ABOUT US / ABOUT THE GERMAN SHEPHERD BREED
OUR STORY
Agape Ranch German Shepherds controlled and managed by I and my wife , and my 3 daughters and son. We might get some other family members, friends & volunteers to help us from time to time at the Ranch.
We own a 14 Acre Ranch where we live and breed our animals. Our Primary activity is breeding & Raising German Shepherds for family pets and therapy dogs. But we also have AKC Registered German Shepherds from champion bloodlines which are our Stud Dogs & Family Pets. We also own over a dozen Dorset Horses & some kinder goats and Rabits.
I have always been a breeder, from growing up on a farm in where we bred Horses, goats & cattle for livestock to graduating from Kirkwood as a Vet Tech. My turning point to focus on breeding is when I met my wife, then a pet groomer & Sitter it’s like we were almost destined for each other. I was always the busy type, everyday schedule from farm to farm, to Vet lab examinations, animal checkups. After My wife gave birth to our 2nd daughter she had Postpartum psychosis and I had to be there for her and our babies. We got a certified Therapy dog (German Shepherd) to help with her treatment and after a month of treatment she was feeling better being herself again. It united our family, brought us so much healing and love. That’s when I took the decision I wanted this feeling to continue. I quit my job, moved out to the countryside, and bought a 14 Acre Ranch, it’s been all love and happiness since then. Our dogs are like an extension of us, they are our families & we want you to feel the same way we feel about them when you get yours. Do not hesitate to contact us and get family and life companion.
ABOUT THE GERMAN SHEPHERD BREED
ORIGIN
The first club of the German Shepherd breed was formed in 1881 after Max von Stephanitz and his followers developed and promoted the breed as a herding dog, and later as a working dog used by the police and the military. From the First World War the bravery and temperament of the German Shepherd has gained the breed worldwide recognition and praise and he has shown his worth in other disciplines too and as a guide dog to blind people, and as a tracking dog.
In recent years the long haired variety, once frowned upon in its native country has been officially recognized in the breed standard.
General appearance of a German Shepherd Dog.
The German Shepherd is Slightly long in comparison to height; of powerful, well-muscled build with weather-resistant coat. Relation between height, length, position and structure of fore and hindquarters (angulation) producing far-reaching, enduring gait. Clear definition of masculinity and femininity essential, and working ability never sacrificed for mere beauty.
Characteristics of a German Shepherd Dog.
Versatile working dog, balanced and free from exaggeration. They are capable of standing comfortably and calmly, freely and unsupported in any way, in structural balance, whilst both rear pasterns are vertical. Attentive, alert, resilient and tireless with keen scenting ability.
Temperament of a German Shepherd Dog.
Steady of nerve, loyal, self-assured, courageous and tractable. Never nervous, over-aggressive or shy. Good with kids, other dogs and obedient to the owner.
Body of the German Shepherd Dog
The Length measured from point of shoulder to point of buttock, slightly exceeding height at withers. Correct ratio 10 to 9 or 8 and a half. Undersized dogs, stunted growth, high-legged dogs, those too heavy or too light in build, over-loaded fronts, too short overall appearance, any feature detracting from reach or endurance of gait, undesirable. Chest deep (45-48%) of height at shoulder, not too broad, brisket long, well developed. Ribs well formed and long; neither barrel-shaped nor too flat; allowing free movement of elbows when gaiting. Relatively short loin. Belly firm, only slightly drawn up. Back between withers and croup, straight, strongly developed, not too long. Overall length achieved by correct angle of well laid shoulders, correct length of croup and hindquarters. The topline runs without any visible break from the set on of the neck, over the well-defined withers, falling away slightly in a straight line to the gently sloping croup. The back is firm, strong and well muscled. Loin broad, strong, well muscled. Weak, soft and roach backs highly undesirable and should be heavily penalized. Croup slightly sloping and without any break in the topline, merges imperceptibly with the set on of the tail. Short, steep or flat croups highly undesirable.
The Coat of the German Shepherd Dog
There are two separate varieties of coat.
The Outer coat consisting of straight, hard, close-lying hair as dense as possible; thick undercoat. Hair on head, ears, front of legs, paws and toes short; on neck, longer and thicker; in some males forming slight ruff. Hair longer on back of legs as far down as pasterns and hocks, forming fairly thick trousers on hindquarters. Mole-type coats are undesirable.
In long coats, outer coat longer, not always straight and frequently not lying close and flat to the body. Thick undercoat. Coat distinctly longer inside and behind the ears, forming moderate tufts. Longer hair on the back of the forelegs, through to the loins, and dense feathering on the hindlegs. Tail bushy with light feathering underneath.
We have several cats of the German Shepherd for sale now.
Color of the German Shepherd dog.
The German Shepherd Dog has the Black or black saddle with tan, or gold to light grey markings. All black, all grey, with lighter or brown markings referred to as Sables. Bi-color: Predominantly black, may have tan or gold markings on head, chest, legs and feet; black markings may be present on toes and rear pasterns. Nose black. Light markings on chest or very pale color on inside of legs permissible but undesirable, as are whitish nails, red-tipped tails or wishy-washy faded colors defined as lacking in pigmentation. Blues, livers, albinos, whites (i.e. almost pure white dogs with black noses) and near whites highly undesirable. Undercoat, except in all black dogs, usually grey or fawn. Color in itself is of secondary importance having no effect on character or fitness for work. Final color of a young dog only ascertained when outer coat has developed completely.
We have several colors of the German Shepherd for sale now.