Can you recommend a good kennel to get a puppy? - Page 2

Check out Vom Darthaus Shepherds in California if you don't mind shipping. http://vomdarthaus.com/

Amy has a litter expected soon. She crossed a Czech working line female with a show line (but Sch 3) male. This will be the third litter with this combination and she has references all over the US from the past litters. I have one from a past litter and she is a great dog.

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/532666.html

They have enough drive for Schutzhund or similar but also have the temperament to be a great family dog.

Mark Foster

http://www.jagenstadt.com/

Andrew has the 1/2 sister to my male, Gallon, who is a working fool, but yet, loves to cuddle at home.

He is a reputable breeder, who will take the time to educate.

2x Sptz.V Leri Michaela has been bred to 3x VA Ingodd's Agassi.
Michaela is a daughter of my male 3x Spitz.V Leri Unesco. Like her father she is of
SUPER strong character (Excellent protection work at the 2007 German BSZS).
3X VA Ingodd's Agassi needs no introduction, he is the highest rated son of Ghandi Arlett
and also of SUPER strong character (Excellent protection work at the 2007 German BSZS).
Michaela will whelp her litter the third week of August,
puppies should be ready for new homes the third week of October.
* We are expecting the litter to be of excellent temperament
with very good hips, health and anatomy.
* HEALTH GUARANTEED *

I sent you a PM.

Thank you,

Debbie

My advice is to go to the kennels you are interested in for a serious visit and inspection.

I was truly shocked at what I saw when I drove up and down the west Coast looking for a puppy.

Websites can be so deceiving.

You are bringing home a new family member.

Temperament is inherited.

Good luck on your quest.

Michele and Pharaoh

I would also highly recommend Andrew and his kennel Jagenstadt.

GSD24

           I'm sure you will get a lot of good advice on this forum it is a wealth of information.  Be sure to look at the puppy section of this forum.

But my advice is to take your time and make 100% sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Do NOT compromise make sure you can say boy I'm glad I took my time.     The breeder and the reputation they have are very iportant don't be afarid to ask for references and follow up on them.  Also how do they socialize the pup and what if any training does the pup recieve. Something not often looked at does the pup get a high quality diet?  See if the sire and dam have been breed before and see if you can get pictures of the mature pup's.

I hate to say this but it is  shark infested waters out there.  Out and out thieves scam artist and unethical breeders.  It takes time to learn the ropes but the time you put in now will pay off in spades as the years go by.

Last year I got real lucky i was out of the market for 10 years and was shell shocked when confronted with the  current GSD puppy market.  Luckly Steve Simpkins of Haus Simpkins took me under his wing and got me the puppy of a lifetime.

Best of luck to you!!

I agree with Larry Dee Steve is the person to contact. No BS just straight up answears. Nothing to hide, and not trying to impress you.

My friend Krista might have something available right now. Shes very reputable, and an excellent trainer/breeder.  www.happyvalleykennel.com 

GSD24:

After our family's female GSD died I found this database as a way to research some of the lines she had and to find another "German" GSD as opposed to the American lines.  I suggest you do a LOT of research and first find the lines you're interested in.  You can look online at GSD breeder sites, see what dogs you like, look at their lines, their progeny, their hip ratings, etc.  This database is an excellent way to research as well as see what others have to say about different dogs.

A lot also depends on how much you want to spend, if you want to import, etc.  We've imported two dogs from Germany and had no problem at all.  One of our dogs is from the Kirschental kennel.  They are extremely well-regarded and if you really spell out what you want in a puppy, Karl and Marion work to get you that puppy.  That is really important if you're looking for temperament like we were.  There also aren't any language barriers; you can just email them and they'll get back to you.  I know they currently have two litters; Lailana vom Kirschental - Negus vom Holtkämper See and Erka vom Kirschenbach - Fosko vom Kirschental.  We've also purchased dogs from Sabine and Hardy Ernsting of Vom Pegasus Kennels in WV.  They are very knowledgeable about the breed and really select great dogs.  They have two litters on the ground as well; a black litter and one that has some black and reds.  They were also right on the money in terms of the temperaments of the two dogs we got from them.  From our experience this is what separates a great breeder from an average one. 

Sometimes you'll contact a breeder and they'll talk about an entire litter being "great" or that they are all alike.  They'll talk about the stellar lines, but may be more interested in making a sale rather than matching up the puppy that will best fit your household and your goals.  All puppies don't have the exact same temperament, so a breeder that just wants to focus on the lines and not the individual puppy isn't your best choice.

I'd also stay away from kennels who have designations like "choice" "ultimate" "select", etc.  They usually charge a ton of money for their dogs and will try to act like every puppy in the litter is an ultimate (which of course will make them the most expensive). Also, pick of the litter isn't always that; that's why you have to research the breeder and their track record.  This database can really open your eyes to some people you think would be reputable, but don't turn out to be.  I suggest getting into the messageboard archive and read lots of threads; it can be very informative.  A "pet" quality dog usually has some kind of fault (i.e. longcoated, one testicle, too much white on their feet, etc.); they are typically cheaper and may work for your needs since you're not interested in breeding. 

We tried to get our puppies locally, but ended up importing two and driving hours and hours away to pick up the others as we really like to see the parents, the facility, etc. rather than just having a puppy shipped.  If you live near an area that has some good kennels, be sure to go out, look at the facilities, see the parents, and ask LOTS of questions.  Most of all, don't get intimated.  Some breeders can come across like used car salesman.  They talk and talk, and toot their horn and if you don't know that much about lineages, titles, etc., they can spin anything and make it seem like all their dogs are fabulous,  their puppies are exactly what you're looking