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ForumsGerman Shepherd Dog > Recommended Breeders & Lines (33 replies)
Recommended Breeders & Lines by SueZ on 15 July 2011 - 13:19 |
| Hi All, I am SURE to get a TON of responses to this post, but it's OK... bring it on! I am planning to get a GSD within the next two years and am doing some research. My dog will be a companion first, but I'm single, have my own business, lead an active lifestyle and can see us doing obedience, agility or tracking. My last dog was a poorly-bred, but a wonderful Aussie, whom I also spent a lot of time with. He excelled in obedience and had wonderful focus, but was not confident and had poor nerves (he was a first time breeding from a reputable breeder who did not breed the bitch again after that first litter). We'd be walking down the street and a nail gun going off would cause him to jump several feet into the air. Cars whizzing by on the street would leave him panting and stressed out. I learned a ton about working with shy dogs, but I wished I just had a solid nerved, confident dog who looked out for me instead of the other way around. I've been reading up a lot about GSDs and know there are several different lines - American, West German Show, East European working lines, - would one line be more suitable for me in this case, or should I look at GSDs on a case by case basis? Also, are there any GSD events going on in the PNW in the summer that an outsider like me can attend? I'd like to meet with more GSD owners and their dogs. Finally, are there any breeders out there who breed according to the specs I laid out? I would prefer the Pacific Northwest area; I know there should be some very reputable breeders in my area. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, SueZ |
by Q Man on 15 July 2011 - 14:04 |
Q Man by desert dog on 15 July 2011 - 15:01 |
| Sue, I seldom recommend any breeder. My suggestion would be to check out as many as you can then check Ramona Helmer at Sapphire Shepherds. She is first class and her dogs are second to none. My advice would be to go visit her and see what she has, and the care, quality she offers to the purchaser, and the breed as a whole. I don't think you will be disappointed. Hank |
by Vom Boyer Haus on 15 July 2011 - 15:56 |
My Recommendation would be at a DDR, or any East German Bred German Shepherd. The Confidence is always there and were for the most part isolated from western influence. Very solid working dogs. Nerves and such are a bigger problem with American bred GSD and show dogs, Dont focus so much on what color the dog is. That is my recommendation: Blacks, Black Sables, Bi-Color these are not as well known as the Black and Tans but If you want a working animal go with working lines. |
Vom Boyer Haus by GSDPACK on 15 July 2011 - 16:10 |
| Wher in PNW are you? I could send you to couple people I trust to take care of you. People whose dogs I trained, titled or just raised! Let me know, I will be happy to help or even discuss your options. |
GSDPACK by GSDguy08 on 15 July 2011 - 17:14 |
| Vom Boyer Haus, blacks, sables, and bi colors are not as well known as black and tans? Maybe because the general public views German Shepherds as 120 lb black and tan giants, typically too fat as well. Which is unfortunate. (Not disagreeing with you, just stating, I agree) I think the other user mentioning the DDR gene pool being shallow is because there isn't much to chose from as far as diversity goes. Most every DDR dog I see now has the same dogs in the pedigree. Sven is one I see in the majority of them, Tino as well.....That is, in the so called "pure DDR" . |
GSDguy08 by Vom Boyer Haus on 15 July 2011 - 22:01 |
I agree, I think the Pure DDR fell with the BERLIN WALL |
by Turk on 15 July 2011 - 22:21 |
| http://vombanachk9.homestead.com/ |
Turk by RompNRun on 15 July 2011 - 23:17 |
| Please, please do not come on here and tell a new person that the DDR dogs are healthier. I have known more than I can count with health issues, several of them fatal. I personally have raised and held two in my arms as they were dying from inherited genetic disorders. One at 14 months from Juvenile Renal Disease, one at 4 from Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Both were from "pure", titled, imported parents. The one with DCM also had bad hips. I don't know that I will ever recover completely from her loss. One of my friends got out of dogs all together after her stint with DDR lines. I wish those with limited knowledge would preface their posts with that fact. It might save newcomers a lot of heartache. |
by steve1 on 16 July 2011 - 07:19 |
| Sorry but those who tell you the DDR dogs are sounder healthier and with more solid nerves then you are being told wrongly, My advice to you is if you do not see what you like in your own country then look to Belgium and Germany. There are some top Breeders in both these countries For me i look no further than these two countries the Gene Pool is correct and true and it is strong with great working dogs coming from these countries, Why is it the Czech are bringing in Lines from Belgium and Germany to put into there Stock But you will not find it the other way round i.e. Belgium and Germany going to the Czech for Dogs to bring in, No' as i said the gene pool is strong enough not to need these dogs But i do understand they are all the rage in the USA and for me that is where you can keep them and i do know what i am talking about i live in the heart of the Dog World over here Whichever you go for do your homework very throughly first as been said , Look at the breeding of the dogs and follow the lines which are performing best for what you want your dog for and good luck Steve1 |
steve1 by Vom Boyer Haus on 16 July 2011 - 14:27 |
LOL, A debate about DDR lines, I geuss to each his own. |
by isachev on 16 July 2011 - 15:14 |
| Great lines here-I own 2 and couldn't be happier-Check out this website. http://www.vomeisenherz.com/ |
isachev by GSDPACK on 16 July 2011 - 17:03 |
Regional Conformation Show
October 7-9, 2011
Judge Changed from König
Treasure Valley Working Dog Association (ID)Trial: SchH/IPO/VPG 1-3, BH, AD,WH, TR1-3, OB1-3, FH1-2 Conformation Show and Breed Survey SV/USCA Judge Johannes Grewe Regional Championship
September 24 & 25, 2011
Hosted by Tri-State Schutzhund Club (WA) SchH /IPO/VPG1-3, BH, TR1-3, OB1-3, FH1-2 SV Judge Frank Mensing Regional Helper Seminar
August 13 & 14, 2011
Hosted By: Twin County Schutzhund Club (WA) Helper Seminar and Classification USCA Teaching Helper Dennis Vander Linde
Dropped Oct 2 from trial.
Twin County Schutzhund Club (WA)
Trial: SchH / IPO/VPG 1-3, SchHA, BH, TR/OB 1-3, FH, AD, WH, FH1-2 USCA Judge Warren Jones |
by Keith Grossman on 16 July 2011 - 17:25 |
| "East german dogs were bred very soundly with alot of restrictions in the program, The program was ran by the Government and They Culled these dogs hard and only the best working Genes were passed on. Hips and other health issues are less likely to be found in DDR lines." LOL! I guess they were able to breed better, healthier dogs sort of like they were able to build better cars or computers or power plants or weapon systems; huh? |
Keith Grossman by SitasMom on 16 July 2011 - 19:45 |
| Hi SueZ First of all what do you prefer the looks of - show lines or working lines? There are good breeders with confident well socialized puppies and older dogs from both lines. Working line dogs TEND to be a bit more drivey, but this drive can be found in show lines also. Show lines TEND to be more elegant, but these looks can be found in working lines also. Both working lines and show lines have issues with temperament and structure. Not all show line dogs are over angelulated, not all working line dogs are built for speed. I would tend to stay away from American show line dogs as they usually only have show titles and not working titles. By making sure that all parents and grandparents have show titles, working titles and have good hips and elbows, you are hedging your bet...as you are somewhat more likely to for your puppy to grow into a happy healthy dog. One of the most important things to learn is how to judge the temperament and conformation of each puppy in a litter, so that when you go to pick your puppy you can get the one that's best for you. Even by 8 weeks, puppies have varied personalities. Sometimes these issues can be caused by the new owners. If something startles a puppy and the owner overreacts or babies the puppy, then it learns to act fearful. Or if a puppy is let play with other dogs or puppies, like in a dog park, and is mauled, the puppy may become aggressive to dogs.....If the puppy is not taken out for socializing regularly it may become fearful. You have to realize that puppies are a gamble, even with the best most confident parents, you can end up with a puppy that has issues. The only way to avoid this gamble is to purchase an older puppy or young dog that is proven to have the temperament, intelligence, structure and physical abilities that you are looking for. |
by steve1 on 17 July 2011 - 08:21 |
| Sitasmom You are correct Puppies are a gamble, but is it not great finding it out wether you have picked correctly or not. Me i have only ever had Puppies now for 60 years i do not know what it is to buy an adult dog and although most of the Pups have not been German Shepherds, I have bought them along to train as Guide Dogs for the Blind in part and for Sheep herding competitions. Some made it some did not but it was fun finding out over the years. and i am still doing the same after all this time with Hektor Steve1 |
by OLIVERLERYKA on 17 July 2011 - 11:14 |
| I WOULD IMPORT A DOG ... BECAUSE THERE ARE VERY LITTLE HEALTH PROBLEMS....... http://www.anrebri.cz/ http://www.leryka.estranky.cz/ |
by GSDPACK on 17 July 2011 - 14:47 |
| There are no warrantees on imports in case of some issues come up. I know I had to personally replace puppies from Czech because of hip issue. Not only I supported the Czech breeders but I got screwed by them at the end (however there are good people out there I would take a puppy in a heart beat). Import ONLY through a well established and honest broker. This way if the puppy comes back with issues, the buyer can get replacement and/ or some money back! . This is just an obresvation. |
by Gustav on 17 July 2011 - 15:48 |
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by Nans gsd on 17 July 2011 - 16:41 |
| SueZ: After recently loosing my german boy to DM; I would like to recommend to you to look for health certifications on the parents; Hips/elbows, eyes, cardio, DM cerf'd; thyroid and even more. ALL of these are offered to breeders; if they are not certifying their breeding stock they are doing the breed a disservice. It is truly bullshit what area the dogs are from; they ALL have health issues. The country or area the dog comes from has nothing to do with it. Even with all the the available clearances it is still a crap shoot. And definitely would want to go and meet your new puppy; do not rely on someone else to pick your puppy. That needs to be your job and that way you can see how they are raised, their environment needs to be clean, healthy and happy. Also nutrition is very important as to how the mom was fed and how the puppies are being fed. I will PM you the rest. Nan |
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