When is it Appropriate to Start Visiting Breeders? - Page 1

At the moment, I'm pretty much set on getting a WGSL puppy. On paper and in writing, a WGSL seems like it would be the perfect dog for me. I just want a dog that has medium drive, he most likely will be competing in agility and/or flyball, and I would want the dog to be able to do Schutzhund successfully if I choose to pursue it. First and foremost, this dog will be a companion. I know WL breeders have medium drive dogs as well that also fit my criteria. However, I'm quite partial to black/tans. (I know, color should be my last concern). However, I'll go with whatever dog would be the best fit for me. 

There are several breeders I know of that I'd be willing to drive to, both SL and WL. 

I'm not going to be getting my GSD for a few years, but want to start testing the waters now. I want to see breeders' facilities, their dogs, and see what I like in person, rather than just online. Also, I'd like to possibly stay in touch with breeders that I liked and maybe talk to some of their puppy buyers about dogs/puppies they got from them and get a feel for what certain breeders produce and see who I feel would be the best to give me what I want/need in a GSD. 

I'm going to guess that it might be up to 5 years before I can get a GSD. I really hope it won't be that long, but that's my sad reality. My question is, how soon is too soon to begin getting in touch with breeders and visiting their facilities? 

For me if a person said that they were thinking about a puppy for in 5 years time I would invite them to come and see my dogs, puppies and also tell them that I have no idea as to where I will be in 5 years time and neither do they. I believe that a 5 year plan is too far away for me BUT you never know we just might become great friends in that time!!!!!!!

You should be comfortable contacting breeders, asking for information about their dogs in general ie temperaments, what they do with their dogs (does the breeder work the dogs, does the breeder train, work their own puppies?) - what health testing the breeder does with their breeding animals, how the dogs are housed, where the puppies are born/raised (ie in the house, kennel, basement, garage, outside), and of course visiting the breeders who sounded good to you, would allow you to meet the breeder in person, meet the dogs, see their condition, any obvious problems with temperament, health, coat - how they are housed, do they look healthy, active, sound, shiny well-groomed coats, or do they look tired, lethargic, disinterested, sad, unhealthy, poorly groomed or dirty?  Are they friendly, forward, open, outgoing or at least neutral/aloof to you?  Or are they cautious, shy, spooky, hackles up, tail tucked, nervous or aggressive?  Does the breeder actually let the dogs out to meet you - loose? Or on leash - does the breeder let you handle the dog, or just pat it on the head?  Will the breeder let you bring your significant other, or children to meet the dogs?  Will they allow you to watch the dogs working too?

I welcome people to come visit anytime, meet me and my dogs, even if they are only researching breeders and have no plans on actually buying a puppy in the near future.  IMO all responsible breeders should "have nothing to hide" and nothing to be reluctant to show, in person.

molly
Eichenluft

Funny you say in about 5 years time, some of the kennels
you visit now may not be around in five years, maybe you can go by that
indication.      All I know is that when I have a healthy litter on the ground, I have been
blessed, cause the dogs aren't machines, they sometimes have problems producing.

It is nice to see you are researching though, well ahead of time.
Talking to puppy owners is also a great start, cause you will have a more candid
conversation with the average dog owner than the breeder sometimes!

   Good luck with your search!

i think that would be a good idea and go have alook at the breeders you are intrested in. see what they are all about, the breeder should not have a problem with that, if they do , then look elsewhere. i have always welcome family to come see my dogs and or puppies , if i have any.

any time-

i will also say that i have had some german showlines puppies with very high drive/energy, so you would really need to ask the breeder what you are looking for ,as the showlines come in all levels or drive.

 

i know what you want a nice in the middle type.

 

it is really hard to know which breeders will still be around in 5 years, but i would bet that  breeders that have been around for years will still be around in 5 years time.

good luck with your search-

few years is 2 far lol its only going to make u want to get one now because you are gonna run into that perfect puppy/dog while researching and it will drive you insane.

5 years seems to be a long time. I agree with destiny, you will end up running into that perfect pup and it will drive you crazy. It's a fabulous idea to get to know some breeders and their facilities, but 5 years is a long time. In that time, the breeders may not be there anymore. The dogs you favor may not be producing puppies anymore. New dogs will be brought into the mix, new breeders will appear. There is a lot of variablility in the next 5 years.

At five years, you are wasting your time and theirs. In four years, you can do an amazing amount of research and learn a lot about the breed, lines, etc. That will give you one year to find the best pup available. If you can't find what you want after that one year search, what is another six months on five years? Don't settle.

 - Start now - the more you learn a head of time the more ready you will be when it is actually the right time to make your decission.

From a learning perspective, it may be a good idea to start looking around but in every other way, I believe 5-years is too long a time to look ahead toward.