About Us
A family kennel on 30 acres built on passion, dedication and an unwavering commitment to breed excellence.
Hi, I’m Cari
I’m the breeder behind Von Der Hugelspitze, located in Cheshire, CT. We live on 30 acres and our dogs love it! Our dogs are part of our family and raised in our home.
I have always been an animal lover and had dogs my whole life. My parents had Shepherds when I was growing up and I have always had a Shepherd since then. I got my first Rottweiler in 1994.
We raise our puppies in our home on our farm with lots of love and socialization with people, other dogs and farm animals. They are exposed to many sounds including chainsaws, machines and big farm equipment. Once you buy a puppy from us you become part of our family.
AKC Registration Application ProvidedOur Story
From a lifelong love of dogs to a world class breeding program
I always loved watching my friends train their working dogs and going to their trials. In 2017 I decided to get involved in Schutzhund. I bought Storm when she was a baby and training started right away. Storm was and is a super dog and was awesome at what she did. She earned her IGP3 title at a young age, has an awesome temperament and passed all her health and genetic testing.
In 2019 Storm had her first litter. It was the beginning of our German Shepherd breeding program. We bred her again in 2021 and kept our sweet boy Hondo from that litter. Storm had her last litter in 2024 and that is how we got our sweet girl Cinder. Cinder is Storm’s clone and we are hoping she follows in her mom’s footsteps.
When my Rottweiler Luna passed away in 2020, I decided to import a Rottweiler from Germany that had show, working lines and health tested lines in her pedigree. My plan was to start breeding healthy, sound, great temperament Rottweilers. I bought Shotzi when she was a 10 week old puppy and had her and her sister shipped over to me. Shotzi passed all her health and genetic testing and is now expecting her first litter Summer 2026.
What Does Von Der Hugelspitze Mean?
Von Der Hugelspitze is German for Summit Hill, reflecting our location on 30 acres in the hills of Cheshire, Connecticut and our commitment to always striving for the summit in everything we do.
Questions and Answers
Learn more about our program and what makes us different
I have owned Rottweilers and Shepherds my whole life and know of the health concerns and issues with each breed. After researching pedigrees and other breeders I bought my females from breeders that strive for healthy happy dogs. I want to continue to better the breed.
I only breed to improve the breed and will only breed dogs that have great temperaments and pass all health and genetic testing. Quality, health tested, and socialized dogs are the principal components of our success as reputable breeders.
They live in my home on our 30 acre farm in Cheshire, CT. Our puppies are raised with lots of love and socialization with people, other dogs and farm animals. They are also exposed to many sounds and experiences that make for a confident, well adjusted adult dog.
Our pups are raised with total care and attention so they can become well socialized and loving additions to their forever homes. They are known for their awesome temperaments and great genetics. AKC Registration Application is provided with every puppy. Once you buy a puppy from us you become part of our family and we stay in touch and help if ever needed.
Our Breeding Philosophy
The principles that guide everything we do at Von Der HugelspitzeWe never breed a dog that has not passed rigorous health testing. HD, ED, JLPP, NAD, LEMP and cardiac clearances are mandatory for every breeding dog in our program.
We breed to the ADRK standard for Rottweilers and the SV standard for German Shepherds. Our dogs compete at national and international shows to prove their quality.
Our puppies are raised on our 30 acre farm in Cheshire, CT and exposed to farm animals, equipment and all kinds of sounds and experiences that make for a confident, well adjusted adult dog.
We select for stable, confident, family friendly temperaments in every pairing we make. Our pups are known for their awesome temperaments and great genetics.
We carefully screen every puppy family. Our goal is to find the perfect match for each puppy and place them in homes where they will truly thrive.
Once you buy a puppy from us you become part of our family. We stay in touch and help if ever needed for the lifetime of your dog.
Two Premier Breeds
Two of the world’s most prestigious working breeds, raised to the very highest standards.
German Shepherd
Our German Shepherds are working line dogs. Storm, our foundation female, holds IGP3, AD and CGC titles and carries SV A stamp certification. Her daughter Cinder will follow in her footsteps.
Rottweiler
Our Rottweilers are bred to true ADRK standards. Shotzi, our foundation female imported from Germany, is expecting her first litter Summer 2026.
30 Acres in Cheshire, Connecticut
We are a home based kennel on our 30 acre farm in the beautiful hills of Cheshire, Connecticut, conveniently located for families throughout New England and the Northeast.
Puppy visits are by appointment only. We welcome prospective families to come meet our dogs and see where our puppies are raised.
Ready to Meet Our Dogs?
We would love to hear from you. Whether you are interested in a puppy or just want to learn more about our program, reach out anytime.