Can you guys help me out? - Page 2

Where can I find out about upcoming shows/trials? We went to a dog show this past Sunday. I spent about 2 hours watching the GSDs. It was conformation, and I think they were all American bloodlines, aside from one dog that was Am/German line cross. I have to say, though - it was disappointing seeing how many of their back ends appeared very weak, and the awkward angles many of the dogs' legs were when they were standing or in the stack.

Here are some links to the website and blog of a friend of mine Julia Priest.

http://www.vonsontausen.com/vonSontausen/Agility_Brags.html
http://www.vonsontausen.com/vonSontausen/P.A.M._Achievers.html
http://vonsontausen.blogspot.com/

Notice that on these pages are pictures of the individual dogs - often with their owner; their titles listed and the owner's name listed so you can take these out to the web and verify the information on the dogs. For example if you put Nando von Sontausen in google you will come up with trial results, forum comments and akc event confirmation of his titles.

Her P.A.M. page is also a good example in that it explains what the title is and who the titling organization is (GSDCA) and then once again spotlights each individual dog who has qualified for this very prestigous title. About the only thing I might suggest would be a link to the GSDCA P.A.M. website so that folks could understand how unique and difficult this achievement is and how few dogs and handlers have accomplished it. For one breeder to have produced so far ( several more are almost there) seven P.A.M.s is an incredible accomplishment because it reflects not only great performance breeding but successful placement of those pups into appropriate homes.

Her web site also does bring up another point. If you looked merely at her agility brag page which shows some of the more recent accomplishments of dogs of her breeding you might think she has only produced two agility dogs which is not the case as others are spotlighted elsewhere in the website such as Nando on the P.A.M. page, so it's worthwhile wandering around a website, doing web searches AND of course talking to the breeder and agility competitors.

Bottom line on websites - look for specifics and verify, verify , verify the claims made.

Also don't forget to ask both about the good and the bad that different lines contain. The perfect dog has yet to be created [other than my Nemo of course :)] and it's always a balance between what we can tolerate and not. So some GSDs are very vocal - yodeling, screaming while they work, some need a very quiet soft spoken handler, some a high energy boisterous handler, some are more dog reactive or even dog aggressive than others, some may lack in color or type or have a long coat but have a great working ethic and personality. We each choose what WE want and what we can and can not live with.

Again, I wish you good luck in your search. I am a great believer that if we are patient that the right dog will show up -right for us and right for the dog. This is my hope for you and my wish is you will have many long years of a great partnership.

I have nothing against Wayne Curry one way or the other, but I do know that his pups START at $2500, so that breeder would be out for the OP.  Good breeders are RARELY found on "breeder" type websites. Or in "PuppyMillUSA" (Sorry, I ment DogsUSA)  type magazines.  Most of the better breeders in any breed don't spend a ton of time tooting their own horn, but you WILL hear about them from people who have bought or seen their dogs and recommend them, as the folks above did.

Good luck.  

Very good advice from TIG.  Konotashi, if you are planning to get a puppy in a years' time.  Take the advice given and remember to keep an open mind as you learn form all the avenues mentioned.  The knowledge you gain in this period will definately help you decide your pup and whether you prefer agility or schutzhund (as you've enquired in another thread).  Good luck.

www.akc.org/events/search/index.cfm

Above is a link to the AKC website.  It lists trials, shows, and other events. There is a big event in Tucson this coming weekend.

I agree with TIG's excellent suggestions. You should be able to find what you are looking for within a relatively short driving range of your home.

A really good breeder has an almost innate talent for placing the correct puppy with the right family. They should be able to honestly tell you if they do or do not have the right pup for your needs. They also should be helpful and knowledgeable enough to explain to you the differences in other litters/dogs not of their own breeding, if asked.

I would imagine you looked around quite a bit before purchasing or renting a home.. be just as diligent when looking for this very big committment to your life.
Good luck!

Kono,

Start with your local yellow pages. Look under clubs, social clubs, dog clubs. If you find nothing there look under kennels and dog trainers and call or visit them and explain the mission you are on. They will help you find local resources.

The AKC also lists local clubs either by state or by event. Look up the ones for AZ. Breed clubs devoted to GSDs are known as specialty clubs. I presume UKC has a similiar site. ASCA stands for Australain Shepherd Club of America. They hold agility, obedience and herding trials open to all breeds. Most of these websites also list seminars and clinics in the different venues( breed, obedience, agility, herding, tracking etc) - a great learning tool.  AHBA is the American Herding Breeds association and list herding and stock dog events. Most AKC clubs use professional superintendents for their shows such as Roy Jones. Put dog show superintendent into google. Find the ones servicing your area and ask to be put on the mailing list and you will be sent premium lists of upcoing shows.  Also query match shows - usually there is an online or a newspaper type bulletin availabe for local regions which lists upcoming match shows ( informal practice shows)

www.GSCDA.org is the German Shepherd Dog club of America - you can find local specialty clubs thru them.

USCA is United Schutzhund Clubs of America see http://www.germanshepherddog.com/  It lists local clubs, regional websites, events and seminars. For the Southwestern region which includes AZ see www.southwestschutzhund.com/  and http://www.southwestschutzhund.com/sw_clubs.htm

Search google for GSDCA-WDA; DVG and AWDF to find other performance based clubs and events.

Two large independent agility organizations are http://usdaa.com/events.cfm  and  http://www.nadac.com/calendar_of_events.htm

Google "dog agility trials"  or dog agility seminars for additional links.

Hope this helps. As you go forward if you are not an experienced web researcher - call your local library and make an apptmt with the reference librarian. Great help and it's free. Good luck and have fun. Beth
PS another way of finding dog/training clubs in your area is to go to the secretary of state's website for your state. Usually there will be a way to search their corporate databases by key word or name of club/business. Try single word searches such as shepherd or dog or agility or training.

Great advice from TIG, try to spend time getting to know the GSD community. Remember there are many really good small breeders who are quite particular where their dogs go and therefore don't necessarily advertise on the web.

Whenever this question arises I always ask, have you ever thought of taking on an older dog rather than a pup? Yes you miss out on those early days but does have an advantage in that you can see the finished package so to speak. And it's quite possible to get a cracking example that hasn't quite come up to the more exacting requirements of such a small quality breeder.

Best of luck,

AandA

It's close to a year since your Apr 2010 Post- are you still looking for GSD? Any interest in herding?