Which breeder is right for me? - Page 1

Good morning. I'm new to this forum. I used to own this dog http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/119495.html

He lived to be 13 years old, even with hip displasia. (He had D hips and C elbows) He made me fall in love with the breed but at the same tim be very aware of the health issues this breed struggles with.

I'm looking around for a dog in the next few years. I'd like to show you some pictures of dogs that appeal to me and why and please oh please debate me and teach me something, and tell me pros and cons. If you have time.

The way I like my dog to be (now, I do believe my opinons will change when I start visiting kennels) is big rather than small (masculin), dark coloured, I don´t like light coloured dogs with much grey in their back. I don't at all like roach backs - I'm staying clear from them. I'd like to work with my dog but nothing extreme. I'd prefer a good working dog over show type. I like the european line.

This is an old dog, but I like this conformation. http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/2753.html Masculin - back not like a slide from a theme park!

Also this dog is beautiful but the back is a bit too much for my taste, perhaps it's the way he is stacked.

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/492234.html

Please if you have any thoughts? What breeding line would be correct for me, which lines should I stay away from?

With kind regards.

Iris

from Iceland.

If the dogs in the links are what you prefer, they are both conformation lines, not working lines.

I just put those dogs in just so you could see in what line I was heading.

I'm not looking for a serious working dog. Simply looking for a "normal" dog that I can work obidience with, tracking and the amatur stuff for now. I own and ride horses so there's maybe not enough time for serious working at this point. Plus I don´t want to go in over my head with my first GSD as my own (I'm only 22)

I honestly don't think I could handle a working dog at this time. And I wouldn't mind showing my dog.

Having said that, I still would prefer a ugly dog with correct temperment and health issue free over a good looking show dog that is done before he reaches 7 years.

Do you get me ? Or am I making no sence??

i'd like to continue pointing out dogs.

This here is a very good looking dog http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/533935.html

I like his entire family, his dad is a very handsome dog.

I know I'm focused at the looks, that's simply because that's all I'm going from at this moment. The rest will come later.

You keep showing a showline :).

Haha that's true. But I'm talking about sieger showing dogs, from what i gather I can own a show dog and still do good on schutzhund trials, as well as IPO,  tracking and general obidience??

I'm not looking for these types of dogs. http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/classifieds/45251.html

Did I make myself unclear in my posts?

Hi Escobar

I'd suggest a breeder who keeps only very few dogs and shows and works them for fun, having only an occasional litter which probably means you will have to go on a waiting list and wait a while.   This type of breeder is less likely to breed for exaggeration in either build or temperament as they tend to be more fanatical about the dogs than the winning and avoid the big high profile kennels who are more likely to be influenced by current fashions.

Sorry I can't recommend anyone personally, I'm in the wrong country.

Margaret N-J

Thank you Margaret.

Thank you for your input - I guess you're in USA?

The breeder I'd like to buy from has to have the following:

I don't want

# A breeder that  breeds many breeds, people who breed GSD, Papillion, Scnauzer and Irish setter (just an example) are not getting my money.

# A breeder who keeps his dogs in a kennel and not in a home.

# A breeder that has many litters per year.

# A breeder that dosen't care about me and what I´ll do with the dog.

I want a breeder that is experienced in the breed, and has been breeding for some generations. I want to be on a waiting list. I want a nice breeder, a person I can connect to, that I fell free to contact day and night if an emergency amerges!

And lots lots more.

Getting the perfect pup won't be easy!

You going the right direction as far as the Breeders go, Ask your self what type of GS you want.  Look at the Temperament and structur and Health Very important.

Check into Hip and Ellbow history.

Try to find a Ethical breeder near you where you can go and observer the interaction with breeder and dogs, dogs and people, dogs and dogs, and maybe dogs and other animals since you have or deal with horses.

If you planing to buy a dog from a diffrent country make sure you know the breeder very well who don't mind to wait for a sale of a pup just to answer all your questions as long as you need to ask questions who is willing to teach you not only sale a pup or dog to a person.

Take your time  choosing your line and dog/puppy so you and the dog are happy together.

Wish you the best