I'm the breeder behind MountainTop Shepherds located in Maryland. We provide an open, safe, and loving environment for our Shepherds to grow and live. Our Shiloh Shepherds are a large sturdy breed with strong protective and family-oriented traits. They possess strength, incredible intelligence, and striking beauty. Our Berger Blanc Suisse "White Swiss" Shepherds are a medium sturdy breed with excellent drive. Their natural abilities make them very successful in agility, obedience, herding, therapy, and tracking. At MountainTop Shepherds, we continuously strive to be a better breeder and we never stop learning.
About Jennifer
I have over 20 years experience in animal care, nutrition, supplies, and sales and have been breeding for a little over 10 years. I continuously take advantage of learning opportunities in canine nutrition, training, and breeding. I have attended many Canine Breeder Excellence Seminars through the theriogenology foundation, courses on nutrition through Whole Dog, training courses offered by Leerburg, as well as multiple courses offered by the Institute of Canine Biology.
What makes Jennifer’s program special
I follow my puppies for their lifetime and offer continuous training and advice to my buyers as they raise their puppies into adulthood. I am currently in the process of adding podcasts, a blog, and training videos to my website for not just my puppy people, but for all who desire to learn. I am very dedicated to what I do and what I am trying to achieve as a breeder. I work with passion, heart, integrity, and truly want what's best for these Shepherds' lines.
Jennifer is a member of a club
International Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club
Jennifer’s certifications & recognitions
Continuing Education courses in Theriogenetics Seminars at VA-MD College of Veterinarian Medicine at Virginia Tech, Continuing Educational courses for Genetics Studies, The White Swiss Shepherd Club of America Member, National Shiloh Breed Registry, Royal Canin Crown Breeder, Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, Certificate in Managing Genetics for the Future (Institute of Canine Biology), Puppy Culture Breeder, DNA for Dog Breeders (Institute of Canine Biology)
Jennifer has been certified by Good Dog's screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you're ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies. You'll also have the chance to share a bit about yourself and what you're looking for in a new companion. Together, you'll choose the puppy that's right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Puppy prices range from $3,500 - $4,500 and include a non-refundable deposit of $500.
“This price includes a health guarantee, breed club puppy registration, puppy socialization, 30 days of free pet health insurance and a full Wisdom Panel DNA profile. All of our puppies in the same litter are the same price regardless of size, sex or color. Our pricing varies based on the breeding.”
Jennifer may provide a written contract or health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you both have a clear understanding of the terms of your puppy purchase. If Jennifer offers a contract or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them. If you have any questions or want to know more, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jennifer directly.
We follow the Puppy Culture protocol and will be adding the Avidog program to our breeding program. I utilize the following enrichment methods: Various Surfaces, Basic Manners, Puppy Culture, Early Socialization, Toys, e.g. Ball, Strangers, Grooming Desensitization, Household Desensitization, Sound Stimulation, Socialized with Adult Dogs, Socialized with Children, Crate Training, Sit Command, Biosensor Training, Leash Walking, Clicker Training, and Potty Training.
All puppies have first vaccines, are dewormed, microchipped, receive a full Wisdom Panel DNA profile, and will have a signed Veterinary health certificate.
We send our puppies home with Informational Binder, Puppy Leash, Volhard Personality Test, Toy with Mom's Scent, Vaccinations, Toy with Littermates' Scent, Puppy Starter Kit, Puppy Collar, Microchip, Food Starter Bag, Certificate of Health, Breed Club Registration, Bone, Blanket with Mom's Scent, and Blanket with Littermates Scent.
Jennifer offers options to help you easily get your new puppy home.
If you’re nearby, you can visit in person to pick up your pup. If you’re far away, you can travel by car or plane.
“We require all puppy buyers to come to our home to pick up their puppy. We do not ship puppies.”
Work with a trusted flight nanny to get your puppy comfortably dropped off at an airport or meeting point close to home.
Why Jennifer started breeding
I have owned dogs my entire life. I stepped into the breeding world when I fell in love with the conformation of the Shiloh Shepherd. I continued breeding to help "better the breed." I strive to not only raise healthy Shepherds but to preserve the lines of these incredible dogs for families to enjoy and cherish just as much as I have for generations to come.
Jennifer has been a member of Good Dog for about 4 years
Jennifer was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2021.
MountainTop Shepherds meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
Berger Blanc Suisse
Shiloh Shepherd
Excellent level
MountainTop Shepherds reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Berger Blanc Suisses.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)
Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.
Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)
Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.
Thyroid (Autoimmune Thyroiditis, registered with OFA), Brucellosis
A breeder may perform additional tests on their dogs that do not fall into these general categories. These tests may be more uncommon or very specific to a particular breed.
Wisdom Panel, Multiple Drug Sensitivity (MDR1), Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A)
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).