Looking for upcoming litters near Northern, VA - and RECOMMENDATIONS! - Page 1

I am looking to find a female GSD puppy in or around the northern VA area.  I think a pup of low to medium drive will be best as this will be a family dog.  We live in a very large townhouse with a small to medium sized fenced in yard.  Of course the dog will be walked daily and we'll take her to the park to play a couple times a week.  I have a good amount of experience with German Shepherds and in my opinion they are the best dogs on the planet.

I THINK I am leaning towards working lines as they seem to be the more healthy specimen.  It seems to me show dogs have oddly curved backs and things like that that don't appear to be natural.  I want a very healthy dog, a dog I'm not going to have to worry about having terrible medical issues in the future due to poor breeding.  I am no expert, so I could be totally wrong on this and please correct me if I'm wrong.

So in closing I'm looking for a healthy, low to medium drive, intelligent pup!  If you have any litters or upcoming litters and are somewhat near northern VA please contact me or leave your info on the board!  If anyone can recommend a reliable breeder in the area please let me know that as well - or who to look out for!  Thanks for your time!

dave

I am in central Virginia, north of Charlottesville. I have a few puppies from my last litter still available. I breed working lines from Schuzhund titled and health-certified parents. All puppies are well socialized and are sold with a contract and a health guarantee.

Christine
www.blackthornkennel.com

I have workinglines and showlines. All are Schutzhund titled, breed surveyed and V-rated. I take my females to Germany as well for breeding, titling and showing, or simply to be raised and socialized. We live in Southern Maryland, right outside the Beltway, so pretty close by.

But I do take exception to your statement about the oddly curved backs and that workinglines seem to be healthier. Where do you come up with these findings? Could you back that up with medical reports? Both lines have the same problems, if any. I can tell you that in Germany (I am from there btw), the finding seems to be that back problems might be more prevelant in WL. As to the oddly curved back: Please view my dogs on our homepage and tell me if you think that the showlines are any different than the workinglines. www.vomsilbersee.com

Good luck in finding your low drive workingline puppy.

Randy Brent of von den blauen Bergen

Sorry, no low drive working line pups here. I did see an Ad in the Washington Post  for AKC, Schutzhund III line pups for only 500.00.

Wouldn't a "Low Drive , Working Line Puppy"  be the same as an "Ugly Show Line Puppy"?

All of the three breeders mentioned in this thread--Blackthorn, Silbersee or Blauen Bergen--are reputable and would be honest with you as to whether they had the correct puppy for your needs.

Wouldn't a "Low Drive , Working Line Puppy"  be the same as an "Ugly Show Line Puppy"?

No matter the goal and quality of the breeding, you don't always get 100% what you want. Just as you will get show dogs who aren't "perfect" enough for showing, there are working dogs who aren't drivey enough for "serious" working home.

Also, there are always some puppies in a litter who *could* work, but who will be just as happy in a caring, loving home that makes sure there needs for intellectual and physical challenge are met.

Christine

www.blackthornkennel.com

I can recommend the breeder of my GSD, von Hayden German Shepherds, based on my personal experience.  They are located in West Virginia, so perhaps not too far for you. 

However, as to finding a "low drive" working-line dog, you ought to discuss your needs clearly with whichever breeder you choose.  We all have different perceptions of what is "a lot of drive" or "little" and much of that is relative.  I'm glad that you know what you want and are willing to articulate your needs.  A lot of folks who buy their first GSD have no idea what they're signing up for.  LOL.

I hope you find the right dog for you and your family!

Yvette