STEADFAST SERVICE DOGS - How are our dogs different?

We purpose-breed for health, longevity, and temperament. We research lines, we health test, we temperament test. We deliberately breed to obtain a very specific result...

Phenomenal dogs with calm, stable, and confidant temperaments. Dogs with fantastic muscle tone and excellent structure. Dogs that are extremely handler focused, intelligent, and easy to train. Healthy dogs that do not suffer from the problems common in today’s German Shepherds and have a lifespan of 12-15 years. Dogs that are capable of being an awesome family addition or a life altering service dog.

How do we manage to do this?

First, we start out with base dogs that have been purpose bred to have mellow, calm, stable, and confidant temperaments. Dogs that are extremely handler focused and eager to please. Dogs that are malleable and intelligent.

Before we breed, we health test to ensure healthy offspring. All of our breeding dogs are OFA certified for hips and elbows, thereby significantly reducing the risk of hip and elbow dysplasia. All of our dogs are tested as DM clear (N/N, two normal alleles). This precludes our dogs developing Degenerative Myelopathy, a crippling neurological disease that is hereditary. Our dogs also test negative for MDR1, a genetic predisposition to fatal reactions under anesthesia.

This rigorous testing allows us to offer a written health guarantee. We also require every purchaser to take their new puppy to their veterinarian for an exam, within the first three days...so they can be assured that their puppy is in good health, and has been exceptionally well bred.

We do not breed to the current “breed standard,” nor do we breed show dogs with exaggerated sloped backs (also known as “roach back.”) We breed “Old World” style dogs that have straight backs, large heads, and are large enough to perform heavy mobility if placed as a service dog. (Please refer to our “Service Dogs” link to see what applications our dogs excel at, and some of our verified service dog placements.)

How do we produce dogs with amazing temperaments?

Once born, each puppy is handled extensively. We engage in ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) from day one, in order to ensure confidant, alert puppies. A family member sleeps in the same room with the puppies for the first 30 days. They are heavily socialized with children, adults, chickens, cats, and other dogs. They are exposed to different environments, noises, smells, temperatures, different surfaces under their feet. They ride in vehicles. They go out in public. They interact with a variety of people.

Throughout all of that time, they are raised in our home with large amounts of human interaction, not warehoused in kennels. They are fed the best possible food for proper physical development.

We keep our puppies for 10 weeks, which allows for extra bonding time, increased emotional development, and a greater level of confidence.

Then, we bring in some of the absolute best trainers in the industry to evaluate them, and determine suitable placement. One of the three regional K9 trainers with Virginia State Police and a K9 Master Trainer who specializes in service dogs conduct evaluations. Each puppy is thoroughly evaluated for ten separate personality traits, so that purchasers know which puppies to concentrate on, so that they can take home their ideal dog.

We screen potential purchasers… numerous conversations, references, a background check. When it comes time for puppy pick-ups, we don’t give you 30 minutes like other breeders. At most, we schedule 2 pick-ups per day...one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We want the puppy’s new owner to be sure they are making the right choice, with no pressure or time constraints. We want each purchaser to spend time with each puppy, so that they know they are taking the right dog home with them. It is, after all, a huge life decision for both the puppy...and the owner.

After a purchaser takes home their puppy, we continue to keep contact. We have a Steadfast Owners’ Facebook group where owners can ask questions, or (quite often) brag about their dogs. We also offer access to a K9 Master Trainer for questions and suggestions. We are fully invested in Steadfast owners for the life of their dogs.