Buying a GSD puppy - need input - Page 3

Baugh, my main reason for getting this pup is for a family pet first, and foremost; and if he ends up being a stud for breeding, that is an added benefit, but not most important. I am someone looking for a beautiful dog, companion, protector, and smart dog, to be part of my family. I am committed to love, care for, spend a lot of time and energy on training him to his highest potential - whatever that may be. Whether he is a pet only, a work dog or show dog, his strengths and weaknesses will show themselves in time. So, no - mating is not the main focus here.

Ladyluck,

You sound like a very nice, responsible, caring and kind person, the kind of person most breeders want to sell their pups to. I'm sure this pup will have the best of homes and I sincerely hope that all goes well with him. I wish for you and your pup the VERY best.

Char

My original post was looking for input on GSD and being new, I really am clueless on what to look for and what the prices are of a good GSD, so I found this website, and poised the question. From the responses, I have learned a great deal already, so I understand more than I did before asking the questions. I know I have a lot to learn, and will be a regular on this page looking for guidance from those with more experience - but unless there are signs of health problems in the bloodlines of this puppy - although many will think I'm foolish, I am spending the money for him. We (me and hubby) see something special in that pup, just from a picture - the look in his eyes - just can't explain it.. I mean, have you ever just known something was meant to be, and couldn't explain it in words, as to why..?

"just from a picture - the look in his eyes - just can't explain it.. I mean, have you ever just known something was meant to be, and couldn't explain it in words, as to why..?"

Absolutely, and that is why we have our sweet rescue, Shelby. I saw her photo on petfinder.com and fell in love with her. After asking a number of questions about her temperament and other qualities, we drove from Florida to Kentucky to pick her up and I have no regrets. Sadly, she has DM, so we will likely be losing her in the next year or so. Although, the pain of seeing your beloved dog decline, as Shelby has, is extremely heart wrenching,  I am just glad that I am the one that has her. She has been a true blessing in my life. She is the sweetest girl ever and I love her with all my heart....so, yes, I do understand!  

Again, I wish only good things for you and your very special future boy. PLease keep us posted!

If you are looking for guidance through the growth of your pup you've found the right place. Just one heads up though. Have thick skin and wear a hard hat and don't take anything personally. A lot of crap can get slung around here but if you let it roll like water off a duck's back there is a TON of knowledge here and people who will go out of their way to help you get him where you want to take him. I wasn't a novice owner when I found this board two years ago (maybe and advanced amateur) and I have still learned a lot and still ask lots of questions. I am on my 6th GSD now and am still learning as I go.

I look forward to seeing photos when you get him. Please share them. If you have any training or FEEDING questions don't hesitate to ask. GSDs can be tricky buggers to feed, especially as puppies.

LadyLuck, I noticed that you are hoping that this pup will be a future stud.  As someone who owns stud dogs and has worked for other breeders, including some top, internationally famous breeders, let me tell you that you will not make profit on your stud and you'll need all the luck you can get just to get back half of your money for every cent you will put into him.  Providing stud services can be a real headache too.  Profits on stud animals sometimes works for race horses or angus beef cattle, not so much for dogs.  

Personally I wouldn't pay $3,500 for any kind of animal whose pedigree I didn't have any knowledge of.  But if I had the money and I did know about the pedigree, parents, titles/health tests, etc. and I really liked and wanted the pup then I wouldn't have a problem putting down $3,500 at all.  

One other point that nobody's mentioned yet, about using your pup at stud when he grows up:
You know that saying "What you've never had, you never miss" ??
Well that can apply to the keeping of any entire male adult dog.  They can be fine and easy to live with when they are growing up and still virgin - but be prepared, that may very well change after you let him find out what 'it' is all about !  You do not want a beloved pet to be disappearing into traffic at the first whiff of a passing bitch in heat (and he won't be fussy about which bitch, or which breed)
Bad enough when they DON'T know what they can get out of it !

I want to thank everyone for sharing their knowledge and input to me, I am very grateful to each of you. After sifting through everything we've (me and husband) learned from you all, we have decided to keep shopping around for our new pup. We are checking out another very reputable breeder whose pups are half the cost, and all the health and testing of parents and bloodlines are on their website. Putting emotion aside, as we feel in love with that original pup - hook, line, and sinker - all the factual information we've gathered on this site from your comments, finally sunk in and brought us down to reality. We will get our GSD pup, and will love it like crazy, but it won't be the original one we had our eyes on. Thank you all - I am grateful for all your input!!

Mt intention to get a GSD dog was not to Stud him out. The thought only came up when the breeder mentioned he would be a Stud as he grew older and that I could recoup some of the money I spent; however, I have found this to be invalid information since he is a pup. Thanks to comments on this board. Again, we have chosen not to get the pup we originally had picked out - too much money, and we are looking around. The only dog I've ever wanted was a GSD, and I will find the one that is right for me, and at the right price, while keeping my emotions in check.. I had fell head over hills for that pup, so too much heart and not enough logical reasoning, as a result. Thanks to all the comments, I've taken a step back to reevaluate my decision. I've learned a good lesson :)

I'm jumping into this late - but know you got tons of great advise from knowledgeable people and I'm glad it helped you in time to back-off of this crazy priced puppy.  You've heard this before - but here is another couple of examples.  my friend breeds working line dogs of the highest quality and she sells them for around $1,800 U.S.  with no strings attached. 

I personally have bred 13 litters and on a couple of occasions, buyers declined my puppies because they thought they were too cheap -- They felt they were of better quality than more expensive puppies and were afraid "something" was wrong - even with my extensive guarantees.  We were always more interested in the quality of the home than the price we could charge.   

Fine - let them pay more --  paying a high price does not in any way guarantee a good healthy dog

Take your time - and keep asking questions -- and if a breeder does not want to answer them - or is withholding information --  just move on - there are plenty of good breeders who are more concerned about where their puppies end up than how much money the litter will put in the bank.

Last comparison - I will be getting an "imported" puppy very shortly -- from a breeder known all over the world for superior quality, hips, health, temperament, trainability AND conformation.

  The sire is VA9 (2011) and the mother is V rated and the daughter of VA2 Odin vom Holtkamper Hof -- Total cost (including shipping) will be less than $2,000 US.  ---  I feel blessed to be able to get this puppy.

You will find the puppy that is right for you -- but you have to keep your eyes open - and evaluate everything people (especially breeders) tell you -- Do no take anything at face value .

There is  a  big difference between 25 years experience (as a breeder) and one year of experience repeated 25 times.
   
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