The GSD Hub with Jenny Gould

12/06/2026

Yes this 🙌

Here’s the reality a lot of people don’t want to hear:

I do not owe you a puppy.
Read that again.

I. Do. Not. Owe. You. A. Puppy.

I reject people all the time, and I am completely unapologetic about it.

You are not entitled to one of my dogs because you want one.
I don’t care how long you’ve wanted one.
I don’t care how much money you have.
I don’t care how excited you are.
I don’t care how qualified you think you are.
And I don’t care if being told no hurts your feelings.

My dogs’ welfare comes before your feelings. Every single time.

These are extremely high-drive working dogs.

They are not pets you buy on impulse because they look impressive online. They require structure, consistency, training, boundaries, and an actual understanding of what you’re taking on. They are not dogs you buy, work for a few months and then shove to the back burner because you’re too busy, or you don’t want to make the commute to a club, or any other excuses not to fulfill your working dog.

I reject people who underestimate the breed.
I reject people who think love is enough.
I reject people who want the image of a working dog but not the reality.
I reject people who get defensive when asked basic questions.
I reject people who aren’t prepared to manage a working dog.
I reject people who expect a puppy to come preprogrammed with adult working skills.
I reject people who want a nasty aggressive “real dog”.
I reject people who think money should override judgment.
I reject people who think wanting a dog equals being qualified for one.
And yes—I reject people based on household environment.

If your home is chaos, if your kids are screaming nonstop, have no boundaries, and adults are doing nothing to correct it, I’m not placing a high-drive working dog into that environment. Not because I dislike kids. Because I care about the dog.

A dog is not a toy. It is not something to be grabbed, chased, climbed on, screamed at, and expected to tolerate constant disorder because adults refuse to provide structure.

If you already have multiple dogs living in kennels or crates and expect a puppy to be thrown into your kennel or crate room and aren’t prepared to give that puppy the attention, training and dedicated work it requires, I’m not placing a dog with you.

And while we’re at it if you look at my dogs and think you’re going to recreate that overnight with an 8-week-old puppy, you are not the buyer for this breed.

No, the puppy does not come with basic obedience.
No, the puppy is not house-trained.
No, the puppy is not a finished dog.
It is an 8-week-old puppy.

You are buying potential. You are buying genetics. You are buying years of work ahead of you.

If you want instant results, this is not for you.
If you want a shortcut, this is not for you.
If you are already asking what the puppy “comes with” in terms of training, you’ve already misunderstood what you’re getting into.
I am not running a puppy store.
I am not here to make people feel good.
I am not here to hand out dogs to whoever wants one badly enough.

I am here to protect the dogs I bring into this world.
So yes, I reject a lot of people.
And no, I don’t feel bad about it.

Not even a little.
I would rather hurt your feelings today than ruin a dog’s life tomorrow.

I would rather be called rude, gatekeeping, arrogant, or difficult than place a dog in the wrong home.
Because once that dog leaves me, it lives with the consequences, not you, not me.

The dog.

Always the dog.
So if I say no, the answer is no.
No debate. No negotiation. No apology. No puppy.

-Mickey Stillwell

11/06/2026

What is it with the weather in the UK right now???

Freezing cold, then a heatwave, then endless rain and now look?

Give me anything dry with no wind but not too hot...

What your favourite?

10/06/2026

I'm afraid it has to be said because it is getting no better out there ..... what say you?

09/06/2026

One thing I often hear is, “Why are some puppies so expensive?” and while it’s true that quality breeding comes at a cost, it’s important to remember that the most expensive puppy is not always the best puppy.

As breeders, we invest heavily in health testing, quality nutrition, veterinary care, socialisation, enrichment, and the overall wellbeing of our dogs and puppies. Ethical breeding is expensive, and responsible breeders need to cover those costs. In many cases, you do get what you pay for.

That said, whilst the cheapest puppy is unlikely to represent the very best in breeding practices, health testing, and breeder support, that doesn’t automatically mean the most expensive puppy is the highest quality either. Price alone is not a measure of quality.

Don’t fall into the trap of assuming that because a breeder charges significantly more, their puppies are automatically healthier, better bred, or more carefully raised. Some outstanding breeders charge fair, reasonable prices that reflect their costs and commitment to the breed, rather than what the market will bear.

When looking for a puppy, focus less on the price tag and more on what sits behind it. Ask about health testing, temperament, pedigree, how the puppies are raised, breeder support, and the goals of the breeding programme. A good breeder should be transparent, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in the future of every puppy they produce.

The best breeder isn’t necessarily the cheapest, and they certainly aren’t always the most expensive. The best breeder is the one who consistently prioritises the health, welfare, temperament, and future of their dogs above all else.

Choose your breeder based on quality, ethics, and evidence, not simply on the number attached to the puppy.

01/06/2026

One of the most important parts of breeding is pairing each puppy with the right home. It is a responsibility I take incredibly seriously, because first and foremost, my priority has always been finding the best possible family home for every puppy I breed.

While I am immensely proud of the achievements of my dogs and the success many of them go on to have in dog sports and competitions, titles and trophies will never be my primary measure of success. What matters most to me is that every dog lives a happy, fulfilled life.

I want my puppies to go on family holidays. I want them to run along beaches, explore the countryside, and enjoy adventures with their people. I want to see photos of them curled up on the sofa, included in family celebrations, and loved as true members of the household. If their owners choose to compete in dog sports, that's wonderful, but I always ask that the dog's happiness comes first and competition comes second. A successful dog is a happy dog.

When I match a puppy to a home, there is so much more involved than simply deciding who wants to do what with the dog. Every puppy is an individual. Even within the most consistent litter, there will always be variations in drive, energy levels, confidence, sensitivity, and temperament. Some puppies will need an outlet for their working instincts, while others will thrive in a more relaxed family environment. Some have exceptional on-off switches, while others may need a little more structure and purpose.

I also have to consider the whole picture. The existing dogs in the home, cats, horses, children, lifestyle, working hours, future plans, and expectations all play a part. Matching puppies is never simply about pairing one puppy with one person. It is about ensuring the puppy fits into an entire family and that the family is right for that puppy.

A mismatch can lead to frustration for both dog and owner for years to come, which is why the process is never as simple as saying, "This person wants to work a dog, so that puppy should go there." There are countless nuances that need to be considered, and I always look at the complete picture before making my decisions.

One question I am often asked is, "How can you possibly know the puppies well enough at such a young age to decide where they should go?" The simple answer is that when you live with a litter 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you really do get to know them.

You see them on their sensitive days and on their bold days. You see who bounces back quickly from new experiences, who likes to take a moment to think things through, who naturally seeks interaction, and who is happiest exploring independently. What I am looking for are the consistent traits that emerge over time, because those are what help me make the best possible matches.

Some puppies reveal themselves very quickly, while others take a little longer to show exactly who they are. That is one of the reasons I wait until around seven weeks of age before making final decisions. By then, I have built up a much clearer picture of each puppy as an individual, allowing me to make the best choice for both puppy and owner.

Ultimately, I will always make the choices that I believe are right for my puppies, because those same choices are also what will be right for their future owners. My goal is to create lifelong partnerships that bring happiness to both ends of the lead.

And if my previous puppy owners are anything to go by, I'd like to think I usually do a pretty good job.

Here is 9 weeks old Mr Big Apple ... already loved an adored by his family 🍏🍏🍏

19/05/2026

Something that is very important to me, and always will be, is respecting people’s privacy.

I fully appreciate that many people are simply not comfortable with social media, and honestly some of my own friends and family are exactly the same. I absolutely respect that completely.

With the lovely people I choose to have one of my puppies, privacy will always come before social media for me. I never want anybody to feel that owning one of my dogs comes with any sort of online expectation or social media circus attached to it.

Of course, if somebody is happy for me to share their story, photos or their dog’s progress, then I’m always very grateful and happy to do so. But it is never my priority.

What matters most to me is that my owners stay in touch and let me see how loved and happy my puppies are. I genuinely love receiving little photos snapped on phones, funny updates, silly habits and everyday moments. Those mean far more to me than anything posted publicly ever could.

That said, I simply couldn’t resist sharing this gorgeous picture of little Brooklyn (now Kai), kindly sent to me by one of my owners today. After all, who could resist sharing this little face? 💚💚💚

16/05/2026

And so, it begins.....

The part I dread the most.

The goodbyes.

When I planned a litter I have so many hopes and dreams in my heart. Dreams of raising confident, balanced, happy puppies and giving them the very best possible start in life. But what people do not always see is just how emotionally, physically and mentally draining this journey really is.

For the past 8 or 9 weeks, our whole lives have revolved around these puppies. They are never left alone. Every day, every hour, every decision is about them. Our social lives disappear, our own dogs get less of us than they deserve, and everything else in life gets put on hold.

And then comes the part that keeps me awake at night.

Choosing which puppy belongs with which family.

The endless watching and rewatching, analysing personalities, temperaments and dynamics. Agonising over whether I am making the right decisions. Worrying about their journeys home, how they will cope, how I can make things easier for them and better prepare them for the world ahead.

Because these are little lives we consciously chose to bring into this world, and I take that responsibility incredibly seriously. I know other responsible breeders will understand exactly what I mean, and I am sure feel every bit the same.

I honestly do not know how some people do this over and over again because right now, I cannot imagine doing this again anytime soon. I am exhausted and emotional in every possible way.

But I am also incredibly proud.

Proud of how physically and mentally balanced these puppies are. Proud of the little characters they have become. Proud knowing they are ready to start their own lives with families who will love them as much as we do.

Even if it breaks my heart a little letting them go.

10/05/2026

Introducing puppies to vehicle travel is something I take very seriously as a breeder.

Yes, you could argue that strong genetics and stable temperaments mean they are likely to take most things in their stride, and I absolutely believe good breeding matters enormously. My puppies are bred with temperament, health, and working ability all carefully considered. But for me, breeding is only one part of setting puppies up for success.

I believe in doing everything I possibly can to give my puppies the very best start in life.

One area that is often overlooked is travel. Puppies of this age do not yet have a fully developed middle ear, which can absolutely contribute to motion sickness and discomfort during travel. So rather than expecting them to simply “get over it”, I prefer to create positive early experiences that owners can continue to build upon.

Our introductions to travel are very gradual. First exploring the travel crate, then getting used to the doors opening and closing, then sitting calmly with the engine running but no movement. From there we progress to tiny journeys, slowly building duration and confidence. The puppies are already experiencing both crate travel and lap travel before they head off on their journeys home.

Will every puppy grow up loving travel? Not necessarily. But these early experiences help create positive associations from the very beginning. I often think of it as building a healthy balance in the bank account, rather than starting life in overdraft and then trying to claw our way back into credit later on.

It takes time. It takes patience. It is hard work. But I genuinely could not imagine raising puppies any other way.

08/05/2026

Where Have I Been?

Or maybe the better question is… why has it been so quiet around here?

Truthfully, social media has never been the biggest priority in my life. Real life comes first. Always has, always will.

Right now, that real life is completely consumed by raising a litter of nine German Shepherd puppies, and doing it to the absolute best of my ability. Anyone can breed dogs. Raising stable, confident, well prepared puppies properly is a full time commitment, and then some.

The puppies are now just over six weeks old, and life is honestly non stop. Between them, my other dogs, everyday responsibilities, cleaning, socialisation, training, enrichment, and making sure every single puppy gets the best possible start, there simply are not enough hours in the day.

A breeder’s life never really stops if you do it properly.

Over the next couple of weeks, I’m going to start sharing more of the work that goes into preparing these puppies for their new homes. Not just the cute photos, but the real behind the scenes effort, the structure, the early development work, and the level of dedication responsible breeding actually takes.

So if I’ve been quiet online, now you know why.

I’ve been busy raising nine future family members the right way.

03/05/2026

Have a litter of puppies they said ... it will be fun they said 🤣🤣🤣