Difference between German Shepherd puppies? - Page 1

Hi Everyone!

We are new here on the site..

I Have a question...What is the Difference between an Import German shepherd puppy and a German line American born German Shepherd puppy?
I mean in :

Health,
Size,
Temperament,
Quality,

We have the opportunity to either get an Import show line male puppy ($3,000) at the end of October or a German show line American bred male puppy($2,500) at the end of October.
Both would have pink papers, American pink papers and German pink papers, if you know what I mean.
I know it's the same lines..(German Show line) but a lot of kennels say that Import pups are bigger, healthier, better quality than a puppy born here at the same age...
IS this true? and what would you recommend?

If anyone has pictures to show the difference between the two puppies, THAT WOULD BE GREAT!!

Same bloodlines, shouldn't be much difference at all IMO. The only way to know which GSL was born in the US and which in Gemany is to ask, they pretty much look the same to me.

<<a lot of kennels say that Import pups are bigger, healthier, better quality>>

Not sure how this could be true when you compare how litters are raised.  Breeders of quality dogs here in the US have invested, heavily, in their stock.  We have the same bloodlines and access to the same VA stud dogs if we so choose.  We don't believe Royal Canin to be a quality food, and we don't think puppies must be raised outside.  If you are interested in one of my best puppies, I just might give it to you because I will still have access to the dog for showing/health testing/breeding.  The Germans are not sending their best puppies here, period.  Couple that with the stress of shipping across the Atlantic and I would say your $2,500 puppy is a much better investment.

Jessica Harrison
Romp N' Run Ranch
 

Tomiko,

I am from Amman, Jordan. I am not American and I am no breeder. I have an advice for you: $ 3000 or $ 2500 is too much for a German Shepherd puppy. In regards to quality of the puppy, it depends on the breeder, in the States you can get a very good quality show line puppy at much cheaper price, round $ 1500-1800.
You make a new post and ask for recommendation of a good West German show line breeders in the US and you will get many recommendations, I will recommend a couple to you myself.

Ibrahim

Torniko - to answer your question - there is no difference.
Same bloodlines = similar genetics
Healthy and well fed puppies = " big " puppies
2500 - 3000 dollars = way too much
You are able to find good breeders everywhere, you don´t need to import.
Try to find a breeder who trains, titles, and shows his dogs by himself.
There are several breeders in the US sticking to the breed standard, doing a good job, breeding good dogs.
Maybe there is a club in your surrounding, take a look at the dogs and the people training there.

Hi Again,

Thanks for the replies...
We went to just about EVERY breeder in Florida and they all say "Oh, Um, well, my puppies start at $1000 but that one does not come with any guarantees (usually the runt)
and if you want a good quality puppy with guarantees, then you are looking at $2000 - $3500"
The breeder we currently looking at will have imports end of October and U.S A born pups end of October....
He said that we could get a good quality male for $1,500, however the ultra sound only shows 4 pups so it might be more like $1800 to $2000something.
The imports are $3000.
We did a lot research, and I had a German Import female before(died at 14 years, my father bought her for $25 from the security company at his office).
I did see the mom and dad, great dogs, great hip ratings (A-normal) SV and VA papers.
Will let you guys know what's happening.
Thanks again!

Moral of that story is probably "Don't buy in Florida" - sure you
could find some good breeders out of State, Tomiko ?

Hundmutter,  we really want to see the parents.... another reason we are leaning towards the USA born pups.
We called Thinschmidt German shepherds in California($2500 plus shipping on top and just normal AKC papers) trained pups are$5000 plus shipping,
we contacted Vertrauen german shepherds $3000 plus shipping USA Born, akc papers.
Gunbill, same thing....

We called a breeder once and and after promising the best in the world we actually got them to allow us to view the pups before just buying...
They were 12 weeks old and could not walk, their front legs were all bent inwards and their back legs were so bad they did not want to walk:(, we were horrified!
They were the worst breeders ever!!!! We called the ASPCA on them.

We are scared!
 

I live in FL and there are some very good breeders here. What are your plans for this puppy? Companion? Showing? Breeding? Would you consider an adult or older puppy? Sorry if you've already stated this and I missed it.

There is also a terrific rescue in the Tampa Bay area. Sometimes she has puppies, sometimes V rated dogs from Germany. She also breeds now and then. And  yes if you want a well-bred German Show line with a good guarantee, then you are going to pay at least $2K. You can probably import one for a lesser base cost, but you if you do that you should use a broker with a good reputation. When you factor in their fee, shipping, and never a guarantee, what would you be gaining? According to what I read here, working lines are generally less expensive, but most of those breeders don't offer written guarantees either.

If  you want some names of breeders in FL, PM me here.  I can't give you names of GSL breeders who routinely ask less that $2K for a pup with a full written guarantee unless you are willing to look at a rescue that could make a very wonderful pet too. Your dad got lucky finding a good $25 GSD.

 

Hi guys,

Well, my husband put a deposit down yesterday...
we are still allowed to choose at the end of October whether or not we take an import or the home born pup.
But we really want the home born pup... Import, way to expensive.
Even though most of the kennels we contacted said that an Import pup has a huge advantage above a USA born pup...IS this true?
Or are they just trying to make more money?

thanks for all the replies and will post pics if we finally get him.
Thanks again!!