American (Showline), Czech, or DDR German Shepherd as a campanion - Page 1

I tried looking for this topic but the search didn't pull up anything close to this. If there is an old post about this question please send me the link.

I am looking to get a German Shepherd. I have owned previous dogs before but never a GSD. I'm looking for a companion GSD. I will have about 2 hours or more a day to spend exercising and training the dog. I don't plan on doing Schutzund, PSA, or any related field. I do plan on doing CGC and maybe tracking but my main purpose is of having a GSD for the companionship.

Now my question is what type of GSD do you recommend? The American (showline), Czech, or DDR? I do want a sable GSD and most sable dogs that I know of are Czech or DDR. I don't want a high drive dog that needs vigorous exercises or jobs but a companion that can be inside the home and relax with my girlfriend and I. I live in Phoenix, AZ and I know of two breeders in Arizona that breeds sable GSD. One breeds the Czech and the other breeds DDR.

Looks like you have no replies so here goes.
I would look for a low drive pedigree. Meaning not a ton of titles. But health is of most importance. The breed is prone to many inherited problems.
I have had SL, WL, and working show line. None were couch potatoes.
They are companions no matter what.
I'm just not seeing a chilled out GSD.
Best of luck with your search.

Forget about bloodlines because there are huge differences in behavior within as well as between litters.  Draw a circle 2 hours drive from your location and find all pure bred AKC GSD breeders within that circle.  Use web sites and telephone/email/etc. to identify the breeder with the type of dog you want.  Check references of the breeders and see their customer feedback.  Make a visit to the top 3 breeders kennel and see their dogs in person as well as their facilities.  Pick the breeder that has the type of dog you want by seeing the dam and if possible the sire for the litter you want to choose a puppy from.  If the dam and sire are the type of dog you want then put down a deposit on a puppy from the litter.  The apple doesn't fall very far from the tree.

if you want a low drive dog, find another breed.

I was (and still looks like I am) the AKC/GSDCA contact for breeder referrals in my area. I stopped recommending the AKC/GSDCA dog several years ago due to health issues.
I have a German S/L now that is very good/calm in the house and very active outiside.

The only advice I offer is to find a breeder that has generations HD/ED certs.and has a good guarantee.

Rik

SitasMom

There are lots of low drive only good for pet German Shepherds

I've had ASL x GSL crosses and pure GSL's that have made good house pets. I've never owned a WL, but I've been around some that were also nice house dogs. However none were low drive couch potatoes.  It's always taking a chance when one buys a dog, but try to see both parents and interact with them. Also ask about which health checks parents and grandparents have had. Personally I think you should be prepared to take any young GSD to a basic training class and understand that any GSD regardless of it's breeding is going to need plenty of daily exercise to keep it in good mental and physical condition. 2  hours a day sounds adequate to me at the start, but I think you need to be prepared to increase that when the dog reaches adulthood. My current 5 year old female, (mostly ASL) requires several long walks every day plus her OB training that I do here at home and at training classes we attend once or twice every week. I guess I spend about  at least 3 hours  almost every day trying to keep her happy. Otherwise, she gets restless and demanding.

Breeders specifically breeding for low drive GSD's are doing a disservice to the breed - they are supposed to be working dogs, not couch potatoes.

 

I have a friend in Phoenix that has a litter of all Czech (parents imports). They will be 8 weeks in one week. Parents are from incredible lines, hips, elbows and dm tested. She is a very honest person. The only thing is they are dark b&t's. You may want to at least visit with her since she is probably close to you. I will pm you with her contact info. She may not want her info posted on here publicly. So, check your inbox.

You'll find more pet-oriented GSD's in any lines... you just have to trust your breeder to match you up with the right pup.