Looking for Breeder - Page 1

So I'm relatively new to German Shepherds and have been doing a lot of research over the last 5 months or so. I'm looking for a puppy Schutzhund/PPD prospect around the end of summer/fall of this year. Hoping to get into Schutzhund competitively and have seen a lot of WGWL recommendations, though with my inexperienced eye I do not see much difference between the WGWL/DDR/Czech lines. Is there any noticeable difference between the lines that I should be aware of? Are WGWL really 'smarter' then Czech/DDR? And are there any breeders you would recommend I look into?

Yes, on average, West lines have an IQ of 74, while Czech are around 73 and DDR are at 72.8. I once saw a west german lined dog scrape the Jelly off a PB&J sandwich with a DDR dogs collar because he knew that grapes were poisonous to a dog.

Myles, you're going to find differences even inside of each line. Keep doing the research, go out and watch dogs work and figure out what you like.

My advice is simple. I still look for dog outside of the country. The ones I like are overpriced and still mostly out of Imports so I go to my friends and I find a dog there (home in Czech or Slovakia).
breeders that will be recommended to you by some forum members are in most part ok but truthfully, the breeders you want to go to breed to keep back, to work for their own program and to analyze and even admit..that some breeding was a little less than expected. The breeders you want to go to, have MOST of the progeny placed in working homes, not pet homes. The breeder you want has hands on the dogs he/she breeds and will tell you from their own experience that this dog is lacking in some aspects but can be worked and built up. These breeders are rare, so please look carefully, ask them how they know the potential of the puppies they bred is what they say it is.
If you want a pet.. go ahead, and buy whatever you want, from whoever you want. If you really want a PPS, PSA, or a good level competition dog... first, go to trials and TALK to people who are handling such dogs (not local trials but big trials)... not only in a trial but also in training. Also remember you need a helper, and a watcher/trainer to get where you need to go..so find such competitors if you are serious and spend a little time with them..like few months and then you will be talking a different game and you will not need to come here and ask..

Good luck, happy searching and if you have any questions as who those people are..ask!!!

Well, I like some of the things pack states, but what kind of dog do you think someone overseas will ship to someone new? Like Pack said, most of their dogs go to working homes.

I like what you suggest GSDPack, short of going overseas. And I have been meeting dogs/trainers, but the GSD world is huge and I can't just drop what I'm doing to go to a big Schutzhund show... so I was hoping to get some more input. Thanks for the great advice though.

Yah, but if you show a potencial, interest and meet people, they will look for the dog for you! Try Deb Zappia for German lines, Mike Diehl for Czech lines..
This is to start with. I am not sure where you are so it is really hard to suggest someone. These two are more than willing to help in both ways, training and breedings.