Welcome and thank you for taking the time to read our latest blog post. In the following sections, we aim to show you why Calmholme German Shepherds has become the UK’s premier destination for long-coated German Shepherds. We'll give you a peek behind the scenes of our breeding process, share our history, and reveal why our furry family could be the perfect addition to yours.
II. Calmholme's History & Experience
Our love for the German Shepherd breed runs deep. The seed was planted before I was even born, with my father's first shepherd, "Rex", back in 1965. Since then, that seed has blossomed into a lifelong passion that has spanned over 30 years and now touches four generations of our family.
Our youngest daughter has recently joined us in our endeavours, and we look forward to continuing the passion for generations to come. We began breeding over 24 years ago with our foundation dogs, Gemma, Beauty, and Monty, setting the groundwork for the high standards we maintain today.
Our journey has seen us relocate from York to a stunning rural spot on the outskirts of Beverley, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, in 2007. Here, we are nestled in a 3-acre small holding, providing a spacious and scenic playground for our dogs.
III. Understanding Long-Coated German Shepherds
Long-coated German Shepherds, like ours, are a sight to behold. Their unique coat adds an extra layer of majesty to their already imposing stature. But it's not just about appearances. Their fluffy coats are an exterior reflection of the inner beauty, intelligence, and loyal nature these dogs possess, traits that we tirelessly work to nurture in each of our breeding efforts.
IV. The Calmholme Breeding Process
Our breeding process is a mix of love, dedication, and science. As licensed professional breeders, we use our wealth of knowledge to ensure each litter receives 100% of our attention. Every parent dog undergoes health tests and only those with satisfactory results are selected for breeding.
Our aim isn't to produce the most puppies but the healthiest and most temperamentally sound dogs. We have bred countless puppies over the years, with many going on to compete in various activities, including obedience at Crufts, agility, canicross, flyball, and dance.
V. Care and Training at Calmholme
All the dogs in our family are much more than breeding dogs - they are our companions, our confidantes, our trainers, and our cheerleaders. They join us in fun activities daily, from training sessions to agility courses and games involving their favourite – water!
From puppyhood, we raise our dogs with love and care, socialising and training them to ensure their temperaments are confident, kind, gentle, and loving.
VI. Aftercare and Support
At Calmholme, we view the sale of a puppy as the beginning of a relationship rather than the end of a transaction. When one of our puppies joins your family, you also join our extended Calmholme family.
We have a private Facebook group for our owners, where we share photos, stories, advice, and even hold friendly competitions. Plus, we're always on hand to offer advice or lend an ear throughout your dog's lifetime.
VII. Why Choose Calmholme German Shepherds
In our 24 years of operation, we've built a reputation for excellence in breeding large, long-coated German Shepherds. But it's not just about the size or the coat; it's about the overall package.
Our dogs possess brains as well as beauty, with fantastic natures that make them wonderful companions. We breed for love, not colour, and it’s this love and commitment to the breed that sets us apart.
VIII. Conclusion
We hope that this insight into our operations at Calmholme German Shepherds has helped you understand why we've become the go-to breeder for long-coated German Shepherds in the UK. It's a journey that's been decades in the making and one that we hope to continue for many years to come.
If you're considering welcoming a long-coated German Shepherd into your family, we would love to chat. Feel free to get in touch with us, visit our premises, or join our Facebook group to learn more. We can't wait to introduce you to our beautiful, kind, and intelligent German Shepherds.
Best Wishes, Caroline & Richard Fletcher, Calmholme German Shepherds.