Would like to get a gsd but am very lost. - Page 1

I am looking into purchasing a gsd puppy, I have been doing my research and have decided that this is the right breed for me, I had a Corgi while growing up, and want to do obedience and or tracking trials. I have been looking around but all the ads I have seen don't seem like quite kosher to me. I don't get a good vibe. I want a quality dog and heard from a friend that I shouldn't just buy one from just anyone. Can someone help me out.

If you want breeder recommendations you need to tell us if your looking for show lines or working lines.

I guess I want working lines, I want to get involved in Obedience and Tracking.

I would suggest that you talk to people in person (phone, email, etc.). This will help you get a better feeling of who and what that person really is. Liars are usually pretty easy to discern. Anyone who tries to pressure you into buying THEIR dog, just walk away. A breeder should be happy to answer any questions you may have, regardless of whether you plan to purchase a dog from them or not. If it's money doing the talking, you may not get responses. If you don't, mark them off of your list. Ask MANY, MANY questions, and see what answers are given. See what you agree and disagree on, and if they seem knowledgeable. Ask for references. If possible, get references from people who have utilized their dog for the means you plan to (i.e., if you're a police officer, planning on using the dog for K9 work, ask for police officer referrals who have done K9 work with their dog, or SAR, or pet companion, etc.) Call those references. Check the Better Business Bureau, do a search of the breeder and/or the kennel online. If you find anything "funny", ask the breeder to explain. Oftentimes there are two sides to every story. Ask around to breeders who currently have no pups on the ground (or dogs for sale if you're looking for an older dog) as to who they would refer you to to purchase your dog. Most of all, trust your gut, and get everything in writing! This will eliminate issues that could arise later down the road. Good luck in your search, and if you have any questions, please feel free to email. :) -Melanie vomfelsenhof@aol.com

Are you in the US? If so, I can tell you where not to go, and where to go. Send me an e-mail, and we can talk.

Make sure both parents, and minimum of grandparents have hips certified through either OFA (US) or SV (Germany) or certification from whatever country of origin. If you buy a young dog, get the hips and elbows preliminary checks through an excellent vet that knows how to read them. Look for parents that have good obedience and tracking scores themselves. Do please be aware that in general GSD's have energy (drive) and need a job. This it typicaly even more true with working lines, they need a job and can have lots of energy. They can also be couch potatoes and family dogs. They can also be the most wonderful dog in the world.

I have to agree with everyone so far. Make sure you are going to get exactly what is going to work out for you and your life style. You defintely do not need someone to push a puppy on you that your not sure of. Just make sure you question as much as possible and check references, make sure parents are OFA or "A" stamped, and like someone already said follow your gut and instinct. Your never going to know about the breeder or puppies if you don't call,email, and ask questions. You also need to know like animules said with working lines, also comes a very high drive dog that needs something to do all the time. Good Luck

fireguy, It's amazing how often we are seeing the combination of corgi owners also owning GSD's. I have a gal who purchased a pup from us she also has a corgi, She is attending Obedience competitions with both dogs, and doing schH with the GSD she got from us, and plans to start showing him in the SV ring as well. She was just telling me last week that she went to a big show to expose Zeke to the show scene, and she saw several other people who had corgi's and GSD's It's kind of a random coinsidence that you now post here. :-) Anyway absolutely trust your gut !! Know what you want and correctly as possible convey that to any breeder you speak with. ASK 100 questions, if they are not interested in spending the time needed to answer your questions, Run the other way. :-) Also if any way possible AVOID Shipping, for the reason of MEET this person face to face, Meet all of they're dogs, not just some, But all of them, Look the place over. It need not be fancy, but clean is a must and well organized is always a good thing. don't know where you are, But if your anywhere near Oregon, shoot me an email, I'll put in touch with Cindee, she has the Corgi and GSD. You two I'm sure would have much to talk about. Good Luck and if I can assist in way Please feel welcome to contact me for any questions you have at all. echomeadowsheps@aol.com

I am a working lines breeder and Schutzhund hobbyist, but you could do obedience and tracking very well with a nice showline puppy. Look around and see what you like before you purchase. You should investigate both working and show lines before making a decision on which one to have. Good luck and have fun! Veronica

Thank you all for all of your help. I am located in MI. I have a question though. If I have the two parents of a litter's names how can i search to find out more about them?