INFO ON HONEST BREEDERS - Page 3

If you pay for a showline you're getting ripped off, i wish they'd make them a seperate breed

Good morning;

 

I joined this forum specifically to warn members to not use Old Farm Kennel out of Connetticut in the U.S.  I purchased a sable German shepherd dog from them and when he was approx. 1 1/2 years old we had to euthanize him.  He had pancreatic enzyme defeciency which is a genetic disease.  When he was about a year old he started dropping weight  - 4 pounds per week.  He went through a battery of tests and when it was discovered that he had this disease we had to give him substitute enzymes at $150.00 per month. But,  he did not respond to treatment.   We spent a small fortune to save him.  He was eating three meals per day and starving to death.   Words can't even begin to describe how horrible this was!

I had been in contact with the Koproskis and at first they were sympathetic then they ignored us.  We had a one year guarantee on our dog.  We passed that time frame by about 6 weeks.  They did not replace the dog or offer any assistance on vet bills.  From a technical stand point we were outside the written guarantee.   Because this  disease runs in their line and was  nothing that we caused I did expect some responsible action from them and was saddly disappointed.  We are still heartbroken.

Sorry you lost your dog. I have never heard of a dog that didn't respond to one of the treatments, whether powder or porcine pancreas. That is unfortunately, thought to be a polygenic disease, multi-factorial in nature, and can be triggered by auto-immune issues as well. There are dogs that were 'fine' until a certain event................botched spay, vaccine reaction, etc. While I would replace the dog, it's not something that you can unequivocally say Old Farm kennel knew about and bred the dogs anyway. If you know of others from the same pair born earlier affected w/EPI, then I'd agree with you. It's sadly just not as black and white as a test to see if a dog carries it. 

Aren't they merely brokers for eurosport?

If you want a great working line dog Hoehenluft German Shepherds is where I got my amazing pup! Keep in mind however, they will get you an amazing dog, but you have to do your part too! They are honest, have great pups from amazing lines, work to keep the working line breed pure,  and help with any questions a new owner may have!

I agree, although some showlines represent the breed well as for as working tendencies! Looks and function when it comes to work, well......

"Stay away from showlines, they suuuuccckkkk. "

Took me about three clicks to find some real irony in that post. I'm awfully tired and cranky so before I say something really rude I'll leave it at that, anyone clever will figure it out.

If the OP would come on back and state where they are located and what they're looking for in a dog, I'm sure you would get some great referrals.

Whether you want a showline or workingline, I find you cannot go wrong with a breeder who breeds for the whole picture. Physical correctness, good health, working ability- and they should have proof of all three outside their own opinion, after all, you know what they say about opinions. When the breeder has a good reputation and fair price (you are right, $3-4k is too much), you've found a winner.

Hi and good morning, I live in Beautiful BC  and what I want in a dog is as follows, he or she has to be excellent with kids/people and other dogs/animals, not fearful in any way, sound in mind and body and very friendly. These are what I feel my pup should have.  This pup/dog would not be put outside in a kennel for my dogs live in my home for it is their home and when we are done for the day they take a sofa and I get the floor, it's funny who that works  Ha Ha Ha.   Now I read on this site that people with showlines bash people with workinglines and vice versa  I have seen showlines working and workinglines showing and they both do quite well.  Both showline and working lines excell in what they are bred for and I like both lines and maybe a woking line is what I may choose.   I do not want to spend a large amount on a pup because I now there are sound dogs out there for less, so I will do some sloothing into both lines.   Now I am getting ready to go tracking with one of my girls in the rain,(she loves it) everyone have a good day.



Summer

if you are buying a dog,pup and are having it shipped to you,get videos and at different locations . if this is possible,and it should, it will give you more of a feel for the dog before you get it or whatever.
  being clear on what you plan to do with the dog will help the seller pick a dog that is suitable to your needs.
  take yor time. there are good dogs and good honest breeders here in the u.s.
 sure hope you find what you want.

 KCzaja , I agree with you, I was merely trying to say every now and then you get a good show line pup but they are few and far between.  I would recomend staying away from them at all cost too! Not only are they way over priced, alot of times they can have poor nerves and health problems.  From what I've seen a breeder that breeds working lines that takes pride in quality for the lines sake, the owners sake and the pups sake.  You get the best of all worlds from a workingline IMO. Then its up to the owner to cultivate what they are given cause we all know they don't train or socialize themselves...lol. As far as price goes, anyone charging more than the 1500-2000 range American is over pricing. Just my humble opinion though.
My pup.... Trippador von den Hoehenluft