Mittelwest German Shepherds Julie Martinez, Tessa Martinez, Grant Smith, and Pam Kalvaitis Deceptive practices, breeding dogs as show quality and selling them with knowledge of genetice defects Wonder Lake , Illinois

It is funny to me to listen to all these sotories from these peps. I my self believe you guys are all other breeders that can not compete with her. I paid $4000 for my Shepherd from Julie and her wonderful Kennel, and let me tell you what I didnt get to go to Illinois to see them in person I told her what i want and she nailed it on the head. I wanted a black and red dog and big, over 100LBS, and she nailed it, hes dark red and 9 months and 90lbs. I love how you said you have spent over 10k on dogs through Julie and have had issues with every dog. Here is my question, why did you keep going back if it was so bad? Please tell me how that makes sense. She has won several titles and is in magazines with a bredder article. Grow up and go on about your business.

I just wanna I couldnt be more happy with my purchase.

Thanks Julie and Mittlewest

Keith

Words, splitting truth is more like it. I am fully aware of mittelwest and Julie as well as Grant. I can and qill defend my words. As Julie kept one thousand dollars of my families hard earned money. Her words as I said before warehouse. The building was faded blue and white trim. Her dogs were warehoused inside as I nor my mother were allowed to go into.We had to drive Willow back after vetting her. Again after Grant forcefully pushing my seventy-five yearold mother out of his big framed way to take the dog out of my vehicle, without my permission. I CALLED THE POLICE. The officier told me to take the papers and leave and he would give me a escort if i wanted one. There was no doubt my mother and I minds that we traveled from Alabama two consecutive weekends in a row and we don't have to prove that to anyone. One thing that does bother me is that you and those that refuse to admit people have been taken one way or another. And through all of any of our reports does Julie doesn't try to help anyone in the first place. Sorry you think you need to continue to make excuses for Mittelwest and if you are happy with her maybe you just haven't experience what others have yet. Good luck to you with that!

Words, splitting truth is more like it. I am fully aware of mittelwest and Julie as well as Grant. I can and qill defend my words. As Julie kept one thousand dollars of my families hard earned money. Her words as I said before warehouse. The building was faded blue and white trim. Her dogs were warehoused inside as I nor my mother were allowed to go into.We had to drive Willow back after vetting her. Again after Grant forcefully pushing my seventy-five yearold mother out of his big framed way to take the dog out of my vehicle, without my permission. I CALLED THE POLICE. The officier told me to take the papers and leave and he would give me a escort if i wanted one. There was no doubt my mother and I minds that we traveled from Alabama two consecutive weekends in a row and we don't have to prove that to anyone. One thing that does bother me is that you and those that refuse to admit people have been taken one way or another. And through all of any of our reports does Julie doesn't try to help anyone in the first place. Sorry you think you need to continue to make excuses for Mittelwest and if you are happy with her maybe you just haven't experience what others have yet. Good luck to you with that!

Splitting hairs. Mittelwest, not "Mittelweist." My name, is not "Troy." But still do want to know your reference the word "warehouse." Because from that word I do not think you were there, as I have not encounters others, especially not the owner, but yourself to describe Mittelwest such. But I have heard defamatory remarks at shows from people who have never owned a German Shepherd Dog from Kennel Mittelwest. I also hear defamatory comments about other breeders by others not involved with them. I have no interest in a speech on who is what. Simply, your words for opinions and not, as Ms. Anastasia did, explaining more, leads me to have skepticism. (Ms. Anastasia, thank you for better clarifier without resentment to me.)

M. Rivenbark. I read nothing that has been any of my exposure in terms of place or people. "Warehouse," sounds like libel, is my view, a word chosen carefully for negative affect. It is not words that have been used at any place Team Mittelwest, or Ms. Martinez I have heard describe. I do not say your story is un-true, but the words chosen give arise to my consternation as I happily own Mittelwest German Shepherd Dogs. That is all.

Sorry Troy,
The word warehouse was how I was discribed to where the dogs where by Julie... It is strange to me that unless you were there with my mother and I , you can in no way say what transpired. As far as I am concerned people that support this breeder is no better than she. I will stake my life and I can give the my word and my personal references to the Attorney General as to my who I am. We are a retired military family and sadly I can not understand why a person who supposively is so upstanding has so many complaints from broken hearteded folks who trusted Mittelweist Shepperds. But you wouldn't understand because you haven't been with every individual that she has done wrong, have you?
I volunteered for several years at a local humane society and find these people like her that cull out their defects to customers that are honest and believe the deceitful acts to get rid of her unwanted. These are people that want a pet and those are the victims.I have the word of my veternarian and two others the dog she sold me had hip problems.As well as a police officer who asked if we needed and escort out of town had the correct prospective not you of this situation. And you know all I can say is since that time when we find those who have bad names because of their own recourse will answer to someone and people like you that support them shame on you. The breeders that are out there protecting the breed don't have character assasinations because they have that... My advice to those reading this is do check out those by name on the internet. Time has a way of finding those who do wrong to others to come in the light and are exposed. As I said before unless you were with all those that have been in bad dealing with her you have nothing to say as to who we are. We are the victims...I have nothing futher to say to someone who knows nothing of these situations.Lets just see what happens! All of our voices will be heard!

I am the women who has had nine dogs from Mittelwest. The problem with you is that my facts are true. I had nine because I believed that we would get atleast one dog that would be able to show and breed. You do not get your money back, just get a new puppy, and at 3500$ a pup, it is hard to just walk away while your heart and dreams are wrapped up in it all. We did have some that had hips prelimmed, but then they would have OTHER issues. 

Since I wrote my article, I have been in contact with Julie Martinez. We have yet another pup form Mittelwest and we did get the hips checked first. So far so good and Julie has been great to deal with. We really like the pup we have know and Mittelwest is doing every thing in thier power to get us the right pup. We do not have the x-rays cd from Julie yet or the papers, but I believe that she is just wanting to be sure we really like this pup. She has answered every email question and we have hopefully worked out our issues. Grant met us half way so that we did not have to travel all the way there again, which she did not have to have him do. We are really happy with this pup, and so far she is all that Mittelwest has said she would be. Her temperment is wonderful, she is beautiful, and healthy. I am glad that I am giving them one more chance, for this pup really seems to be every thing we wanted and more. Thank you Mittelwest 

I have been involved with the breeding and showing of German Shepherd Dogs for many years. I first met Julie Martinez and her Husband at the dog shows as a spectator. Later I competed against them. I also have owned Mittelwest dogs, and have had no problems with hips or elbows.

It has not been until recently I have added German Shepherd Dogs from the Mittelwest breedings into my program. I am happy with my Mittelwest Dogs, their health, temperament, and working ability. My dogs all have very nice hip and elbows. I have seen the X-Rays. I do not go by paper scores. I chose proof of my own eyes. I have not used these dogs yet in my breeding program, but I will.

I have read what others have posted.

Preliminary Hip and Elbow scores can be gotten earlier than official O.F.A. scores. But hips can sometimes change because the dogs do not technically stop growing until they are slightly over 2yrs old. Adult size is attained earlier, but growth plates and final joint structure can change.

Hip Dysplasia is something that can occur regardless of Hip Scores of the Parents. If the Parents have O.F.A. passing, or German A-Stamp it does not mean hips of the puppies will be without fault upon  maturation.

An other consumer says she has had nine puppies from Mittelwest and has said five had bad hips and had to put some to sleep. I am skeptical. If someone has had that much problems, why keep getting replacement German Shepherds from the same breeder? If Mittelwest Policy is to only offer replacement dogs, they usually have older puppies and young adults available that have hip scores done. Why would this consumer not request such a dog? Or consider that the replacement was not the hassle if the dogs all had problems?

Unless the consumer is a breeder herself and the nine puppies were from her program. In which case bad hips can come from either Parent.


>"I drove fom Alabama straight to her warehouse, where I was told the dog was."

Warehouse? I am under confusion as to how one can apply such a term to the property. I had the Pleasure of viewing Mittelwest after Mid-West Sieger Show. It is many acres of pasture and field and has a pond. The kennels are well-kept and dogs can go in and outdoors as they want. This does not fit what is called a warehouse.

I tell my customers that they must trust their Guts. This consumer said her Gut told her not to buy a dog from Mittelwest, but she went ahead anyway. I think odd choice, to ignore ones Gut.

>"that is why she has so many champions, because she breeds and breeds and breeds"

Not true. Many places breed and breed and breed and you will not see their dogs winning on the Podium, or even going to Shows. Dobermans are another German Breed I know. Kimbertal Kennels "breeds and breeds and breeds" and does not produce dogs that win CH. ROM. BOB. BOO. Just dogs. Sad for the Dobermans. Kolenda Kennels is a German Shepherd Breeder that "breeds and breeds and breeds." And I do not see them at shows in any part of the country. Once in a while. They have a dog that attained Sieger. In the Phillippines. And the dogs they show on their Webstite are German Shepherd Dogs they have bought not produced, except for Puppy VPs and untitled SG.

I am always very impressed with Mittelwest Team at the Dog Shows. Not by wins, but by sportsmanship and German Shepherd Dogs of Good Nature. It was for that which got my attention, and lead me to consider buying from Mittelwest. I am much excited to see how Mittelwest bred German Shepherd Dogs will work with my program. This year will be my first Mittelwest Breeding. I do not breed my Adults often anymore. But enjoy Sport and Showing.

I have not met one person who is not of good or honest Nature wearing their colors.

I would Recommend Kennel Vom Mittelwest in ones consideration of a puppy or Adult.

I cannot help but laugh when I read Julie Martinez explanation of why poeple complain about her dogs. Seriously, I would love to send anybody that would like to see proof of the hip issues, and allot of other health issues that the pups from there that we purchased. I have personally spent more then ten thousand dollars on dogs from there, dumb, but Julie is a master munipulator. 

I would love to sit in a court of law with her and have them take all her dogs away for she is just a high priced puppy mill. She stole our dreams, so that is why I am not her competitor, I did not have the quality in our pups to breed or even think of it. Not only was it heart breaking for every pup that came thru our house became our family, but then to have to see them suffer due to hip issues. The only thing world class about Mittelwest would be how good they are at deseption. Her club members all breed their dogs, knowing full well that most have passed poor quality on to their pups, and for her to say she has tons of great reviews, well, she has tons of bad ones too. She saves the best quality for her team, so that is why she has so many champions, because she breeds and breeds and breeds, well, you get the picture. 

When I say she saves the best quality for her team, these dogs are just dollar signs for them. Reading how Julie says she cares so much for the breed, really?? What a joke. So sad that the pups get cast aside if they do not make the show cut. 

I purchased a dog from Mittelwiest and Ms. MARTINEZ, nicknamed Willow. I drove fom Alabama straight to her warehouse, where I was told the dog was. I had a feeling in my gut not to buy it.The animal lover in me said go ahead.I turned straight around drove the dog to alabama and vetted it. Three vets reported she was dragging her back legs and showed me her worn down nails. Return her they told me. I told martinez and she said drive it back is the only way i would get my fifteen hundred dollars. I drove back and called her. They wouldn't answer my phone calls to meet me. I used my mothers number and she answered right away. We met at what we thought was a safe location at a well light gas station. Her assist grabbed the dog out of my vehicle after pushing my 75 yr old mother away and shoved her. I only got back five hundred dollars of my money. Shame on you lady for always having an excuse for your pathetic bad business practices. The blame goes to you and all the others I do believe you are doing the breed a misjustice. Shame on you when you meet your maker.He sees what you do when everybody else turns their heads. I was asked by the policeman if I needed an escort, i guess that was my imagination too.

It is sad that any person, can pretend to be a previous client and simply go on the internet to make complaints that are not founded. 

There should be a law protecting hard working people and families and their businesses from this sort of fraudulant, phony type postings that anyone can make up and post.  PLEASE know, that the postings on this site are from jealous competitors looking to make Mittelwest look less favorable, and please do not believe what you read by these types of haters.

I have been breeding the finest German bred shepherds for over 25 years, we have been ranked the #1 breeder by the German SV for over 11 years in a row now and we have also been awarded by the AKC, the honored "Breeder of Merit" destinction here at Mittelwest. 

 We have our largest fan base and largest following of familes with our shepherds that know and rave over the health and character of our shepherds.  We are known for the outstanding character of our shepherds for many years.   All of our shepherds are both hip and elbow certified prior to ever being considered for breeding, this is done for every single mother and father of ever single litter, so that all dogs on the complete pedigree and lineage of every puppy born always come from a complete history where all dogs are hip and elbow certified.

Please contact myself, Julie Martinez, at Mittelwest at 630-781-7472 anytime for more information on our shepherds, breeding program, and/or the imposters with phony postings placed on the internet.

I have had quite a few mittelwest shepherds, mostly due to the fact that you never get your money back, but get another puppy. When you pay 3500$ for a pup, you are hoping for a champion, but that is not the issue, with that price tag you would hope for at least a healthy puppy.

I have had nothing but heart ache with this breeder. She is the top breeder because she has way too many litters, and with that quantity there should be at least a few champions. Out of the nine pups we had from Julie Maritaz, five of them had poor hips. She continues to rebreed the same dogs knowing full well that there will be some born this way. Really sad, and I put every thing we had into these puppies, and some of them we had to put to sleep their hips were so bad. 

I am a professional trainer, and have had clients with mittelwest dogs, again seeing the poor quality in hips and tempermant!! She should not be aloud to breed, and if there was something I could personally do to stop her I would. This is just a start. Hope this helps anybody considering getting a puppy from Mittelwest, don't do it!

I can't begin to describe how difficult it is to read such a complaint written about myself and/or my beloved breeding program, my life's passion.   I want to first say, that if the author of this complaint, is indeed, an actual customer of Mittelwest (author does not identify themselves), if the author does, indeed, actually have one of my Mittelwest puppies, and if there is actually any sort of a problem with this puppy, I would be very sad, sorry, and disappointed to hear that there is a problem.    Even more disappointing is that the alleged owner of this said puppy would not have contacted me directly to let me know there was a problem, any sort of a problem, prior to jumping on the internet and posting a very rude and dishonest report about myself and Mittelwest. 

Mittelwest Shepherds has been breeding world class German bred shepherds for over 25 years. 
This is not just a "business" to myself and our family.  We have a great love and passion for breeding the finest shepherds we are capable of breeding, paying very close attention to all of the finest details, including the health of our shepherds, the soundness of our shepherds, customer education, customer care before, during and long after puppies are purchased.  Our warranty/guarantee is second to none in the breeding world.  We offer absolute, customer satisfaction, always going the extra mile to ensure our puppy clients are satisfied, even in the unfortunate and rare ocourance that a puppy could develop an issue or problem. 

It is unfortunate that this author states that he has contacted and talked to other breeders regarding his dog's alleged problem, yet the author has never contacted me, the actual breeder of his dog???  I do not understand, why I would need to learn of one of my beloved puppies that I sold having a problem, by reading about it on this website?  If a friend of mine hadn't told me of this report, I would have never even known there was a problem.   It seems odd to me, that the owner of this said dog, has never even attempted to call me, email me, text me, write a letter, nothing?

Mittelwest Shepherds has been ranked by the German SV, as the number one breeder of German Shepherds in North America for over 11 years in a row now.  The AKC has recognized Mittelwest Shepherds ethical breeding standards and has given their top honor of "BREEDER OF MERIT" to Mittelwest Shepherds.   While NO honest breeder can guarantee their puppy owners that their puppy will never have any possibility of issues during the life of their puppy, we certainly can and absolutely do, stand behind every puppy sold, with our very generous 100% Satisfaction guarantee, which is very rarely offered, if ever,  by other breeders.  If the author is legitimate, and they did read the contract that they say they signed, they would know, that if their puppy has a problem, their warranty would take care of them.  But, for these things to be cared for, the author would really need to contact us and let us know there is a problem first, so that we can work together with the owner to rectify the problem.

Mittelwest German Shepherds prides ourselves on our customer care and our puppy guarantee. 
We pride ourselves and work hard to ensure that all of our customers are extremely pleased with our dogs and our customer care.   It doesn't seem fair, if someone has an issue, that they would rather complain on the internet, than to contact their breeder to discuss an issue. 

It is also important to note, that while we are ranked as the #1 breeder in North America, and while we do breed our dogs to the strictest of breeding standards,  including following the rigid and mandatory breeding rules that the German SV has in place regarding health, temperament, HIP certifications and elbow certifications that must be completed on every single dog that is intended for breeding, no exceptions.  The rules for breeding are so strict that we follow in breeding our dogs, that many breeders in America choose not to do so, as many people know, that in America, there are no rules at all, and people can do and breed whatever dogs they want.  While every mother and every father of every litter has had to meet these mandatory certifications for hip certification and elbow certification, as well as many other types of certifications prior to breeding, this does not mean, that there could never be a chance of a puppy born having future issues. 
Breeding living, breathing animals is not easy, no person is God, and no person can ever tell anyone that every single puppy born will always be absolutely perfect.  This just is not possible.  What is important, is that all possible precautions have been taken, and only males and females allowed to breed with the utmost perfection we can achieve in all areas of health, temperament, soundness, including every single mother and father always being both hip and elbow certified for breeding, prior to them ever being bred,  etc., and while with the thousands upon thousands of puppies that we have produced and placed in thousands of homes over the past 25 years have created an incredible reputation for Mittelwest, as a leader in the breeding world for health and character of our dogs, we receive more references from owners and veterinarians referring clients to us, as they continue to be most impressed with the pure quality of health and remarkable temperaments of our shepherds.  We take great pride in these attributes and work continuously dedicated all the time to breeding better shepherds generation after generation.  With all of this said, we do understand, that in an imperfect world, it is still very important to guarantee the puppy owners with a solid warranty, in the rare case a problem should arise, despite our best efforts. 

I am not sure if this author is authentic, or if this is another case of a competitor, trying to make us look less favorable.  It is unfortunate these days, how anyone, anywhere, for any reason, truth or not truth, can post anything about anyone on these reports and there is nothing you can do to defend yourself.   Even when you read all about this website, they even admit that even in cases where the author recants their untruths, even in cases of complaints that were made by competitors posing to be clients, that they will never remove a complaint.  

I would simply ask, that if this author of this complaint is an actual client of ours, please contact me so that we can discuss any issue you might have, so that we would be given the opportunity to help and to take care of business.