An almost forgotten breed, preserved with passion in the heart of Upper Lusatia, eastern Germany. Robust, clever and loyal, just as the heath shaped them. Family-raised puppies of a living cultural heritage.
Old German Herding Dog, a living cultural heritage
GEH Red List, Category III endangered
Conservation breeding since 2010
Working dogs, raised in the family
A warm welcome
Not just any dog. A piece of home.
The Schafpudel is one of the Old German Herding Dog types and is still listed among the domestic breeds threatened with extinction. In Category III it is classed as endangered. They are regarded as part of Germany’s cultural heritage.
As true all-rounders they are tough as nails, learn very quickly and form close bonds with their people. We breed working dogs that can take on a wide range of roles. Our puppies grow up within the family, raised with great passion.
To preserve their natural instincts and innate behaviour, mating, pregnancy and birth take place free from human interference.
The breed
The Schafpudel, an original of the old type
For centuries it was shaped not by the show ring but by working with the flock. Breeders selected the cleverest, hardiest and healthiest dogs. The result is a dog of rare naturalness.
Despite its name, the Schafpudel has nothing to do with the poodle. The name comes from the Low German word “Pfuhl”, which describes its soft, shaggy coat. As early as 1927 the old types were recorded by the “Verein für bodenständige Hütehunde”, the association for native herding dogs. In Lusatia and eastern Germany, its traditional homeland, it has survived through the ages thanks to pastoral farming.
Anyone who has lived with a Schafpudel understands: this is a dog that thinks for itself rather than simply obeying, that reads its people and bonds with them deeply. Full of spirit, yet steady and balanced as long as it has a task and enough to do.
Intelligent and eager to learnSpiritedSteady nervesTough as nailsRobust and undemandingPeople-orientedGreat staminaGood with children
Schafpudel, historical photograph from 1921. A breed with a heritage going back centuries.
A living heritage
On the Red List.
Only around 3,000 Old German Herding Dogs remain in the whole of Germany. The Schafpudel is listed in Category III on the Red List of the GEH, the German Society for the Conservation of Old and Endangered Livestock Breeds. Without dedicated conservation breeding it would die out.
Watch listover 1,250
SchafpudelEndangered · Cat. III500 to 1,250
Highly endangered · Cat. II100 to 500
Critically endangered · Cat. Iunder 100
Breeding animals per breed, GEH classification for dog breeds.
In 2026 the GEH named the Old German Herding Dog “Endangered Livestock Breed of the Year”, fittingly for the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.
Bringing a Schafpudel into your home means more than getting a dog. You help preserve a living piece of German cultural history. Every litter safeguards the genetic diversity of a breed.
Working dogs
One dog, a hundred possibilities
Because for centuries it was selected purely for working ability, the Schafpudel is a true all-rounder. It grows with its task.
Herding
Its original purpose. Independent, tireless and weatherproof, it gathers and drives the flock. This is where you see how the centuries shaped it.
Family dog
Affectionate, gentle and people-oriented, it actively seeks closeness to its people. Well socialised and trained, it is a reliable companion in everyday life.
Dog sports
Agility, frisbee, dog dancing, treibball. Its urge to move and its love of learning make it a sporty partner with a real hunger for success.
Therapy and rehabilitation
As a co-therapist working with children, older people and people who are ill. Its willingness to bond and its friendly nature open hearts.
Rescue and scent work
In search and rescue teams and in mantrailing. Intelligence, a fine nose and a will to work make it suited to demanding assignments.
Companion for active people
Hiking, running, cycling, riding out with horses. A robust, undemanding outdoor partner that truly comes alive out in nature.
Our dogs
Companions of strong character
Our dogs live right in the heart of the family. From this close life together come puppies that love people.
Our puppies
Raised in the family, with great passion
Our puppies are born close to the family and are carefully imprinted and socialised in their first weeks of life. They get to know the world surrounded by everyday sounds, children and other animals.
Everyday life on our farm: our dogs, their puppies and the animals they live alongside as a matter of course.
About us
My name is Rosa Kucharski (Gude). Since 2010 our small but dedicated kennel has stood for natural rearing and caring for our dogs in a way that respects their nature.
Our Schafpudel are true all-rounders: they are ideal for families and private owners, for everyday life on a farm and for professional work with shepherds.
Wherever they find their home, we place great value on close involvement in family life and on treating them with respect. That is why we never keep our Schafpudel in outdoor kennels.
Contact
Let’s get to know each other
Tell us a little about yourself and why you would like a Schafpudel. We will get back to you and take our time to find out whether we are a good match.
Many of our puppy buyers live abroad. Feel free to write to us in English.
