Terra Norté - Where the wind is long, the water is scarce and the dogs are exceptional

RTN Dogs

Meet Our German Shepherd Dogs, Great Dogs, Puppies, and more

Home of Quality German Shepherds and the Northern Colorado Herding Cooperative

What makes a Terra Norté German Shepherd Dog

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German Shepherds have been part of my life since the very beginning. My first German Shepherd Dog, Primo – was a 6 month old puppy when I entered the family. The bond that formed between the two of us was the beginning of a deep, lasting love of the breed. Since that time, there has always been a black & tan, black or bi-color that has served as my constant companion and protector.

In 1984, the beginnings of Terra Norte’ took root. It had been my dream to breed and exhibit quality German Shepherd dogs. To produce sound dogs capable of being family companions while adhering to the standard of the ideal German Shepherd. Though I started with German-bred dogs, over time I have evolved towards American-bred lines. I have been fortunate to have dogs who showed their intelligence and trainability while receiving obedience titles, dogs who showed their prowess in the herding arena and those found to embody the ideal conformation and character necessary to be awarded the title of Champion.

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In 1992, I waded into the herding arena with my first AKC conformation Champion Hickory Hill's Excalibur PT "Magic". The hardest part was to find a trainer who understood how GSDs think in regards to working livestock. Most of the trainers I came into contact with were of the opinion that GSDs ate sheep. Or worse expected them to work like Border Collies. Our dogs address stock work in a much different manner. First with CH Magic and then later CH Bo Peep, CH Ethan, CH Vado, CH Tag, CH Tina, Norah, and many others we have bred working herding dogs (We have put herding titles on 34 homebred dog as of Oct 2021).

In the Ring, On the Field, and At Home

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While I do compete in the conformation ring, it is my philosophy to breed dogs that will be treasured family companions. My goal is to provide individuals with dogs that will be members of their families for years to come. It is also my goal to help educate those desiring to add one of these incredible animals to their households and make certain that they are deserving of one who has “the look of eagles”.

Photo Gallery

The Boys of Terra Norté

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CH Terra Norte's Tennessee Williams PT "Liam"

DOB: 12/10/2017 

OFA: GS-108854G47M - C-VPI 

OFA: GS-EL46896M47-C-VPI 

Sable 

 

Liam is the litter brother to CH Ginny and CH Rica. His mother is our own 2015 Amateur Futurity Victrix/2016 Amateur Maturity Victrix GCH Terra Norte’s Night Time in Nevada PT. Liam's sire is 2015 Futurity Victor 2x SEL EX GCH Bomar Agon de Rancho Backachers. Beautiful side gait, topline and sweet temperament. Liam carries the black factor. Embark panel available.

 

Stud Fee: $1000 

 

Liam's Pedigree  

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GCH Terra Norte's Constantine the Great "Tino"

 DOB: 2/05/2019 

OFA: GS-112190E51M-C-VPI

OFA: GS-EL50048M51-C-VPI 

Sable 

 

Tino is the result of the collaboration of Texas and CH Flyer. Tino LOVES to show! Always Bred-by exhibitor Owner handled. Carries black factor. Embark profile available.

 

Stud Fee $1000

 

Tino's Pedigree

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CH Terra Norte's Alexander The Great HIAs HIDs HSAs HSCs HSDs TC

 DOB: 2/05/2019 

OFA GS-115061G28M-C-VPI 

OFA: GS-EL50048M51-C-VPI 

Sable 


Alex is the result of the collaboration of GCH Tino and CH Rica PT. He also works everyday as our main stock dog. A great blend of obedience, independence and inititive and kindness to the stock. Always Bred-by exhibitor Owner handled. Carries black factor. Embark on file. 

 

Stud Fee $1000 

 

Alex's Pedigree

The Girls of Terra Norté

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Terra Norte's Gaspara "Della"

OFA: GS-91016G33F-VPI 

GS-EL30756F33-VPI

DOB 12/12/2011

 

Della is from Norah's last litter. Her father is CH Oak Ridge Tanzanite "N" Topaz PT "Logan". From Norah, Della gets a wonderful intelligence and stock sense, from Logan - angles and drive.

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Terra Norté's Tulsa Time "Tulsa"

OFA GS-83407E53F-VPI

GS-EL25062F53-VPI 

DOB 03/29/2006

 

A CH Bobbie x CH Tina daughter.... Beautiful sable bitch with smooth transmission, gorgeous side gait. Low stationed, balanced and temperament.

 

Tulsa's Pedigree 

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Terra Norté's Prime Time Diva BN RN JHD "Prima", Sable

Tulsa's Tip daughter - Prima

 

What a pretty sable girl - feminine but solid! Lots of bone, coat and drama.... Prima's dad is our own Terra Norte's Tipetarius "Tip". This brown girl has a working mind behind those good looks. She and Bailey Bremner captured a Rally Novice title at 14 months with high scores and placements. Bailey and Prima have now added herding to their accomplishments earning a Jr Herding Dog title and their first qualifying AKC PT leg this summer.

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CH Terra Norte's Night Time in Nevada "Nevada", Sable

Tulsa's Khanye daughter - Nevada

 

Oh my gosh - what a pretty girl! I see so much of Tina's presence in this bitch. Even at this young age - she is a movie star and knows it! 

 

Her father is AOE, GCH, 2x YS Sel CH 2010 Canadian National Winners Dog Trafalgar's Feature Presentation "Khanye" 

 

Nevada goes Mid-Pacific Region's Best in Amatuer Futurity! Nevada takes her leading lady role to the hilt and conquers admirers everywhere she goes. Finishing at 13 months with 3 majors.

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Terra Norte's The Time Traveler's Wife "Clare", Sable

Tulsa's Khanye Daughter - Clare

 

This is the 2nd sable girl from the Khanye litter. Not as plush as Nevada - but a great mover. Look at that great extensive - lovely reach and suspension!

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Terra Norte's Second Time Around, "LuLu"

Tulsa's Khanye Daughter - LuLu

 

This is the "Not-Brown" sister to Nevada, Clare and McKenna. While Black & Tan instead of Sable - there isn't anything Plain Jane about LuLu. She has great length of stride, presence and sensiblity! Watch for LuLu in St Louis representing the Mid-Pacific region in the Amatuer Futurtiy competition.

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Terra Norté's Samba with a Latin Beat, "Samba"

Tango's Vaquaro daughter - Samba

 

This high energy bi-colour takes her name seriously. Beautiful dark pigment, long stride and iron back makes for the suspended side gait that defines the GSD. Samba's precocious temperament is contagious.

 

Samba Pedigree

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Terra Norte Homar's Mother Jones, "Devlin"

Sorcha's Patriot daughter - Devlin

 

When looking at Devlin's pedigree you see that she has big shoes to fill. As a Sorcha daughter, she has several GV's and Selects contributing to her genetic makeup. Add to that Sel Ex CH Patriot's blueblood contribution as a CH Heart Throb son out of a GV R-Man daughter - Devlin carries with her the best of the American GSD show lines. On top of that - she has a lovely temperament.

 

 Devlin's Pedigree

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Terra Norte's Glinda v Homar, "Glinda"

Sorcha's Cowboy Song daughter - Glinda

 

Born in the middle of a tornado and with a mother who was named after a famous Irish Witch, it seemed fitting that the pups from this litter be named after the famous Witches and Wizards of Oz. This girl, while her name sake was supposed to be "The Good Witch", is far from little miss goodie two shoes. She has the same great joie de vivre that Sorcha is known for and beautiful to boot. Her father, CH Marhaven's Last Cowboy Song, PT - a GV Army son, brings in some line breeding on Boss as well as the beautiful movement trademarked by the Kenlyn "Q" girls. 

 

Glinda's Pedigree

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GCH Terra Norte's Pastoria of Oz, PT "Torre"

Glinda's Colin daughter - GCH Torre

Black & Tan

 

At the 2012 National Helen Gleason remarked that Torre - "An aloof, alert gal of medium size, medium bone and sumstance Excellent pigment, very tight coat. Strong head with medium colored eyes. Straight front, stands correctly in the rear. Sound coming and going, elbows tight, very good rear ligamentation. Very good reach and drive. Strong, straight back, croup is somewhat short, correct tail. Torre has proven herself to have great depth both in looks and intelligence. She earned her Pre-trial herding title easily and now that she has snatched up her Grand Championship is starting on obedience work. 

 

Torre Pedigree

The California Girls

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CH Rivendell All The Right Moves v Animus, HSAs HRDI HTADI PT "DiDi",

Black & Tan

 

Didi brings a strong west coast pedigree to RTN being a Select CH Sunny Side Up daughter by Sel Ex CH Jezra's Daytona (An Elmo son out of a Boss/Color Guard daughter). She has a dare-devil attitude and loves hanging off the edge. When it comes to herding - however, she is all business. Of course, it is also with all the power and grace of a Ferrari making "All The Right Moves"!

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2011 Am BIF GCH Marhaven's Evangelina of Terra Norte' "Lena"

 

Lena lives up to the old song -she is worth crossing the desert for.... When Bob Kish picked her as Best in Amateur Futurity at the 2011 National - he wrote " feminine, well balanced, strongly pigmented, and eye appealing with a solid top line" 

 

Lena continues to show that she is GSD royalty! Finishing easily and taking command of the specials ring. She captured the Best of Breed award her first time as a special and has continued to conquer hearts her second weekend out - going BOB 3 out of the 4 days and receiving a Group placement.

 

WOW!! Lena now has acheived her Grand Championship and isn't losing any momentum. Thank you Jon Cole for finishing her Grand and bestowing a Group 2 on Lena! Now ranked in the Top 20 GSD and is the #2 GSD bitch in the AKC National Owner Handler Series for 2014.

The Great Dogs of Terra Norté

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CH Windwalker-Kaimacha Bo Peep, HT ROM "Peepers"

OFA: GS-46551F25F 

 

CH Peepers was everything that you could ask for in a companion and a foundation bitch. When I first saw Peepers she was 7 months old and it was love at first site. She could float effortlessly around the ring and yet had the drive and determination to hold a flock of sheep or the perceived “bad guy” where she wanted them.

 

Like the conformation ring and herding arena, Peepers excelled in the whelping box. Bred first to BIS CH Kaimacha Keystone Caicos, she produced 3 pointed daughters – one with a group 3 over specials. Second litter sired by CH Windwalker’s Yardley, ROM produced CH. Terra Norte’s Heart Strings and his sister Affair O’The Heart. Farrah has 12 points with a 5-point major all from the bred-by class, owner handled. Peeper’s third litter sired by CH DanAnn’s Seiko, marked Terra Norte’s introduction to sables with CH Terra Norte-Windwalker’s Movado, CH Terra Norte-Windwalker Tag Heuer, and CH Windwalker-Terra Norte Festina. Peepers gave us a grace, spirit and determination that continues to flow through her progeny.

 

ROM information: 

Champion progeny: 

 

CH Terra Norte’s Heart Strings DL 734364/03 

CH Windwalker-Terra Norte’s Festina DL 804575/04 

CH Terra Norte – Windwalker’s Movado DL 804575/01 

CH Terra Norte – Windwalker’s Tag Heuer DL 804575/02 

CH Terra Norte’s Affair O’The Heart DL 734364/05 

 

Qualifying progeny: 

 

 

(Emma was retired from showing with 11 points after going Best of Breed and Veterans Group 1 from the Veterans Class. She had also earned the prestigious Grand Champion Title from the UKC.)

(Emma was retired from showing with 11 points after going Best of Breed and Veterans Group 1 from the Veterans Class. She had also earned the prestigious Grand Champion Title from the UKC.)

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CH Hickory Hill's Excalibur, PT CGC (Magic)

OFA GS-41440G37M 

 

Magic was “Mr. Personality” in the temperament department. When I went to see a litter that Ann Shilling Gray of Vinita, Oklahoma had available, I was shopping for a bitch. We spent the whole day talking dogs, watching puppies and meeting the rest of Ann's dogs. Throughout the day, this black and tan puppy dog followed me around, grabbed my shoestrings and basically laid his claim on me. He had decided that he was coming home to Colorado with me. Once home, my husband said he was a funny looking bitch...... Magic taught me about the conformation world and was my first AKC Champion. He was line bred on 4x Select AM/CAN CH Stuttgart Sundance Kid "Bear" and did not carry the coat factor. Magic was a dual titled dog who brought clean movement and sound structure to his puppies. He was an active, thinking dog until his death at age 14 of nature causes. 

 

CH Terra Norte's Time Traveler, HSs TT HTADIs "Owen" and BriarPatch-Terra Norté's Illusion, HSs CD TT JHD"Caleb"were both Magic sons.

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CH Terra Norté's Time Traveler, HSAs, HSCs, HTADIs HRDIIs TC "Owen"

01/03/03 - 03/13/2013 

OFA: GS-71567G26M 

GS-EL17655M26

 

We lost the Big Sable Dog last Spring and we are still mourning his crossing over. He has a great, outgoing temperament and structural soundness to the end. While good sized and definitely masculine, he was within The Standard. His sire Magic "CH Hickory Hill's Excalibur, PT" linebred on "Sel CH Stuttgart's Sundance Kid "Bear" brings depth of bone, longevity and sound character to this dog. His dam Tina "CH Windwalker-Terra Norte's Festina" was a CH Seiko daughter out of our ROM CH Bo Peep, HT. Tina's pedigree brought together the proven sire lines of DanAnn, Windwalker & Kaimacha Kennels. 

 

Just shy of Owen's 10th birthday - he took me on a great ride at the 2012 GSDCA National winning Best Veteran! Then the next day we made it through 2 cuts in the Specials class. While I wasn't sure I had another pass in me - Owen was ready to go all day! What great heart, temperament and character.

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Terra Norte's Midnight Serenade, HIAs HSCs HRDIIIs HTADsII PT JHD "Norah"

12/23/2004 - 08/21/2014

 

Norah was the dark beauty that her name personifies. She inherited her grandmother CH Peeps looks and iron back. From her Mother - Sorcha, she inherited a wonderful giving temperatment and movement you would expect from blending GV Boss, GV Bull Durham and GV Uecker. She got her keen stock sense and working abilities from her dad CH Tag and worked as my regular stock dog right up to the end when her body could no longer keep up with her desire to work. She is sorely missed by all those who admired her competent way of getting the job done. I miss her everyday. 

 

Norah's Pedigree

Puppies

We just welcomed a new litter of puppies at RTN! We have a variety of sables and blacks available to pet and show homes.

Contact us for availability, placement guidance, and next steps.

New Champion with judge Pat Hastings Casper July 2021

Puppy 1

DOB
03/10/26
Sire
Dog 1
Dam
Bitch 1
Sex
Female
Color
Sable
Available

This little gal has a sweet temperment and is ready for a pet or show home.

New Champion with judge Pat Hastings Casper July 2021

Puppy 2

DOB
03/10/26
Sire
Dog 1
Dam
Bitch 1
Sex
Male
Color
Black
Available

This little guy has pep in his step and is ready for a competition or show home.

All About German Shepherd Dog Puppies

Guidance for choosing, raising, and living with a German Shepherd Dog puppy.

So you think you want a GSD Puppy:

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I assume that since you are already looking at our web site - you have decided that a German Shepherd would be a great addition to your family. They are wonderful dogs - but like most breeds, they have been bred to exhibit certain physical and temperamental attributes. They do shed, they are big, they do come with a long busy tail..... and they do make decisions regarding friendlies and suspected unfriendlies.

These dogs take a long time to mature, both physically and mentally. If you are expecting a cracker jack obedience or agility dog - you will have a long wait to get the mental acumen that many expect as soon as their pups lose their puppy look. An 8- 10 month old looks like an adult, but is far from being one.

Lets assume that you are committed to the rigor of the 100 rule: 100 new faces & places in the pups first 100 days in your home..... you have a fenced yard (important for a dog who lives for boundaries and perimeters), and you aren't running a day care center with lots of strangers coming in to pick up their children on a daily basis. GSD's really frown on "predators" (parents) coming into the "graze" (home or yard) and taking off with their flock (children).

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I place my puppies at 10 to 12 weeks of age. The puppies receive their first series of shots and full physicals at six weeks and have been wormed at three, five, and seven weeks of age. Since most pups go through their first fear stage around 8 - 9 weeks, that is the worst time to separate them from their littermates and familiar surroundings. I have found that we have much better success of producing dogs with sounder temperaments and behavior when they are with their pack until 10 to 12 weeks of age. Also that coincides with the correct time for their 2nd series of puppy shots - a perfect reason to take them in for their first trip to the vet with their new owners.

I sell all companion puppies with AKC Limited Registration that can be amended after they have received OFA certification on hips & elbows and are free of any disqualifying faults. Show prospects are sold on co-ownerships only. I offer a 72-hour warranty from the time you receive your puppy in which you are encouraged to take it to your veterinarian for a pre-purchase examination. If you or your vet is unhappy with the puppy for whatever reason, you are free to return it (at your expense) and receive a full refund of your purchase price. I also offer a hip and health guarantee - if the pup fails to OFA or develops a congenital condition, you are entitled to a replacement puppy/dog of equal of greater value at a time mutually acceptable to both buyer and seller.

Upcoming & Available Litters

Upcoming & Available Litters: We are excited about 2 litters that are in the works at present. GCH Terra Norte's Night Time in Nevada PT welcomed her litter sired by 2015 Futurity Victor 2x SEL EX GCH Bomar Agon de Rancho Backachers on December 10, 2017. The 5 pups include 1 sable boy, 1 sable girl, 1 black Girl, 1 black and tan girl and a black and tan boy.

Our second litter was born on December 16, 2017. Their parents are our major pointed Terra Norte's Beautiful Girl v Animus "Flyer" who was bred to GCH Nevada's brother Terra Norte's Round-up Time in Texas PT "Texas". Flyer is a CH Didi daughter sired by our black Terra Norte's He's The Wizard "Jackson". Flyer's litter of 6 has something for everyone: Sables, solid blacks, black and tans, boys and girls. While these puppies are futurity nominated and will do well in the conformation ring, they are available to approved companion and preformance homes.

Other litters planned for 2018 -

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