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Testimonials
We were lucky enough to get one of Kim's pups, he is a wonderful little guy - the fastest learning dog I have ever had. Dealing with Kim was very easy and it was a thorough process which is a testament to her dedication to finding the best homes and people to raise her dogs. This pup is confident in new situations and is very inquisitive. He loves a good game of tug and chase and of course is a very handsome little tacker. We are very happy with our new addition to the family. Rachel Davis.
We couldn't be more in love with our Amazon (Ammy for short).
Ammy has settled beautifully, she has the loveliest personality with a loving
calm intelligent nature. Ammy is sitting and coming on command and had her
first puppy school class last week, and she was great. Ammy is
growing so fast, I’m looking at her on her mat which is now too small. She’s
fantastic when it’s time for our bed we will take Ammy to the door and she now
walks to the garage ready for bed, as is the rest of her family. Thank you Kim for doing such a wonderful job and I couldn't thank you enough for
entrusting Ammy into our care we feel very privileged to have her with us. Veronica McDougall.
I have sat down to write about this amazing pup many times and every time he
just surprises me again. Now I give up and just try to describe this incredible
animal. Axel is my third German Shepherd Dog so I thought I was up with the
play. Not a chance, Axel is a GSD on steroids. He has such an insatiable desire
to learn and play. His prey drive is incredible as is his ease of training. He
just constantly wants to learn. He will talk back if he doesn't want to do
something and will lead and show you when he does want something. (Gotta be
careful about who is training who sometimes). However I am not all that
surprised really. From early on in my conversations with Kim I sensed that any
dog she chose a home for would be pretty remarkable, and our Axel is just that.
Kim's main concern was always to find the right homes for her pups. Thank you Kim
for breeding this wonderful ball of energy that we love so much, and for
choosing us to raise him. Our contact details are available through Kim and we
would happily meet with anyone and recommend Kim's dogs. We are in Lower Hutt. Wayne and Penny.
I
have been lucky enough to adopt one of Kim’s latest offspring and she is one
great dog full of drive and quick to learn. Kim was easy to deal with and
impressed with the care she took of mum and pups. She also spent hours getting
to know their temperaments so as to match up the pups with their new homes. She
remains interested in how the puppies are getting along and is happy to be
contacted by the new owners. Very happy GSD Mother, Kathy.
When I decided to buy a German Shepherd for my partner I started looking at the breed and at New Zealand breeders and quickly decided I wanted a working line dog rather than a show standard dog. I wanted to find a breeder with integrity who I believed was dedicated to breeding dogs with healthy conformation and a steady temperament. After reading Kim’s statements on her website, and realizing that she had a litter of pups due, I decided to enquire about purchasing a pup from her. Having spoken with Kim on the phone I quickly paid a deposit and crossed my fingers that we would be able to acquire one of the pups. My partner waited over 40 years for his first German Shepherd but Chilli was worth the wait. It was strange not to be able to choose our own puppy but Kim’s choice for us was perfect. Long story short, we were successful and have now had our bitch, known as Chilli, for just over two weeks. We love everything about her; her color, her pretty face and her loving nature. She slept through the night from the off set, and has fit right into the family. She has a lovely nature and is not phased by new experiences. She is confident and happy around people and has made friends with the cat. As I type this, David is throwing, and Chilli is retrieving, one of her favorite toys, a brush from a brush and shovel set – which she chose herself from my bathroom cupboard. She is learning basic commands such as “Sit” and “Fetch” as well as understanding “No”. Thanks, Kim, for our lovely little (at the moment) girl. Trish and David.
Kim is a very responsible,
committed and diligent breeder. Indeed, she has a thorough comprehensive
knowledge of the German Shepherd breed and is passionate about their integrity
and wellbeing. We found this particularly evident through Kim’s rigorous vetting
process, which not only served to determine whether we would be responsible,
loving owners but also demonstrated to us her credibility as a breeder. We were
very impressed by how deeply she cared about each of the puppies she reared and
the lengths she went to, to assess their individual characteristics and
attributes. Kim is dedicated to ensuring that each of these gorgeous and
vivacious puppies are appropriately rehomed. By liaising with Kim you can feel
assured that you are in ‘safe hands’, as she is nothing short of professional,
honest and consistent. She truly loves and respects this breed and is eager to
see them thrive in the right environment. My husband and I feel very
privileged to be entrusted with an adorable, intelligent and vibrant male puppy
from Kim; who we have named ‘Bear’. Bear is an attractive and good natured boy,
who gets lots of compliments wherever we go. He is attentive, alert and quick to
respond to instruction. Bear has good drive and a healthy appetite and loves
playing with us and his older sister (a Siberian Husky). We expect these
attributes to only flourish as he gets older and are hoping to enrol him in some
agility classes. Needless to say, we adore our little Bear and are extremely
grateful to Kim. Hannah Jeanne Nettikaden.
I
recently bought a male pup from Kim. She loves the breed and I found her good to
deal with. Not choosing the pup out of the litter myself was a new concept for
me but it has worked really well. Kim does a good job matching the pups to the
families they will go to. Zeus settled in very quickly and I have been impressed
by his confidence. He is an awesome little fella and I can see him becoming the
dog I had hoped for. Paul.
I found out about Sarskilda online by searching 'Working Line German
Shepherds'. I had been researching Working Lines for the last couple of years
and was very interested in the reasons for breeding them. There weren't many
breeders but I did find Sarskilda had the most information and the photo
gallery was excellent. I phoned the Kennels when the litter was born. Had a
very lengthy conversation with Kim and was surprised that a puppy was to be
chosen for us not the other way round. Also wasn't guaranteed a puppy. We had
to have a pup that was suitable as a pet. I must say that was probably the most
difficult part - waiting to find out if we would be successful. I am pleased
that she was chosen for us. I have had two German Shepherds before and they are
a very high energy breed. We finally did get a bitch and she is a lovely dog. She learns very quickly and has great drive.
I get a lot of comments about her nature and she absolutely adores people,
especially children. Kim has kept in regular contact with us and the children
send her photos and videos on Facebook. I have found I can phone Kim anytime to
answer any queries I may have and that she has a huge knowledge base of the
breed including food, training, breeding, vaccinations and history. Thanks
Kim! Vanessa Mowat.
When Kim's first Ceda/Yaal litter was on the way, I was very keen to have a pup. I already had Ceda's full litter brother, Rima, and was really pleased with him. I also still had Scout, the last of the three GSD's I brought home from Canada with me in 2005. Scout was older but still full of vim and vigour. Having had three GSD's for several years, I also decided not to go the three-dog route again. With me working full-time, three dogs were just a bit much, and less than ideal for the dogs themselves. When the second Ceda/Yaal litter came along, I was sorely tempted but felt it would not be fair to an aging Scout to bring in a puppy, so once again I declined. Unexpectedly, in July 2014, my beloved Scout died. At this point, of course, Kim's pups were all spoken for, including the two she held back. Imagine my delight when she decided to re-home a female from that last Ceda/Yaal litter, and offered me the opportunity to have her. And so, just before Christmas 2014, Eris came to live with me, Rima, and Libby the cat. She moved in to my home like a little tornado, not unlike Scout in her younger years. If anything, Eris is more mischievous and cheeky than Scout, which hardly seems possible. Along with Scout's exuberance and joie de vivre, Eris also shares her easy-going, confident and discriminating approach to life. She's a take-anywhere kind of girl, a quick learner and an easy-keeper. Eris has fitted into her new life smoothly and, apart from the occasional theft (dish brushes, wash cloths, jandals, gum boots, socks, pens...the list goes on) — all due to lapses in my concentration — she has been no trouble at all. While Eris has forged a strong bond with her "Uncle Rima" and a healthy respect for Libby the cat, she has also connected with me and is eager to please and a lot of fun to work/play with. Thanks, Kim! I'm so happy with Eris. I appreciate your time, enthusiasm, care and generosity of spirit when it comes to your dogs. Jan.
We were lucky enough to have Falcon (a.k.a. Bubba) join our family this year. He
is a wonderful and well balanced pup that has fit into our home with ease. Being
passionate about German Shepherds as a breed, it was important to us to seek out
a breeder that strives to achieve both the physical and mental attributes that
make a well rounded dog that is fit for purpose. Kim has been fantastic to deal
with throughout the entire process with excellent communication, and has kept us
well informed at all stages. The meticulous care Kim takes to match the right
pup with the right owners is a credit to her as breeder and the proof is in the
wonderful end result. Thanks! :-) Tanya and Matt Smith.
We brought our young pup home almost a week ago and she is proving to be a
truly awesome wee girl. Kim has been wonderful to deal with right from the very
outset. She was totally upfront and made no promises that there would be a
suitable pup at the end of the process. The concept of someone choosing the pup
for us was totally new but having experienced it, now wish all breeders were as
conscientious and careful as Kim has been with homing their pups. Needless to
say Midget ( now Sheena) is already fitting into the household most remarkably.
We are so impressed with how sound she is physically and mentally for one so
young and look forward to many many years of love and companionship with our
little girl. Thank you Kim. An updated testimonial for Sheena now named Hannah. Kim, Hannah just has to be the smartest pup ever!!!! You show her something once
and it is like she has been doing it all her life. She is not nervous around
visitors that she has never met before but will bark if something is out of the
ordinary or a vehicle stops at the gate. She lets me check her teeth and paws
without mouthing or flinching and yet she will hold on tight and is quite
relentless when playing tug o war. I think I have died and gone to heaven, she
is simply a dream pup. Our three cats have different natures and she treats each one differently and
they are all perfectly happy to be around her and even tolerate the face licking
when they greet each other. Hannah is such a joy to have around and is so truly
very easy to live with. I guess you hear this all the time but honestly I have
known many, many pups in my lifetime and have never ever seen anything like it.
She makes me look so good because she is just so reliable and obedient and it
isn't my doing at all - it is all down to Hannah and her wonderful temperament.
She is willing and eager to please, she listens, well 90% of the time LOL. She
does get distracted when the cat chases the stick she was retrieving and has to
stop and wash his face before picking the stick up and returning with it. BUT
she never forgets what she was sent for and always completes the job. Now tell me that she is not a miracle of nature! I wish everyone could be so
fortunate and there would be no need for the SPCA, dog pounds or rangers. I
don't know how you did it Kim, but you need to keep the recipe. Rod and Judy Ward.
We have owned German Shepherds for over 25 years,
and last year found ourselves quite unexpectedly without any. Deciding to get
another German Shepherd was easy – finding a suitable puppy wasn’t so easy.
Finally we came across Sarskilda Kennels’ website, and realised that these
working line dogs were the kind of German Shepherds we had been hoping to find –
bred for more than their looks, but also for their temperament and character.
We were happy with the idea of being matched to a puppy, and when Kim finally
told us there was one available that would suit us (or that we would suit him!)
we were overjoyed. Kim was easy to deal with, and we appreciated the time she
took to talk with us so she could be sure of placing the correct puppy in our
home. It demonstrates that Kim takes her responsibility as a breeder
seriously. Gryphon is now 11 weeks old, and a great puppy. He is intelligent,
confident and teachable. He is friendly and cuddly, and very busy! Apart from
those great characteristics, he is incredibly handsome, and is without doubt a
much-loved member of our family! Aaron and Wendy Merrick.
We adopted a 5 month old pup from Kim's last litter, she is the most intelligent, intense, inquisitive dog I have ever come across and I have had dogs all my life. She is a real character and has a real sense of fun. She is confident and curious in new situations and is very trainable. Kim is very thorough when it comes to choosing the right dog for the right home and makes sure that any potential owners are 100% up to the task. What impressed me is her commitment to her dogs and her unwavering determination to make sure that her dogs are well looked after and loved. I'm also grateful for her availability when it comes to any advice we need regarding training, health or nutrition. Although providing a home for one of these dogs requires a lot of dedication, commitment and hard work, we have found in Tanis an exceptional companion and all around great dog....couldn't ask for more, thank you. Jodi and Paul.
We had an absolute pleasure dealing with Kim. From the very beginning, Kim was very clear to communicate that she only wanted the best for her puppies and will make sure that they have the best life they can have. Once the pups were born, we had weekly updates on them and looked forward to the photos. Kim was very keen answering any questions we had about puppies, always available and happy to help! Once we got our 8 week old puppy, it didn't take us long to realize how perfect the puppy was for us. Exactly what we were looking for in terms of drive and temperament. Ella, our little bundle of joy, is very clever little girl. Didn't take her long to get housebroken and pick up on lots of things. She is very energetic and eager to learn things and explore the world around her. Thank you so much to Kim for the precious puppy we are stoked to have in our lives! Ana and Nick.
We are very happy with the service you provided throughout the sale of your/our puppy, Dysis. The constant updates on the progress of the litter, the discussions into what we were looking for, and your choice for the most suitable puppy for what we were looking for, were excellent. Dysis is a very driven puppy with plenty of energy and attitude. We are very happy with her and believe she is capable of going far as a working dog. We are looking to do IPO/Schutzhund with her. Thank you for allowing us to buy one of your puppies, we would happily deal with you again in the future. Anna and Paul, Australia.
Dear Kim, thank you for making one of my biggest dreams come true. Leo and
I are so happy to have Zumu as a new member of our family. We are so impressed
with how fast she is learning and adapting to her new home. I also want to thank
you for putting the interest of the puppies before the money. From the 3
breeders I contacted you were the only one who has spent time getting to know
us, which is so important for the well being of the pups. Thank you for great
communication and for being available to answer our endless questions :) we look
forward to staying in touch with you for many years to come :) Irina and Leo.
Thank you Kim for such an amazing pup! Koda truly is so awesome just like you said! I really appreciated all the effort and time you put into matching the litter to each new puppy parent. It was worth the wait! I love her to bits and I can't wait to see what the future holds. Also all the advice and tips during the first week was great and she is such a fast learner!! Thanks for everything! Sarah.
My name is Suzanne.
I am the proud owner of Miss Red from Kims latest litter.
Earlier, I had almost committed myself to a GSD with a breeder in
Christchurch until I came across Kim Foster of Sarskilda Kennels on the
Internet.
I loved the deep Sable colours of Kim's dogs, it was love at first
sight.
I was so impressed with the detailed description and personality of each
dog but also of Kim's commitment to the breed and her passion for her dogs.
Her knowledge of the breed was profound there wasn't a beat she missed in
all of my questioning and many phone calls. Not once did Kim ever come across as
impatient and answered all of my queries and questions, often 3 times over.
But the cool thing was that she wasn't selling puppies for Christmas
presents like some do on Trademe, she was very responsible as to who and where
her puppies were going. She was VERY particular and guarded about what pup was
going to who and where. And if it doesn't work out she wants the dog back
because she backs up her beliefs with actions.
I still have close contact with Kim with many worries and questions and
she always gets back to me and gives the time needed to help me.
I liked this the most about purchasing a dog from Kim.
She really gives it her all and makes sure you have a top quality dog that
will match your requirements to the letter.
So do you get one from the next available litter? Not in my case. I had to
wait for three litters down the track.
Did I get the dog of my dreams, a Sable and other features I thought would
look good? No.....I got the opposite in looks, a Black female, but..... she
has all the dream qualities of a dog that I wanted.
As a puppy, she is not aggressive, good strong character and a smart
thinker. Sociable, clean, piece of cake to crate train, has drive and tenacity,
nothing fazes her, she is sensitive and courageous and fast on her feet. She is
a nice shape and solid. .and loyal. She is not a yappy dog either, she just
listens with both ears straight up and then decides if the noise is worth a
reaction. She is very confident.
She is a beauty and I am very blessed to have her. I cant wait to watch her
grow and develop in Dog sports, it will be fun. So do you want to deal with a breeder who will give
you the pick of the litter just to get ex amount of dollars and not give a toss
as to how your match works out or do you want a dog that is especially selected
for you, perfectly matched up to your needs and that money isn't the main
motivator, but the welfare of the dog is, then trust me, Kim will look after you for as long as you
need. You will not be disappointed. Suzanne Connally.
My wife and I purchased a GSD from Kim Foster of Sarskilda Kennels, from her second litter.Aside from being very
happy with the dog we now own and enjoy we also found dealing with Kim an easy
and professional experience.
It has been obvious to us
that Kim takes great care in her dogs mating's and also in the ownership of the
resulting pups.
We have no reservations
in recommending Kim Foster as a breeder or in the purchasing of a dog.
Respectfully
Ian & Heidi
Taylor
We were recently lucky enough to be chosen by Kim to own one of her awesome
puppies.
Dealing with Kim was very easy and we were very impressed by how thorough she is with finding the right homes for her puppies. Her main priority is the
welfare of her the dogs and she requests regular updates on their progress
.
We couldn't be happier with the puppy( Odin) she chose for us. He is just
awesome and has fit into our home with ease and has become great mates with
our 2 year old GSD Axel.
At 10 weeks old Odin has already learnt the basic sit and come commands and
has just about got the wait command down as well.
We couldn't be happier. Lance and Fiona.
We are absolutely delighted with our pup and would not
hesitate in recommending Sarskilda to anyone wanting an exceptional Working Line
Shepherd. Kim was a pleasure to deal with and following our conversations
regarding the possibility of adopting a Sarskilda pup, Kim’s passion and
commitment to the breed was very clear. At that point I knew was willing to wait
as long as necessary for the opportunity to have a pup matched to our family. I
am delighted to say that our puppy Stella aka Miss White, is exactly what we
wanted. Not only is she absolutely gorgeous, a lovely dark sable with little
black boots. She is very confident and independent, has great drive, loads of
energy when playing but will happily relax with the family. She is extremely
inquisitive, attentive and alert. Training to date has been a breeze, at 10
weeks Stella knows the basic Sit, Come, Lay Down and Wait commands, we are
looking forward to watching her grow and learn over time and will keep you
updated. Thanks Kim! We are absolutely in love with Stella and feel very
privileged to have her. Sarah.
We recently became the proud owners of a Sarskilda puppy, and are so in love with this wee dog. What an amazing pup, he is remarkably quick to learn and eager to please, very clever and assertive, not only that, he is a stunning looking boy. Kim is a very committed, honest and knowledgeable breeder. She goes to great lengths to make sure that not only are these beautiful puppies going to great homes and the right environments, but also that the right puppy is for you and the perfect match is made. Kim was absolutely on the mark when Lincoln came to us, he has blended into our family perfectly. You can be sure that if you are looking to Kim for a puppy, you will be in the best of hands, and the best of pups will be placed in yours. Beth.
When we decided to get a German Shepherd pup we looked at different breeders and came across Sarskilda Kennels. We had our first contact with Kim and spoke at length about dogs etc. Kim was very easy to talk to and very helpful with advice which is ongoing. I have had a German Shepherd before but was reluctant to get another as I felt I would compare the new one with the old - but after being lucky enough to be selected to be a home for one of Kim's pups, I haven't given any thought to comparison, as this little girl has a personality of her own and is just brilliant to have around. Very easy to train, she knows her name, sits on command, and lets you know when she needs to go outside. Very happy with our Maxie! Geoff and Lois.
I had spent hours looking for a German Shepherd breeder when I came across
Kim's website. I found it very informative so I decided to give her a call.
Having spoken to Kim at length I was confident I had found a diligent breeder
who puts her dogs first. Also the fact she had contacts with the dog section in
the NZ Police I was confident I would get a pup that was healthy, had a great
temperament and would be easy to train. Kim was extremely honest and was adamant I would only get a pup if she felt
there was one that would be perfectly matched to me. This was a new concept to
me but once I took time think about it, it only made complete sense. I was lucky enough to receive one of her pups and I can honestly say I
couldn't be more happy. Macy has a great temperament and she is eager to learn
and wants to please. She is also a great looking pup. It didn't take long for
her to become my best mate. Kim has continued to show interest in Macy and she has been great support
to me when required. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Kim as a breeder. John.
We are so happy with our beautiful pup. He has settled in remarkably well, and is so happy in his new home. Dealing with Kim throughout this entire process was easy and comforting. She always had the best interest of the pup in mind, and it is clear how passionate Kim is for this breed and her dogs. We felt 100% confident in Kim's abilities to match us to a suitable puppy, and it was well worth the wait. We highly recommend Kim to anyone wanting an honest breeder, who genuinely cares for her dogs and puppies. Linda.
Kim Foster of Sarskilda has been fantastic to deal with, from our initial
enquiry right through to the acquisition of our new pup. We are absolutely
delighted with the pup, she’s all we expected and more! Kim’s knowledge, passion
and integrity on the working line breed are second to none. The welfare and
appropriate homing of her pups is paramount to Kim, and through a rigorous
interview and meeting she perceptively guides you to the appropriate pup for
your lifestyle and situation. Kim has been honest, available and generous with
help and feedback throughout the process. We would unreservedly recommend
Sarskilda and Kim to anyone who is interested in the working line German
Shepherd. Jane and Clayton Brown, Auckland.
You couldn't meet a more passionate breeder than Kim. It is
apparent from all our conversations with her, how much she loves her Shepherds,
and it is infectious! She is very open and always willing to help and answer
questions. We got the most beautiful, energetic, intelligent and loving pup from
Sarskilda, and we are over the moon with him. We look forward to growing with
our new best bud. Thank you Kim! Caleb and Julz.
We
are so fortunate to have been selected to receive one of Kim’s Pups.
Kim’s
incredibly thorough process and due diligence for weeks leading up for one of
her pups was outstanding, As a potential owner you understood from the outset
that Kim is very professional and and experienced with this breed so it gave you
confidence that your pup was going to be special.
What
I found is with Kim is her full care and concern is with her GSD pups first and
foremost.
Kaia’s
drive is strong and willingness to please is awesome,
Kaia
is very quick to learn and after having a Lab/Retreiver for 14 months (Guide Dog
training) I thought we would have my hands full with a GSD but she is very
obedient, and the loyalty is second to none.
We
took her to the beach yesterday and a Police Dog Trainer called Aaron came up
asking for a cuddle, he mentioned her temperament, (looks obviously as she is
stunning sable bitch with awesome marking's) and good sturdy stature, was a
testament to good GSD bloodlines and breeding, I mentioned she came from
Sarskilda and he smiled and said very good choice. Emma and Kevin.
My wife and I truly love and admire the German Shepherd Breed, and have been
fortunate to share our lives with a number of these magnificent animals over the
last 23 years. A little over a year ago, we lost our best friend Ziggy to cancer
at the young age of 9.5 years old. While we knew we could never replace him,
there was a gigantic hole left in our hearts that was filled by his gentle soul.
After mourning the loss, we quickly realized we needed to provide a
forever home for another GSD. Frankly our home was just a house without the
pattering of paws and ever present stability innate to the breed. So with heavy
hearts we began to research breeders online, looking for more than just a dog.
We wanted a breeder that loved their dogs as much as we did, and cared about the
overall health and well being of the GSD bloodlines.
Because we reside
in Hawaii, obtaining a puppy from the mainland of the United States would
require a 4 month quarantine due to our island being rabies free. This lead us
to research Australia and New Zealand for breeders to avoid the unbearable
stress on both the puppy and ourselves. Whether by fate or luck we stumbled upon
Sarskilda Working Line Kennels run by Kim Foster. After looking through the
pictures of her incredible dogs we decided to reach out with hope in our hearts
that we could bring one of these amazing creatures to the Hawaiian islands.
We had no idea what to expect, but from the very first email to the day
we picked up Jake at the airport - Kim was simply magnificent. Her priorities
were completely inline with ours (evident in the first phone call where she
essentially interviewed us to ensure we were good people that would treat her
puppy with dignity and love he deserved). This being our 4th GSD, it was a
unique experience for us in that Kim would pick our puppy based on the qualities
we were looking for as well as our lifestyle. In many ways this encouraged us as
we knew it wasn't about the money for Kim. What was most important to her was
ensuring there was a good fit for all involved, and that we could be trusted to
provide a loving home for Jake (aka Mud).
She was extremely supportive
and communicative throughout the entire process, as well as completely honest
and forthcoming. We were never guaranteed a puppy, only that she would do her
best to make a match between our desired traits and one of her pups. No match,
no pup. This spoke volumes about her character and love for GSDs, which
translated into complete trust on our part that she would do what is best for
both us and the dogs.
Jake has been with us know for a little over 2
months and we could not be happier. He has exceeded all of our expectations and
more. He is sturdy, healthy, driven, obedient, loving and beautiful. He is by
far the most well bred GSD we have ever had, and continues to amaze us on a
daily basis. He had our hearts before he even got here due to all the wonderful
updates and pictures Kim sent us along the way, and now we will be with him from
this day until his last.
We couldn't recommend Kim's kennel or methods
any higher. If you are serious about having a life long commitment to a true
German Shepherd, with classic working line traits - look no further. Just pray
she has enough pups and you are a good fit.
Thank you so much Kim for all
you have done for our family. If we ever are looking for another puppy she will
be our one and only option, and will be willing to wait as long as it takes as
it is more than worth it.
All the best,
Andrew and Laura
Johnston, Hawaii.
I've never met anyone, let alone a breeder who cares for her dogs more than
Kim. After a bad experience with a previous breeder, Kim was like a breath of
fresh air. She was an absolute pleasure to deal with and has allowed me to make
a truly special addition to my family. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her and
I know who I'll be talking to when the time comes to extend my family further.
Wonderful work Kim, you truly are amazing! Chevy.
Our family are extremely happy with our beautiful puppy Maki, she has fit in well. Maki is an absolute delight; very outgoing, friendly, and intelligent, we love her so much. Wherever we take Maki people are always complementing us on what a lovely dog she is and how lucky we are, they are also very interested in now getting one of their own – from Kim naturally. This is a testament to Kim’s breeding programme – her aim for excellence, her commitment to her puppies, and her follow up once you have one of her dogs. We like to keep in touch with Kim so she can see Maki’s progress, and watch her as she grows, it’s only fair as she has invested so much energy into breeding and caring for her wonderful puppies. When I rang Kim last year about the possibility of getting a puppy she was very upfront and clear about the process, the cost, and the commitment of owning a working line German Shepherd Dog. After the puppies were born Kim gave us weekly updates, which was so exciting, especially since we didn’t know what puppy we would be getting. Kim then chose us a puppy that was perfectly suited to our family - Thank you so much. Michelle and Scott.
I have had many dogs over my life including many German Shepherd's. I can
absolutely tell the difference in the working line breed and the quality of dog
that Kim produces in her breeding program. From the beginning our little girl
has shown a strength, intelligence, and stability of character that has set her
apart. At the same time having a beautiful temperament and affection within our
family setting. Her physical attributes have shown to be strong, agile and
vital. She has been a joy to begin training with and I can honestly say that
although I have loved all me dogs, this beauty is fast becoming the best I have
had. Kim herself as a breeder is conscientious, dedicated and available for
support following on throughout the dogs development. I have found Kim to be
thorough and particular in both breeding and care & placement of her dogs
with new owners which has ultimately resulted in a beautiful compatibility and
in my opinion superior breeding in our dog. Thanks Kim, we love her! Grace.
I recently had the privilege of
acquiring an amazing pup from Kim. From the outset I felt at ease with Kim’s
knowledge. Her process of selecting a pup for our family was new to me, but
after speaking with her many times I had no hesitation putting myself in her
hands! Kim knew her pup would be coming into a family home with owners who
previously had German Shepherds as pets. My faith in Kim has paid off and my
husband, children and I couldn’t be happier with our wee girl Echo. Already we
can see Echo is a confident, sturdy and resilient wee girl. Echo loves to play,
explore and is inquisitive. She also listens and learns so quickly! I can’t wait
to try many new things in training Echo. Kim is fantastic to deal with and I
have no hesitation contacting Kim in the future for her advice as Echo grows and
develops. Tracy Crossfield.
My experience with
Kim has been one of honesty, trust and commitment. Throughout the process of
getting our Pup, Kim kept us informed of every stage from the Sire and Dam,
through to mating, through to photos of the litter at every week. We were
wanting a pup for a specialist reason, and because of this, Kim was well aware
of what we wanted as well. The expectations from both sides were set from the
start. It was a different concept to get used to where Kim was to pick the dog
for you. However, this has worked out amazing, and Kim has chosen a pup that not
only fits what we wanted the pup for but also fits our family as a pet. Lace
has adjusted well to our house, family and training to date. She is intelligent,
sociable (loves people) and is a real problem solver. Her favourite past time is
to chew and anything that is in site haha.
I can’t thank Kim
enough for the support to date and her ongoing commitment and support for the
life of Lace. Peter.
A GSD was on the cards for me
for about 14 years. When the time finally came to find a reputable breeder I
came across Sarskilda. I was impressed right from the get go about Kim’s
breeding standard and put my name on the list to get one of her beautiful
pups.
Fast forward 8 months it was
finally time to pick up our new pup!! He is a lovely boy, who was completely
worth the wait. He has picked up the basic
commands quickly and I cannot wait to watch him grow. He’s a busy boy but is
such a joy to have around! Janine.
Kim you have been nothing short of amazing to us. I first contacted you
last year and from our very first phone conversation it was already clear to me
that you care about immensly about your dogs and about which homes they are
placed into. We waited 3x until we finally got the good news. But now I can
definitely see why. Kim REALLY knows how to judge these pups. Saeda was
definitely worth the wait. We now not only have the cutest most loving little
member added to our family but also you Kim, as our dear friend. Thank
you! Tracey.
Kim recently sold me a beautiful female German Shepherd , classed as
working line dogs. I would have to add to that and say top line Dogs, stunning
to look at and in a class of their own.
As for Kim, the communication over the 8 months prior to purchasing my pup
was very professional , I found Kim to be very knowledgeable about her dogs and
she always was quick to respond to my emails or questions. Kim treated me as
a potential buyer with the upmost respect during the entire time. Kim’s love and
care for her dogs in her breeding program and her professional regard for
clients, I would definitely have to highly recommend her to anyone wanting a perfect German Shepherd. Tracy Duncan.
When I first spoke to Kim we talked for nearly an hour. Through this conversation it was very obvious that Kim is passionate and committed to this wonderful breed, her breeding lines and the offspring of these magnificent dogs. Her integrity as a breeder is second to none , Kim is straight forward and her first priority is always the wellbeing of her dogs/pups. Kim has immense knowledge and understanding of her dogs, and the working line breed and their needs. At the end of the conversation we were invited to pay a deposit if we wished to proceed. Of course we did, no hesitation. Kim's practice of choosing/ matching pups to potential families after she assesses the pups, and the realization that a match may not necessary occur with the due litter, was a new concept to us. But again, another sign of Kim's dedication to ensuring that the pup has the best home possible and both pup and family are a good fit for each other. Kim was always really open with us and kept in touch, sending photos and through social media. We had to wait a wee while, but that was all forgotten when we got the news that there was a puppy for us. We could hardly wait to know which puppy was ours but the wait was worth every second when we finally met our perfect new family member and Kim. Ishka is a beautiful sable girl, who is as Kim said, a darling. She is also courageous, mischievous, beautiful, alert, and very eager to learn. Ishka has been with us for only a few weeks and she is very vocal when she needs to go outside for toilet, comes to her name, sits, lays on her bed when told, walks nicely on a lead and just loves being wherever we are. She loves our older dog who has been very patient for the most part but who also is loving the energy this young puppy has. We are truly humbled and grateful to Kim that this beautiful vivacious pup has been entrusted to us. Ishka is the perfect match for us thankyou so much Kim. It is comforting to know that Kim will always be a part of our family too as we share Ishka's progress. I know Kim is only a phone call away if we need any advice. So if you are looking or thinking about one of these amazing pups please talk with Kim. I cannot speak highly enough of Kim and Sarskilda Kennels. Keith and Trish Sybers.
It's
been three weeks since we picked up our German Shepherd puppy Huxley and we've
loved every second of it - it feels like he's always been part of our family!
After deciding that we wanted a working line German Shepherd we scoured the
internet looking for the right breeder and we were instantly drawn to Sarskilda
Kennels. Kim really stood out from the rest with her informative website and
Facebook page with lots of photographs of the adult dogs and also photographs of
happy customers with their growing pups that have kept in contact with Kim over
the months and years. Once we spoke to Kim on the phone we were immediately won
over by her passion for the breed and her method of pairing the right dog with
the right owners and forever home. Huxley is an extremely handsome working line
German Shepherd, very precocious and intelligent, and precisely everything we
were looking for in a dog. It's reassuring to know that whenever we need further
help or have queries that we can contact Kim at any time. We wouldn't hesitate
to recommend Sarskilda Kennels to anyone who would love an amazing working line
German Shepherd puppy in their lives. - Todd & Aja.
We are so happy with our puppy Asha. It is certainly a relief to know you
have a good breeding background for your dog, but also to know Kim has picked
our puppy to suit us is amazing. Asha fits in perfectly with our family. Kim
was amazing to deal with, very easy and obviously has the dogs welfare at
heart. We feel we can ask for advice at anytime, and regularly send updates to
Kim so she can see how Asha is doing. I highly recommend getting your puppy
through Kim, the whole experience was fantastic! Nicky.
I contacted Kim shortly after
buying my first home as I really wanted a dog, a German Shepherd in particular,
for company and also for security. After talking to Kim I decided
to go on the wait list and with her expert decision making got my beautiful Leon
in July 2018.He is everything I could ever
have wished for and I am so so so happy.From the start Kim was open
and honest, and also kept in close contact whilst sourcing the right pup for
me. She could not have done a
better job of matching us up and I am so grateful. I would highly recommend
Sarskilda kennels to anyone wanting a German Shepherd; you will be in good
hands. Lizzie.
We
are very grateful for the beautiful addition to our family from Kim. Keitel has
settled in so well and our 10 year old Shepherd just loves the little boy
Keitel. He has given us so much joy and Kim has done a fantastic job of
choosing the right puppy for us. He is fearless and inquisitive and takes
everything in his stride. Loves his tug of war play, and has a good grip. He
loves going to work and everyone loves him. Has
an easy going nature and nothing fazes him, he brings lots of laughter and joy
to us both and the grandchildren. Alina and Bill.
We have recently welcomed into our Family a beautiful Puppy off Kim, Ava is
an intelligent affectionate happy girl who has fitted in really well, all thanks
to the care and attention she pays to her dogs and their Pups. Kim chooses
a Pup suitable for your needs, which has worked out really well for us. Kim,
kept us updated on a very regular basis once the litter was born, and we looked
forward to those as they came. Kim provides a lot of knowledge with the breed
and is there for you when ever you need her for support. The quality of these
Dogs are outstanding, in giving a Pup from Kim a forever home you will not be
disappointed! Thanks Kim we
all love Ava to bits. Janine and Vance
We
recently got a beautiful male pup from Kim. It is easily evident how much Kim
cares about her dogs and her clients. She is a diligent and attentive breeder
with great communication throughout the entire process. Echo is a wonderful
little dog. He is very smart and driven. He settled in very easily and loves to
play and explore. We consider ourselves very lucky to have had the opportunity
to own one of Kim’s pups. It is without hesitation that I recommend Sarskilda to
anyone looking for a real working line GSD. I am looking forward to Echo growing
up and am confident in knowing that Kim is available to give advice throughout
this journey. David.
I came across Sarskilda Kennels after researching on-line. After losing
both my previous shepherds from the South Island at 8 years old to Degenerative
Myelopathy, I was somewhat apprehensive about getting attached to another dog.
My partner has since got a hunting dog.
I made contact on-line with Sarskilda, and the subsequent long conversation
over the phone,was somewhat of a mutual interview. It was clear from then, that
Kim Foster was on the same page, very passionate about her dogs, and where they
were to be placed.
Whilst testing for myelopathy isn't conclusive, this is but one of the
tests that Kim has undertaken by Vets, before gauging the pups temperament, and
placing with a suitable owner. It was reassuring to know Kim does everything
possible, in trying to make sure her puppies have the healthiest and happiest of
lives.
I waited patiently for the right pup, one of 8 in the December 2018 litter.
Moke, a little pure black rascal, now 2.5 months old, has a bromance with my
partners 13 month old Cesky Fousek pointer. Completely different temperaments as
expected. Moke engages well, has already learned to sit, loves to play, and is
confident being handled by many jealous friends and their children. No
complaints from the neighbours either when he's left behind when we head to
work. (ie not as vocal as the more needy pointer).
I would recommend Kim to anyone serious about getting a top quality German
Shepherd / new family member. The ongoing contact from Kim is more than welcome,
along with the offer of advice. Cheers Kim!
Yours sincerely,
Rob.
We have welcomed home a puppy from Kim, Freya is a clever girl who has
settled in really well. Kim’s knowledge and assistance has been amazing through
this journey from before we collected the pup on wards. Kim has continuously kept
us updated once the litter was born and even provided photos which everyone
knows is difficult to take with a litter of puppies! The quality of these dogs
are amazing and you won’t be disappointed! A big thank you to Kim! Ben and Renee.
Kim made the process of adopting one of her puppies painless, we got regular
updates and her support and advice both before and after we picked up our puppy
(Sage) is second to none.
Kim selected a puppy to fit our lifestyle and
experience and we are very happy with her choice. Sage has settled into her
routine well, she picks up new things quickly and it feels like she has been
apart of of family for ages. Thanks Kim for completing our family :-) Odette and Conor.
I approached Kim approximately 1.5 years ago to get a pup. I wanted a boy
which limited my chances and I was hoping to get a pup from Yaal. It was a long
wait but my communication with Kim was positive and informative, she always responded and still
responds with any question I may have. It was very difficult to not see her
setup or choose the pup but after long conversations with Kim she knew what I
was looking for. I had to fly my pup to my home town and Kim gave me advice and
took him to the airport with no drama. I have had my pup for 7 weeks now and
could not be happier. He was easy to toilet train, is quick to learn and I am
so happy with his conformation and looks. I am glad I waited for this boy. I
did worry about getting a full on working line GSD but having had him for 7
weeks I know he is going to fit any purpose I may have for him, including just
being a family pet if that is what I choose him to be. Teresa.
We recently bought home our pup Nyeusi from Kim, and what a beautiful and fantastically intelligent dog she is! From the very beginning of our correspondence, Kim has been extremely supportive and intuitive to both our wants and Nyeusi's. Kim chose her for us as she was best suited to our lifestyle, as well as being first time German Shepherd owners. Needless to say we have been matched perfectly. Kim has been so supportive and helpful since getting Nyeusi, answering all of our questions and providing the best advice. We are able to call on Kim's knowledge of the breed at any time to help us along the way which has definitely made the transition smoother. We love our Nyeusi girl who is from the very best stock. We can not recommend Kim and Sarskilda highly enough. Thank you Kim! Sean and Emma.
Being a professional dog handler and trainer and also owning and running a 50 dog per day, daycare facility, you lead a very ‘dog busy’ lifestyle! After researching high and low online and speaking to friends also in the industry, it was very clear that Sarskilda Working Line German Shepherds was the breeder for me. My pup is highly intelligent and is a real deal working dog. Sure she’s had a great training regime from day 1, but she is trainable in a sense i have never experienced before with any other dog in my career so far. Her temperament is med energy, but extremely high drive. Drive for ball, treat or her favourite - her tug toy! Any way you can let her know you are pleased she will seek time and time again. In only such a short time she has thrived in my very dog-busy lifestyle. She gets on well with dogs big and small, we also own two Tibetan Spaniels, 1 of which is My GSD’s bestie! We also have a 1 year old baby who Lace is very respectful around! I would also like to mention how impressed i was by the level of integrity Kim has to each and every puppy she breeds. She was extremely easy to deal with and was very knowledgeable of the breed and the pups she had for adoption. When you work with dogs to the level i do, you get a really strong insight to dogs and how they operate, Kim also has this level of understanding and actively trains her dogs. I highly recommend Kim as a breeder, my wife and I are extremely satisfied with our pup. We look forward to dealing with Kim again in the future! Jesse.
I researched throughly for a responsible and knowledgeable breeder before I got
in touch with Kim, and I am so thankful I did. From the beginning Kim was
determined to place the right pup with me, and she got it spot on. I can’t begin
to describe how amazing my girl Kona is; she’s energetic but not hyper,
incredibly intelligent and trainable, loyal, confident, and just beautiful. I
get a lot of comments when we are out in public about how well behaved and
lovely natured she is. She’s just a super dog. Kim was very knowledgeable and
helpful throughout the whole process, from her explaining how and why she would
select a pup for me, through to the ongoing support and advice she still
provides me now as Kona is growing. I received updates almost weekly after the
litter was born, and daily emails offering support and advice for a week after I
picked Kona up, which was incredible. Kona’s intelligence and great nature is no
doubt due to her parentage; it’s obvious that Kim is a very conscientious
breeder. I can’t begin to describe how lucky I am to have got a pup from Kim- as
my mum told me a couple of weeks after I brought her home, I have struck puppy
gold. I would encourage anyone considering getting a German Shepherd to get in
contact with Kim. Jaimee.
I have GSDs almost all my life since I was little and living in my father's military base. My dad had two retired military GSDs at that time. This breed of the dog gives me impressive memories. I had three GSDs since 2006 in Auckland. Unfortunately, all sad stories. They have different genetic problems. Nowadays people breed them for shows and money!! They do NOT care about the physical, mental health and happiness of the dogs. I was once almost afraid to have GSD again! But this beautiful, intelligence dog always crosses my mind. Since I got Fang from you, I really appreciate that I did not give up. Your knowledge, experience, enthusiasm, and hard-working for these dogs that remind me "Leading this breed to the top is the biggest dog-lover!" Fang has settled very well. Her physical condition and intelligence are really impressive to me. Really high drive, and high energy. It only took me 5 minutes to teach her to sit, flat and stay. Fang's arrive just bring me and my family back to normal happy life again since we lost our last GSD "Merc" last November. Especially my son, get up at 6 am to feed and play with Fang every day.😂 And the first thing he back from school is training Fang with me....... there is a lot to say....... never enough to express my mood.......Thank you very much again!!! Ben.
Both growing up with German Shepherds, it was the logical choice for our
first dog as a couple. Having talked to other breeders in New Zealand about
their breeding programs and rational - we felt Kim had the breed and her dog’s
best interests as a priority and her passion is unquestionable. After
communications with Kim by phone and email, the decision was set that this would
be our breeder of choice; Kim is ethical, caring, trustworthy and pragmatic -
someone other breeders could take note from. I feel the relationship we are
building is open and beneficial to all parties, Kim has been a great
communicator to date and I’m confident this commitment will continue for the
lifetime of our girl. We feel privileged to have Nyx who couldn’t be a more
perfect fit for us! She is focused, a quick learner and affectionate in her own
way (i.e. to be with us but not on us). We feel a responsibility to engage Nyx
and give her a fulfilled life and plan to start this with basic obedience and
see where she takes us! I have no reservations recommending Kim as a breeder, I
hope to have Sarskilda GSDs for as long as Kim is breeding 😊 Jamie.
I first started looking into adding a working line German Shepherd puppy to
our family more than two years ago. After much research, it became pretty obvious that there were very few
reliable breeders for this type of dog in NZ, and that Kim Foster of Sarskilda
Kennels was one of them.
So almost exactly two years ago I took the plunge and sent Kim a long email
explaining our situation and the sort of dog we were looking for. It had to be a
male, and had to have good working / sport prospects.
Two years and 88 emails later, along with a number of long phone calls, and
we got our pup Django! I can't blame Kim for the long wait, I had quite specific requirements, and
it has been more than worth the wait. Django is an outstanding pup - at 3 months of age he is clever, curious,
mischievous, but also very eager to please and quick to learn. He is
surprisingly bold and confident, but also cautious and alert.
Clearly he has the genetic background to be exactly the kind of dog we
want, and with a lot of effort from his humans, and Kim's onging support and
advice, I have no doubt Django is going to grow up to be an outstanding
dog.
Throughout the whole process Kim has been supportive and helpful, and what
was most apparent is that she truly cares where her pups go, and that they will
be cared for and given what they need to thrive in their new homes.
I can wholeheartedly recommend Kim as a responsible and caring breeder,
with her first priority being the well being of her dogs. Gregg.
We were lucky enough to get our male puppy Luke from Kim six weeks ago. Kim
was fantastic to deal with from the first phone call. Kim took the time to find
out about us and our requirements for a puppy. We had to wait for a suitable
puppy but throughout Kim’s communication was great and when the litter was born
we received photos every week.
Kim has an amazing knowledge and obvious love for the breed. We had no
guarantees we would receive a puppy as Kim needed to get to know the puppies and
decide if there would be one that would be right for us as a pet.
Luke is very affectionate and always willing to please he has amazing drive
and loves new experiences. Training is going well and he is very social with
people and other dogs. Our vet and the puppy school have commented that he has a
very laid back nature but when he is chasing a stick or ball he is so determined
and will only stop playing when exhausted! amazing drive.
Thanks Kim our son Hugo has a new best friend which he is loving it’s
amazing to see their bond already. Christa, Geoff and Hugo.
Early this year, we decided as a family that we wanted to bring a German
Shepherd into our lives. We found Kim's website and learnt that some puppies
were due early August which suited our family perfectly. We contacted Kim and
explained our situation and thinking. She immediately got in touch with us and
explained the process she undertakes to ensure that the dogs are well matched to
the right homes. Throughout the communication from before we got the dog to
actually receiving the dog, Kim was quick and responsive to our emails and
willing to offer clear advice and guidance. When we received our gorgeous new
puppy, Kim was there at the end of the phone to offer us further guidance and
support us in our 1000000 questions. She continues to be there for us as we ask
questions and also share updates on how our newest addition is settling into our
home. Our dog has exceeded our expectations. She's smart, quick to learn and
super curious. We're excited for our future with her in it and can't thank Kim
enough for walking alongside us through this journey. Highly recommend her and
her services. M&M Homer.
Finding the Right breeder was by far the most important thing for my partner and I when the time came to welcome a dog into our lives. A breed like the German Shepherd is unlike so many when it comes to Intelligence and Loyalty. In my opinion, if you're going to own a breed with these attributes you might as well find the best you can.
Kim has been nothing short of first class to deal with, communication is outstanding which is very refreshing having dealt with some slack breeders in the past. Her knowledge of the breed and her dogs is excellent.
Our pup named Tui is more than we could've hoped for. It was obvious to us that her treatment and handling from birth was very well done as she has been confident, easy to handle and playful from day 1. She has been with us for just over 2 weeks and has learnt so much already, very bright and inquisitive, eye contact is natural which is bloody fantastic.
I would not hesitate to recommend Sarskilda Kennels to anyone, the support offered for the lifetime of the dog tops it all off.
Very Grateful. Flynn.
The whole experience of getting our new family member from Sarskilda
Kennels has been absolutely phenomenal. Right from the beginning, Kim has been
upfront and honest, keeping us updated constantly of the process with news,
photos and information – and continues to check in with how things are going and
giving her support. Kim really cares about each and every individual dog and
each and every new owner and I think that’s where the big difference
is.
At first I was a bit wary of getting a pup paired with us and not
choosing her ourselves, but now I have experienced this approach I would not go
any other way. Sherpa is the perfect fit for us, and that comes from Kim’s
expertise and knowledge. We truly feel that getting our new pup has been a
friendship, not a business transaction, and we feel completely comfortable going
to Kim with any query we may have.
Thank you Kim for bringing us so much joy in our new
addition! Poppy and Regan.
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