About Us

About Golden Ridge Farm

Golden Ridge Farm is a family-operated small farm in central Maryland, where our children are raised alongside animals and learn, firsthand, what it means to build respectful, lasting bonds. One of the greatest joys of parenting for us has been watching those relationships form — between our boys and our German Shepherds, as well as the cats, goats, chickens, ducks, and miniature cattle that have shared our farm over the years.

My relationship with the German Shepherd Dog began over a decade ago, after years of admiring the breed through family members who owned them. From the moment I brought home my first Shepherd, I knew this was a breed I deeply connected with. His loyalty, intuition, and quiet compassion felt instinctive — as if he had always belonged in my life.

For more than twelve years, I worked in Labor & Delivery, supporting families during some of the most important moments of their lives. That experience profoundly shaped how I view responsibility, stewardship, and care. When paired with my lifelong passion for animals, it naturally led me toward breeding — not as a business venture, but as a deliberate and thoughtful pursuit.

After personally searching for a well-bred, ethically produced German Shepherd, I recognized a gap that I felt called to fill. Golden Ridge Farm was founded on that principle: to breed German Shepherd Dogs with sound structure, stable temperament, and comprehensive health testing, while remaining committed to continuous education and collaboration with experienced breeders and veterinarians.

We are a small, family-run operation based in our home, and we prioritize the well-being of both our dogs and our family above volume or convenience. Our breeding program emphasizes:

• Health-tested breeding dogs (hips, elbows, and genetic screening)

• Careful pedigree selection with German influence, Imported from Germany, following requirements placed by the SV.

  The German SV refers to the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (SV), which is the original parent breed club for the German Shepherd Dog, founded in Germany in 1899.

  It is the global authority on the German Shepherd breed.

• Stable nerves and balanced temperament suitable for family, farm, and estate environments

• Selective placement with approved homes only

Long stock coat (long-coat) German Shepherds may occur naturally in select litters when genetics allow; coat type is never prioritized over health, temperament, or structure.

We are grateful to have earned consistently strong reviews and referrals from knowledgeable owners, many of whom come to us after extensive research or previous experience with the breed. We value those relationships deeply and remain available to our puppy families long after placement.

Golden Ridge Farm is a State of Maryland licensed breeding kennel, inspected annually to ensure compliance with health, vaccination, and welfare standards. Our routine care veterinarian provides in-home veterinary services, allowing our dogs and puppies to receive attentive, low-stress care in a familiar environment. In addition, a regional USCA Breed Warden has visited our home and provided mentorship and guidance as part of our ongoing commitment to responsible breeding.

For health and biosecurity reasons — particularly with unvaccinated family members and puppies — in-person visits are reserved for approved applicants only. We provide extensive photo and video content, are available for phone communication, and encourage prospective families to explore our Galleries, Facebook, Instagram, and Videos before submitting a puppy application for visit consideration.

Golden Ridge Farm exists to preserve what we value most in this breed: sound minds, healthy bodies, and the kind of partnership that makes the German Shepherd extraordinary.

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Golden Ridge German Shepherds

|:|Programs/ Certifications & Club Memberships|:|

• Puppy Culture Breeder
• AKC Breeder with H.E.A.R.T.
• Whelping & Medical Intervention Coursework
• STSK9 Master Path
• Good Dog Breeder of recognized of Excellence in Health Testing Practices  
• United Shuzthund Club of America(USCA)
• USCA Breed Warden Approved 
• Active Participant in USCA Events & a member
• German Shepherd Club of Greater Washington
• Raising your puppy with Micheal Ellis Certification
• Various other Micheal Ellis Online Certifications 
• Various other Developing Puppy Curriculums from which I developed what works best for the goals have set for my program.