
Carla V.
Litter update on 13 Nov. •The welping room is all set up and we are at day fifty nine after ovulation.
Iron and Inca's litter
Parent dogs
Inca, mom
German Shepherd
About Inca
Inca comes from an impressive lineage of PSA dogs. Her sire, Lanzo Van Arne's Hoeve, was the 2019 Vice Champion at the USMRA National Championship and the 2019 Team USA member for the FCI World Championship. Inca also boasts the 2007 WUSV World Champion, Angsbacken's Rosso on her dam's side of the pedigree. Inca enjoys scentwork having finished her first title (SIN) in 2024 in Jermome, ID. She needs one qualifying search in each of two more elements to add two more titles to her name. Inca is a very loyal, intelligent soul who is reserved but loves her family. She is silly, loves peanut butter Kongs, mandarin oranges, training and scentwork. She loves car rides, pestering her cats and playing with her best friend, our other German Shepherd, Nox.
Great health testing
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A), Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI), +1 more.
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Great level
Shepherd's Meadow Guardians 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.
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).
