We are so excited to announce that Freda is expecting, and by the end of September we should have working line German Shepherd puppies Maine families can bring home just in time for the holidays!
This is the litter we have been planning for a long time. Below are the seven facts every family asks about first, from who the parents are to how the waitlist works and when the puppies will be ready.
1. Meet Our Foundation Female
Freda is almost four years old, and she is the reason Pine Hill exists. She lives in our house as a family member first and a working dog second.
She has the drive people expect from a working line shepherd. She also has the part that matters more to most families: she settles. She swims, she hikes, she does bite work and obedience, and then she comes inside and sleeps on the floor while the kids play around her.
You can read more about her on our Females page, and we will publish a full profile of her tomorrow.
2. Meet The Sire Ledger Bei Mackenzie Von Franzosisches Haus
Rangeley brings Czech working lines that are known for stable nerves, strong work ethic, and the ability to turn it off at home. We chose him because his structure and temperament complement Freda’s, and because his clearances let us stand behind every puppy with confidence. His full profile is on his page!
3. Both parents are fully health tested
Freda holds OFA clearances for hips, elbows, eyes, and heart, along with a complete genetic panel. Rangeley’s clearances are the top ratings on that scale, and his DM N/N result means none of his puppies can be affected by degenerative myelopathy.
The American Kennel Club breed page lists hip and elbow evaluations as the recommended health tests for the breed, and we go beyond that minimum on every dog we breed. We are glad to share results with any family on the waitlist.
4. Every puppy is raised in our home with Puppy Culture
German Shepherd puppies Maine buyers get from Pine Hill are born and raised in our house, in the same rooms Freda lives in. We follow the Puppy Culture program from day one: early neurological stimulation from days 3 through 16, sound and surface exposure as eyes and ears open, enrichment obstacles, crate introduction, and the first clicker behaviors before eight weeks.
The result is a puppy that arrives home already understanding that engaging with people is how good things happen.
5. We breed for drive and an off switch
We select for two things at once. The first is the drive to work, which is what makes these dogs so trainable. The second is a nervous system stable enough to relax when nothing is happening.
That combination means puppies from this litter can excel in protection sport, search and rescue, or service work, and can also be a family’s one dog. We evaluate every puppy at seven weeks and match it to the home where it will thrive.
6. Puppies go home in late November
Freda is due in late September. Puppies go home at eight weeks with their first vaccinations, deworming, a vet exam, AKC paperwork, a health guarantee, and a solid start on crate training and house manners. For this litter, that puts go-home day in late November.
7. The waitlist is open now
Families are placed in order of when their application and deposit come in. Because the families ahead of you make their picks first, we cannot tell you yet which specific puppy will be yours. What we can tell you is that we match puppies to homes based on temperament evaluations rather than on color or gender alone.
Start with the Reserve A Puppy page, or contact us with questions. If you are still comparing breeders, our recent post on what separates the best breeders from the rest is a good place to start.
Follow Freda’s pregnancy
We will be posting updates on Freda every few days through the rest of her pregnancy, including her x-ray results and the whelping box setup. Sign up for the email list at the bottom of this page and you will hear about the puppies the day they arrive.
German Shepherd puppies Maine families can trust start with parents you can meet, a breeder you can talk to, and a program you can see. We look forward to hearing from you.
