Wyohaus German Shepherds

Puppy Placement Process

Before placing a deposit, all prospective buyers are required to read this page in full. It explains our puppy purchase and placement process. We want every buyer to be informed and confident in their decision, so if anything is unclear, don’t hesitate to reach out before committing.

Updated 6/30/2025

Steps to Purchase:

  1. Read this page in full to understand our process, philosophy, and expectations.
  2. Review our Sales Contract page.
  3. Complete an application through our Good Dog profile (Good Dog Application Link)
  4. If approved, submit your $800 deposit through Good Dog to reserve a spot in the litter.
  5. Follow along for litter updates via social media and/or direct email/text updates. Families are welcome to visit after the puppies are 4 weeks old.
  6. At 8 weeks, we match puppies to homes based on temperament. Full payment is due within one week of placement.
  7. Pickup is arranged individually. Puppies typically go home between 9–10 weeks of age.
  8. Stay in touch! We provide lifetime support and love hearing updates from our puppy families.

Application

All prospective buyers must complete an application for consideration. Our program is focused on placing puppies in homes that align with our breeding goals and philosophy. Not every dog, breed, or breeder is the right fit for every household, and we reserve the right to decline an application for any lawful reason. We do not discriminate based on gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or other legally protected characteristics.

We prioritize placements in homes that intend to work or compete with their dogs but we also love to see our dogs thriving as pets in family homes, provided they receive the daily physical and mental engagement, structured training, and clear leadership required to be fulfilled. Families who are active, committed to training, and prepared to meet the breed’s needs are ideal candidates.

Because training is essential to the long-term success of our placements, we require that all owners either have prior experience with working dogs or commit to attending training classes or working with a professional trainer. We will not consider homes without working dog experience unless they agree to a structured training plan. This requirement ensures that each puppy reaches their full potential and that owners have the necessary guidance to manage a high-drive breed effectively.

Applicants should be prepared to discuss their experience with working breeds (if any), their training approach, and how they plan to integrate their puppy into their daily life. Our goal is to place each puppy where they will be best suited, ensuring a successful long-term match for both the dog and the owner.

All applications must be filled out through Good Dog. Please use the links below. Payments through Good Dog MUST be made through the link below if you did not find our program through the Good Dog website.

Puppy Selection

We believe that temperament is the most important consideration during the puppy placement process. Matching puppies to the right family is vital for the success and happiness of both the dog and the owner. Because of this, we carefully evaluate each puppy and select placements based on temperament and compatibility. If multiple puppies in a litter are a good fit for your lifestyle, we may offer you a choice among them in order of deposit.

We do not strongly consider gender in our evaluations, as a good match is based on temperament rather than sex. However, if you have a strict gender preference, please let us know from the start so we can determine whether we have a suitable option for you. We do not consider color or coat type in our placements. If these factors are a dealbreaker, we may not be the right breeder for you. Puppies are evaluated through eight weeks of age, and placements are determined at that time. If we do not feel we have a suitable match for you in a litter, we will offer to refund your deposit or move you to the waitlist for a future litter.

Payment and Deposit

Prices vary based on the breeding and will be listed under each litter on the Available Puppies page. Prices typically range from $2,500 to $3,500. A deposit of $800 is required and applies to the total price of the puppy. We do not accept deposits before a litter is born, but we maintain a waitlist once a breeding has been announced. After the litter is born, deposits must be made within one week to hold a spot. Deposits are fully refundable before the puppies reach four weeks of age, after which refunds are given at our discretion.

Because we place puppies based on temperament, we may not have a suitable match for every buyer in every litter. If we determine there is no suitable match, the buyer may choose to either transfer their deposit to a future litter or receive a full refund. Buyers must notify us of their decision within seven days of being informed. After the four-week refund period has passed, if a buyer chooses to withdraw for any reason, the deposit will be forfeited.

Full payment is due at the time placement is decided, which typically occurs at eight weeks of age. Payment must be made within one week of placement confirmation. If full payment is not received within this timeframe, both the deposit and the puppy will be forfeited.

Contract

We require a sales contract to make sure expectations are clear for both the buyer and the breeder. It outlines important details like health guarantees, payment terms, breeding restrictions, and what happens if a buyer can no longer keep their dog. The contract protects the dog, the buyer, and our breeding program.

It also helps us continue to improve our breeding program. We offer incentives for owners who title their dogs in work or sport and complete health testing that will provide valuable information for our future breeding decisions.

The contract includes:

  • A 36-month health guarantee covering breed-relevant genetic diseases.
  • Breeder involvement for the lifetime of the dog. We are always available for guidance and support.
  • First right of refusal if a dog is rehomed.
  • Performance incentives for working and sport achievements, as well as health testing.
  • Breeding restrictions to ensure dogs are bred responsibly or not at all.
  • Care requirements to make sure our puppies are raised in the kind of homes we believe they need.

We want buyers who understand and appreciate this contract and the purpose behind it. If these expectations feel like too much, we completely understand, but that likely means we aren’t the right breeder for you. We’re not just looking for homes for our puppies, we’re looking for the right homes that align with what we believe is best for the dog.

See our Contract Page here. This page will be updated for our 2025 litters, stay tuned!

Registration and Breeding

All puppies are sold with limited AKC registration and a non-breeding contract. Limited registration means that any litters produced from the dog will not be eligible for AKC registration. The non-breeding contract is a separate agreement stating that the dog may not be bred. Breeding the dog without the breeder’s consent is a violation of the contract and will result in financial penalties and can result in repossession of the dog.

Full AKC registration and breeding rights may be granted under specific conditions but are never guaranteed. To qualify, the dog must be at least two years old, have passing health evaluations for all breed-relevant tests, and earn a recognized working title or certification. Any requests for full registration will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we reserve the right to deny breeding rights at our discretion.

Our goal is to ensure that any dog from our program that is bred meets the same standards we hold for our own breeding stock. We do not sell breeding rights to unknown breeders without an in-depth discussion of their program, goals, and breeding ethics. If full registration or breeding rights are something you may want in the future, it must be discussed upfront. If immediate breeding rights are a primary concern, we may not be the right breeder for you.

Health and Care

Puppies receive their first vaccination, routine deworming, a veterinary wellness exam, and a microchip before going home. We implement Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and extensive socialization to expose puppies to a variety of environments, sounds, surfaces, and experiences, helping them develop confidence and adaptability. They will have begun crate and potty training, and some basic obedience. Buyers also receive a comprehensive puppy packet that includes information on housebreaking, crate training, parasite prevention, and overall health care.

For more information on our recommendations on nutrition, exercise, training, and general care after you bring your new puppy home, please see this page (coming soon).

Transportation

We sell puppies to all 50 U.S. states and Canada. Whenever possible, we encourage buyers to pick up their puppy in person so they can meet us and see where their puppy was raised. If a buyer is unable to pick up their puppy in person, transportation must be discussed and approved in advance. Buyers must arrange transport, but we must approve the method and provider. We do not allow puppies to be flown as cargo. If a puppy is flown, they must be accompanied by a person on the flight. All transportation costs are the buyer’s responsibility.

Questions?

We love questions! Please reach out through our Contact Page.