Repost homework - Page 1

I recently posted a Topic that I'll post again. It seemed to have some appeal to a few. I'll restart the subject in hopes that others will share their thoughts. Homework has been discussed on every board every time someone writes they have been burned. Solution from all is better to have done your homework. No one has ever bothered to really say what homework is. What are the questions to ask? What type of dog do I want? What is a fair price? The answer to these and all other questions depends entirely on the individual. Rest assured the type of dog I like is not necessarily the type of dog for you. The German Shepherd breed is the only breed that has extremes within the breed. There is something there for everyone. Prior to acquiring a dog. May I suggest three simple steps to enhance your chance of satisfaction. Know what you want, why you want, it and what you will do with it. For me "Homework" has been an evolution. I started out on the internet as many have. Looking at pictures, looking at show results and learning the terms such as BH,AD,SchH,a1,V,SG,SV,etc., and how they all related to the grand scheme of the German Shepherd experience. It's amazing to me how many have written that they did their homework and did not get what they wanted. The extent of their homework seems to be an internet search. The breeder with the best website, the most exaggerated claims, and the most pictures of VA dogs posted to make you think they own them is the winner. After all, aren't all AKC registered German Shepherds the same. You know, black saddle, pointy eared looking dog. So it begins. First step is to know what you want. The breed has 4 types of dogs. AKC, two types of European lines, working and conformation and whatever else is out there that has a piece of paper that says it's a German Shepherd. Your selection should be a result of your interest and acquired knowledge. Hopefully from personal experience and not from what is written on web bulletin boards. Go meet breeders, listen to their thoughts and goals. They will be yours the moment you get a dog from them. You automatically inherit their breeding program, business ethics, reputation for what they produce. Make sure this is what you want. Type of German Shepherd doesn't matter. Go out and learn from breeders, from shows, trials, judges, all the information you can expose yourself to. Soon you will gravitate to a breeder or type of dog. After visiting many kennels and seeing many types of German Shepherds I settled with one type. Within that type there are other types. It takes time to acquire a taste for what you like. I'll relate this to humans. When you are young, it's mostly looks that attract. As you meet and mature. you may decide that the pretty ones are not necessarily the best for you. An added dimension like personality becomes important. Then intelligence, then can they cook, clean and do whatever is on your list of important things you want from a mate. About the time you understand what and who you are and what you want. The picture becomes clearer. For some the requirement may only be their partner have a job or health insurance. Others may want the personality, appearance, education, etc., to a higher degree. The more you want from your dog, the more you need to know. This to me is the first homework assignment. Learn what you want. I'll write more later on.

Interesting post Dog1...waiting for chapter 2! :)

I think this is a good place to get different opinions....I have seen people ask questions an get told.."what are search engines for"...if we all used search engines to research dogs, breeders, diseases etc, we wouldn't need this forum...

Once you have decided what type of GSD you are interested in. Set your goal and develop a plan to achieve. There are 3 methods I can think of. Method should match your ambition. Do it yourself: Search, do homework, get a dog, do what you can to train it, be happy with what ever you wind up with. Nothing wrong with this approach. Especially if all you want is a pet. This approach usually results in a pet even if you had higher hopes. German shepherds are a team sport. Be a part of a successful team: Find a successful kennel or breeder that have accomplished what you want to accomplish and follow their lead. Just remember my golden rule. If the person you are trying to get to help has not accomplished what you want to accomplish. Chances are you will not be the first. Co own something with someone: If you can find someone that has accomplished what you want and can co own a dog with that person. It may be a good situation as most will not want to co own something they do not believe in. Remember there are always risks.

Hi Dog1, Great Start! I too have a list for "doing one's homework" and sometime intend to post it on my website. I hope you will continue your thoughts on this subject. The saddest thing is to see people posting here saying they are about to spend money to buy a dog or dogs, when clearly they have not done their homework. A superficially "pretty" website full of inaccuracies, untruths and downright misrepresentations is all they see and that is how some of these people make their purchase. Then they complain later. Looking at a posted breed survey, for example, can often tell you the level of sophistication that a supposed "breeder" or importer has relative to GSDs. A breed survey follows a certain form and certain phases and words are used over and over and over. When a breed survey report makes no sense, this should be a warning that someone is not terribly sophisticated and does not know even enough basic German to translate it correctly (or find someone who can!). And to note that there are few or no positive comments about a given program, especially one claiming to be of world class, should say legions about what people on this site know about that program. Some members on this site are bold about posting the truth. Others are not willing to do so, for a variety of reasons. However, if one "reads between the lines" and uses that information as well in a search and conversation with people when trying to separate fact from fiction, one can begin to get a clue about the charlatans in this business. People have to understand that purchasing a dog many places down, even if it was shown at the BSZS, may say a lot about the given dog. Again, when will people learn that individuals who have top notch dogs who have the potential to do well are not going to sell them, even for a lot of money, especially to a middle man who will turn around a quadruple the price. Guarantees? Hell, a guarantee may or may not be worth the paper it is written on. Again, what is the standard guarantee? If someone offers something far out of line with the usual, that is also a message that should be taken into consideration. I know people who got the long guarantees from a certain program, went through several dogs when the dog was unhealthy or otherwise unsound, and for the big bucks they paid, ended up with relatively nothing - Guarantee aside! For some of the recent posters looking for dogs, I have a better idea.......there is a really nice bridge I would like to show you which is for sale..............

Hodie, You bring up excellent points. It's easy to expose the breeders/importers/or whatever by checking results. No matter what the claim. If there are no results, how can anyone claim they know? I think there is a general reluctance for many to post information here on a breeder. It usually leads to a series of posts that reminds me of the old saying. When you wrestle with a pig you both get dirty and the pig likes it. Compared to a year or so ago. Many seem to just say nothing and let newbys learn their lessons the hard way. I would say the proper way to solicit information would be to ask a question and post an e mail address to reply to. It would be simple. I'm considering a dog from X. Anyone with a reference please contact Me at ???@.com

Dog1, I agree 100%. People asking for information who do not post their own email address for answers will not get what they need. I personally know people who have dogs from an importer/puppymill/fancy web site and these people all got screwed over, not once, but multiple times because of the "guarantee". Finally, they learned their lesson the hard way and have gone on and made the best of it. But they are reluctant to post here. Therefore, others will likely get burned too. Again, when someone learns about the system, that is, what it takes to get a dog a title, Körung, AD, conformation ratings and what they DO and DO NOT mean, then a person can begin to make decisions about what type of GSD one likes and search out really reputable people to help find that dog. Are you going to NV for the SS? If so, i hope to meet you and I am looking forward to meeting your dog.

As a new person in the German Shepherd breed, I can verify on my experience that there are people out there who will burn you as fast as you can blink an eye. There are also people out there willing to help and guide anyone needing assistance and want to learn. Dog1, I have seen your posts on numerous GSD weboards and all of the co-ownerships that you have available to the public. You have access to some very nice dogs. hodie, you are wrong about top breeders not letting their best dogs go. Every dog is for sale for the right price. Trust me, I have been looking at some very nice dogs. Buying a German Shepherd doesn't always mean that people want to show, train, or compete. Some people only want a very nice and stable dog for their situation. Here is where I fit in, but, I have always been willing to pay a price. I will not become a breeder because it there is too much politics, backstabbing and overall hostility in this breed. I enjoy the dogs, but have found, mostly through this board, that most German Shepherd people will take a stab at others just to boost their own egos. T. Eddi

Hodie, I’ll be there with a few. Ronaldo got his SchH3 two weeks ago. He will show a time or two in Germany to refresh his ring training and appear at the US Sieger Show in the working class at 2 years, 1 day old. He has accepted every challenge I have given him and exceeded expectations. I have two Farina Noriswand daughters entered; Nora was regional champion at the show in Dixon and at the regional in Statesville. Melissa will be in the working class. I have some surprise puppies in the 4 to 6 class. One male in particular I think will do well. I thought more people would be posting here about the show but the topic is dormant. Hope to see you there.

This would be a GREAT topic to post on GSDWorld, as well! -Dana