Total Newbie ---- Would love advice on looking for a German Shepherd Puppy - Page 1

Pedigree Database

Premium classified

This is a placeholder text
Group text

Premium classified

This is a placeholder text
Group text

Premium classified

This is a placeholder text
Group text

Premium classified

This is a placeholder text
Group text

by JoyMartinWhite on 18 February 2017 - 04:02

Hi everyone! I am a total newbie as to really doing research to buy a dog. When I was a young child my family had German Shepherds---and then as an adult I bought a German Shepherd. She was a wonderful dog, but developed severe hip dysplasia. We chose to operate and she had a total hip replacement. She lived until she was almost 14. This time around I am looking to do more research in hopes of getting a healthier dog. So in that vein, I am looking for any tips and recommendations.

Currently, I am looking at small kennel that seems top notch. I have spoken with the owner and I was impressed. She seemed very knowledgable and genuinely loves her dogs. All of her dogs are hip and elbow certified---as well as all the dogs she breeds to --- and all of the dogs several generations back.

One hesitation that I have --- the potential sire has a "fast normal" hip rating---but he has a ZW rating of 72. He is a super successful dog named Nino von Tronje. Going into this I was thinking that I only wanted to have parents and grandparents with a rating of good or excellent---but after all that I have read I am not sure that is necessary. Should I have any hesitation with a fast normal hip rating in the bloodlines?

Again, I acknowledge that I am a total newbie. I am a German Shepherd lover and have owned a Shepherd---but know very little about pedigrees, and all of the letters and numbers, etc etc etc that are found in pedigrees. Any tips and insights are greatly appreciated. I am trying to make an informed decisions. Thanks in advance for any help!

Jenni78

by Jenni78 on 18 February 2017 - 04:02

Is a top showline dog what you want?

I have never seen that low of a zw with fast normal hips AND elbows, as he has, honestly. According to working-dog.eu, he has A2 hips and elbows, yet a zw of 73. Personally, I don't get hung up about passing joints. There is a HUGE environmental component to how joints end up, as well...so a fast normal does not scare me one bit- what scares me worse is a dog who might be perfect but has a history of producing symptomatic dogs- ie, dogs w/really bad joints- not just dogs w/fair or NZ or A2 hips/elbows. If you look at Nino's sire, you'll see he's A2 hips and A3 elbows (would not pass in USA but "still permissible" via SV), so it's not a big surprise that Nino is in between his parents ratings of A3 AND A1 on elbows. Now, if that zw is accurate, and was done when he'd had enough breedings on the ground and x-rayed, I'd really say don't worry about it because for a dog to have A2 joints and be a 73 at that point means they're producing well.

Are you totally confused now?

by 1GSD1 on 18 February 2017 - 14:02

SV data base has a ZW of 78 for Nino. He came here about 3 years ago. I'd suspect the higher % of his breedings were done in Germany. https://www.sv-doxs.net/hund/2210253

Jenni78

by Jenni78 on 18 February 2017 - 14:02

Still low for a fast normal- if he's been bred at all, he's produced well. My fast normal has a zw of 92 with no breedings xrayed yet.

Fantom76 (admin)

by Fantom76 on 18 February 2017 - 14:02

Today on the SV database his ZW=78
His Größe-Zuchtwert alt: 112 (97,62%)

His sire today ZW=92
His dam today ZW=84

Jenni78

by Jenni78 on 18 February 2017 - 14:02

Thank you, Fantom!

by JoyMartinWhite on 18 February 2017 - 14:02

Again, newbie so you guys are using some language I am not familiar with---but I am trying! So from what I think I understand from what you are saying----his ZW is lower than his parents, which indicates he produces well? The biggest thing I am looking for in a dog is health. I have been looking around my state and this has been the breeder I have liked the best. She takes good care of her dogs---they are family members....and she does all of the health screenings, etc----and the puppies will be in my price range. Having a dog with a solid pedigree is a bonus if I decide one day to breed. I don't want to rule that out from the get go. Before I would ever breed, of course, I would seek to learn a ton more---and do all of the health screenings on my dog, etc.

I am just learning about environment playing a part in hip dysplasia. The breeder has been teaching me about that some. I TOTALLY blew that with my first Shepherd. We allowed Princess to tear around wherever she wanted to---running up and down the stairs full speed, running down the hallway, jumping on and off the high bed and breakneck speeds, etc. I hate that no one told me about this 17 years ago.

So would you guys say you would be comfortable health wise with the type of dogs that Nino would produce? I am pretty comfortable with the mom. Her health screenings are way better than Nino's.

by JoyMartinWhite on 18 February 2017 - 14:02

Fantom76----

Today on the SV database his ZW=78
His Größe-Zuchtwert alt: 112 (97,62%)



I don't understand what the above means. Can you explain? Thank you!

Q Man

by Q Man on 18 February 2017 - 15:02

There are many things that go into the make-up of a young dog...Genetics...Environment...Food...and how they're brought up (what stress has been put on their skeletal system)...
If you look at pedigrees you will see progeny of dogs that have low ZW's and good hips but their off-spring has bad hips/elbows...You will also see the opposite...You will see dogs that their parents have high ZW's and not perfect hips/elbows...but the young dogs have very good hips/elbows...So what I'm getting at is puppies are puppies and are the unknown...When buying or getting a puppy...You're only buying bloodlines...They are a Crap Shoot...

~Bob~

Koots

by Koots on 18 February 2017 - 19:02

Good luck in your search for your next family member. I noticed that you said you have been "looking around my state" for your pup. May I suggest you expand your search to include more areas as you may be limiting your parameters unnecessarily. There may be excellent breeders that are not in your immediate vicinity, and may have just what you are looking for. If you tell us what state you are in, then people may suggest some breeders to look at near you. IMO, travelling a few hours or more to look at possible breeders is not a big deal when talking about getting a family member who will be with you for many years.





 


Contact information  Disclaimer  Privacy Statement  Copyright Information  Terms of Service  Cookie policy  ↑ Back to top