This is a placeholder text
Group text
by skylimit1959 on 20 March 2009 - 16:03
I need to learn much more which is why come here. As you suggested I'll be spending quite a bit of time with the breeder and getting 1st hand experience with DDR's.
thanks.
by Two Moons on 20 March 2009 - 16:03
In my opinion,
Adoption is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get.
A runt usually is just the last one to fall out of the box, they can catch up in time. A small pup is a small pup and sometimes will remain small. You never know what your going to get.
Bloodlines have much to do with drives and structure, and health,picking a pup is more an art than a skill in my opinion.
Prices? Well what can I say, you don't have to spend a fortune to get a great dog, just shop wisely and take your time.
Keep reading, keep learning, know for sure what you want, and trust no one, always look into references.
Moons.
by Mystere on 20 March 2009 - 16:03
From my observations, if you simply want a good looking working line dog with a nice, stable temperament (and temperament is EVERYTHING) that can share an active lifestyle, you are probably on the right track.
There are puppy evalutation tests that have been published. One can be found in one of the Monks of New Skete's books. It is a modified version of many used by some of the schutzhund breeders I know. Check that out for the type of tests at 6 weeks that will tell you about the nerve level, "people-orientation," drive, etc. You want a puppy that is very trainable. Trainability is tied to retrieving and is inheritable. Ask to see the dam and sire. Find out if they are retrieving fools. Retrieving fool parents= high trainability in puppy. The puppy that runs out and comes back with whatever you've thrown is the one you want. The one that runs out and takes off with the ball/paper is the hardhead that may be hard to train for a pet dog.
Check the sensitivity to noise, which will give you an idea of overall nerve strenghth. While doing that test, you can also check out how it responds to sudden noises--does it run, or whip around to check out what made that sound? Does it check out the source? That's the one you want.
Does the puppy readily want to follow you, with tail up? You would want that puppy over the independant one who could care less about you and goes off on its own.
Dominance can also be tested at that time. The puppy that immediately fights to get up when rolled onto the back and even nips is the dominant pup. That's the one we want for schutzhund. That does not mean that such a puppy cannot be a great family dog.
For a pet, you might want the one that either takes a while to try getting up, or just relaxes and doesn't mind being on its back.Those are just some of the things I'd suggest you look for, off the top.
You also need to make sure that the parents have suitable health clearances: hips CERTIFIED, not "my vet says they're great." CERTIFIED. Elbows, too. You want to know if there is a history of bloat in the lines. An honest breeder will tell you of parents' siblings, or cousins who bloated, IF the breeder knows. That is a BIG IF.
One of the main things I would be concerned to know about the breeder is WHAT does the breeder do with his/her dogs, besides breed them? Is she/he an ACTIVE member of a schutzhund/ring/PSA etc club where he/she is actively working the dogs they are breeding? If not, how the heck can they possibly know anything about their dogs' working abilities, temperaments, etc, if the dogs are never out of the house/kennels/yard at home? Ask them where any of the puppies they produce are being trained and worked.
Since posts about the fact that the DDR breeders in my area are never seen or heard from by any of the schutzhund clubs, even to watch a trial, a couple of them have started trying to put their names "in conncection" out there by entering a show or two, or sponsoring trophies.
by Alyssa Myracle on 20 March 2009 - 16:03
I'm hoping one in particular is going to change that, now that she's retired from her other business.
I want to know how to get in on this free pup deal, though. That'd be cool.
Hell, I'd take a mediocre dog for free.
by Mystere on 20 March 2009 - 16:03
The damn thing cut off my Post!!
DO NOT just swallow the "I breed primarily for police departments" as a response, with a claim to have placed so many dogs with police departments. HOW are you supposed to verify that one way or another?
Find out where thee are people that you can talk to about the puppies they got from that breeder and about dealing with the breeder.
Find out where dogs from their kennel are being worked and trained, where you can see something of their temperaments and abilities. Talk to folks in the club for their take on the dogs ...and the breeder.
There is a ddr email list where you could ask questions about particular bloodlines and dogs. There are a lot of people who are incredibly knowledgeable about bloodlines, and the temperament or health issues to be aware of in particular lines.
Have a great time doing the research, and making contact with other ddr-lovers out there.
I am sure you are going to be very happy with your puppy!!
by Mystere on 20 March 2009 - 16:03
We'd all love to not have to work, so we could play with dogs all day long. Who wouldn't?by Alyssa Myracle on 20 March 2009 - 16:03
I can't wait to retire and do nothing but hang out with the dog all day. Ah... won't that be grand!
Shit, by the time that day comes, maybe I'll know enough about genetics and bloodlines to venture into breeding.
by happyday on 20 March 2009 - 17:03
by Alyssa Myracle on 20 March 2009 - 17:03
http://www.altostland.com/zuchtlinie.html
Tracing back on the sire line, you can confirm if the dog has true DDR lineage.
Technically since Germany reuinfied, there is no such thing as a "True DDR" dog, in the sense that the breeding practices and standards have changed.
That said, it is possible to confirm the DDR pedigree (though to say that a dog descended from those lines is a "DDR" dog is a little misleading. It wasn't necessarily bred to the same strict standards.)
As an example, my dog's sire is Lux, who belongs to line ZL XII (12), a confirmed line still in existance.
by Mystere on 20 March 2009 - 17:03
Contact information Disclaimer Privacy Statement Copyright Information Terms of Service Cookie policy ↑ Back to top