Looking for honest breeders (USA) who can ship their GSD's - Page 1

Hello everyone,

My name is John and im new here. Im looking for my first dog. I decided on the GSD mainly because i want a guard, protection, and most importantly a family dog. 

Im having an extremely difficult time finding an honest breeder who does not have bad reviews (and does it only for the money). In my area (San Francisco), there seems like there is only one breeder who actively advertises online that is located in Sacramento. I read some iffy things about him, so im afraid that i might get burned as i do not have the experience to tell if im being ripped off. 

Then I found another website which seemed really professional based in Rochester,Wa but was also let down when i saw the bad reviews at ripoffreport.com

I have spent countless hours just looking for a breeder out there, but it seems like a lot of them dont advertise...and im starting to see a big correlation between those who have nice websites and those who dont....

Another problem im having is finding a breeder who specializes in working line GSD's as that is what i like and want.

Since a lot of the google searches i made ended up here in this website, i decided to just ask the question directly.

Please refer to me to a breeder that:

1) Honest
2) You trust enough to buy from them (or personally know)
3) Must have a good selection of purebred working line GSD's
4) Can ship to San Francisco
5) Is willing to video tape the GSD that is being offered to me doing various activities (in this day and age, i dont think its being unreasonable of me to ask for a video)
6) Provides me with a copy of official health report and is willing to take back the GSD if the tests i run with my vet show otherwise.

Specific things im looking for in the GSD:

1) I prefer, though not necessary, a puppy around 1 year old. 
2) Male 
3) Working lines (the straighter the back, the better)
4) Has had some kind of obedience training or at least some kind of training.
5) Excellent temperament for protection, guarding, good with children and family.
6) Has had its health examined and free of any sickness.
7) Black and tan color

Note - I am well aware that the best thing is to be able to see and interact with the GSD of your choosing. At this stage, this is really hard as i do not know of any reputable breeders who have what i want. This is why i am relying on this website, whose members seem good, to refer to me to a good and honest breeder. I am also aware that i must bond with a GSD so that it will listen to me...i am not one of those people that expect a dog to instantly listen to all i say without first bonding with him and then go on and blame the breeder for false advertising. 

Breeders are welcomed and i encourage you to post here also. Just put in a short description of who you are and a link to your website.

Thanks,
John

Starke Pfoten are good and Pacific Northwest I believe.

Randy Tyson is in Menlo Park.

www.witmertysonimports.

Call Tyson Kennels in Menlo Park and ask for Randy.

Check out Nelli Rascko http://www.losangelesk9.com/danubius-kennels/

True Haus is who I would go to in CA. I understand your not wanting to go and see the dogs and people in person but I STRONGLY discourage it. Even if you are not sure what you are looking at, there is something to be said about meeting someone in person and going with your gut. The internet has taken that away and what it has left is an unhappy buyer who shows up on here  bashing the breeder.

My question to you would be: What do you plan to do to make the dog a well adjusted dog that you can have around family and be able to take out amoungst the public? I ask this because what you want is a dog that requires alot of work on your part to make it so. So many people want a shepherd (esp where I am) but just do not understand the time and work it takes. I bring this up because you specifically are requesting a "working line" dog. Some of the things you request can be obtained from an older dog that has already been trained and had whatever genetic testing is necessary.
Barb

find and visit the working dog clubs in your area. you will probably meet some very serious people who only have a litter occasionaly and you can see the dog/dogs being bred and if you feel they fit your life style.

Put a little effort into it. You are making a decison that will affect you and the dog for many years to come. I would not buy an older pup/young dog that I did not personaly see. A dog at 1 yo. was kept for a reason and is being sold for a reason. You need to make sure that reason is not something that you can't live with.

Tyson does have a good reputation, as does Bullinger.

Rik

Bhaugh:

Its not that i do not want to see the dogs in person, its just that if they are not within driving distance (max 2 hours) then it makes it really hard for me to do so. Trust me, i would LOVE to see the dog in person first before buying.

I would love to say that i will be with the GSD 24/7, but that is just not possible. This is the reason that i am leaning towards looking for a GSD that is a little older.

As for what im planning to do to make the GSD a well behaved dog...i plan to do what is necessary. I have been recently amazed at the teaching methods of a youtuber named Tab289. So i will start clicker training as soon as i get him. Will hire a trainer or go to a training facility to teach him protection and whatever else he needs.

My goal is to have an obedient GSD that will listen to me instantly when i say "sit". I want the GSD to know that i cannot be with him 24/7 and that when he is at home, he waits patiently until i get home so i can play with him. I do not plan to spoil the dog as i think it leads to behavioral problems. Though the most important thing i want my dog to be is happy. I believe that if the dog is happy to be with you, then he/she will listen to you.

I ask for a "working line" GSD for aesthetics and health. As i understand it, please correct me if im wrong, "working line" GSD's have a straighter back, so their hind legs are more planted and supported on the ground. The "show lines" GSD's have this super gravity defying over arching downwards back. So their legs use muscles just to stand. For example, in True Haus, if you scroll down a bit...theres a picture of Mendely, thats the maximum i would want my GSD's back to slope down. Usually, from the pictures i have seen, show line dogs slope down much more than that.

That said, i do not want a dog that is super hyper active....but also not a dog that is a couch potato. I would like something in the middle as i am not a super active person either.

Rick:

Trust me, i have put a ton of effort already. I posted this message at around 5am PST....i have been researching everything about the GSD for hours on end for many day already. I must have gone through most of the google searches for breeders already. That said, im not done researching until i find the GSD that is a perfect fit for me.

Check out Timberhaus kennels in Washinton state. Jill is awesome to work with.

The people I know personally don't have any dogs available in the age range you want.  But, you may want to check out www.eurosportk9.com or http://www.policedogs.us/ or http://www.vommysticalhaus.com/ 
I know people who have gotten dogs from these kennels and are very happy.  If you don't see what you want on their website give them a call, maybe they know an available dog thats not listed. 

 I will recommend myself or if your looking for older pup might try kreative kennel in modesto and also a good breeder in San Jose area