I want to warn ANYONE who is considering buying a German Shep from Cindy Hiemenz, owner of Von Fenwald Kennels, PLEASE READ THIS!
I bought my male Germ Shep puppy Max "Otto Von Fenwald" in February of 1999 in Wonderlake. I never got to see Max's mom, just the father named Targus von Fenwald in his kennel. I promised not to breed Max and was given AKC papers by Cindy, which I am not certain to this day whether it was valid or not. When Max was just over a year old he started having problems walking and getting up, just stumbing all over the place like a poor cripple. I had a vet examine him and he was diagnosed with a severe case of hip dysplasia. As it turns out he had severe hip dysplasia in both hips. My vet said that it is likely Max is not the only pup in the litter that will be affected with hip dysplasia. I was told that Max's hips were guaranteed. I called and left Cindy messages back in 2001 letting her know about Max's hip problems. I sent her an email and never heard back from her. I contacted her a couple of times and never heard a word back from her. I was not happy to see that she posted a picture of "Otto Von Fenwald" without my permission on her website (check under Family Album1). (It's interesting how she goes on an on about people plagiarising her fenwald.com website, but she does what she pleases). I ended up having Max's hips replaced that cost me thousands of dollars! That was only the beginning of his health problems. He was diagnosed in 2007 with Canine Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency or EPI. Max was from the "O" litter.
In the end, Max was diagnosed in 2007 with an unusual form of colon cancer and died on August 26.
I just wanted to warn anyone considering buying a puppy from her that you will be taking your chances. Please do your research and find a good breeder/kennel and ask other clients what their experiences have been (references). I wish I would have done more research and would have saved myself alot of heartache and money!!! I think if more people knew about Von Fenwald's bad reputation, that could put her out of the Germ Shep puppy mill business! I read on her website that she is expanding into Texas and the West Coast too! *Buy from a breeder with a good reputation and happy customers!!! *
I never wanted anything back from Cindy in terms of money (I paid her $800 for Max). She is not an ethical breeder!
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