Breeder Recommendations?? - Page 1

Am fairly new to the forum and not sure how to post in the "Request to Buy" section.  Am searching for a long stock coat male ~ preferably red or silver sable or blk/tan from a reputable breeder as a family companion.  I live in the south and am willing to travel or have the pup shipped, as there doesn't seem to be many reputable breeders in my area.  Health and temperament are my foremost concerns, but would very much like these coat types as well, so am not in a rush to find that special guy.  Can anyone give me some recommendations??  Thanks.

 Good luck with your search, some will soon join in to guide you to a good breeder near you but I want to bring to your notice that many reputable breeders do not breed long coats.

Ibrahim

lbrahim ~
  I know and this is the reason I'm having a hard time finding anything.  I would prefer not to go through a breeder that breeds specifically for this type of coat, but occasionally throws a couple from a litter.  My current female was the only LC in her litter and I picked her not knowing she was going to be a LC.  However, I have fallen in love with the coated GSD's.  She is finally completing her second heat so I can have her spayed and add a male to our family.

 Ibrahim, you may have missed where she said "long STOCK coat." These pop up fairly regularly in some fantastic breedings. What you're correct about is a true long coat- ie, no undercoat. I bred a LSC in my 2nd litter w/Capri. www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/bulletins.read

Having said that, silver sable is going to be tough to find in anyone breeding for the standard. 

I think if you're patient and comb the classifieds, you'll find what you want soon enough. I would be careful posting a "wanted to buy" ad; you will have people coming out of the woodwork offering you stuff not even close to what you want. 

hello Ti, I assume you mean the south as in the U.S.

while my purposes for a dog might be completely different from yours, if I was in the market for a pup from the U.S., at the top of my list would be Carlos & Robin Huerta (Il.), Andrew Masia (Fl), Randy Brent(Va.)

There is a small breeder in Al. with what I consider a very good V rated w/l female, but pups may be a little much if you are just looking for a pet. I can give you info if interested.

If you want to research folks here on PDB, then take a look at Jenn's Capri. Don't know her breeding plans, but a nice bitch that I have discussed with Jenn at length.

The poster here "gucci" has a long track record. Don't know if she still breeds, but her dogs have an excellent reputation.

What I look for in a breeder is one breeding for themselves. I am sure there are many quality recommendations, these are just the ones I'm either impressed with or the dog they own.

best,
Rik

 Tihannah, any good breeder is going to ask you what you want to do with the dog, and what your experience level is. You say you want a family companion, but that can mean very different things to different people and doesn't really explain your experience level. There are highly accomplished handlers who are retiring and want a family companion and then there are people who are getting their first dog ever asking for the same thing. The dog suited to them will be very different. 

Many lines produce the occasional LSC; that shouldn't be a problem. I would concentrate on the type/temperament you want and then worry about whether that will produce a coated dog for you. Do you know if you want WL or SL? I echo Rik's recommendation of Carlos and Robin, and appreciate his endorsement of my Capri, though I have my doubts as to whether she produces what you're looking for.  

Sorry, I haven't yet figured out how to get notifications of replies on this forum.  I currently own a LSC female that has medium drive and works out well with our family.  She can turn it off and on like a switch when its time to train, play, go hiking, whatever, but is extremely laid back in the home and with our kids.  At 5 months, I could leave her completely unattended in the home, and she's never destroyed anything that didn't already belong to her-toy, etc.  I've done obedience training with her in both class and private settings.  I know that a working line GSD or one with high drive would probably not suit us well, so I lean more towards the showlines.  I'm not familiar with the individuals you have listed above, but would love to check them out if you have kennel names?  Alabama and Florida are both fairly close to me and a good driving distance.  Thanks!

hello Ti, I am not saying you should buy a dog from any of these breeders I would contact.
 
I have had  show GSD in the U.S. for 3 decades and the breeder does not matter to me. I go see the dog and choose or reject from my own evaluation for my purposes.

These are just the ones I would recommend to a novice.

best,
Rick Atchley
GSDC of Northern Alabama (founder)
GSDC of Greater Birmingham (director)

If you're willing to drive to Florida, I wholeheartedly second Andrew. I could not be happier with my Jagenstadt dog, or with the entire experience of buying a dog from him,

In that direction, I also really like Von Lotta's dogs. (GA)

nm