Hovawart
5 litters · 10 verified breeders
Find puppiesA better way to find your dog
Connect with ethical breeders and shelters, and choose your dog with confidence.
Over 25,000 people have joined HonestDog in their search for the right dog.
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Discover thousands of trusted breeders and shelters for every dog type and breed.
Full transparency
We lay out what we have: who the breeder is, how they work, and any health records they've uploaded. So you can judge for yourself.
Responsible breeding, assured
Every breeder on HonestDog has their identity and documents checked before their profile goes live. Health records they upload are shown on the profile, so you can see exactly what has been tested.
Trust and verification
We verify breeders and buyers alike, so every conversation happens on solid ground. It's a new standard of trust in dog breeding.
Less hassle, more time
We've already checked the breeders' documents and gathered the details, so you can skip the endless research and focus on finding the right puppy for your family.
Our Mission
We connect dog lovers with responsible breeders and shelters to ensure every dog finds the perfect home.
Founded by dog enthusiasts, our platform focuses on ethical dog breeding and adoption.
See HonestDog in Action
See how we're changing the way families connect with responsible breeders.
Start Well Prepared
Practical tips for new and experienced dog owners
Am I Ready for a Dog?
The key questions to ask yourself before getting a dog — honest and to the point.
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How to Spot a Reputable Breeder
What to look for to tell a trustworthy breeder from a questionable one.
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Adopting a Shelter Dog
Everything you need to know — from the first visit to bringing your new companion home.
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Join Us
How does it work?
Becoming a HonestDog breeder is quick and easy
Sign up on HonestDog
Answer questions about your breeding and your dogs
Upload the relevant documents
Complete your profile
We review your documents — approval usually within a few days
Why HonestDog?
We connect you with vetted breeders and shelters so you can find your — your new companion — with confidence.
Vetted Partners
Only verified breeders and shelters — for a safe start.
Highest Standards
Every animal's health and wellbeing is our top priority.
Guides & Resources
Guides, checklists, and breed profiles — so you can make a well-informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions people ask us most about finding a dog and working with breeders
What makes HonestDog different from other animal placement platforms?
Animal welfare and a healthy, harmonious life between people and dogs always come first. That's why we vet every breeder through a multi-step application process — identity and document checks (e.g. the German §11 breeding permit or club membership) plus photos of the breeding environment, AI-assisted with our team reviewing anything inconclusive — before a breeder profile goes live. This minimizes the risk of running into an irresponsible puppy mill. We also suggest suitable breeders to prospective buyers and offer support with any questions around buying a dog. In addition, we display the health documents and information breeders provide about parent dogs and puppies on each breeder profile, so you have enough information to make a good decision. Our criteria and information on hereditary diseases are continuously updated to reflect current knowledge, and we actively engage with experts and policymakers to advocate for good breeding practice. Breeding with Qualzucht traits — features bred to harmful extremes — is prohibited on our platform.
What is HonestDog's stance on Qualzucht (breeding for harmful extremes)?
Qualzucht traits — features bred to harmful extremes — can severely limit a pet's quality of life and lead to high veterinary costs. This can result in a life of pain and suffering. The higher the breed-specific health risk, the more depends on the breeder. We do not list dogs that themselves show characteristics of Qualzucht. For a few breeds, this can only be assessed using specialized veterinary diagnostics that our verification process cannot currently provide — therefore, we do not list puppies from these breeds for the time being.
What criteria do we use to select breeders?
At HonestDog, breeders have to meet clear criteria to join. Our review has several levels:
Level 1 - Approved on HonestDog: Breeders upload all required documents, including proof of identity and, where applicable, club membership or the German §11 breeding permit. Documents are checked with AI assistance, and our team reviews anything inconclusive. Every breeder also answers questions about their breeding practice and agrees to our standards for healthy breeding.
Level 2 - Community feedback: Feedback from the community is an important part of our review. We take reports seriously and act on them.
Level 3 - Health documents: Breeders can upload health test results for their parent dogs; we extract the results, check them for consistency with the dog's profile, and display them on the breeder profile.
Our goal: every profile is backed by a real, document-verified breeder.
Buying a Dog - What does a puppy cost?
Our breeders set their own puppy prices, and they can vary a lot. Expect somewhere between €1,000 and €5,000 depending on the breed and breeder, with popular breeds often costing more. Keep in mind that a good breeder pours a lot of time, love, and money into raising puppies — they're not in it to make a quick profit.
How to recognize a reputable breeder?
Here's how to spot a reputable breeder:
- Deep knowledge of the breed
- No more than 1–2 breeds
- Proper socialization and health checks
- Open communication
- A written contract
- Follow-up support
Visit the breeder's profile to see photos of the puppies, the parent dogs, and past litters, learn about their breeding program, and pick up care tips — everything you need to decide whether they're the right fit.