Dwelling too much - Page 1

Hello all,

So I have been researching for months on end on selecting a breeder to get a solid dog from. The more I search, the more options, confusion, etc. What I am certain about is getting a GSD that is DDR/Czech/Slovak, preferably “old blood”. So at what point do you just bite the bullet and make a decision. Maybe some owners that can chime in on what they would do different next time around when selecting a breeder? I understand that genetics are not 100%, but I think that is a good indicator for the byproduct and want to improve my chances of getting the right dog for me.

What I am looking for is a PP dog, that has a good drive, solid nerves, on-off switch, and outgoing. From the numerous breeders that I have found, some of them breed dogs that they select based on lineage or others that breed for what they need in their own training program and also offer puppies. Even considered getting on oversees from some breeders that offer Pohranicni straze lineage. Although that would be an easy choice as I can go straight to the source, that option is a little outside my price range and not sure how I feel about sticking a pup into a crate for a week to ship to the states. Not sure if I can post possible breeders I am considering here, but this one is from the site so I assume I would be okay with this one http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/classifieds.viewad?adid=254938 something like that lineage interests me.

Other breeders that I’ve found are on the other side of the country and not really practical to fly out there to talk to the breeders and check out their dogs/facility.

I was originally looking for a Mal, but came to the conclusion that is a little too much dog for me at the moment. I don’t consider myself an experienced handler by any measure and didn’t want to put myself in a situation where I couldn’t provide enough stimulation for a Mal to stay happy and then become destructive.

You go and meet some dogs and breeders and see which dogs and which people make you feel most comfortable and most like "this is what I want."


Christine

Not pitching, but here is a 6 yr old czech border patrol bred dog having fun practicing pp work.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/53jaz5hatubq1h9/Otto%206%20yr%20old%20pp%20.mp4?dl=0

As much as I would like to visit every breeder. Most of the ones that I am considering are hundreds of miles away and not practical to go out.

It appears you are setting up your own self sabotage;

Everything you like, you won't get to.

What you allow yourself to get to you won't like.

Might be cosmos telling you something.

Frontline, are you looking for a puppy, or are you looking for an adult trained PPdog?

You need to question yourself how much time and effort you are willing to put into your dog -
the example you mentioned is no DDR/Slovak/Czech blend, but an "International" blend - a lot of West German working lines, .... and even the Czech and DDR dogs from one original source, Germany...

You state a Malinois may be "too much" for you - WHY?
After all you need to educate/train every dog, no matter the breed.

Even a "regular" German Shepherd Dog may need a lot of "entertainment", dogs of this kind are no pets, they need training, too, otherwise they may become a nightmare.

What I want to say: No dog is a "born" PPD, all of them need some kind of training...dogs are no machines, they are living beings.

I´d visit clubs / training groups / breeders training their own stock - like Christine already said - try to find breeders and dogs you feel comfortable with / you believe you are able to spend 10+ years with -

Everything else? Just wishful thinking

Good luck!

What Susie says is spot on. The dog in my video is no push over and not the kind of dog for 'every one'. I would not be able to take him in town in the public without putting the time in obedience.
As the saying goes, 'Careful what you wish for '. The true 'old Czech lines' would be like my dog...not for everyone.

OP, I'm sending you a PM.

Frontline ... yes do dwell on this selection.

But your approach IMOp is a bit off. This is what i suggest :

1. decide for sure what breed you want : ok you are right in a respect , mals are in general , more sensitive to training in the notion that they get imprinted easy and aren't as resilient to handler training errors. They imprint fast. Also they are lightening fast and tend to be impulsive. That is ideal for some but a curse to others. [ I've owned mals so no insult to the breed, they are super ] . GS are more pensive . So a GS rightly so may be a better choice for you . So I respect you thoughts about tryour training conern..

2. Decide exactly what you want the dog for - for ALL your needs and your family needs. I have had and trained my own PP dog so I am not objecting to someone nhaving one . BUT ... and a big BUT for those reading this : Once you bring a dog down that path ... there is no turning back . You forever change that dog ! Once a dog learns to 'protect' for real , in that respect - that dog is no longer a simply a home companion and /or a 'pet'. It is a serious weapon. Now many on this site will say 'oh i have GS that will get along with my children and protect them' and that may be true out of instinct . But i tell you in honesty : A dog , any dog , that is ready willing and able to [ truly ] 'protect' , and on a proficient and efficient level , is not a simple 'ol pet . It's a bodyguard. Again , once a dog gets a green light to bite for real- IT IS NO LONGER A PET , never ever to be considered a pet. [ emphasis]. I have had multiple GS .. I drive around always with no less than 6 gs at a time. But in reality for 30 years I alway always protected myself . The last , THE very very very last resort , I would dispatch my GS. So dwell on this post , as you would. With famly ,most often a GS in sight , in and of itself, is a deterrent to the majority of people .

I used to teach home security with bark /hold/ no bite inside the house as another option to families. Which brings me to my last point about this.. once you allow a dog to bite in the house premises - you have imprinted that behavior in your dog [ or a sPreauer would perhaps state , you set a default ]... And God forbid one day your dog thinks some friend threatened you in your house and it takes upon itself to bite that person. So , as a rule to the other readers ... never ever ever allow your dog to bite in your house ,not even an IPO sport dog. PP canines are very seriuos and don't forget in some areas [again , some areas] your dog could be euthanized for hurting someone.

3. I have seen many good DDR , Czech , Belgium , French and WG/ show lines , many that could work and do PP .[ current day the WGSL are a bit weaker for this ]. But decide about the lneage/ parents. Know the parents their strengths and weaknesses. But "THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT " is the puppy itself . YES , you can pick lines but the most important consideration , aside from Pedigrees ,which I do respect, is what you need to evaluate about the puppy . Those attributes about a PP puppy that meet the needs and the purpose. That being said what I look for in a S&R GS , sport GS or Narcotic Detector is diametrically opposite from a PP GS . Do you know what to look for in a ppouppy or an adult dog to fulfill PP ? You need to see the exhibited behaviors of the dog :Temperment testing .. well it has it's merits but also drawbacks [ another topic of a thread another time] because in picking a PP puppy one needs experience along with the Temp test. - you have to see the innateness of the puppy for such a demanding endeavor. Many police candidates flunk out of the Academy. In summary- what matters is the dog itself. That is your utmost considersation .. " the dog itself ".

So this is not n easy decision -- yes dwell on this if you would.