Hawks Hunt German Shepherds

Hawks Hunt German Shepherds represent the breeding program of Suzanne Clothier, internationally respected trainer and author. A small breeding program with usually just one litter per year, our dogs reflect the hard work, attention & expertise of more than 25 years we bring to breeding in order to offer the best all-round dog we know how to produce.

We strive for unflappable dogs with excellent judgment. Puppies are socialized from the moment they are born, and stimulated in every conceivable way to develop their minds and their bodies. Raised in our home, on our farm, these are not kennel babies! (Heck, we don't even have a kennel!) They receive intense amounts of human contact, and grow up in an enriched environment to maximize their neuro-muscular development.

• Puppies are crate trained, leash broken and started with training before they leave our home. Their athletic ability is carefully & deliberately developed through indoor & outdoor challenges from an early age. Suzanne's program that creates these highly coordinated pups is now being adapted for use with the Guiding Eyes for the Blind breeding colony!

• Working ability & sound structure. We do not breed for the breed ring - we breed a correctly structured dog who is extremely athletic, coordinated and able to work. Accompanying a sound body is incredible intelligence and desire to work - however, we do not breed dogs with excessive drive that are difficult to live with. First & foremost, these are companion animals, and no matter how brilliant, you still have to live with them! However, these are not German Shepherds that are usually well suited to the first time GSD owner as they can be very intelligent, persistent and active; experienced GSD owners preferred.

• Beauty & nobility. While trying to breed sound dogs, we have not sacrificed the beauty or nobility of a proper German Shepherd. These are not just great dogs - they're also truly beautiful & kind!

• Sound bodies & excellent health. As any GSD lover knows, this is a breed plagued with many health problems. While we don't breed perfect dogs, we try hard to minimize health problems, and have produced only a few. Our breeding dogs are OFA certified for hips, elbow.

• Unlike most breeders, we will tell you exactly what health problems we have had in the past, and stand behind our dogs 100%. Our all-natural diet (homemade for 25 years) may be the key to our good luck in this area. We encourage puppy buyers to feed naturally!

• Longevity is a difficult thing to breed for, but here's the proof that we're on the right track. In late May 2004, we lost our beloved Hawks Hunt's Carson at 2 months shy of 15 years old. Her sire, Bear, was also nearly 15 when he died. It was and once again is an amazing thing to have 4 generations in the house with Carson and her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids! Otter was the "great-grandma" dog, with her kids, grandkids & great-grandkids here. She turned 15 in March 2009, and died in July 2009. However, we have had dogs who did not live that long. 12-14 seems to be the typical lifespan for our lines.

Dogs who can do what you ask of them. Our dogs have been nationally ranked in obedience & agility, and have been successful in Search & Rescue, therapy work, herding, tracking, and are part of the breeding program of several guide dog schools in the US and internationally.

We are extremely picky about where our pups go, but are proud to say that they are scattered coast to coast and in guide schools in the US, Holland and Spain. Raised in our home with all our other dogs & animals, these dogs are bred to be companions & house dogs, not a kennel or outside dog. Prospective buyers are carefully screened, and references are checked thoroughly. Puppies are selected for each owner based on our in-depth knowledge of each puppy. We will NOT sell you a puppy who does not or cannot meet your requirements.

OUR NEXT LITTER is planned for spring 2011. We will be breeding SPIDER to EX, a Canadian dog out of Slovakian lines, at stud with Stalworth Kennels. There is already a waiting list for what promises to be a wonderful litter! We may also breed Spider's sister ChaCha, co-owned with Nancy Reyes in Chicago. Updates will be posted here.

INTERESTED IN A HAWKS HUNT GSD? Please fill out our Puppy Buyer's Questionnaire.