Von Wilhendorf

In 2009, after a good amount of research and visiting other breeders, we approached John for a puppy. Althou our pup may have had worms for a week or two upon arrival, she never had a single health problem thru her 13 years of life (13 is pretty good for a shepherd of 75 lbs.) She had excellent health thru out, got her shots, and was never sick once.

She also was very energetic (to be expected from a shepherd) and very healthy thru out her life. She came from Tee Jay lineage. As she was very well socialized; friends and strangers loved meeting this beautiful, well-behaved shepherd. I felt I had to counter some of the things said here online as we had a VERY good experience.

Thru out the years John was there to take my calls and provide advice to this novice dog owner. Overall, a wonderful experience.

I bought a male from John Henkel. He claimed that the puppy was imported from a breeding partner in Germany.

I doubt it. He was 12lbs at 14 weeks and never had a solid *** Lots of diarrhea. Spent thousands at the vet trying to get him better. He's on prescription food for life, but has other problems with severe allergies.

He's in the hospital right now with liver failure and the outlook is very poor. He's only 3 and a half years old.

John Henkel knew from day one that the dog had problems and brushed me off, told me to give him metronidazole that was sold over the counter as a fish antibiotic!

250mg for a 12 lb puppy. He stopped responding shortly after that when the stomach problems didn't resolve and I kept asking questions.

So far I've spent about $50k on vets.

BUYER BEWARE! We purchased 3 dogs from John Henkel within a year.

(2016) All 3 dogs came with Giardia! We were NOT Allowed to pick a puppy. They were picked for us. When I asked if I could see the puppies I was told no and given an excuse why.

The first dog (male) is cowhocked and would have been a better guard dog than a family one. She questioned why he was not active upon meeting him we were told he was just running around. The third dog (male) was very skittish upon meeting him. We were told he would grow out of it.

He has not. He is afraid of everything! Mr. Henkel could also not tell me when he was born.

He rambled off a couple different dates. The second dog (female) we purchased just passed away October 2, 2022. She turned 6 on September 15, 2022. When she was 4 she was diagnosed with genetic epilepsy.

At approximately 5 yrs 8 months it was discovered her liver values were high and she lost 10 pounds at her yearly exam. We then went to an Internal doctor and we started some meds. In August 2022 we had a liver biopsy and intestinal biopsy done since nothing else was helping her. The results came back that she had IBD, PLE, Copper Storage Disease and a aggressive rare form of hepatitis.

My girl only survived a month. I posted to Wilhendorf on FB the below screenshot and it was taken down and I was blocked. Its quite obvious that he does not care about the dogs he breeds or the families who are grieving for the loss of their family member who passed way to young. They only care about the money these dogs bring in just like a puppy mill.

If he was an honest man he would have acknowledged my pain and thanked me for letting him know about the genetic problems. Please go elsewhere for your dog and make sure you research. There were red flags everywhere and thats on me for not researching. By the way Mr Henkel if you plan to respond with anything negative about my care for her lets get the facts straight!

She had an Amazing and Knowledgeable Veterinarian. She had a Highly Knowledgeable and Respected Neurologist and Internal Doctor. We spent well over $30,000 making sure we did everything for her.

For any of you who think we let her suffer all this time. She was not suffering or in pain until the day we had to say goodbye.

We bought a female puppy from him 6 years ago. She was sick from the day we got her.

He had dewormed her so many times ( And sent us home finishing a deworming) That he ruined her intestines. Our vet in NM said she wasn't going to make it even 2 weeks. we spent nights on end taking turns staying up with her all night to make sure she made it outside from her loose stool to vomit. but my baby girl was a fighter and pulled through.

however she was on medicine her whole life. about 6 months ago she took a turn back for the worst suddenly and stopped responding to her medication. Yesterday we had to put her down. This man breeds sick dogs and by the looks of it we're not the only ones who got one.

My poor girl is in a better place now no thanks to this wanna be "vet".

Buyer BE WARE!!!! This man should be investigated !!!!!

Purchased a dog from Wilhendorf 5 years ago and he's just what I told John Henkle I was looking for. He is from a Rhett v Wilhendorf breeding.

I especially appreciate John's expertise and the quick responses to All of my questions, even 5 years later - no matter how silly or serious. I am from out of state and he even did research for me on the best trainer in my area. I was so pleased that a year later I bought a female import and and am happy with the drive and beautiful movement. My female was injured and it was John's guidance and questions to ask the specialist that allow me to make a positive live altering decision for her.

I am grateful to John for his support and would not hesitate to buy another dog or recommend Wilhendorf. (attached are my healthy well adjusted dogs from John)

Maybe I can type better this time. Valen, purchased in September of 2010, sent to the rainbow bridge, December 08,2016.

Dying from liver failure due to his intestines leaking into his body. If I ever come in contact with this ***, he will pay dearly for breeding and selling dogs that are sick and suffer their entire lives. I don't doubt he produces dogs that are fine, but there are so many complaints of dogs with digestive problems and yet he continues to lie and cheat people that buy into the *** of his many accomplishments.

Totally dishonest and could care less that he produces dogs that suffer. Animal cruelty!