LOOKING FOR FEMALE LIGHT GREY SABLE WORKING PUPPY - Page 1

I am THINKING of possibly getting a working line puppy for two reasons. 1) To compete (learn) Schutzhund and 2) To possibly start a breeding program in a couple of years (retirement).  I have always had West German longcoats (normal) and currently have a 1/2 SL and 1/2 Czech 5yr old male.  I originally was hoping to get a year old female (So I would have good idea on looks / drives) but in order to get permission from wife (ha)  I had to agree to get a puppy.  I tried to explain to wife that this will not be like other puppies and might be "high maintenance"  but that is the deal.

Having said that...I want to find a dog with "almost show line conformation"  Here is a working line dog that blows me away : http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=466041
If I could find the female version with a plush light grey sable...I would be floored! I do not want lectures on how looks aren't important...they are to me and its all PERSONAL preference.  I do not like bi-colors and am not crazy about a lot of penciling / tar heels.  Again...PERSONAL preference.  I like big boned..big heads with slight angulation.  Obviously health and temperment are #1  (hips / elbows DM tests in sire / dam) but I also would like the look I just described. I am not in a rush...if it happens great...if not...I can wait.

If anyone here knows of reputable breeders with these dogs please let me know.  Also, I would appreciate any advice on selecting a good WL puppy.  Obviously, finding an experienced Schutzhund breeder I can trust to match a puppy with me is best...but that might be hard to find (lack of contacts).  I would prefer to buy AMERICAN but not opposed to importing if trust is there.  I would also like to see puppies, sire / dam / kennel in person...but again with right vouches I might buy without seeing in person.  When selecting my SL puppies. I always went for the middle - higher puppies of the litter, avoiding the alpha because I wanted just an active "pet".  Do I now want the alpha?  I do want high drive...but I do not want INSANE drive and I do not have the experience in differentiating between the two.  Can prey, ball drive really be tested at 8 weeks?  Do I want the most vocal...or does that have nothing to do with it?  I can recognize confidence in a puppy...are there good indicators of focus?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

I heard light grey ones are awesome. The best to breed with.

Dude, does your wife understand just how much of a crapshoot puppies are, and if said pup doesn't work out for your intentions, you'll have to get yet ANOTHER dog...and if she insists THAT one be a puppy, too, she could find herself up to her shoulders in housedogs in a couple of years?

If you're really serious about your plan, I think you should hold fast to your minimum age of 12 months-- an age which, really, IS still a puppy, since GSDs don't fully mature until they're at least 2 yrs old.... 

Happy wife...happy life.  She also has never really experienced high drives!  I know what I am doing here...married 28 yrs! HA  Now back to the dogs...

would you mean a dog coloured like this one http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=586914 

I am in the same boat with a spouse who has never experienced a working dog. 
My daughter and I are picking up our chosen pup this weekend and hubby brought home a small dog carrier (his moms), for us to get the pup home in. LOL  Gotta lovem, he tried.

I had to show him a picture of another pup on the net that is around the same age because he couldn't comprehend the size this pup will be.
Like the pup will even be in a crate for the ride home, daughter will be latch on to her like a leach.

My husband is in for an experience to say the least, as is your wife. lol.

nypiper127 said:

 I like big boned..big heads with slight angulation.
 

Sounds like a great breeding plan. I'm sure Stephanitz would appouve.

"almost show line conformation" and "slight angulation" ....?

Again...Please read the part about personal preference!  Last time I checked I wasn't living with Stephanitz.  If you are looking for Working Line vs Show line arguements please start another thread.  If you have constructive information and advice I am all ears.

Duke,
That is a very nice looking female!  Yes probably that color or even lighter.  Thanks for pic.