Breeder help - giving myself best odds - still undecided - Page 2

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Everyone chooses Working or Show lines for themselves and what they want and have learned about each...The key is to know what your wanting and what you want to do with your dog...Do your homework...talk to people on both sides and then decide...
You choose the breed and type for what you're wanting to do with your dog...Check out clubs...both Showline and Working line and see what they're all about...Go to Club that do Conformation and ones that do work with their dogs...such as Schutzhund and even go and visit some Police Dept K-9 Units...
Just remember when getting a puppy you're buying bloodlines...you're buying what the parents are or are about...With puppies there are NO guarantees...I mean they don't always turn out like their parents...
If you want the closest thing to a guarantee then buy a young adult...Their Hips/Elbows can be checked and you will see pretty much what the dog will be like as an adult...
One other thing I can advise you on...and I think you've sorta figured this out already...is to find an experienced person that you trust that can help you with anything you mind have questions on and can give you some guidance...
As far as Male or Female...I think if you don't have an idea of what you really want...then have an open mind and see what you can find and what excites you...both have Good and Bad about them...

~Bob~

Currently living in Virginia but likely moving to Georgia in next few months. I won't get a puppy until that it resolved so I can dedicate the time to training. However, currently I am spending time in Va and Ga so I can visit kennels near either. I don't want to limit myself as I am willing to fly to visit a kennel if I think there is a great fit. I also would like to fly the puppy back on plane if possible and avoid the whole crate/shipping experience if possible. I have always worried that it is traumatic on the puppy. Anyway, the replies and PM's have been very helpful, and I realize I am concentrating too much on famous lines that are probably not best for me so I really need to concentrate on finding a breeder to trust that will pick out the temperament and character that I need. Regarding the male vs female, I know how difficult having a female is during "cycle" times, especially in my case as I take my dog everywhere, and when I read all of the articles about negative effects from spaying and neutering, that really made me think (it biased me against spaying). Thanks again for all of the replies.

It really depends on what you want to prioritize. If you're looking for competitive working dog, then you want to go to breeders who are producing competitive puppies in the arena you want to compete in. If you want a good dog to live with and to learn with--that can be a very different beast. The dog that is your ideal starting dog is not likely to be your ideal dog after you have gained 10 years of experience. The dog that you want after you have that experience is unlikely to be the same dog you should start with.

One thing I would emphasize is do your best to spend time with the mom, at least, and try to see the sire in person, if it is an option. One hour spent interacting with the actual dogs will teach you more than all the reading you could do about anyone's breeding program.

Christine

A healthy 8+ week GSD pup is highly unlikely to be able to fly home with you. You'll have to drive or it'll have to be shipped if you don't find one local to you. It's really not a big deal *to a pup with proper temperament*.

There is something called OSS, or ovary -sparing spay. This eliminates the blood and a lot of the attraction to a female in heat while preserving the hormones. Just something to consider to keep your options open if you enjoy females.

I've had puppies fly home in-cabin with their owners. They get the Sherpa (cloth) underseat bags and the pups have so far done extremely well. But, they are borderline too big at that point. A pup from a litter with larger parents might be unable to do so, and a 9 week old could easily be too big. So, if you plan on this, do it as close as possible to 8 weeks.

Christine