About us

A woman with long hair kneeling next to a Dutch Shepherd in a grassy outdoor setting.
A man kneeling between two Dutch Shepherd. The man is wearing sunglasses, a baseball cap, a gray shirt, and light pants. Both dogs have dark, brindle coats and are sitting attentively beside him.

Kelley Lewis

Craig Lewis

WHO WE ARE

Four people standing together outdoors on a field with trees in the background, posing for a photo. They are dressed in casual clothing, and the weather appears overcast.

We are Craig and Kelley Lewis — passionate dog trainers, devoted parents, and dedicated Dutch Shepherd breeders based in beautiful North Idaho, nestled between Spokane, Washington and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Our story began with a shared love for dogs. We met while training dogs and have been partners in both life and canine adventure ever since. Together, we have raised two amazing young men, Ezekiel and Eli, along with a small number of exceptional dogs who are truly part of our family.

As Max von Stephanitz, the founder of the German Shepherd Dog, once said:
“Breeding on a large scale and in a kennel is the ruin of all sound shepherd dog breeding.”
We couldn’t agree more. Our dogs live with us and work with us. This allows us to truly know their temperaments, instincts, and abilities — not just in sport or training, but in everyday life.

Although we began our journey with German Shepherds (and still hold deep affection for the breed), our primary focus today is on the Dutch Shepherd. We are committed to an open, transparent breeding program aimed at improving health, structure, and genetic diversity — all while preserving the breed’s natural working abilities and versatility.

We don’t aim to produce extreme dogs. Our goal is to raise stable, capable, and well-balanced Dutch Shepherds who thrive as companions and partners, both at home and on the field.

We are proud to be recognized as an AKC Breeder of Merit and are active members of both the American Dutch Shepherd Association and the Working Dutch Shepherd Association of America. These affiliations reflect our commitment to ethical breeding practices, breed preservation, and community involvement.

 our breeding philosophy

At von der Schäfers Weg, our breeding program is guided by a deep respect for the Dutch Shepherd breed and a commitment to doing right by the dogs, the owners, and the future of the breed. We believe in clear values and honest, respectful communication.

  • We believe that trust and transparency are the foundation of every successful breeder–owner relationship. Open, honest dialogue—about both the positives and the challenges—benefits everyone, especially the dogs. We ask our puppy owners to stay in touch with us throughout their dog’s life and to share updates about health, temperament, and development. In return, we commit to offering support and guidance to our puppy families without blame or judgment.

    At times, owners may experience challenges they did not expect. We are here to help troubleshoot and guide when those situations arise, and we strive to do so with empathy and respect. It’s important to understand that offering suggestions is not about assigning blame—it’s about working together to support both the owner and the dog.

  • We put tremendous care into matching each puppy with the right home, based on the puppy’s emerging temperament and the family’s needs, goals, and experience. Occasionally, we may observe traits in a puppy that raise concerns about suitability for a particular environment—even late in the evaluation process. When this happens, we believe it’s our responsibility to speak honestly and recommend a different match, even if it’s a difficult or inconvenient conversation.

    We also ask that potential owners remain open to this feedback, and understand that it comes from our desire to see both the puppy and family thrive.

    Once a puppy goes home, we encourage owners to reach out with any challenges. Our goal is to support and problem-solve together with respect and compassion. At the same time, it’s important to acknowledge that some outcomes are influenced by factors beyond a breeder’s control. We strive to be available, honest, and encouraging, while also being realistic about our role and limitations.

  • We are passionate about mentoring and supporting others who share our love for the Dutch Shepherd—especially those interested in breeding with integrity. Encouragement and knowledge-sharing help ensure the future of the breed is in good hands.

  • We don’t believe responsible breeding is about having a perfect record. Every breeder will eventually face issues in a puppy they have produced—what defines a good breeder is how they respond. We strive to face challenges with honesty, accountability, and a continuous desire to learn, improve and educate others.

  • We believe raising a sound puppy requires both good genetics and responsible early development. As breeders, we do everything we can to give each puppy a strong foundation. But we also work hard to educate new owners about the importance of factors like diet, appropriate exercise, gut health, and avoiding over-vaccination that can affect long-term health.

  • We recognize the critical importance of genetic diversity for the long-term health of the Dutch Shepherd. While greater diversity may result in some variability in outcomes, we believe it's essential for maintaining a healthy gene pool and the sustainability of the breed.