Really sad conversation - Page 3

Spook, Sometimes things happen for a reason. I too missed the boat on the first dog I really wanted bad. I was so disappointed at first but then I wound up with something even better. The search for me went on for oh about 2 months and the stories I heard from breeders and people claiming to have the top notch pp dogs was quite amusing at times. Fortunately I had someone knowledgable helping me through the selection process. I remember getting a call from someone with a fancy website, claiming to have "executive level" pp dogs-NO titles, NOT imports and you know what the price tags started at....$10,000.00. I about choked on my tongue. But it just goes to show you, someone that has a real need, who doesn't know where to go to buy what they need resorts to the internet-the largest source of marketing and information but yet the easiest target for scam artists and rip offs. Then I had better experiences where I spoke to breeders that were totally upfront and honest saying the dogs they had weren't going to be serious enough for what I needed but that I could try contacting another breeder they recommended that breeds more toward what I was looking for. Even the people who are just looking for a nice dog for their family deserve to get a correctly bred, clear headed, even tempered dog without having to find out a year later the dog has health problems or "mental issues" lol.

Agar, I think you hit it on the head. I really want someone to help me find what is right for me. I know I have went into situations with preconceived ideas or had people try to sell me what they had on hand rather than what is right for me. This is where you need more than a breeder, you need someone who really knows their stuff. My last purchase was from a person who has done it all. I know it is really difficult for a first time buyer to hear, "This dog may be too much for you." A lot of people get indignant or defensive, but they're also the person most likely to return the pup in a couple of months because it_______, doesn't listen, is too darn wild, is taking over the house, attacks all the other animals, etc., you fill in the blank. Breeders and buyers need to care enough about this great breed to do the right thing.

Spook, Well said. I agree 100%. I'd rather someone be totally honest upfront and really care about if that particular pup or older dog will fit into my lifestyle rather than me find out months down the road that this is a dog I can't handle. During my search there were certain dogs I inquired about that just weren't gonna work for me. Some were far too serious more suitable for police or someone with extensive experience in training, others that wouldn't do well with little kids...all very very important factor's I personally was unable to overlook in choosing a particular dog. Had no one cared what they were selling me I would have had a world of problems down the road and would have been out a grip of money. I appreciated someone telling me "this dog might be too much for you"; they know the dog better than I do, they have more experience than I do-I'd better listen. At first one that has no concept of training or gentics simply selects the prettiest dog....I was told very very early on to toss that concept out the window. Yes the confirmation is something to look at but in my case the prettiest dog may not necessarily have been the right dog with the working ability I needed. Truthfully I was partial to the look of a showline BUT I instead wound up with a Czech dog because of his working ability being more suitable for what I needed it to be. If you know what you're looking for it's always best to take your time til you find it rather than settle for what's available at the time. Breeders should make every attempt to match the dog to the right owner based on that individuals needs rather than just take their money and one less dog to sell. What good is it to have one of your dogs bouncing from one home or shelter to another???? I will likely continue to buy from the same people I got my dog from simply because they were fair, honest, and I got exactly what I wanted and more. Satisfied customer who in turn feels comfortable recommending them to others when they ask "where do I get a dog like yours?" That should be what it's all about making the owner AND the dog happy for a long long time.

Spook and Agar, You both hit it right on. Very well stated.

Agar, the search for the pup I have now took 9 months from the time I started looking until I actually received it. You're right about customer loyalty. If you feel you've been treated right you will naturally go back to that person.

allaboutthedawgs, None of your post suprises me. I do alot of socializing with my pups/dogs. I enjoy taking them to supermarkets etc. in order to make sure they keep a correct attitude towards all and to educate the public. Many people will stop and ask about my beautifull puppy/dog and how well behaved they are. Then they will tell you how completely ignorant they are by sharing many stories about their 140 Lb. Shepherd wolf cross that had the reasoning powers of an adult human being. This is one of many many stories I hear everytime I go out. I consider it a great privledge in using some good logic and comon sense teaching to educate people in their misinformed, myths, wives tales, that they learned from watching Lassie. I take the opportunity to explain why my dog is so well behaved. I then introduce to them some new ways of looking at dogs, Shepherds, what they are bred for, genetics etc. Most people are willing to listen and learn something. Others do not. But it is a great joy to me when I see their lights come on, and they begin to understand why responsible breeding is critical, why 140 Lb. dogs are not productive, why understanding a dogs way of reasoning as compared to a humans is critical to training, etc. etc. I have had way too many good talks with people to not continue this practice. I would also say that over 90% of people in the U.S. are clueless and will believe any thing, so why not give them truthfull, logical information. If my motives are pure, and I am doing it out of genuin concern for the breed and for the public then it is usually well recieved. Good luck.

allaboutthedawgs, It is a very common story not just with GSD's but many other breeds as well. What can you do though??? One that goes out and invests $300 for an AKC puppy who then does nothing with it can not possibly justify or fathom how many of us spent 10 times that for a dog they would perceive as "the same" as the one they paid 300 bucks for. So they figure I got a big female, you got a big male let's put em together and sell each pup for oh 3-400.00, make a couple dollars and call it a day. You know who probably the best breeders are??? The one's who only breed seldom, breed for a specific purpose and who don't really need the money. Don't misunderstand, yes one should be compensated for the countless hours spent to title the parents, all the prescreenings ect. but to take any 2 dogs together without having nothing invested is a sin. I bet that lady wouldn't have even been able to answer you if you asked about her females parents, grandparents and so on. It's important to know what you have before you decide to go speading seeds around.

I just talked to this woman's boyfriend when out for a walk. They are now on the FOURTH litter from this little bitch. The sire is her son which was kept back from the last litter and does not look "all there".

When I was in high school I worked cleaning cages at the Medical School in Little Rock. There were dogs that had been bred to be insane for testing purposes. This male has  the exact same look in his eyes as those.

I'm starting to get the same look. 

What do they do with all those puppies?  Have a lot of them died, or are these people actually making money selling these?