Buyers Beware - Page 2

These are painful stories/experiences - but good to repeat here as a reminder of how badly things can go. ANDY -- I hope everything works out for you. and yes - it is so difficult to get people to understand that paying more is not necessarily getting anything better. It is idiotic to pay $3,500US for an 8-10 week old puppy -- I don't care if it's sire is VA - That alone does not justify these prices - I am planning on a puppy in the Spring - also sired by a VA dog and the cost - including shipping, is far less than $3,500. Which is why I keep saying you can get a better dog for less by importing it -- (adults, of course - are a bit different - you pay more, but you also know more about what you are getting at that point) so it seems a fair trade-off. When we did breeding on a regular basis - we actually had people decline to purchase a puppy because they felt they were too cheap !!! I said, no problem, you can pay me more if you wish !! Even after admitting that they saw inferior pups for far more money - and they actually said they liked my dogs -- their screwed up head could not let them pay less and feel comfortable -- I guess it never occurred to them that there are some breeders who just want to make some nice "companions" for kids to grow up with - and not rape your pocketbook while they are at it. American dogs - same thing -- the father is a Champion so the price is $1,500 !! - Big Deal -- You can BUY a championship - and a CH or a VA in front of your name doesn't necessarily mean you're making gold-plated puppies!! With 60,000 GSD's born in this country every year - you'd think there would be a surplus that would drive the price down -- but apparently not. If I have another litter, I guess I should ask $1,800 then, especially with IMPORTED parents, eh ???

just beware at all times, ask around ask people you know who they recomend, do your research, look at this board, lots of names come up to avoid such as BYGOLY KENNELS be guided by people who have had good results

All I can say that Germany only makes up a part of Europe, There are other VERY good breeders in other country's, and honest ones too.

Subject seems to have been exhaustively covered only recently: hodie and Daniella H both explain and detail ins and outs of importing to competent degree under Bad Dog Broker topic (November 20.). With the many pitfalls and technicalities shown by them I think there's lot to be said for using a local broker by those less informed, or unwilling to do the necessary homework. Of course these charge profit margin for their efforts: to expect less is absurd. Whether tooth brush or dog, it is always a case of caveat emptor. As friend Sunshine points out, one doesn't hear about the many success stories. And, as Pineridge notes, big rush to VA offspring hardly guarantees success: one only needs to check out the literally countless progeny produced by most VA studs that fail to achieve any Show rating! And, why would a German Kennel dispose of its better animals?

Find someone with great "breed talent" to select a puppy for you.

Fida, You have access to such a person, she is a member of this forum,you would be very hard pressed to find anyone more knowledgeable with the German Shepherd, she has the connections to find for you what you are looking for if she should not have it.I have used her in the past,will use her in the future,have been 100% happy with the dogs she has brought over for me as well as her technical support after the sale.Last but not least I consider her a friend and strongly reccomend her.If you would like contact information I can supply you with it at your request. Best of luck to you, Charlie.....