I'm the breeder behind Ransomshire Shepherds located in Rolesville, NC. I am a niche breeder, I breed for home companions, not showline or police work. I spend a LOT of time with each litter. I do early stimulation & socialization of pups, matching personality of pup with the home they go to. I test & observe the puppies so they will stay in their new homes forever.
About Ellen
I love raising puppies and placing them in their right forever homes. My own family loves holding puppies. We have group sessions of puppy cuddling—this is great for people and pups alike. I screen buyers and work with them to get over some of the early difficulties of puppy raising. We test the pups at 7 weeks of age with the Volhard test for personality to help match them to the right home.
What makes Ellen’s program special
My puppies are born as we help mom to safely clean them, put colored collars on them and start a log for their exact weight and markings. We take them to the vet on day 1. We do early stimulation for brain development days 3-16. Pups are handled by many different people from day 1. I feed the pups in crates 3 times a day for the last week. I teach "No bite" and start puppy manners training.
Ellen is a member of 2 clubs
German Shepherd Dog Club of Greater Raleigh, German Shepherd Dog Club of America
Ellen’s certifications & recognitions
AKC Breeder of Merit, AKC Breeder with H.E.A.R.T.
Expected German Shepherds from Justice and Eimear
Due Oct. 2024. Ready Dec. 3, 2024
Planned German Shepherds from Justice and Asa
Due Nov. 2024. Ready Jan. 2025
Expected German Shepherds from Justice and Eimear
Due Oct. 2024
Ready Dec. 3, 2024
Planned German Shepherds from Justice and Asa
Due Nov. 2024
Ready Jan. 2025
Ellen 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 and include a non-refundable deposit of $500.
“All our dogs are bred to be companions for life. I give a discount to military, thanks for serving our country. There's extra fee for full registration, & genetic and hip/elbow testing must be done. We do not have "pet" quality or discount dogs. All our dogs are meant to be pets. What we prefer to call them is valued companions for life. You are entitled to a refund if we do not have the SEX of the puppy you desire but we can't guarantee the color or coat of the puppy. Please note this! An extra charge is added if you intend to breed the puppy you purchase, I'll need to know this upfront. Our dogs are generally sold with limited registration, as most often they are purchased as pets.”
Ellen 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 Ellen 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 Ellen directly.
Our puppies receive a daily routine of early stimulation, plenty of people holding them from day 1, lots of visitors of all ages playing with them, as well as noises and environmental stimulation. They also learn about grass, driveways, lawnmowers, blowers, vacuum cleaners, machinery, clanging metal food bowls and firecrackers daily. They have a lot of playtime with children of all ages including small noisy children. They get plenty of cuddle time with adults of all ages. We like puppies to go home with a variety of good normal experiences under their belt. I utilize the following enrichment methods: Socialized with other animals, Daily handling, Introduced to people of different ages and appearances, Socialized with other dogs, Scent introduction, Surface & tactile stimulation, Car rides, Socialized in new places, Socialized with children, Various sounds, Early Neurological Stimulation, Sound Stimulation, Socialized with Children, "No" Biting or Chewing, Puppy Culture , Puppy Manners, Human Interactions , Behavioral shaping , Doggy door training , Scent Introduction, neural stimulation, Noise desensitization, surface and tactile stimulation, Early socialization, Puppy Culture, Goat Training, We start crate training, Puppy temperament evaluation , grooming , Three toys for chewing, kongs, nylabones and real bones, Beginning Grooming, Some Crate Training, Socialized with Adult Dogs, Socialized with Elderly, Household Desensitization, Touch Desensitization, Toys, e.g. Ball, Chew, e.g. Bone, Scents, Structures, e.g. Climbing, Noises , Various Surfaces , Strangers, Fireworks , Noise desensitized , Outdoors, e.g. rain, Outdoors (when Weather permits), Grooming Desensitization, Crate Training , Puppy Culture , Temperament imprinting Evaluation , limited exposure to resident adult dogs, Start of Impulse Control, Exposure to Agility Tunnel and Wobble Board, positive experiences in all situations, Socializing the dog with everything is the key to a stable dog, Exposure to livestock, Exposure to poultry, Socialization, Stores, Exploring items and obstacles such as an umbrella, crutches, a walker. , neighbors who come by , exposure to agility tunnel, wobble board and other novel items, start of puppy recall with treats, Manding, play time in safe grass areas, not concrete , Confidence building, problem solving, eye contact, Barrier challenges to prevent barrier frustration, Nail Trimming, We allow your puppy to play and initiate no-bite training, Volhard testing, and Texture stimulation.
Our pups are normally seen by the vet day one. They are typically wormed twice before they go to their new home, as per our vet's advice. They almost always have a healthy checkup when their new owners take them for their vet check. We follow a middle protocol for vaccinations with the first shot at 9 weeks (not 6 weeks, not 12 weeks), to help prevent issues with allergies and reactions.
We send our puppies home with Vet records, Registration, Food & treats, Puppy starter kit, Toys, Basic obedience & manners, Blanket with mom & littermates’ scent, AKC Registration, Bone, Food Starter Bag, Toy with Littermates' Scent, Toy with Mom's Scent, Volhard Personality Test, Blanket with Littermates' and Mom's scents, nail clipping demonstration, detailed personalized instructions, continued support via email and phone, puppy playdate visits if you are local, and goodby photos.
Ellen 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.
“Pup may travel on a plane under the seat, or you can arrange a service to deliver pup to your door. Best option is for you to pick up your own puppy and start the bonding process with the drive home.”
Why Ellen started breeding
I always wanted a German Shepherd Dog. Finally, at age 35 I bought my own purebred German Shepherd Dog from nationally known breeder. She had a large backyard kennels & 15+ dogs. However, she was well respected and had healthy dogs. I raised my pup & then dedicated my life to raise puppies the way I wish my dog had been raised! Read The Art of Raising A Puppy by The Monks of New Skete.
Ellen has been a member of Good Dog for about 5 years
Ellen was screened for responsible practices and has been a member since 2019.
Ellen’s program includes four colors
Ellen’s German Shepherd puppies include black and red, black and tan, black, and bi-color. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
Ellen’s program has three coat types
Ellen’s German Shepherd puppies include stock, plush, and long coat varieties. Coat types may vary depending on the parent dogs.
Ransomshire Shepherds meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
All breeds
German Shepherd
German Shepherd
About Asa
Asa is a female German Shepherd. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Ellen decided to make her part of their program. Ellen has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Uploaded health tests
Animal Genetics Panel
German Shepherd
About Eimear
This girl is sharp and aware. If something is happening, she is ON it! She adores playing with water, has gotten her first leg of agility titles, and is happy in the city or on the farm. She lets us know when there's strangers around but she has good manners when greeting people and other dogs.
Uploaded health tests
Animal Genetics Panel, Genetic Diversity Test, +1 more
German Shepherd
About Juniper
Juniper is a female German Shepherd almost 4 years old. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Ellen decided to make her part of their program. Ellen has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Good health testing
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI), Hip Dysplasia Finals (OFA, PennHIP, BVA, SV, FCI)
German Shepherd
About Lydia
Lydia is a great unflappable self-controlled dog who loves playing with people and other dogs. She is calm not reactive, alerts us when there's a stranger on the farm, and is helpful with the livestock chores, even catching loose animals without harming them. Always ready to fetch a ball or chase a squirrel, she is totally calm and trustworthy with babies and children of all ages, and has great maternal instincts and is a natural athlete. She runs at top speed for the joy of it when following vehicles on the farm.
German Shepherd
Excellent level
Ransomshire 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 German Shepherds.
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.
Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Brucellosis, Temperament Test
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.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1B), Bernese Mountain Dog Type, Animal Genetics Panel, DNA Coat/Trait Panel, Dominant Black DNA Test, DNA Disease Panel
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).
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.
Health testing is one key piece of responsible breeding and is performed on breeding dogs to prevent the presence of heritable conditions in their puppies.