I'm Kurt R., the breeder behind Von Der Heil located in Thorp, WI. We are passionate about German Shepherds and look forward to sharing the breed with others who love them just as much as we do! By creating an environment of health and harmony for young puppies, we give each pup the very best chance to reach their potential, express their unique personality, and have a loving, well-rounded temperament.
Q. & A. with Kurt
Why did you start breeding?
Our focus is to produce the best dogs of the highest quality so that other families can also enjoy the love of a German Shepherd. We pride ourselves on helping all of our clients find the right fit for their needs and lifestyle. Our dogs make great devoted family dogs that have beautiful coats, excellent balance, and fantastic overall health. They will be a great addition to any qualified family!
What makes your program special?
We are very experienced with German Shepherds and are careful to breed and raise our pups with only the best policies. We focus on breeding dogs that have enough working drive to keep up with our lifestyle, but also have amazing temperaments and can quickly adapt to a family setting. We are happy to tell you more about what life with a German Shepherd is like and how they will enhance your life!
Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home and a kennel on my property.
Getting a puppy from Kurt
Kurt 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 $1,000 - $2,000 final payment, before taxes & fees.
Contract & health guarantee
Kurt 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 Kurt 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 Kurt directly.
Kurt has been a member of Good Dog for over 4 years
Kurt was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2021.
Kurt is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Von Der Heil 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 health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Good level
Von Der Heil 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.