Contact:  Amy Russell

P.O. Box 101

Bakers Mills, NY 12811

Phone:  (518)796-4568

E-mail:  sachsenwolf@hotmail.com (preferred)

When I was a kid my favorite show was Rin Tin Tin.  At the time I wanted to be a K9 handler.  As I grew up I realized what becoming a police officer entails and found it was not for me.  It wasn’t law enforcement that I was so drawn to, it was the dogs.  I was in awe of these incredible dogs, and the training that goes into them.  After receiving my Associate’s degree in college, I debated about what field I truly wanted to go into.  I had a fascination with both genetics and psychology, but enjoyed everything to do with dogs.  My heart lead me to SUNY Cobleskill in their Animal Science program where I would study under Dr. Stephen Mackenzie, animal behaviorist and former police dog trainer.  At Cobleskill, I focused on Genetics and Canine Behavior.  I thought about breeding German Shepherds but couldn’t help but wonder if there was even a point in trying to salvage the breed with the smorgasbord of health and temperament issues becoming almost expected in these dogs.  Fortunately, for my college internship I would study under Sarah Waldorf of Konigsdorf Shepherds and meet a bloodline that would inspire me to start my own breeding program.

During my internship I got to know many dogs from different imported bloodlines, including West German Working and Show lines, Czech and East German (or DDR) lines.  These “import-line” dogs were amazing and unlike what the breed was developing into in the United States.  I trained dogs from various bloodlines in Schutzhund, and brought a few home with me to spend time as a “pet” dog.  I was drawn to the East German bloodlines.  These lines are known for their over-all great health, low level of crippling hip dysplasia, stable temperaments and their natural instincts to protect their family.  In addition, these dogs were to me the best balance of a dog that can do the work the breed was designed for but also be a pleasant family companion.

In 2008, I bred my first litter.  In well-bred dogs, puppies are given a name much like a last name and for mine, I decided upon Sachsenwolf, in remembrance of where I grew up in Germany.  I breed about 1 litter once every 1-2 years of full or nearly full East German lines with the goal of the complete, healthy, and versatile, family German Shepherd, and the preservation of a bloodline that to me, embodies what a German Shepherd should be.  We are NOT a kennel or commercial breeder and treat our dogs and puppies as family members.  I train and trial/show my dogs in agility, obedience, and rally.  Dogs I’ve bred are active in various fields such as obedience, agility, therapy work, law enforcement and Schutzhund... and all are family companions as I’d have it no other way.