Von Forester German Shepherds
- West Plains, MO ·
- Responds within a few days
Upcoming litters
Planned German Shepherd litter
Due Apr. 2027
Meet the breeder
I'm Melissa F., the breeder behind Von Forester German Shepherds located in West Plains, MO. I’m a K9 handler with the Ozark County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue team, working my German Shepherds in HRD and wilderness search while helping teammates with their dogs. I also own BYOD Grooming in West Plains and run Von Forester Shepherds, producing stable, fully health‑tested working‑line GSDs.
Q. & A. with Melissa
Why did you start breeding?
I’m new to breeding and just had my first litter. I’m starting small and focusing on raising healthy, stable puppies with good temperaments, especially for the kind of steady, reliable working dogs I use in Search & Rescue.What makes your program special?
Even with my first litter, I’m breeding with a clear purpose: raising healthy, stable puppies who can grow into reliable SAR prospects or calm, trustworthy companions.What are the different breed coat types in your program?
Our puppies include plush and stock coat varieties. 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.Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
Amara
Went homeFemale
Avalon
Went homeFemale
Azelea
Went homeFemale
Astra
Went homeFemale
Aurelia
Went homeFemale
Artemis
Went homeMale
ARKAN
Went homeMale
Getting a puppy from Melissa
Melissa 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.
Melissa 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.
“I match each puppy to their new home by evaluating temperament, drive, nerve strength, and overall suitability, then pairing those traits with the family’s goals and experience. I focus on placing confident, stable puppies in homes where their working ability and personality will thrive.”
Price
“Each puppy comes with a 72‑hour health guarantee after pickup, a 24‑month hip/elbow guarantee, age‑appropriate vaccinations, deworming, early exposure, AKC registration, and lifetime support. Deposits are taken after puppies are born, following the order of the waitlist. Deposits are $500. Deposits are non-refundable, however are transferable to another litter.”
Contract & health guarantee
Melissa 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 Melissa 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 Melissa directly.
You’re protected
on Good Dog
When you pay and communicate on Good Dog, you’re covered by Payment Protection.
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
Puppy health practices
- Vet check
- First round of shots and deworming
- Vet records
- Microchip
Extras
- Toys
- Food & treats
- AKC registration
- Puppy starter kit
- Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent
- Initial potty training
Location & pick-up
You can drive or fly to pick up your puppy from Melissa.
Breeder's location
Meet in West Plains, MO
800 miles away
·
Other pick-up locations
Meet at St. Louis Lambert Airport
693 miles away
·
Meet in Mountain Home, Arkansas
835 miles away
·
More about Melissa
Club memberships
Melissa is a member of National Organization Certifying Search and Rescue, Protection Sport Association , American Working Dog Association . and United Schutzhund Clubs of America..
Certifications & recognitions
Train with several k-9 law enforcement officers on a weekly basis, Search and rescue evaluator through NOCSAR, Professional Groomer.
Melissa has been a member of Good Dog for 2 months
Melissa was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2026.
Melissa’s links
Melissa is a trusted Good Dog breeder
Von Forester German Shepherds 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
Mako, mom
German Shepherd
About Mako
Mako is a fiery, spirited female who brings attitude, intelligence, and precision to everything she does. Her natural drive makes her a standout in tracking and trailing, where she works with focus and determination. She is CGC‑certified, fully health tested through Embark, and her hips and elbows are completed through SV, confirming her structural soundness and suitability for demanding work.
Uploaded health tests
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A).
Parent health testing
Excellent level
Von Forester German Shepherds 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.
Canine Good Citizen (CGC), 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.
Full Embark Panel, 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).
