The adoption process begins, evaluating DDR pups. - Page 1

Great site, 1st post and it's going to be a long one.. :)  I hope to become a contributing member here so perhaps a little about me before my question(s).

I'm 50 with 4 kids, own a home with large yard in NH.  I've adopted many different dogs over the years, upon purchasing a home 15yrs ago adopted a Bouvier Des Flandres "Shadow" who ended up having every feared health issue along with lack of confidence and nerve. Looking back I realize I was stupid, over trusting, and the breeder took full advantage; and placed the runt of the litter with me; hoping Shadow might be the "Ugly Duckly"; and blossom into a true Bouv.. He passed from Bloat, and I went back to adopting hard case dogs from the pound. "Bubbadoostan" aka Tuck; is my  yellow lab who's loosing a battle with cancer and I'm ready to adopt perhaps my last large dog; and once again considering a working dog. I work at home, I hike, camp, x-country ski; boat, etc, every week. I bring my dogs everywhere and therefore have self schooled myself on pack behavior and obedience. My dogs are known for being "amazingly trained"; the honest truth is... most folks don't have a clue and my dogs are simply trained to be trusted partners in public. Ok.. enough of that.

Last weekend we were walking our dogs on a wonderful free-run beach on CapeAnn Mass; and came across everything I've looked for in a dog..  He was simply amazing in every aspect: Body and soul... Temperment, Focus, Medium build, Not dog aggressive, playful yet no overly so. I struck up a conversation and secured the breeders name. It's been a week and I've consumed everything I could find regarding DDR's. This will be my next adoption.

 Shadow broke my heart, as I'm not one to "get rid of the dog" once I've adopted it. As a single Dad of 4 kids, I simply can not layout the cash these wonderful DDR's are worth. Therefore I will be submitting myself as a Foster Parent. I have a way with Dogs and confident I'll be graded as a wonderful Forster Parent by any experience Breeder (they know who's who).

To the question; I have ZERO experience evaluating puppies as I usually adopt mature dogs. Sure, I have the "list" in my head of behavioral characteristics to look for; but I"m not purchasing and therefore not able to choose the "middle" pup and could use some help with how to not to fall into the trap of being so hungry for a DDR, I'll once again end up with a high-risk pup.

Are there specific DDR traights exhibited, or "tests" I should look for/do; during the typical placement age that would protect me from ending up with.. another sad story.

For example; should I use the BioSensor exercizes and what outcome should be expected.

Am I being too worried about this? If I'm able to spend time wth both parents and they are obviously sound in all aspects, is even the runt of the litter a fantastic dog (Shadow from the 1st litter where two different bloodlines were mixed. I have no idea how important that was).

Thanks for listening.
Paul

What do you want the dog for?
Who is the breeder?

WHEN MY GIRLFRIEND KISSES ME HER LIPS TASTE JUST LIKE THE BISCUITS AND HONEY AT KFC.

Better than your best friend's uh... nevermind.

I have no interest/time in breeding. He/she will be a member of the family.
thanks.

So, you aren't planning on Schutzhund/Ring Sport or PPD with the dog?

I'd have a LONG conversation with the breeder, and listen to his/her recommendations.
Explain you want a lower drive, pet quality dog.  They'll be happy to oblige.

Thanks Alyssa. I'd love to compete, but I've learned over time not to overcommit and with two younger children in competitive travel soccer... I don't realistically foresee carving enough hours per week.
-paul

... nevermind.  I have a more pressing question.

Hi Paul,
  You sound like you are ready to do your homework.
 Just make sure you can meet the parents, most breeders that love their dogs and take good care of them, are happy to
show them off & brag about them.
  Make sure the parents have been health screened for the diseases and ailments that the GSD is prone to.
  I have a man that wants to visit my girl Sam before she has her pups, and things keep poping up, we make
 plans to meet & then they fall through for one reason or another, he has already met relatives at another kennel,
 and loved their temperaments, they were just the wrong color he was looking for.
    I kinda feel bad for him cause he doesn't want me to put him on my list unless he has met the mom, and I tell him if
 he doesn't like what he sees, I'll just take him off the list, the list has gotten really long to my surprise, and everyone wants a male pup.  
            At least you know what type of GSD you like, I think the DDR dogs are really something special, lots of brains,
 and they are thick & compact in size.
     There can be certain things that run in some bloodlines that don't pop up in others, ask the breeder if you can contact 
 people that have already purchased pups from them, then you can hear it from the horse's mouth
  When people visit me to see pups, all my pups come running, no one is shy, no one is overly protective, they mostly
 follow me around cause after awhile I become their mom, I think you should look for the outgoing litter of pups, cause
 if there are some shy quirky pups in a litter, who's to say it's not a trait that will come out after awhile in the other pups.

        Have fun with your new DDR Dog!
                                 Paula