Testimonials
Elio
Mozzarella "Mozz"
Elio
In November 2024, I flew to pick up my German Shepherd puppy, Elio, from Valerie at Centennial German Shepherds. I got him to train as my next medical alert and response service dog, to replace my current dog who is now retiring. Elio is a well-driven, confident puppy who is exceeding my expectations during training every day.
Regularly, I receive compliments not only on his striking appearance but also on his wonderful temperament. He is incredibly dog-neutral, confident, and loyal, making him a joy to train and work with. I could not have asked for a better puppy! I could not have asked for a better experience from the very first day I contacted her.
From the very beginning, Valerie has been incredibly supportive. She provided me with all the information and guidance I needed to ensure he had the best start in life. Her dedication and passion for the breed are evident in every interaction, and I feel so lucky to have found her. She has kindly reassured me while giving me advice, resources, and guidance with any concern I have had.
I highly recommend Valerie to anyone looking for a German shepherd puppy. I wouldn’t trust anyone else more than her!
Olivia S.
New York
March 2025
Nala
Mozzarella "Mozz"
Elio
We truly have had such a great experience with Centennial GSD. Valerie has been wonderful to work with and so helpful. You can tell from the start that they have so much knowledge and passion for what they do. When we first started talking with them, I expressed my concerns, and Valerie made me feel so good about choosing them as our breeder.
I lost my soul dog in April to cancer so opening our hearts to a new puppy was a bittersweet feeling. We have a reactive 8 year old dog we weren’t sure would take to a puppy. We also have two little girls, so we knew this puppy needed to have the right temperament and personality to be a good fit for our family.
Valerie was very communicative throughout the entire process. She checked in often and was always updating us with pictures and videos which was such a highlight during the weeks of waiting! She had two puppies in mind for us and after meeting them the purple collar girl ended up being the best fit for us. Our oldest daughter was set on naming her Nala.
Nala has brought so much healing and love into our home. Our other dog has never been so attached to a dog and is amazing with her, she has completely changed him for the better and brought out such a playful side that we have never seen before. While she’s very curious and feisty at times, she has this amazing sweet side. We have been blown away with how smart she is at such a young age. Everyone that meets her is just obsessed with her and how beautiful she is. Our girls are in love with her, and I love watching them grow up together.
We also got to meet Gamora, our puppy's mom. I instantly fell in love with her and think about her often. I hope Nala will be just like her when she gets older.
Valerie was so patient with me the weekend we brought Nala home. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a puppy so there were lots of questions and nerves that came with it. She’s always been so kind with answering my questions and really just being supportive through everything, especially during the harder moments, and reminding me to have patience.
We will absolutely be contacting them in the future when we are ready for another puppy. Thank you, Centennial GSD, for an amazing puppy and experience. We are forever grateful to have found them.
Madison and Kyle
Colorado
December 2024
Mozzarella "Mozz"
Mozzarella "Mozz"
Mozzarella "Mozz"
I want to start by saying we were searching about 8 months specifically for a long hair GSD breeder throughout the U.S. before I actually started reaching out to breeders. I settled on 3 different breeders to talk with. After talking with Valerie and hearing the knowledge and passion she had for her program we knew that we wanted to go with Centennial GSD. And her shepherds are absolutely beautiful.
We were placed on the next available litter and got our boy Mozzarella, Mozz for short, three weeks ago. He is an amazingly smart, easy to train puppy that has amazing looks! Be prepared to be stopped by everyone who sees your puppy. She was very informative throughout the process and continues to be involved after the fact with any knowledge she can share.
If we were to go through it again, we would still pick Centennial GSD!
Christian and Gabby G.
Colorado
December 2024
Remi
Remi
Mozzarella "Mozz"
We are over the moon with our sweet baby, Remi! She is a bundle of joy with an amazing temperament. Remi is smart, outgoing, and playful with my kids and my 1-year-old GSD Ruger.
She's the sweetest when meeting new people and animals. We can tell she was raised with love and cared for dearly. We are so grateful to Valerie for entrusting us with such a wonderful pup. She is great to work with and super knowledgeable with support and information.
We highly recommend Centennial GSD to anyone looking for a beautiful, healthy, well-rounded German Shepherd puppy.
The Kirkpatrick Family
Iowa
December 2024
Mila
Remi
Mila
My husband and I were so blessed to have found Centennial German Shepherds! Valerie and Shawn exceeded all expectations! They welcomed us into their family and were excited to match us with our girl. Val sent us pictures and videos at least twice weekly and really wanted to pair us with the puppy that would match best with us. We were between two puppies the whole time and Valerie suggested meeting them and deciding which was our girl based on personalities and how they interacted with us.
Over the weeks leading up to meeting them, Val shared so much insight into who the puppies were, so we had an idea of which puppy was ours. She thought the pink-collared puppy was our girl but wanted us to decide without knowing which puppy was which. Sure enough, that same puppy she thought was ours, little Miss Pink was the puppy we ended up choosing. She listened to what we thought would best fit into our family and paid such close attention to all the puppies. Val is so observant and notices the tiny details. She goes the extra mile in every aspect of raising her litters.
Our little Mila joined our family in November 2024, and she is absolutely perfect for us! She is so confident and sure of herself. She's intelligent and has really blossomed upon coming home. She is curious about everything but always returns to my husband and I. Mila has sass and opinions but is also completely happy curled up under our feet with our other GSD Roman. She was never intimidated by Roman, which is saying something because he's 130lbs! She challenges him and is always so excited to interact with people and other dogs.
Val and Shawn text and inquire about her often and we love sharing her newest accomplishments (or naughty moments)!
Amazing people create happy and incredible dogs capable of so many great and unimaginable things! We couldn't be more grateful for our Mila! My husband and I are expecting big things from our girl! After our experience, we would trust Val to tell us which puppy was ours and be completely confident of her decision.
We plan on adding more GSDs to our growing family over the upcoming years and we will only go to Centennial German Shepherds after our incredible experience!
Thank you, Valerie and Shawn, for our sweet and perfect girl! We couldn't be happier with our Mila!
Sarah Boussuge Nelson
Wyoming
December 2024
Juno
Remi
Mila
We got Juno (female) in the spring of 2022. Mother is Gucci, now retired, and Capo the Sire. I had been talking to Valerie and getting to know her and she got to know me and talked about upcoming litters.
At one point, there was a young male who had such a great pedigree (Juno had not yet been born) that I was convinced I wanted. He was beautiful. Valerie told me that he was not for sale for a good number of reasons, one of which was that he might be one that she would want to incorporate into her breeding line. Another reason was that she noticed he was not ready to be a family pet. He needed time. Simply put, she wanted him to be in her breeding program but more importantly, she could tell that he would not be one that was ready to go home to a family with kids anytime soon.
I offered Valerie two times the amount she asked for a male puppy because I had my heart set on that male, and he was so beautiful and had such a great lineage. She sweetly said, "No, I appreciate the offer and the compliment, but I know what is right for the dog and what is right for you and your family. This one needs some time."
This is what you get when you work with Valerie. Honesty. Normalcy (as I see it). So! I waited for the next litter as we kept talking. We developed a friendship and I agreed to take a female from the next litter. We flew in and picked up Juno, met Valerie and her husband at the airport and I do wish I could have spent a bit more time with her because Valerie is a fantastic woman. She is a "normal" person breeding superior German Shepherds and loves what she is doing. She is easy to talk to and pleasant to work with.
Back to Juno's litter. After the puppies were born, communication was what you would hope for and expect. Pictures and videos came regularly. The mama and the puppies were in her living room enclosed in a clean area next to where she and her husband eat and relax. The puppies hear them talk, clean, vacuum, laugh, you name it.
Most importantly (to me) there were a good number of times when it would be late, and I would be excited, and I would message Valerie and ask her to send a quick picture or video. Completely unnecessary and within 10 minutes I would get an adorable video of the puppies in their CLEAN space nearby. It is difficult to keep a litter space clean, but it was done by Valerie and her husband. The times I would message...and the relatively immediate response. These dogs are a top priority for them.
Juno, now two years old, is the most personable shepherd I have owned. She is beautiful. I get stopped daily because people are stunned by how beautiful she is. On a personal note, she is quirky. If you forget to hug her in the morning, she will remind you by jumping up on you. Otherwise, she will not jump on you. We have an 8-year-old lab who is a super slow poor guy. She herds him as though she is working on a ranch.
In summation, I developed a great relationship with Valerie, naturally. She loves her dogs and doesn't do it for the money. I think if you are looking for a German Shepherd, you have landed in a good place.
Jenifer
Houston, TX
February 2024
Holly
Holly
Holly
We are incredibly grateful for the life-changing addition to our family. Centennial Holly, our German Shepherd puppy, will be an autism service dog for our son.
Since welcoming this remarkable companion into our family, we have witnessed a profound transformation in our son's daily life. The bond they share is extraordinary, providing not only practical assistance but also emotional support.
Holly has become an invaluable member of our family, bringing joy, security, and a new found sense of independence to our son's journy with autism.
Arianna S.
Colorado
November 2023
Havyn
Holly
Holly
When I first talked to Valerie I knew instantly that she shared the same love, devotion, and commitment that I do for the breed. I talked to her about my goals with a puppy and what I was looking for. We talked about the breed in general and formed a quick connection. After this, I felt very confident that Valerie would help me connect with the perfect puppy.
Valerie was extremely communicative throughout the process and kept me updated with pictures and developmental milestones with the puppies. She answered all of my questions and was extremely informative. My excitement to meet our new addition grew each day.
When we arrived in Colorado and met our Havyn I knew instantly that she was the dog I had always dreamed up. She was clearly very well-socialized and extremely confident, happy, and playful. Valerie was extremely well organized and went over everything with great detail and provided us with so much knowledge and information.
I couldn't have asked for a better experience with Centennial German Shepherds and am so excited to have Havyn in our life.
Brittany Hall
Oregon
November 2023
Dutch
Holly
Dutch
We became acquainted with Val and Centennial German Shepherds almost two years ago after we asked a good friend (who is a purebred GSD owner) whom she would recommend as a breeder. I had owned a GSD as a child and had always wanted to own another.
As I was beginning retirement, we felt that the time was right to add a GSD to our family. We contacted Val after our friend’s recommendation, and we developed an immediate rapport. We found her to be extremely knowledgeable about the breed and committed to responsible breeding practices. Her breeding dams and sires are of exceptional lines, and fully examined for health and temperament.
Since we were only able to bring a male puppy into our home due to a conflict with a current dog, we were willing to wait until the right puppy was available. Val kept us apprised every step of the way and answered countless questions about her dogs, their expected litters, and what we could expect in the process.
Our patience was rewarded three weeks ago, when Centennial Grand Dutchman, aka “Dutch,” joined our family. He is an absolutely beautiful and intelligent puppy; strong-willed to be sure, but loving and affectionate always. It is obvious how much he was loved and how well he was socialized by Val before leaving her home.
We are delighted both with Dutch, and with our entire experience with Centennial German Shepherds. I recommend them without reservation.
John & Nancy Kemner
Florida
November 2023
Lilly
Holiday "Russett"
Dutch
We had been talking about getting a GSD for a couple of years, looking at long-haired, short-haired, color options, etc. We were not happy with what we were finding near us in AZ, so we expanded our internet search. We wanted a GSD that looked sturdy, healthy, and NOT like a coyote. We stumbled across Centennial GSD one day and fell in love with their dogs.
I think we spent another 8 months talking about this, and then one day just took a leap and emailed Valerie. We set up a time to chat, and the next thing I know we were putting a deposit down. We fell in love with DaCapo, and when Valerie said she was doing a breeding with him soon, that was it, no turning back. Valerie was amazing. She educated us on the GSD, and I have to say her knowledge of and dedication to the breed was immediately evident. She answered all our questions, learned about us and it was just like we had known her all our lives. We wanted a female GSD strangely enough to be a playmate for our Parson Jack Russell. He has always loved bigger dogs - he thinks he is one. Valerie said she understood what we were looking for, and that she would pick a puppy out of the litter for us.
The day of delivery finally came, and only 2 boys were born. We were speechless! Valerie spoke with us about our options, and we decided we would wait for another breeding of her dogs. We were set on one of her stunning long-haired GSDs.
Time passed and we heard finally she had another successful breeding of her female and a male, Boston who came from Germany recently. We would text Valerie questions, she sent us updates. We never knew there was so much one person could know about dog breeding, but Valerie had it all covered. We loved our messaging back and forth, and then she let us know the babies were born and we would be getting our baby girl. We started getting pictures of the girls, and they were cute “nuggets” as Valerie called them. They ended up being short-haired instead of long-haired, but we did not care - they were absolutely beautiful.
In pretty short order, we decided Valerie had selected one of the girls for us, and indeed she had selected one she thought would be mellow, not an alpha, and make a good buddy for Augie our Jack Russell. We asked a ton of questions - we had always had smaller dogs and did not know anything about larger dogs except they ate more and were bigger. Valerie again educated us, made us comfortable and we drove through a high mountain snowstorm a few weeks ago to pick her up. For Arizonans, this took a leap of faith, to say the least. When we met up with Valerie, she showed our Lillianna (Lilly) to us and we were overjoyed to see her beautiful face and huge paws. She was everything we had hoped for… and more. Love at first sight really does exist.
When we got home, she marched into the house like she owned the place. By the end of the first night, she and Augie were already starting to bond. She is so very bright, loving, gentle and is playing with Augie all the time now. They even played tug-a-war recently, Augie letting her pull him around.
Our little family is now complete. We absolutely could not have made a better choice than Centennial GSD and Valerie. She absolutely selected the right girl for us, educated us and we are now the proud parents of a GSD that our neighbors stop and tell us how beautiful she is. We are already racking up some great moments with Lilly and have no doubt these will continue for years to come!
April And Annie
Phoenix, AZ
November 2023
Holiday "Russett"
Holiday "Russett"
Holiday "Russett"
As someone who overthinks literally everything and struggles to be decisive, I did not choose to get a puppy from Valerie with Centennial GSD haphazardly. I waited on making a decision to get a new puppy for several years until I was very sure of myself. I very specifically wanted a showline long coat German Shepherd that was bred with all the health testing, working qualities, and temperament required by the SV German standard. There are few breeders in the United States who meet these requirements. Valerie's dogs have all the appropriate health testing done, participate in confirmation shows, and have proven their trainability and temperament with IGP performance testing checking all of the boxes I was looking for.
I seem to have very similar tastes in dogs to Valerie since I think all her dogs are so lovely. While following Valerie's Facebook page, I came across a video of Mongrif Legacy 'Milo' who lives in Denmark, and fell in love with him. Afterwards, Valerie acquired what was in my eyes one of the most beautiful females Gamora who was bred to him. I had literally asked myself if I could have a puppy from any two parents in the world, what sire and dam would I pick? This was one of my ideal pairings of the best I could possibly dream up. I contacted Valerie as soon as I could since I knew I'd likely miss out if I waited. Turns out I was right about that. It sounds like there were several inquiries on a sable male puppy other than myself. I was very happy to be given the honor of taking home the only male puppy in the litter.
After the puppies were born Valerie kept me well informed and up to date on how my puppy and the whole litter were doing. I received lovely photos and videos every couple of days. Valerie is pretty darn good at photography! I felt confident that she would be able to answer any and all of my questions. You can tell that she really cares for all her dogs and the puppies she sends to new homes.
My puppy Holiday so far is a happy, confident little guy that loves to play and snuggle. He tries to make friends with cats that hate him and has already adjusted well to my busy household. He has his work cut out for him since I have hope that he'll participate in shows and sports as he grows up into the handsome dog I'm sure he'll become. I'm sure Valerie will be there to cheer us on!
Jacqueline R.
Michigan
November 2023
Luna
Holiday "Russett"
Holiday "Russett"
After losing our pup to cancer in December of 2021, my husband (Rob) and I began to research GSD breeders in Colorado. We’ve never bought a dog from a breeder before, so we were nervous about the process and finding the perfect one.
Then, Rob came across Centennial GSD and after his first conversation with Valerie, we knew this journey was meant to be. The amount of knowledge she had about GSDs was truly spectacular. Valerie was patient and happily answered all of our questions. She also took the time to learn about our family and our lifestyle to make sure we were a good fit - which showed us that she’s truly passionate about GSDs and takes pride in knowing her GSDs go home to a great family.
Once a decision was made, Valerie kept in touch with us through the entire process, from pre-pregnancy, pre-birth, to picking up our Luna. She always sent us pictures, videos, and text updates on our puppy and her litter mates. When Mina had her puppies, I was truly amazed by Valerie’s instincts in selecting Luna as the perfect fit for our family.
A year and a half later, we are so grateful that Valerie continues to check in on Luna and always takes joy in seeing updated pictures of her. Valerie is a wonderful woman and will always be a lifetime friend.
With all that said about Valerie and her process, Luna from the very start has been the picture of perfect. We have two younger children who have an abundance of energy. From day one, Luna has become their best friend and as of late, has taken to a more motherly role with them. She is in all sense of the phrase, a true member of our family.
We cannot thank Centennial GSD enough for the experiences and memories that have been created and will continue to be created. For the analytics: I highly recommend Centennial GSD, 5/5, 10/10, 100%.
Rob and Carissa W.
Colorado
September 2023
Desi
Versace
Shatzi
To have found a breeder that combines professionalism and unwavering ethics with kindness and a true passion for the breed was an absolute godsend for our family. Val and Shawn communicated with us every step of the way, which allowed us to feel as though we were a part of the process even though we were thousands of miles away. They took the time to learn about us so that we were matched with the perfect puppy for our family, and we received photos, videos and texts so that we felt we knew our little one before she even arrived! Val is an encyclopedia of knowledge about GSD’s, and has always been willing to tirelessly answer my questions to help us be the best possible home for our beloved girl.
Our pup is not only traffic-stoppingly beautiful, but has the incredible temperament and robust health that are hallmarks of Centennial’s breeding program. I am constantly stopped by people in awe of my well-behaved, stunning dog, which is a compliment to Centennial’s decades of meticulous bloodline development. Quality pups at Centennial are not “one offs” or rarities- they are the standard.
Superior dogs are not what truly distinguishes Centennial from the vast majority of other breeders, however- it’s their integrity and commitment to dealing with clients in a fair, transparent and ethical manner that really sets them apart. I have purchased elsewhere, as well, and to say the experience was not even in the same ballpark would be the euphemistic understatement of the century. Val and Shawn put the well-being of their dogs first and foremost and truly care that the best possible outcome for both their animals and the families that purchase from them is achieved, and we are immensely grateful to them that this compassionate attention made our GSD dreams come true, as well!
Beth M.
North Carolina
November 2022
Shatzi
Versace
Shatzi
I’m fortunate to have had two of Val’s von Scotlynburgh and Centennial GSD pups in my life, first Corinne (Niki) in 2006 (Windy von El Tous x Rio de Casa Nobili) and now Astonia (Shatzi) in 2020. Both have been world class GSDs, healthy and beautiful, intelligent and caring.
With both dogs, I trusted Val to choose for me; she knows her pups better than I ever could. She chose the perfect dogs for me both times. Val and husband Shawn love and understand their pups; nothing is more important to Val than being certain her pups go to the right homes.
Niki was my companion dog during a complex overseas geologic development project; as a youngster she adapted to life in a small coastal village in Haiti, with the entire village adoring her. She flew into Haiti with me in a 50-yr old DC-3; 12-hour flight, never even got airsick. The local kids took her swimming in the Caribbean and taught her basic obedience in French and Haitian Creole, following my English examples. Niki was functionally trilingual :)
Back home in the Colorado mountains, Niki qualified as a backcountry SAR (Search and Rescue) K9. Later she trained as an explosives detection K9. As a senior, she worked with me as a K9 Reading Support dog, helping K-3 kids with their reading in a small Colorado community charter school. She was a popular member of the local volunteer Fire and EMS Dept, while I trained as an EMT. I lost her a few months short of her 13th year.
Shatzi came to me in 2020, firstborn of Capo and Gucci; two extraordinary European GSDs. She looks like a smaller version of Capo, but has Gucci’s eyes and mischievous ‘live wire’ nature. Val told me as soon as she was born, she knew this was my pup. She was right; Shatzi has taken possession of my heart in a way only Niki did before. Energetic and intelligent, stunningly beautiful and friendly, she has won over everyone I know and work with.
The world class quality of these two dogs is not accidental. Looking at Val’s dogs over the years, she clearly knows how to select a strong breeding pair. But every bit as importantly, Val and Shawn know how to raise and socialize their pups during the critical first 8-10 weeks. They whelp their pups in their living room; the whelping box stays there. These are not kennel dogs. Val is interested in quality, not high volume. The pups learn to live in a loving home family environment from Day 1.
Both Niki and Shatzi were well on their way to solid socialization when they left Val for life with me. Both were housebroken within 2 days if not immediately; Niki at 12 weeks old was joining me in conference rooms for hours long business meetings.
Again, I credit these successes with Val’s understanding of her dogs, and choosing the right pups for me. Both better dogs than I deserve. I can’t imagine life without them.
John Walker
September 2022
Versace
Versace
We began looking for a breeder after losing our GSD to DM last Fall. Our house was simply empty without a GSD after years of having a true companion. We found Centennial German Shepherds after conducting a lot of research in the Rocky Mountain region. The Centennial GSD website was packed with stunning pictures and information on their European Shepherds.
Our initial call with Valerie was positive and she was very responsive to our questions. She inspired us with her knowledge about breeding, training, and showing GSDs. Valerie took the time needed to understand our household interests and needs in order to make the best match for both the puppy and our family.
Once a decision was made, Valerie kept in touch with us by sending pictures, videos, and texting updates on our puppy and her litter mates. She is quite proficient with with her camera and perfectly captures the mood of the day and the personalities of all the puppies. It was such a treat to meet the entire litter. Months later now, Valerie continues to periodically check in with us to see how things are going. She's a great resource to us and we appreciate her support.
We highly recommend Centennial GSD! We are fortunate to have found the right breeder at the right time and have the right dog. Versace is a beautiful, healthy, intelligent, energetic, and confident GSD.
Thank you so much Valerie. We couldn't be happier with Versace!
Kevin and Marla S.
Colorado
June 2022
Boji
We had been looking for a companion for our 7 year old long coat German Shepherd for over a year. Luckily, I found Centennial GSD! From the initial email contact all the way to the pickup of our new family member, Valerie was amazing. She updated us every step of the way and quickly responded to any questions that we had.
She will send as many photos or videos of your puppy as you want. Valerie constantly communicated with us and provided all of the documentation needed to feel comfortable that we were getting a healthy puppy. Some day we will get another long coat German Shepherd and we will 100% use Centennial GSD!
DJ and Samantha B.
Albuquerque, NM
June 2022
Enzo and Dax
German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) are not the dog for most people. However, having been involved in GSD rescue activities for many years, I know how important it is to have someone like Valerie involved in the breed. Most people want a dog that is more of “a rug that licks,” but GSDs require much more than love. They must be socialized, rigorously and adequately trained, and given lots of physical exercise. Otherwise, a purebred GSD may become one of the millions of dogs that end up in rescues, or shelters, or worse.
Valerie is an exceptional breeder of exceptional GSDs. If one wants a quality German Shepherd, there are few quality breeders in Colorado where one can choose a pup, knowing that the breeding has been carefully planned. The parents of all litters are selected from the best bloodlines on earth and are among the best examples of the breed. They are also free of crippling diseases. The pups who come from such a mating are not simply sold for the money they can bring. Instead, new owners are carefully chosen from many who apply. I have long been a fan and owner of GSDs, and when it was time to get two pups for the last phase of my life, there was no doubt about where I would go to choose them. I consider myself fortunate to own two of her pups.
I have known Valerie for many years. I know she loves and cares for all her dogs and puppies as if they will be a part of her family forever. She assures that they are veterinarian checked and treated as required and appropriate for their age. She carefully chooses any new owner and home for each pup. She stays in touch with the owners of her puppies to check up on progress and health. She is available to offer advice to those who are less experienced. She honors her commitment to take back a pup that, for some rare reason, can no longer remain with its initial home.
She is also a fine photographer. Her website and the many photos of dogs from her family and matings are displayed there. One need only look carefully at each image to see how beautiful and how loved each dog is and to see that when Valerie takes photos, she tries to capture the essence of dog and owner.
There are few quality, ethical, and moral individuals who care and love the breed so much that they will turn down a given home and the sale because it is a poor fit. Valerie will. Few individuals care about the breed so much that they will give a dog away if that is right. That, too, is who Valerie is. All of these are reasons why I chose my present and last two GSDs from her beautiful litters. Enzo and Dax give me hours of pleasure, and I love them very much. I am thankful for someone like Valerie, who helped me to find the last two GSDs I will likely ever own in my life. Thank you Valerie for the dogs, and for your friendship.
Sharyn B.
Colorado
November 2021
Colt
Centennial GSD is an ethical, highly experienced, and loving European German Shepherd breeder.
Owner and breeder Valerie Hannah, pays impeccable attention to best breeding practices, insuring clearances for hereditary diseases, pedigree, and excellent parentage. All documentation was bound in an organized and helpful manner.
Valerie's priority is the health and wellbeing of mother and puppies during the eight weeks they are in her care. When she shares the dogs are family, she really means it! She is very intentional about socializing the puppies and because of this, our puppy Colt, arrived well balanced, happy and very capable of interacting in many different social situations. Simply put, Valerie's puppies are her priority, and she does and excellent job of vetting potential parents - I appreciated that very much. For Valerie and her husband, the goal is providing the best fit for puppy and new owners. After getting to know Valerie for eight weeks as puppy grows and after a puppy temperament test, she will pair you with a puppy that will be a lifelong friend and companion.
In closing, I can't help but share the most touching experience I had watching Valerie and Colt reunite for the first time after we took Colt home at 8 weeks old. We arranged to meet Valerie at the vet clinic one month later. Watching Colt greet her and with all of the excitement of a puppy and watching her respond with love and affection, I realized a very special bond had been forged between the two which only could have happened due to Valerie's commitment.
I can't thank you enough Valerie, for bringing up such a beautiful German Shepherd on all levels!
Janet Confer
Guffey, Colorado
November 2021
Chief
Chief
Chief
Noah and I were impressed with Val from the very first conversation we had with her. We had some very specific questions and she was extremely knowledgeable about the breed.
Even before the litter was born, Val kept in contact with me, updating me on Gucci and answering all my questions as a first time GSD and puppy owner. When they were born, she sent videos and photos, updated us on how they were doing. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.
Even now, at almost 5 months old, I speak with Val at least weekly. She has become a great friend of ours. Chief is the best dog we could have ever asked for—great temperament, healthy, eager to learn and work, and so so happy. We cannot thank Val and her program enough.
All of our future shepherds will come from Centennial German Shepherds.
Maggie and Noah B.
Columbus, Ohio
November 2021
Bart
Chief
Chief
Valerie is a passionate breeder. An expert in her practice. It was of utmost importance to me to find a pup with a personality that matched my lifestyle. And from our first conversation, it was clear there was no one better than Valerie to guide me on that journey.
Constant and clear communication through the entire process, from pre-birth to pick-up of a wonderful 8 week old puppy. And her support didn’t stop there. Always available to answer my new parent questions or just share pictures and stories.
Not only am I the proud owner of a healthy, happy pup, but I’ve made a human friend in the process. If/when it’s time for another family member, Centennial will by my first and last stop.
Aaron A.
Oakland, California
November 2021
Herzl
Chief
Mystic
Having never bought a dog from a breeder before, I called one of my best friends who is a dog “expert” and asked her how to find a reputable breeder. Her response: just call them. You will immediately know. And boy - was she right!!!
We knew we wanted a German Shepherd, and I started calling various breeders in Colorado. The first handful of conversations left me feeling empty. I felt like I was just another number on the breeders' list. I felt like they had so many litters and were just placing their puppies with anyone who called. And then I dialed Valerie’s number. And the minute I started speaking with her, I knew what my friend meant. I just knew she was the right breeder. She listened. She cared. She asked all sorts of questions about our family, our home and our lifestyle. She took the time to understand the temperaments of our existing dogs to figure out if she’d be able to find a good match for us. In short, she interviewed me. To me, that showed she cared.
Throughout the dog’s pregnancy, she sent us pictures of the mom. From the minute the puppies were born, she started sending us photos. We could see she was raising them in her family room; not in a shed somewhere on her property. We could see how she and her husband were holding them and taking care of them. I am not sure how, but it seems like they were raised on a white sheet that was ALWAYS clean and white. (Valerie - I am still not sure how you maintained that with a liter of puppies!!!!!!!)
Once she understood the puppies’ personalities, she picked the right one for us. We told her we were gender indifferent, and just wanted the dog with the right temperament for us - and she picked a male, long haired puppy who is AMAZING. Herzl is now eight months old, and I still share pictures and regularly communicate with Valerie. We call her “Mom 2.”
We cannot say enough wonderful things about Valerie, her dogs and her as a breeder. She cares. She doesn’t run a puppy mill. And you’ll be lucky to get one of her dogs!!!!
Tamara Totah
August 2021
Mystic
Mystic
Mystic
We got our puppy from Centennial German Shepherds. Our puppy picked me. I was invited to come meet the females to see which I wanted and our puppy picked me. I met the parents and was given updates on my puppy until I took her home.
We still keep in touch and I cannot recommend a better breeder. Every day I am thankful for our puppy!
Andria B.
August 2021
Milo
Mystic
Gioia
Centennial German Shepherds is an absolute joy to work with and very professional. Valerie answered all of my questions before, during, and after my puppy came home.
She truly loves and cares for each puppy as though they are her own and part of her family. The type of care she gives each animal is top notch and truly impressive. She does things the right way the first time and what is truly best for the animal.
My puppy "Milo" and I love meeting up with Valerie and her dogs for play dates. Valerie went above and beyond to match me with the puppy to ensure an easy transition and happy future. She truly listened to all of my wants and needs in a German Shepherd puppy and did a fabulous job matching Milo with me.
Thank you Valerie for all that you did and continue to do for Milo and myself. You are truly a blessing in our lives.
Adam Uhernik
July 2021
Gioia
Mystic
Gioia
Centennial German Shepherds and Valerie Deac-Hannah,
My Husband and I have been in the breed for a combined over 90 years. He is an AKC judge and former professional handler of 45 years. I have been training dogs since 1973. We have been showing, training, GSDs from every imaginable venue for so many purposes. We own both import lines (all of which incorporate Kennel Casa Nobili) and AKC Champions.
For us there are very few people to whom we would reach out, for a show or performance prospect. Not only are compatible pedigrees essential, but breed type, movement, structure and of course temperament/ trainability, mandatory. On top of that, we want to make certain that a puppy or adult comes from a caring, loving situation, that doesn't do breedings like some assembly line. It is critically important that young dogs get the best possible start, mentally and physically in order to achieve their best. Enter Valerie Deac-Hannah, Centennial German Shepherds...
Valerie, is first a tremendous person, and cares deeply about her dogs. She spares no expense, no effort in ensuring they start and grow with love and caring. She is clearly committed to giving her dogs/puppies the best life possible. Their vigor, health and happiness, reflect her commitment. Valerie is also very forthcoming with answers to your questions, photos and videos, which is so greatly appreciated! She really does take the time to help, for the sake of potential owners, receiving the "best match" that they can. We purchased "Gioia di Casa Nobili" from her, in Sept 2019. She is lovely, with great bone, structure, movement, and sweet, loving temperament. (Pictured here at 9 mos) We adore her. We look forward to seeing what her future holds, whether in the show ring or performance, or both!
If you are looking for a great puppy, of excellent quality, that has been given the best possible start, give Valerie a call. You won't be disappointed. We look forward to many long years of friendship and sharing our deep love of German Shepherd Dogs, with Valerie.
Ken and Kathy Tank
California
March 2020
Cutter
Renzo RE (AKC Rally Excellent)
Renzo RE (AKC Rally Excellent)
Cutter is an amazing dog! His is so good with everybody and especially little children. He is very smart and I love to play and walk with him. My favorite thing about Cutter is that he is so loving and affectionate. He follows me everywhere. Thank you for letting me become Cutter's owner.
Sincerely,
Vince Zador
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to open our home to Cutter. Cutter is truly magnificent he has beautiful markings and has a wonderful disposition. He has made our family complete. It has been a great experience for Vincent. He is establishing a great bond between a boy and his dog. They are inseparable.
We look forward to many years of happiness and can't thank you both enough. We are so happy to have found a breeder that is very knowledgeable and cares so much about raising exceptional dogs!
We would highly recommend you to anyone.
The Zador Family
Pennsylvania
Renzo RE (AKC Rally Excellent)
Renzo RE (AKC Rally Excellent)
Renzo RE (AKC Rally Excellent)
Valerie,
I cannot begin to tell you how much we love Renzo (Cobra). Having owned both German and American German Shepherds over the last fifteen years, I can definitely see the difference when a puppy is well socialized and loved by the breeder. After Tyson, my five year old male who died from cancer in April, I knew I had to immediately get another puppy as a companion for my three year old female shepherd, Ziti.
Valerie you couldn't have been more helpful and at the same time sympathetic than you were. Even though I was still a little leery to purchase a puppy over the internet, the minute I picked up Renzo at Delta and heard from the employees how great he had been and his reaction when he saw me, I knew I had made the right choice.
Thank you so much for being the kind and considerate person you are and you and your family's love for the German Shepherd breed. I can't wait to purchase my next puppy from you!
Dorothy
Blaze
Renzo RE (AKC Rally Excellent)
Blaze
Our relationship with Valerie and her Kennel has been seamless from the beginning. When we found her we already had a beautiful 2-year old female, Harley, and had planned on getting a male from the same breeder. Our previous breeder reasurred us her litter would be ready around Thanksgiving. When the pregnancy didn't take, however, she failed to tell us until early November. Because of our lifestyle we have a very limited time every year that we can devote to a new puppy. This was it. We saw our plans for another puppy slipping away.
Out of desperation my husband, Ross, took to the internet and stumbled across Valerie’s website and fell in love with "Blue Boy". Living in Charlotte we were unsure if we it was feasable to deal with a kennel so far away. Valerie reasurred us that many of their puppies traveled long distances to be with their new families. But first, she needed to know a little bit more about us... Ross was so nervous he actually wrote out rough drafts before replying to Valerie. It turns out he worried for nothing; Valerie felt she'd found the perfect home for "Blue Boy". And so, one cold Novemer morning she loaded him in his crate, said goodbye and put him on a plane to us.
Ross and I found ourselves at the cargo building at the airport. It was after midnight and we were excited but certain we'd be greeted by a shell-shocked, anxious and tired puppy. We couldn't have been more mistaken. After spending the day in the cargo hold of 2 airplanes (he had a lay-over in Atlanta) our little 10- week old puppy bounded out of his kennel into our arms and said hello with excited licks and yips, with absolute faith that we would love him as much as he already loved us.
Blaze has fit perfectly into our home and lives. Harley and he are constant companions and the cat, Jax, has actually accepted him now too. He's playful and sweet, loving and fearless; he's had no qualms about taking Harley on even when she drastically out-weighed him. He's 6-months now and we couldn't imagine ourselves without him. We wonder what we did with all the extra room in bed when it was just Harley and us. We laugh as he sits and drools while he waits for his food. We've collected and labeled his baby teeth as he's lost them and picked up what feels like endless amounts of toy stuffing. He's nearly 60 lbs. now and just growing into his feet. His collar needs to be adjusted nearly every week. We've bored our friends to sleep with the piles of pictures we've taken. We thought ourselves so lucky to have found Harley because she was so quick to learn and such a good dog from day one.
Blaze has been just as easy. We love him with all our hearts and are so thankful Valerie felt we'd make a good home. We couldn't have hoped for a better dog, one that fit into our lives so well or one that would find a spot in our hearts so easily.
Ross and Elizabeth
Niki
SchH1 V1 Carrera
Blaze
Dear Valerie, I am looking for a good German Shepherd pup or young dog, primarily as a companion and working dog. Growing up, my family always had German Shepherds and now it's time for me to have one of my own! Perhaps your litter from Windy and Rio born March 11, 2006 might have a pup for me?
I am a Colorado geologist working on a large development project in the Caribbean. The dog will be our 'Chief Executive Dog' and an important member of the team. I need a well-bred GSD with the good nature of the breed, from parents known to be good with both children and adults. Strong shepherd instincts will be helpful since we have a lot of goats to herd off our airfield from time to time. I do not have kids but my chief engineer and his wife do, 4 and 7, plus the local village of ~3000 people has a lot of children and other dogs.
I enjoy running, not at race speeds but usually do a 2-3 mile morning jog so the dog will get good exercise; will want to be certain hips are OK. I will obedience train the dog for good off-leash abilities so intelligence is also highly important. Best regards, John W.
UPDATE
Niki is just doing great! What a wonderful GSD puppy — actually a young strong dog now. Confident, fit, tremendous drive, strikingly beautiful. Not afraid of anything, yet clearly highly intelligent. She could easily make Schutzhund 3 (if I had the time). She will be a superb companion dog to me and a wonderful Community Relations Director for the Haiti project! Niki has Rio’s looks, with his mask, eyes and strong color but I see Windy’s easy grace when she is relaxed. She looks very feminine to me but most people assume she is a male because of her strength and drive. As you said, Niki is a little Tomboy at heart.
So far this morning we have done two good trots on the beach, ~3-4 km each time; Niki loves the ocean and is already a strong swimmer. She races right into the big waves and then body surfs to shore, swimming in if the water is too deep. I have an 18-ft rowing dory being delivered today so she will get some boat time this weekend. I took her out on Lake Dillon in a little rowboat before leaving Colorado and she also got some water time in the mountain streams before we left. So she has been used to water almost from the beginning.
What I am most happy about is her socialization. She does great with kids, not overly interested in them but if they show any interest in her -- wanting to pet her etc... -- she just loves the attention and is very gentle with kids now, after the initial puppy thing of wanting to jump up on them. She also does great with adults, not extremely outgoing which is fine, but if I introduce someone as a “New Friend” she immediately makes friends with them.
What a lot of new experiences for a young puppy, from the mountains of Colorado to the Indiana farm country, Florida Keys — where she first discovered the ocean, on the quiet side of Islamorada; she loved it there — and now the real ocean. Niki is just adapting wonderfully. Medically the vet here says Niki is doing great.
Thanks for staying in touch,
John
SchH1 V1 Carrera
SchH1 V1 Carrera
SchH1 V1 Carrera
Hi, Valerie!
I was searching a lot of websites and checking out a lot of breeders in Canada and US. I was looking to get a puppy with the special bloodlines, for showing and sport. As soon as I saw Windy von el Tous (the mother of my puppy), and found out that Valerie just bred her to Rio di Casa Nobili, I made up my mind.
From the very beginning Valerie was very professional and scrupulous about every little detail. I was getting a pick of the litter female.
My communication with Valerie started before the puppies were born over the internet (I live in Toronto, Canada). Some people said that it is too risky to get a dog from a long distance like that, but not in my case. I got exactly what I was hoping for, Valerie helped me to make up my mind to pick a female (I was stuck between two). Everything she said about the character of the dog and her looks was exactly right. Also every week I was getting tons of photos of all the puppies, sometimes twice a week, with the detailed description of each puppy’s character.
At the airport the puppy came flying out of her cage, the only thing she cared for was food. She was not disturbed by a long trip at all (she had to come with 2 planes and was in the cage for about 10 hours). She has the best temperament and the best looks I was hoping for. This fall we are going for her first show and I hope we will do very well.
Thank you, Valerie, for sending Carrera to our family.
Olga
Toronto Canada
Ginger and Anja
SchH1 V1 Carrera
SchH1 V1 Carrera
Valerie,
Well, we've had Ginger (My girls won the name debate) one week now, and I almost can't remember life before her. I never imagined that we could love a dog as much as we love Anja, and now I know I was SO wrong!!! She is a perfect fit in our family- although Anja might have a thing or two to say about that! So far, I would say Anja tolerates her more than she enjoys her, but I've definitely seen some progress in their relationship. Ginger is an absolute dreamboat. She sleeps through the night in her kennel, she does her business every time we let her out- she's even working on asking to go out, but as long as we stay on top of taking her out frequently, she doesn't have any accidents. She follows us everywhere, she snuggles, she's relaxed, she chews but not excessively and is totally satisfied with her toys. She's come to work with me every day this week and just laid at my feet. She's happy all the time. She's adorable- people are stunned by how beautiful she is. And I can't get enough of her!!! And John is smitten too! We are just amazed by how GOOD she is!
UPDATE
I wanted to check in and let you know that Ginger has been an absolutely perfect addition to our family. Anja passed in January of 2011, only 3 months after Ginger arrived, and left some massive shoes to fill! But Ginger has been more wonderful than we ever could have imagined. She is extremely intelligent and trainable, obedient, loyal, and just the right amount protective. She adores our children and listens to them. She loves to run with me. She's OBSESSED with a ball. She's faster than any dog I've ever seen. And perhaps the most endearing thing about her is that she greets her family as though she's been missing us for years every time one of us comes home. Even my mother, who you may recall lives in NJ and picked her up from the airport. Ginger has never forgotten that my mom "rescued" her from the airplane, and does the craziest ritual dance every time she comes to visit.
Thank you,
Petrea
Berlin "Justice"
Berlin "Justice"
Berlin "Justice"
When we first decided on a dog for our family including cats we researched different breeds.
We looked up many websites and spent months searching for the right combination of breeder and quality.
All of the qualifications were met when we discovered Valerie’s kennel. We wanted a top breeder that not only had excellent communication skills but truly loved what they were doing. The knowledge and years of experience educated us and helped us make our final decision.
Our dog " Justice" is not only beautiful but highly intellegent. The moment we first received her she came right out of her crate and wrapped her paws around our neck and gave kisses. She is even tempered, outgoing and is fitting in well with our lifestyle.
It is not only an important decision but a serious commitment. She is a member of our family. We thank you for choosing our family to receive one of your special Shepherds.
Sincerely,
Bebe & Peter (Florida)