Seeking to purchase working line GSD pup - input please - Page 1

Ok...so against my better judgement, I decided to post a topic here. I lurk sometimes(only because I find some of the information here extremely good). I post sometimes(only because I think I have something to offer).

But, after much trepidation, do I decide to post a topic here. But I digress. I am in the market for adding to my K9 family, and wanting to add a GSD. I'm not currently, nor have I ever owned one, but work with them. I actually have 2 GR's...{yeah...I know what you're all thinking, but advise me now, and scold me later}. One is an old door-greeter (13 y/o) and the other (4 y/o) is my partner with a local K9 SAR association. I love the GR, but want to go with a GSD, because I fear if I add another GR, I'll be constantly comparing. This is a recipe for disaster & failure.

But again, I digress. I want input here from those who work GSD's (in nosework), those who breed them, and what avenues I should take.
#1. Does coat pigment mean anything?...reason being is, I'm partial to the black/red GSD's {yeah...we like what we like}, and from where I come from (Canada), only the sables/pure blacks rule in the "work" sense of the word. Is there a breeder out there, that can dispel this myth for me?

#2. What is your take on purchasing a pup from a breeder (off the internet)? Sheesh...I can't believe I'm even asking this Q, since I already know the answer myself. However, I don't see what I like (locally), and thus have accessed the WWW....again...input from knowledgeable people.

#3. Are titled dogs (sire & bitch) a pre-req.? I'm not looking to do bite work, with my dog. But I want a dog that is, a) confident b) sound nerves (good recovery) c) good temperment, c)slightly naughty d) high play/prey drive...anything outside of that I can work with, or work on.

#4. This is where you can all tell me what you think. Good or bad...I have pretty thick skin. I will say this. I am devoted to my K9's. They are my family...and thus are treated as such. Fed as such. Groomed as such. Trained as such. Vetted as such. No expense is spared. Give feedback here or pm me. Those that want to play nasty...pm me...don't embarrass yourself publicly. I'm open to all feedback. As well, I can supply references.

If you look around a bit, you can find some black and red (black/tan) workingline dogs--but they may have more black than you're used to seeing on the showline black/red.

Blackthorn said it well, you can find them but more often than not it will tend to be a darker dog not a normal black and red showline look to it,if you can go for sable or solid black or a Bi color it will open the choices up to a whole new exciting world

Kacey- sent you a PM


Kim

As a "working line guy", I buy my dogs based off of working ability only and not color.  That being said, you are correct... we like what we like, and there is nothing wrong with that IMO.  And believe it or not, there are showline dogs that can actually work!  If you are looking for a saddleback dog, that is about your only route.  Just keep doing some research, talk to the owners of the sire/dam, see if you can talk to the helpers, training director, ect to get their opinion.  Don't be in a rush to buy the first pup you find that MAY work out for you.  Set yourself up for success and make sure the pup will have all the qualities you are looking for to give you the best chance of meeting your goals.  If it isn't necessarily a saddleback you are looking for, then there are plenty of working line dogs available that are black and tan.  I see one everyday at my house.  Best of luck in your search, I'm sure with some diligence you will find the right pup and succeed!

Hi Kacey,

Here's a link from a previous thread that might help in your search.
http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/bulletins.read?mnr=82069&pagen=1

Sonia

Thank you to everyone who responded to my topic, and who pm'd me. Great information,  you are all uber-helpful, and I really appreciate all your wisdom. I will get back to each and every pm. My plan is to add this pup for spring of 2012, so hence the reason why I'm starting to ask the hard Q's now. I've been thinking about this, for the past 2 years, but don't want to make a move, until I put my old GR down. I have to respect his space, and the time he has left, AND I have to devote the proper time to a high-drive pup, in addition to working my 4y/o. As well, I hate coming across as a "tire-kicker"

Many of you above, have re-inforced what I suspected. Sables, blacks & bi-colored GSD's are primarily the ones in the working world. Not a problem. I agree with you BMartin...at the end of the day, it's not the looks that are going to make the dog, it's the heart & the health (both in the literal sense and the figurative sense). I totally get that. My only hope, is that whoever I get a pup from, needs to understand, that the pup will be immediately tested (for SAR work), and if it does not pass the puppy test, will be returned to the breeder. Though, I want a pet, I also want a working partner, and one that will last for a long time.

Again...thank you all for your feedback!

Example of a top black and red colored working line dog (there's more, I just dont have time to go through):

V Chuck von der Dorneburger Bach SchH3

Color may not be best criteria for a future pup; but if the parents are everything you are looking for and produce the color you like, go for it.

I have worked both GR's and GSD's in OB and T.  I even did some SAR with both breeds.

You don't want a working line shepherd, anyway, so you can just pick a pretty pup with the color you want.  You will not get the same drive and talent, but you will get a dog more likely to live in your home and not bully your GR's.

The problem is SAR.  Just like GRs where the showdogs are not going to get you there (if you are for real), that's the case here.   In fact, only a subset of working GSDs are good for SAR.  Lighter boned and lighter coated, drivey-drivey, nosey, and metabolic monsters (a male who eats 5-6 cups of good food a day and still weigh 70 lbs).

If SAR is your love, I think you should consider a Malinois.