AOE Select Excellent Ch Riverrock's Starlett O'Hara TC PT at 4 months |
RiverRock 2023 Puppies
A limited number of both show and
companion puppies will be available in 2023. I (Zoa
Rockenstein) will be evaluating applications and managing all
breeding and placement decisions. Puppies will be whelped and
raised by co-breeder Kathy Barrow in Maypearl, TX. They will be homed
at 8 weeks in August. We can assist with transportation but do
not ship puppies.
Breeding/Placement Criteria.
The AKC German Shepherd Breed Standard, along with our core values
regarding Soundness, Performance, Beauty, and Style, guide and
determine our breeding decisions. See the About Us page for more
information on breeding philosophy. We take both the screening of
breeding stock (especially regarding health and temperament issues) and
the selection of buyers/owners equally seriously. We do our best
to match the right puppy with the right owner. Thorough responses
to the puppy application questions will help us do this. All
sires and dams are of the highest quality with sound temperament. All
breeding stock are screened for degenerative myelopathy (DM) status
with at least one parent being DM clear. This ensures that none
of the puppies will be at risk for developing DM. Preliminary hip
and elbow xray information ensures a very low probability of hip or
elbow dysplasia. You can be assured that every effort has been made on
our part to provide you with a puppy that will fulfill your highest
expectations. You are the other half of the equation: The
training, socialization, exercise, and general maintenance that you are
responsible for will complete the picture.
Puppy Application.
If you are interested in acquiring a RiverRock puppy, please note that
there is an application process. Submission of the application,
as directed below, is the first step in the process. Your
application, if approved, will help me make the right match for both
you and the puppy. The time you spend on the application will be worth
it in the long run. You will be promptly notified by email as to the
status of your application. If approved, you will be welcome to call
and/or schedule a visit. This will be the most efficient use of
time for both of us. Whether you are interested in a top-winning
show dog, a dog for AKC performance competition, a protective companion
dog, a service/therapy or some combination of these, you can be assured
that the same high standards have been applied to important issues like
compatibility, health, temperament, and longevity.
Information About 2023 RiverRock Litters
We have two litters coming in June.
These puppies will go to their new homes in August. See
information below. All litters will be Futurity nominated.
All puppies from these two litters will be black and tan. There
may be some long-coated puppies available. I am taking
reservations for both companion and show-potential puppies now.
See pictures, links to litter pedigrees, and pricing information
below. Submit the application if you are interested in acquiring
a puppy.
Questions for Prospective Puppy Buyers (Application). Please copy and paste these questions into an email along with your responses. Send your completed application to me at zrockenstein@yahoo.com
1. Why do you want a German Shepherd?
2. Do you have a preference for a male or female? If so, why?
3. Can you be flexible about coat length and
color? We breed for the total dog, guided by the Breed Standard,
and not for specific coat color or length. Particular emphasis is
placed on health and temperament. That being said, my line
carries the recessives for solid black and long coat. On rare
occasions, I have black and long-coated puppies available. The
majority of puppies are black and tan with standard-length (stock)
coats. Do you have strong preferences regarding coat color and
length or can you be flexible in this regard? We will try our
best to honor your preferences. However, these factors are beyond
our control. Preference will be given to those who are willing to
be flexible regarding coat color/length if it is impossible to honor a
specific request. No deposit refund will be given if a companion
puppy is refused on the basis of coat color or length. The
deposit may be carried forward to a later litter, however. We
will know coat color at birth, but coat length cannot be assessed
before four weeks of age. If we don’t have a good fit for you for
any other reason, such as gender preference, you will be offered either
a total refund of the deposit or the opportunity to transfer your
deposit to the next litter.
4. Have you owned a German Shepherd previously? If
so, where did you acquire your dog(s), and what was your experience
with the dog(s)?
5. Will you be willing to attend puppy socialization and/or obedience classes with your new puppy?
6. How did you learn about our dogs?
7. Do you have any interest in showing, breeding, or competing in performance events?
8. Do you own your home?
9. What is your occupation? Does it require
frequent travel? If so, who will manage the dog when you are gone?
10. Do you have a fenced yard or kennel area? What
type of fencing do you have or plan to construct? Do you own other
dogs? If so, how many?
11. Do you have children? If so, how old are they?
12. What would a puppy’s typical day be like at your house?
13. Where are you located (city, state)?
14. Since I do not ship puppies, will you be able to
pick up your puppy in person? RiverRock puppies are placed
nationwide. They are whelped and raised either at RiverRock in
Minnesota or at Barrow Ranch in Texas. On occasion, on a
case-by-case basis, we are able to assist with transportation by
meeting you part way.
15. Have you reviewed the payment, deposit, and
placement information at the bottom of this page?
16. Are all of the decision makers in your household in agreement about acquiring a puppy at this time?
.
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LITTER #2 (Levi X Lucy)
LITTER #1 (Levi X City) |
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Sire: 2022 Grand Victor #1 Sire Maturity Victor US/Canadian Select Excellent Champion Wolf Creek Levi OFA H/E DM Clear (Levi)
|
Dam: CHAMPION Barrow's Single Girl In The City (City Girl) |
Puppy Prices and Deposits.
Companion puppies are priced at $5000.00 and show-potential puppies are
priced at $6,000.00. A $1,500.00 deposit is required to reserve a
puppy. Personal checks and Venmo are accepted for the
deposit. If your application has been approved, you may choose to
mail your deposit right away (I will email a mailing address to you),
or send by Venmo in order to secure a place on the reservation list.
You will receive a receipt by email. This receipt guarantees you a full
refund if you change your mind for any reason prior to the whelping
date. If, following the puppy evaluation, we do not have a puppy
that is a good match for you, you can transfer your deposit to the next
litter or receive a full refund (subject to the terms specified in the
application). The balance of the purchase price will be due when
the puppy is homed..
Once you have placed a deposit on a puppy from a future litter, you
will be sent an invitation to join the closed RiverRock German
Shepherds Facebook group. Puppy buyers have enjoyed this
opportunity to share photos of littermates as they grow and to interact
with other owners of RiverRock puppies. The group page is updated
frequently, and educational files are added on a variety of topics of
interest to the owners of both show and companion puppies. It is
also a great place to ask questions about topics related to health,
nutrition, training, and other subjects of interest to all members.
Visiting RiverRock German Shepherds.
Once your application is approved, you will be welcome to visit our
kennels and spend time with the RiverRock dogs. Interacting with the
dogs will give you an opportunity to experience the type of temperament
and personality our dogs have. We will discuss any additional
questions or issues you would like to address. I will show you
pictures of the sire and dam (if they are not in residence) and of dogs
in the litter pedigree. We will go over my breeding program and my
pedigree analysis process. We will discuss the puppy evaluation process
and anticipated placement dates. These meetings normally run about 90
minutes. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your family. Children
will be required to be quiet, calm, and well-behaved around the puppies
and to stay seated when interacting with the adult dogs. Please
keep in mind that it takes me several hours to plan for your kennel
visit. While you are not required to place a deposit on a puppy
during, or before, your visit, I do ask that you be considerate of my
time. These meetings are not intended for curiosity seekers.
If you live out of state, and a preliminary meeting is not possible,
you can mail your deposit or send it by Venmo and we can conference by
phone. Once your application has been approved, you can send a deposit
at any time. Sometimes it takes a while to schedule a visit if
you have a busy personal schedule. Meanwhile, litters are
reserved very quickly!
Puppy Pick Up. You will be given a range of dates to pick up your puppy. Puppies must be picked up during this time period.
Successful Placement of a German Shepherd Puppy.
The successful placement of companion puppies in appropriate
situations, where they will be loved, taken to a puppy socialization
class, obedience trained, properly contained, and well cared for
throughout their lives, is every bit as important to me as finding and
placing the next champions. I want my puppies to have life-long homes
with people who I have screened and selected as the right match for
each individual puppy. I will be in contact with you periodically
and will be available to answer questions and make suggestions
throughout the lifetime of your dog. I will expect you to provide the
best possible home for your puppy. You can expect me to provide ongoing
breeder support. I look forward to receiving your application and
to working with you and your family on a successful puppy placement.
Dr. Zoa Rockenstein - zrockenstein@yahoo.com - 320-492-4158 (CST) - Remember to submit a puppy application by email before contacting me by phone or email about puppy availability.
A portion of every puppy sale goes to support German Shepherd health
research conducted by the AKC, German Shepherd Dog Club of America, or
specific university veterinary schools.
Aunt Sunny with the Star Litter |