high drive vs. too much dog for a novice - Page 1

I keep reading ads for dogs listed as "high drive" and read posts about dogs being too much for an inexperienced owner/handler. This makes me wonder how to locate pups with a suitable temperment for my lifestyle.

I want to do AKC obedience and want a dog that is really focused and sharp, but not a dog that is so high strung that it can't be a pet in my home. It needs to get along with my other dogs, cats, horses, grandkids and be social enough for trips to the dog park.  I don't want a dog who runs the fence line of my farm "on patrol" for gremlins (more likely squirrels), or a dog that barks non-stop at sounds in the woods or from the neighbors farms. I need a dog that is intelligent and capable of advanced obedience work (though I am not interested in personal protection or bite work), but mellow enough to be easy to live with. I have a 7 mos SPAYED female that I thought would fill the bill, but OFA reading of severe hip dysplasia  (prelim at 6 mos old) limits this pup to Novice level training with no jumping.  I paid $1000 and thought it was a reputable breeder, but ......    I am trying to get more educated and more cautious before my next purchase!

 Any suggestions for how to find such a dog?  Should I look for a "working"  or "show" type dog? Any lines or breeders that produce dogs that might fit what I am looking for?

Thanks!

You can find extremes both in Show and Working and you can also find the "Golden Middle"

What you don;t need to do the second time is order the dog over the Internet or Phone like a Domino's pizza.

Must meet the breeder so that the breeder can evaluate YOU first and see what suits your requirements. And before meeting look at what the kennel has produced. Look at kennels which produce Therapy German Shepherds.

Might find a mellowed down dog with right obedience level and good health. Don't look at top trails dogs or extreme conformation

LBS,

You ask some good questions.  When you do find a good breeder, if you explain to him/her exactly what kind of dog you want, and for what purpose, then you SHOULD get steered to the right pup in the litter for you.  Not every litter of SchH "prospects" is packed full of ball crazy little ankle biters.  Surely it's every breeder's dream to have every puppy in every litter have consistent temperament and suited for SchH, but that's just not realistic.  The medium-drive dog that is confident and out-going, but doesn't show the same inclination to latch on to a puppy tug like an alligator could be the dream dog for you.

As far as "working" vs "show" lines you could find the temperament you want in either camp, but you are likely to pay more for a show line dog.  Some of the show breeders are asking (and getting) $3,500 for an 8-week puppy.  If you don't have aspirations to show the dog in SV-style conformation shows, you could take home a medium-drive pup from working lines for much less. 

Do you have an OB club that you train with?  Is there a SchH club nearby to you?  Visit the clubs and talk with the people there, find out who they go to for their puppies. 

Oh yeah, and don't forget that written guarantee!  Best wishes!

Yvette

Have you looked at Kirschental lines? (www.kirshental.de). Focused, but without over-the-top drives.They've advertised recently here re female pups, cost 800 Euro. Generally positive reviews on this board.

I am doing the exact thing as you with my GSD Kati (She just turned 3). I just put a CD on her. The breeder I got her from is local here and worked with me. She also came with top references from my Obedience trainer and my Vet.  I have also gotten her half brother (same Mom - different Sire) he just turned 1 year. I could not be happier with both of my dogs. The parents are OFA and live in the house. If you like more info on the breeder please shoot me an e-mail, I would be more then happy to answer more questions.

Here is a pic of our first ever AKC Obedience show - we took first place in Novice A. Two show later we had our title

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w207/csaiz/obediencenoviceA.jpg

I was lucky enough to be steered to the dog you describe, which was also exactly what I wanted, even though I didn't know it at the time LOL  if you email me at dlinne2150@comcast.net ( my email here doesn't work) I can give you the breeders name.

Quote:

The inexperienced handler stuff is complete BULLSHIT. It is a way of pawning off a dog. What happens when three years down the line, and the dog is junk, and you have mastered the basics of handling??? Just like hundreds of others duped by this thinking, you now need to get another dog.

Just get a little bad ass. You won't be sorry.

First off let me say sorry for your dog with HD. But do be aware that pups from HD free ancestors can still have HD. Most good breeders do have health guarantees and will try to place the right pup  with the right owner. A older pup would be great for you as you will know if you the pup is suited for you and you can have a good vet read a prelim xray as early as 4 to 6 months.Or as previous posters have said talk to a good breeder and have them recommend one for you.

Jeff

The inexperienced handler stuff is not "complete BULLSHIT".  Yes there are people out there that lie and also people out there that have no clue what a difficult dog may be, but there are dogs out there that shouldn't be owned and handled by a newbie.