Can you guys help me out? - Page 1

First off, if this is in the wrong place, I apologize.

I'm just looking for breeders, because in around a year, hopefully I can add a GSD to our family. Rather than trying to find breeders on Google and such, I thought I'd come here. :)

I want a dog that will be a family pet/member, and I plan/hope to be able to participate in agility. I'd like an American/German line cross (working or show) or German line (again, WL or SL).

Not looking to pay more than $2,000 for a puppy. I'm in Arizona, but will be willing to drive to pick up the puppy or pay to have the pup shipped - so location isn't a priority, as long as it's in the continental US.

Not picky with the colors, but I would prefer a black/red dog.

I can give any other info that would help me find breeders that may have my dream dog! :)

I know Prager is in Arizona http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/breeders/6442.html he breeds some of the best Czech working line German Shepherds.
Try to PM Silbersee, she breeds good dogs too and Eichenluft. Actually here you find some of the best GSD breeders but I am not sure of the names, hopefully they pm you soon.

Ibrahim

I checked some more for you

Silbersee        http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/breeders/5322.html

Eichenluft       http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/breeders/141.html

Nonacona60     http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/breeders/6009.html

Two moons, you can pm him

Sitasmom    http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/breeders/5913.html

Jenni78       http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/breeders/6047.html

Vianden       http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/breeders/2822.html

Another to consider is von Grunheide

One more

Sue B              http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/breeders/3230.html

But I am not sure SueB is in the States or Britain.

Ibrahim

I went on that breeders site and found a bunch of breeders that looked like BYB operations and did not find any of the known reputable breeders in my area.

Anyway, if you like German show lines and black/red dogs I can personally recommend Alta-Tollhaus.  Julie is in Michigan but ships.  Many of her dogs are in California, Florida, all over.  I think one of my dog's littermates is in AZ or NM.  I have two dogs from her and do agility with both, among many other things (conformation [WDA and UKC], Schutzhund, dock diving, rally obedience, herding, Dog Sport, and now lure coursing and weight pull soon).  www.24kgsd.com

Also Carlos and Robin Huerta in Illinois.  They are extremely knowledgable.  I see their dogs a lot, very nice dogs and people.

Hi. Please see www.kraftwerkk9.com/

Wayne Curry is an awesome breeder with fantastic dogs. Two of his dogs went to the 2009 BSP. The first ever American bred dogs to participate.

     if you are in Arizona, and Prager is in Arizona, I suggest you go there first. Don't know him, but like what i have seen with him. I believe you will get what you bargain for.
     just my opinion....

Have to be honest - I just don't get this fascination/drive/impusle/determination to buy a dog off the internet ESPECIALLY when you are a newbie and don't know the players.

Since you have a year , may I suggest that you use that to educate yourself and that you start in your own backyard so you can get to see various dogs and types/lines of dogs and learn what will fit with you and your wishes.

Since you want to do agility that's a place to start. Attend as many agility trials as you can (AKC, UKC, ASCA, NADAC etc). Look for GSDs who are successfully competing. Talk to their owners/handlers, find out the traits they selected for, find out who they bought the dog from, find out how to find who has the top GSds in the sport are etc. Track down the breeders and talk to them ( leaving checkbook at home - always. Puppies are easy to sucker for and some "breeders' are better salesmen than breeders). A good breeder will have as many questions for you as you have for them.

Also go to breed or conformation shows and herding trials and schutzhund trials in your area. Get to know who the folks in the gsd community are and what they produce. You very well may find what you are looking for in your own backyard and gnerally that is safer than buying blind off the web. Visit dog clubs - GSD (AKC); Schutzhund, agility, obedience and herding clubs. Don't forget that often state and county fairs have dog shows or trials.

If you find a breeder you like and whose dogs you like - be willing to wait for that right puppy. Smaller breeders ( often very dedicated stewards of the breed) do not always have pups available but the wait can be worth it to get what you want.

Re price - it's always a good idea to know what your upper limit is but my suggestion is to keep it to yourself. A good obedience/ companion pup can often be bought for anywhere from $750 up especially if the breeder is most concerned with finding a great home. Also sometimes co-ownerships are available which can lower the cost of the dog. High cost does not equal a good dog.

When you do use the website for research (www.akc.org; www.offa.org ) do not rely on bald statements that the dog is xyz - trust but verify. Also when looking at kennel websites do not rely on general statements that their dogs have been police dogs, herding dogs, agility dogs, breed champions. Far too many "producers" make these blanket statements. Look for individual dogs produced listed with their name and titles ( wh/ can be checked thru the web and akc etc). Try putting the kennel name and agility or put in the individual dog's name into google and see what comes up. Understand what the various agility titles are so you know if they are boasting about a simple novice title or a highly trained highly competitive dog that as won at local, regional and national levels. I will try to find you an example and post a link if can.

Finally ask, ask, ask. Knowledge is your best protection and help in finding what you want. Good luck.