Help with puppy selection - Page 5

Ah! I missed that...I didn't know the sire was already working livestock! That bodes well for the pups, then!

The articles I read made clear a herding dog is not the desired breed for a livestock guard dog. I have seen many borders collies work sheep and they are by no means a calm dog. Plus they would not be able to fight off larger animals.

DR, that was the point I was trying to get acrossed.... GSD herding? a good chance; guarding? probably not.

yup,DR,that's why I'm doing some looking into this. Like I said earlier, I don't yet know if this fella means "guard" or "tend" and what his "flocks" are. I also need to know which predators he is worried about. At this point,who knows. rest assured I will find out . Ya never know with inquiries.He never said "work' sheep. In the short conversation I had with him,it sounded like he wanted a correct GSD,. I didn't get the sense he really needed a guardian even though he called it that. He incorporated his family and propery into the equation. No dog is really good with fending off large animals like bears,that's why they use burros and llama.....for the noise. But if some beast has a mind to they will get something. I guess the perfect combination is a couple of great Pyrynese and some GSD's with shot guns . LOL. I think a good GSD will be fine,but not for a 24/7 job,they won't be happy with that. They need home too. This person is from Greece or Turkey, I think,I don't know if the culture factors into this.

You are a good breeder, gsdlvr2. Some I know would just sell the dog without asking any questions.

SOmetimes it takes awhile to get the whole story from someone. I'm sure another conversation or two you will have it clear on what he really want or needs.

Blitzen---:} :} Thx I love my bubbies, and want the best for them. it's not about money,I love them. DR,yup,it does. I'll figure this out before long. He {the potential buyer} is easy to come by.He has a business nearby. Good for dropping by and talking and saying "HI" and gathering info.

I thought this was interesting, as it is taken from the AKC 17th Edition, The Complete Dog Book, pg 616; ...First, last and all the time a working dog, the German Shepherd Dog has been developed both tempermentally and structurally through selective breeding,...For his typical work as a herding sheepdog, he must not be gun-shy and must have courage to protect his flock from attacks, either animal or human..." Also, white dogs in the working group who herd are the Kuvasz and the Komondor, both considered tops in the guarding aspects as well. I'm feelin' a bit like deja-vu, but there it is, the GSD can walk and chew gum at the same time! Okay, I know!!! I gotta get another book! ;-) ~Deb

Deb Don't believe everything you read..always consider the source!

Desert Ranger, but where else can one start? ~Deb