Finding The Right Breeder - Page 1

Hi, I have been having problems finding a German shepherd breeder that I like. I want a shepherd for companionship, someone to jog/hike with, etc. I've scoured the AKC's registered breeders and focus on the ones with the appropriate health screenings having been done and with parents that have placed in agility trials. However, when I see pictures of their adults, they all have crazily sloping backs. I realize that there's a position the dogs assume for show so, if the breeder had a video available, I would watch the video and it confirmed what I saw: the shepherds move with that frog-like gait that I have often seen in dog shows. Personally, I find that sloped back and accompanying gate to be "unnatural" for a dog and it bothers me. (No offense to those breeders, but it's just my personal preference).

Of course, I have also searched for working line german shepherd breeders and, while I have had some success in that their dogs seem to walk "normally," as I see it, their coats are almost all black or black and grey. While these dogs and their coats are beautiful, I have a strong preference for the standard black and tan/black and red coloring but I've only seen this in the dogs with the frog-like gait.

I just want a black and tan/black and red shepherd that has an acceptably "straight" back and walks like a dog and has normal/healthy ratings for their elbows and hips, as I believe attention to this is a good sign of responsible and healthy breeding to improve the breed as a whole.

Background on me: I've owned a German shepherd mix (straighter back and normal gait) and a rottweiler. It's true I've dreamed of owning a shepherd since I was a little girl but I have spent my years since then evaluating whether or not such a strong, intelligent breed would be a good fit for me and if I would have the time and means to properly raise one.

Anyway, thank you for your time and I would deeply appreciate any feedback or suggestions on breeders or simply more insight into the breed.

Does it have to be a pup? I know of a nice black and tan female in FL. Reasonably priced, but I want to say she is two years old. She is all working line and a nice little female. 

Thank you for replying! And I have no problem with getting an older dog. Also, since I live in Florida, that's perfect. :) 

However, sorry if my first post was misleading, but I am not focused on getting a German shepherd so soon (I'm almost done with college and I want to focus on that, despite the fact that I have thousands set aside for when I eventually do seek to get a shepherd).

The reason I was asking for a breeder was so that I can research them and have them on record for the future when I am ready for one. 

Sequoyah German Shepherds. 

From what you are describing, it sounds like you want a workingline dog. The best place to find them is not by looking at agility dogs, but by IPO/schutzhund breeders, which is where most of the agility dogs, like mine, come from. Many of these dogs are black or sable, but black and tan is very common. The black and reds are usually showlines and have the rear ends that you don't like.

You might want to check out www.mathausen.com  These are black and red dogs out of herding lines.  They are not as extreme in type like what you have discribed.  I don't win in the show ring but the dogs do very well in IPO, AKC obedience, and Agility.  

Cheryl

Thank you all very much for your feedback! I will be sure to look into the breeders and fields you have suggested. :)

http://www.aceofnike.com/aboutcharliemeszaros.html

 i have a 18 month old, we are thinking of selling to the right pet home that can give this girl a job, she needs it  and the people that have her now, are not going to keep her, she is a SL black/red long coat. located in indiana.we will only place her in the right home. she does have the straiter back.

www.gsdnet.org