What to look for when buying a pup - Page 1

I have been advised a lot on a post on here regarding my search for a potential show pup, what would you look for and what breeder would you recommend whether this would be based on previous litters produced or from experience, I don't mind travelling across the country I am based in Coventry and I make a strong emphesis on health checks and hip scores although I know this is no guarantee but it helps,

I like Ice vom steinhauerberg (hope that is spelt right)

Nikonis Colin

Mentos vom huhnegrab

any info would be great,

Wayne.

If you like Ice why not contact David Payne at Videx Kennels. He will be able to help you in a search for an Ice pup either from one of his own females or he may be able to recomend a litter from a recent mating where Ice was used at stud.

Funny you should post that I was just looking at Ice on the videx site,

does anyone feel that if the sire is a potential show winner there is more of a chance of progeny being show winners or is it purely down to luck?

Wayne

Wayne,

allow me to jump in, even though I am not located in the U.K.

To me, thinking that a puppy out of a certain male will increase your chances of getting a good show prospect is nonsense. But I bet you can increase your chances by studying the females. If you find a brood female with an excellent track record who produces nice offspring in every litter, I would go with a puppy from her. Even if that would mean to wait several months or so. The stud male is secondary to that, but if the breeder goes with a male of a similar line which has been used with her before, when you would be even better off.

Good luck in your quest.

Chris

thanks for that Chris,

what would you suggest in looking for in a bitch in your opinion?

Wayne

I meant to reply in saying wayne take your time when looking and do your research when it comes to buying a puppy , as Chris already said the male does not always produce a good show dog, but it would be interesting to know what he advises to look for in a bitch,

when I have considered a stud dog for my bitch, i have always looked at what they have produced in the past, so you would rule this out or would you still look at it with regards to searching for a potential stud dog.

I would say that to a degree the male obviously contributes greatly towards the progeny , but obviously no guarantee as to whether they will produce show dogs.

Well, what I meant is that it is hard to expect all good offspring out of a male, even if he is a top producer. A top producer bred to a mediocre female will most likely not promise great results. That is more like playing the lotterie. A male has lots of offspring. A female does not. She only produces a few litters. So naturally, your odds are much much higher in her offspring.

I am not familiar with the GSD scene in the U.K. I only know of a few kennels and a couple of people personally from the Sieger Show in Germany. What you should do is study show results and talk to people to find out where and who the great females are. You should then contact the owner to check on breeding plans and develop a good relationship. If you show the breeder that you have great and honest intentions, he or she would sure be happy to sell you a great show prospect. After all, the breeder gets some of the fame too, if it works out. And we all know that it is impossible to keep everything back.

Chris

The male has greater impact on the population, the female on the litter.  Either can produce well or not, the importance is how they will produce together.  Lots of buyers seem to like playing the lottery, believing it's a crapshoot.  But for me, I'll stack the odds in my favor.