Need Opinions and Advice - Page 1

I am looking for a puppy. I haven't had a German shepherd since I was young well 6 so 22 yrs ago. I've had pit bulls the last 20 yrs (not the game dogs / fight dogs or the big lumpy ones that looks like a bodybuilder got drunk an f**cked a dog out popped a puppy) pulling stock. which I love the breed but ill never own another because it'll never be a good as my last one that pasted away this yr. I have been looking for a German shepherd puppy. I don't want an adult I want to train it and deal with the good thing and the bad thing of raising a puppy I feel like it would build a better bond with it. but I have no ideal where to start I feel like I'm very green even though I have be researching everything I can when it comes to the aspects like prey, fight, hunt drive, civil, defense & etc. I know what these things are that not why I'm on here. I'm here to put my pride aside because I know what I want and what I can handle are to different things because I don't want to bite off more then I cant chew and get to much of a dog would not be fair to the dog. so ill tell you a little bit about myself then you all can let me know what you think would suit me best.

I'm not married nor do I have any kids that have come knocking on my door yet but I do have a 2 yr niece that visits often. I live way out in BFE on 78 acres of mostly woods and hill. I have chickens and goats. I work 4 hrs 3 days a week so I have a lot of free time to enjoy all there is to enjoy

I have trained all my dogs in the basics and some not so basic (like grab a beer out the refrigerator and close the door and antler shed hunt) I've never done or trained a dog for a dog sports like Schutzhund or stuff like that but I would love and willing to try it out if the dog shows interest in it. This dog will be with me more then 70% of the day. I've been leaning toward working lines I don't need some show dog. when this dog gets old enough it'll be out in the pasture protecting me from getting raped by Billy goats and tasked with protecting my estate

I'm sure ill come up with more later but at this time I'm tired of typing so this is where I ask for everyone's advice and opinions what would be a fit for me. Thanks in advance

AND IM ASKING FOR OPINIONS AND ADVICE SO DONT BE GETTING UPSET IF YOU DONT AGREE WITH WHAT SOME HAS TO SAY ON HERE BECAUSE OPINIONS ARE LIKE ASSHOLES EVERYONE HAS ONE AND I WANT TO HEAR THEM ALL

Find out where your nearest GSD/IPO Training Club is,
go and meet the dogs and talk to people. Don't be in too
much of a hurry to buy the first puppy you are offered, or
see advertised. Learn a bit about the breed first; fill the
gaps in your knowledge you admit to. Do your 'homework';
search on PDB for any breeder you want to go and look at,
and be prepared to say "No" if a breeder or puppy does not
strike you as healthy or well-reared or in any other way
not genuine. (People who buy dogs to get them out of a
situation they don't like just make room for the next !) If
you want a pup with papers, be aware that some registrations
are delayed sometimes, if the parents involve imports. But
find out in advance what you want to see in the way of health
test results, and make sure you see them. If not, walk away.
You'll probably save yourself a world of problems if you do
this carefully and patiently. Best of luck in finding what you
want.

Find local club.
Are you willing to travel to get a puppy? If not, where are you located? Others on here may be able to recommend someone nearby.
Good luck!

While I think visiting clubs is a great way to get interested and learn about IPO, I don't necessarily think it's always a great way to learn where to buy a puppy. I think it depends on the club, not all clubs have knowledgeable breeding experts.

As a new person you don't always understand what you're looking at, what's good/bad training, and what is a good/mediocre dog. Good nerve and balanced drives should get you a dog that fulfills your needs for training and a companion. Beware of extreme anything for your first experience. Take your time finding a good mentor, that's usually the key to finding a good dog/puppy when you don't know where to start.

Im really not sure if there is a club with in 2 hrs of my location.. Im located in south central illinois about 20 miles south of effingham... yes I'm willing to travel to get a puppy but would rather keep it with in 4 hrs or 300 miles or so one way

I agree 100% with this : " While I think visiting clubs is a great way to get interested and learn about IPO, I don't necessarily think it's always a great way to learn where to buy a puppy. I think it depends on the club, not all clubs have knowledgeable breeding experts. "

Clee27 said it a lot nicer than I would have.

Sounds like you would get along best with a working line gsd. One bit of advice from me; watch out for the sale pitches for 'old tymie big bone' , and 'original Czech border patrol', and 'old tymie DDR', you know what I mean....the hype that goes along with sellers who want to grab your attention and take your money but don't have anything special or unique.
Good luck and have a blast with your future 'lucky dog'. Sounds like dog heaven with you:-)

Some of the club IPO people and club IPO dogs will make you want to puke with their BS. Some of the IPO dogs are fine and level headed while others are like living with a hand grenade under your pillow. Some competition dogs "do" before they think which makes them difficult to live with as you must continuously think for them. You want a dog that has a mind of it's own and that can control it's emotions. A dog that doesn't go off before thinking. Much of IPO is like figure skating .. patterned, precise, and pretty to watch but not all that useful in everyday life. The IPO dogs do the same exercises in the same way on a similar field day after day until it becomes memorized and burned into their memory. You want a dog that can adapt and think for itself in real time.

Good post, bubba...

Sent you a pm.

Actually I agree with what has been said about Training
Clubs, to some extent; but it is a start. All very well telling
the OP to get a good Mentor - but they have to be found,
first. This was general purpose advice geared to the US
'scene'; if the OP was in the UK I would have suggested
other approaches ! The important bit was: "meet the
dogs and talk to people"; this guy's been keeping & training
Pits for years, he may be a Shepherd virgin but he's clearly
not a dog novice ... Merry Xmas, everyone.