found dog-newbie needs help in contacting /acquiring her - Page 1

hi all

newbie here.   found a female adult in classifieds i'm very interested in...she is not here in the usa.. i have pm'd  the  "middle person" 2x last couple of days with no reponse yet...have never bought an adult dog & never bought out of usa before..from the video clips of her, my daughters & i really like her & are very interested in her..

i really don't know about importing dogs, documents etc...questions to ask, or if to request more pictures/videos of her...contracts etc

i am at a total loss!!!!!!  i could really use any advice/experience anyone has,  or if theres someone here in the usa to "coordinate" this????

new & not sure of forum "etiquette"-- so i guess if anyone could help--you can send me a pm???......am also so very, very computer illiterate---maybe i'm not getting my "pm"s????---

thanks in advance to anyone sharing their knowledge

dee  in "cleveland", ohio

I agree with GE.  There are so many great dogs around locally it really makes no sense to me to import.  Especially if you are looking for a pet and not to show or work, as it sounds like from your post.  There is nothing like being able to see the dog in person and get to know it before buying.

Dee,

I think so far you have gotten sound advice.   Let me add my two cents.

If you've never owned a German Shepherd before your in for a treat, or a disaster in the makings. Definately buy one locally and shop around looking very carefuly.  Let the buyer beware.

Also before you buy make sure to learn everything you can about the breed.  Theres alot of information available.

I think you would love a German Shepherd, just make sure your educated about the breed and be prepared to get involved.

Its a big responcability, more so than just raising any dog.  Dont pay a fortune for your first gsd. 

Good luck

I would qualify Two Moon's advice by saying that, while you do not have to pay a fortune, you should be prepared to pay a fair price for a quality dog.  If you go "low end" you are apt to get a dog with some fairly serious health or behavioral issues and are more likely to be disappointed in your first GSD.  Do your homework, hopefully you will be living with your choice for many, many years.

hi all.......dee here again

here's ad/dog i am interested in....marketplace---females for sale----11/20/07 @ 5:00---dori vom grafental  100%  ddr---belguim....went to site & viewed video of her (also checked other kennels/ads)....i sent x2 messages via "send pm about classifieds to_______"  route...both times it appears my contacts went thru

if anyone could check this ad out i'd appreciate it--&/or if knows this person/kennel----contact me privately

gonna be real brief on intro about me---as i am awaiting delivery of washer & dryer @ this "new" money pit" house i bought

i am  50 yrs young--widowed 2 yrs now----2 daughters 19  & 17 1/2...i put down  my 3rd gsd tasha 2 months ago (vet came to house)..she was 12 1/2 yrs old..  bought this money pit/nightmare house earlier this year (still have other house--to be for sale by spring),  as i am downsizing.  17 1/2 yr old will be graduating & off to college , so basically will be alone now..

..this house i bought is on a corner lot & many people/children & people walking dogs  go by, as well as more traffice thru nighborhood & noises.---i am very "exposed"....also, i constantly have workers here (money pit /nightmare house}...so  more than ever, why i need sound temperment & not a liability & one i feel i can/want  to handle---- totally different setting this new house/neighborhood as opposed to other house/neighborhood (more land/woods/"secluded"/bigger houses /upperclass people ,  etc)   whereby i could "accomodate"  my gsds "quirks",  if you will,  w/out jeapordizing safety & welfare of both dog & people..---hope this makes sense

i want to try something new & different this time--as my life has changed .   the girls "have grown" &  more "independent",.  i only work 12-20 hrs &  am "single" now.   my 3 previous gsds were blk/tans & bought as pups..#2 kiski male & last tasha had HD .  kiski lets just say was "meaner than a junk yard dog"  & tasha also could not be taken out in public  or walks,  d/t animal fighting.. #1 tia was a dream--started basic ob lessons & got to hand signals (got kiski when tia  probably almost 1 1/2)    but moved back to ohio & changed education/career, married  & had kids, so thats where it ended.    BUT,  all 3 were "family members" & had good manners & loyalty to house & owner...house rules #1  lol!!!!    i  always worried that  if anything were to happen to me/family ,  what would happen to any "fur family" member  i had  thus obedience/temperment/manners important so if needed, would be able to placed in a forever home----with exception of kiski......this is just a brief summary of last 30 yrs w/my gsds & life..

.hence the descision to move forward & changes. the past is the past...memories are just that...  this is how i decided  my next gsd will again be female,  SABLE (no more blk/tan) ,   YOUNG ADULT (#1--no more SEVERE HD -hopefully-if all is  "true")   and want to be able to "see"  resulting temperment/SOCIAL BEHAVIOR as best as i can ... I am free now  & have the time to pursue  or try  anything-(--as long as their are "groups/clubs" etc  i can join within a reasonable distance.--),  MAKING UP FOR 30 YEARS of LOST TIME!!!!!....  whatever happens in the end , after trial & tribulation with new dog--i will again hope to be blessed with another wonderful gsd--B

oops   my  last part of post ???gone????................gonna try &  rewrite it.....

......"another wonderful gsd-BFF...AND>>>>>THIS TIME...ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS is ALSO a dog i can take out in PUBLIC---you know walk/  go shop @ petsmart  LOL....if nothing else.     I have waited 12 1/2 yrs (tasha rip) just to do this!!!!

anyone have SANTAS :EMAIL???    joking,  but above is true..

sorry ssooo long---but   got to provide  brief intro---ahhh---MULTI-TASKING

hard to put meaning into words sometimes & expect people to know where your comming from---did my best....SO...please no "trial"..LOL......and please no bashing of dog/ad/kennel in public  ---PM me

again....thanks in advance....*****************dee   *********cleveland ,  ohio

First of all I definitly would NOT recommend you buy an import !   There are so many good dogs, puppies here in the USA.  You really do need to read up on the breed, go visit some litters and decide exactly what you want the dog for ?   Color has nothing to do with the dogs temperment.   And by the partial pedigree-- you are probably talking working line dogs.  These dogs need to go to an experienced working home.   You can't tell a dogs temperment by a photo.   Your best bet is to wait, what's the hurry ?   Get alot more info. on the breed, and then decide what bloodlines you like and go from there.   I hope this helps a bit.

hi all

yes , i realize i'm taking a big risk importing,  but  for the last 30 yrs i took a risk & handled 2 very aggresssive  dogs  & acquiring them young ,  socializing & obedience classes (one even had a behaviorist as a spectator, unbeknownst to me, watching)  still couldn't make a difference to be able take them out of the confines of home & yard...i believe someone  alikened puppies to crapshoot??  or something on that line ... my recent gsd (RIP)  grt grandfather & ggmother were uran von wildsteiger & pat von der wienerau  on her fathers top side--& i had plans to pursue sch but her alpha nature & animal fighting   (to kill probably more like it) stopped & any breeding endeavers obviously...30 years is along time to make sure all parties welfare & safety are #1...along time of "dreams"  and along time to even walk a dog on a sidewalk!!!!!   so a risk either way.....

yes, i am aware of the fact i am heading towards working lines---high drives/bite etc---BUT---some just don't achieve that level of intensity  despite breeding/training...can lead a horse to water but cant make them drink kinda thing...thus,  i am open to trying different  avenues with the dog  & hopefully i'll get farther this time around!!!!!

yes---i know color is NOT assocciated w/ temperment----this is a personal choice i have decided upon..

yes--i realize a photo or video provided only allows me to "see" what "seller" wants---but i would request that the dog be video'd in different settings--for example,  with other dogs/animals,  children,    kennel or in the house & the almighty walk  on a leash  LOL!!!  & of course training clips....hopefully the dog of interest is REALLY the dog on tape...

--puppy vs adult--  debate----both a risk--esp. if seller of adult  dog is untruthful (hip films  not truly belonging to said dog for example)..  adn of course REPUTABLE BREEDER/SELLER issue whether here or there.

location is certainly a huge risk- for a number of obvious reasons----  curious ..how many have gotten burned  just even here in the states...money/regitrations./health issues etc  and how many have  boughten dog by video??? instead of traveling to the kennel site., 

all i ask for this time around  is AT LEASTa dog I CAN WALK---if  absolutely nothing else...LOL   AND a WAY to MAKE CONTACT with SELLER /BROKER of DORI  (something about that gal i really like---daughters give thumbs-up)

...should there maybe be a thread (s)  on who can help with imports,   or what the process is  ,  how to do it  & papers etc needed....??

in advanaced---thanks for any tips/advice/contacts 

dee   "in" cleveland, ohio

Hi Dee,

If you can afford it, I say follow your dreams. I'm no expert, but Dori looks like a really nice female. Just be careful and do your homework. Also I'd send a personal email and be patient on a response. It isn't unusual for a response to take a few days. Not all of us live on the internet :-)

Sue