Des Hausraben Shepherds

10/22/2026

We couldn’t resist grabbing a few professional photos from the most recent show!

10/19/2026

There is something incredibly rewarding about looking back over the years and seeing the dogs we’ve produced become everything we hoped they would be, and everything their families dreamed of. 🤍

From the show ring to the sport field, from service work to simply being someone’s beloved companion, DHR dogs have continued to make us incredibly proud.

Different homes, different lifestyles, different purposes, but the same qualities we have worked so hard to preserve and produce.

Big, beautiful, happy, confident, social, protective, biddable, and highly trainable dogs with sound minds, stable temperaments, and hearts just as impressive as their appearances.

Dogs capable of working when asked, settling when needed, and loving their families with everything they have. Dogs that can excel in demanding environments but are just as content being their children’s best friends, loyal shadows, and lifelong companions.

Truly utilitarian German Shepherds.

That has always been our goal at Des HausRaben Shepherds. Not simply producing beautiful dogs, but producing dogs with purpose, versatility, character, and the temperament to thrive in the real world.

And looking through these photos, spanning so many years, generations, and families, I cannot help but feel that we are accomplishing exactly what we set out to do.

These dogs are so much more than pedigrees, titles, or pretty faces. They are cherished family members, trusted partners, protectors, teammates, and best friends.

To every family who has welcomed a DHR dog into their lives, thank you for giving them the opportunities to become everything they were meant to be. Watching them grow, succeed, and be so deeply loved is one of the greatest rewards of being a breeder.

Nearly a decade of dedication, countless lessons, and generations of dogs that continue to remind me why I started.

Beautiful dogs are wonderful, but beautiful dogs with the minds, hearts, and abilities to match?
That is what DHR is all about. 🤍

10/13/2026

👀👀👀👀👀👀👀


✂️🥜🐶 WHAT IF WHEN YOU SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR DOG MATTERS JUST AS MUCH AS WHETHER YOU DO IT?

Preventing unwanted litters matters. But is it time to rethink HOW we sterilize dogs? Hormone-sparing procedures, including hysterectomy and vasectomy, can prevent reproduction while preserving natural s*x hormones.

🔬 NEW 2026 PEER-REVIEWED RESEARCH

Over 10 years, researchers reviewed records from 56,254 veterinary patients, including 313 dogs with mast cell tumors and 638 tumor-free comparison dogs. The study was accepted for publication in The Veterinary Journal.

🤯 1. TIMING MATTERS!

Dogs spayed or neutered before age 2 had 343% higher odds of a mast cell tumor diagnosis compared with intact dogs. Dogs sterilized after age 2 showed no statistically significant increase.

🐕 2. SIZE MATTERS!

Compared with small dogs, medium dogs had 2.6 times the odds and large dogs 5.2 times the odds.

⚖️ 3. WEIGHT MATTERS!

Overweight dogs had 80% higher odds than dogs at an ideal weight.

🧬 4. BREED MATTERS!

Compared with mixed-breed dogs, American Pit Bull Terriers had 7.5 times the odds and Boxers 3.9 times. Some breed groups were small.

❤️ 5. WHAT ABOUT SURVIVAL?

Neutering status wasn’t significantly associated with survival after surgery. Tumor grade and size were more important predictors.

🔬 WHY MIGHT HORMONES MATTER?

S*x hormones influence immune function and development. Researchers propose that early hormone removal and changes in luteinizing hormone (LH) may play a role, but this remains unproven.

🐾 THE BIG TAKEAWAY

Preventing unwanted litters doesn’t always mean removing hormone-producing organs. It’s time for individualized conversations with veterinarians about WHEN and HOW we sterilize dogs.

📄 Download the FREE PDF with the latest research surrounding Spay & Neuter Syndrome. Link in comments!

10/11/2026

What a weekend!

We are finally home and getting settled after a very busy but incredibly rewarding weekend at the show!

Lupa made me beyond proud, earning group placements throughout the entire weekend and receiving countless compliments along the way! Beyond the ribbons, we gained valuable experience, learned a few new tips and tricks, and received some wonderful advice from fellow exhibitors and judges.

I couldn’t be prouder of this girl and how far she continues to come. Watching her grow, improve, and hold her own in the ring makes all the hard work worthwhile. 🤍

A huge thank you to the Across Borders Boxer Club for hosting such a wonderful show, the judges for their time and evaluations, and all the fellow competitors who made the weekend so enjoyable!

With such a hectic weekend behind us, we are just now getting home and catching our breath. It may take us a little time to get caught up on messages, updates, and our usual posting routine, so we appreciate everyone’s patience as we get back into the swing of things!

Until the next one!

10/10/2026

Day 2 is a wrap!!! This girl never ceases to impress me! We left with a handful more ribbons and we received so many compliments today from our fellow competitors and judges!

We can’t for our finally and 3rd day 😁😁

10/10/2026

Yesterday was Show Day 1 and it was a success! We left with some ribbons, more experience and great memories!

Day 2 incoming………..

10/05/2026

Lupa’s first “big girl” show was a success! We came home with some ribbons and plenty of compliments on both her beautiful appearance and even better temperament. So proud of this girl and already looking forward to our next show this weekend! 🧨

Lupa (Fireworks litter- Rylie x Tox)

10/05/2026

The remainder of our Summer Bouquet has officially left the garden and arrived safely home. 🤍

By all accounts, everyone is settling in beautifully. Some are even snuggling up with previous DHR dogs, while others are settling into their new homes as first-time DHR family members!!

Thank you again to each of these wonderful DHR families for trusting us to provide you with your next best friend, adventure partner, and protector. Watching them leave is always bittersweet, but seeing them so loved makes it worth it. 🌸

Grow beautifully, little flowers. We can’t wait to watch you bloom. 🌿

10/03/2026

I rarely post myself here, but Lupa & I are showing this weekend, so I figured I’d share a few from today. 🤍

This girl is everything I strive for in my program!! Confident, social, outgoing, incredibly lovely, and just an absolute joy to have beside me.

Lupa is from our Rylie × Tox “Fireworks” litter and is a half-sister to Dayki.

We’re still on the road this weekend and showing so I’ll finish sharing the rest of our Summer Bouquet departures, along with our show results, once we’re home and settled tomorrow evening. For now, we’re enjoying the weekend and I couldn’t be prouder of this girl. 🖤

10/02/2026

Yarrow headed home with his wonderful new family, while sweet Sage began his journey by transport to his new home in Pennsylvania. Two more of our Summer Bouquet flowers are officially off to bloom with families of their own.

Safe travels, sweet boys. We can’t wait to watch you grow. 🌿🧡💚