GSD type/breeder recommendations

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Possum

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Hi everyone,

My OH and I are looking to get a puppy in about a year's time, and since we have quite specific requirements and expect a waiting list I thought it might be a good idea to start looking for our ideal breeder now.

Coincidentally, both of us have dreamed of having a GSD since we were small so the breed choice isn't something we'd be willing to compromise on. We are also determined to get a puppy rather than a rescue, having had our hearts broken when we took on an older GSD from the RSPCA about 18 months ago. We had our dream dog for 10 months before losing him to CDRM. I know that getting a puppy doesn't give us a guarantee that we won't have to deal with arthritis, CDRM, GI problems or any of the other common breed issues but we want to give ourselves the best chance of avoiding them.

I know there are members on here with experience of the breed, and would really appreciate any advice on the type of shepherd that would suit our lifestyle.

So, about us:
We are looking to buy a house in the next year or so, would buy the house with a dog in mind so should have garden space and secure fencing.

I have grown up with my family's dogs, did training classes to advanced obedience and also agility with my mum's JRT so have experience in that sense. My OH lived abroad for a while in his early 20's and had a dog over there who was part-bred 'wild' breed and a bit of a handful!

Our only experience of having a dog as a couple was our dear GSD, who gave us experience of the massive separation anxiety issues that an abused rescue dog can come with!

We have a cat, who has the cat equivalent of cerebral palsy so can't jump high to get out of the way (although the RSPCA said he has lived with dogs). Obviously we would be careful in the first few weeks but a puppy that has been brought up with cats would be preferable.

In terms of exercise, early morning walks, trips out with the horses, long runs etc won't be a problem once he's mature.

If it did seem as though a working-type dog would be best for us then we would both be happy to learn something new if needed to keep him mentally stimulated.

We have no real preferences over colour/coat type. I personally don't like the white GSDs as much, but temperament, suitability for our lifestyle and health are far more important factors!

So...what sort of GSD should we be looking for? Can anyone recommend breeders with exemplary health records (by PM if necessary) and is there anything else we should know/be thinking of?

Sorry for the essay, thanks in advance for your help.
 
Possum said:
Our only experience of having a dog as a couple was our dear GSD, who gave us experience of the massive separation anxiety issues that an abused rescue dog can come with!
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Abused rescues don’t have exclusive rights – 2 of my GSD’s have had THE most severe separation anxiety despite all being bought as puppies and raised exactly the same. I’m talking destroyed house for circa 7 years until they mature; in fact scrub that, my 1st one still had his moments when he died at 11. If you get a wired one they are hard work for a long long time.

Sorry to hear about your previous experience, that’s real bad luck. I’d never make a recommendation but I think you’re doing absolutely the right thing by doing your homework well in advance.
 
Full marks for being prepared to do your research and being happy to wait for the right pup. If you haven't had a GSD before I wouldn't necessary recommend a working line dog, they can be quite full on. Any well bred GSD should be capable of turning their paw to most things, be it obedience, agility, flyball etc. What part of the country are you in, I might be able to recommend some breeders, and as cinnamontoast says CC will hopefully be able to make some suggestions.
 
Thanks for all the replies. We are in hertfordshire but would travel pretty much anywhere in the UK to get the right pup.

It does sound as if a show type would be more suitable as our first GSD pup but I do worry about the hip/sloped back issues (I know there are good show breeders out there but I'm not sure I have the knowledge to find them!).

I've seen some breeders saying they mix show and working lines, does this really give you a pup with the best of both?

Joelb-I agree I worded that badly, all I meant is that it was my first experience with severe SA, which had not really been on my radar before as my parents' dogs were all quite good in that respect.
 
**flexes fingers**

In your position, if you're not in a hurry, I'd go to some training clubs, shows and trials, see what kind of dog you like the look and character of, and go from there. What I would like isn't what you would like and isn't what someone else on the thread would like.
I can PM you a few links.
 
I can recommend Opalia German Shepherd Dogs in West Sussex - a few of my friends have dogs from her and they are fabulous. She breeds mainly show line but has one working line bitch too - I think she is repeating a litter next year from her - I have met a few pups from that litter - great temperaments and not 'extreme' in conformation. Google her website and you can find out more info.
 
Echo what CC said. I've had two GSDs from working lines and one from show lines.

The working dogs have been bold and brave and had no issues. The show line dog is a lovely chap but has taken a lot of discipline to be happy - he didn't understand how to play until he was 4 and I had to learn a lot to try and make his life enjoyable. However, the working line dogs are very high energy and very clever, and need a lot of exercise and a lot of things to occupy their minds.

Personally I'd choose working in future, I think it's more straightforward. But they're all different and it does depend on the dog!

I got my youngest from a breeder in Church Stretton and he's simply put the loveliest dog I've ever met. She's an excellent breeder, all of her pups were health tested, DNA, hip scored etc. PM if you'd like details.
 
s4sugar said:
Sorry but the kennel above breeds neither working nor show pups - just rather a lot of long coats.
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Forgive me - I thought the OP was asking for breeder recommendations? Just to clarify - the pedigree LINES are both working and show and OP wasn't fussed on coat length. Anyhow, her working line bitch IS worked and her show lines ARE shown (KC and SV regional breed shows).
 
Personally I go for show lines but a breeder who breeds for family temperament. Working lines can be a little bit full on for the average family setting but it depends on what you are looking for.

So sorry to hear about your boy, we lost a GSD to CDRM last March as well, it is a horrific disease. Have you heard that there is a gene identified for the disease? It does seem to be very prevalent in many lines so it's not clear how breeders can avoid it while encouraging other desirable characteristics and some vets are sceptical about it, but some breeders are testing for it. This breeder has a good summary of where things stand at the moment:
http://www.kesyragsd.co.uk/pge.php?page=21

I am in the same boat as you looking for a puppy and I am not 100% sure what I want from my breeder with respect to CDRM.
 
Thank you all so much, this is so helpful.

Tokiayla - I've tried to google the breeder you mentioned but can't seem to find any details, if I'm not being too cheeky could you possibly PM me a link? I'm definitely interested in finding out as much as I can do at the moment and will look into any recommendations.

Booboos - thanks for the link, sorry to hear about your loss, it really is a horrible condition. I was aware that some breeders are now gene testing for it, I guess it isn't that surprising that the reliability is a bit questionable given how new it is. The most reliable 'test' presumably would be to look at the prevalence of the disease in the specific lines of the puppy, but I guess this information would be nigh-on impossible to get hold of.
 
SadKen who is the breeder in Church Stretton? I am always being asked if I can recommend people locally and struggle to find ones who have good , health tested stock.
 
SadKen would you PM me details of the Church Stretton breeder please if you can’t put it on here? One of my boys is very close to the end so I will be shopping all too soon.
 
In fairness to Opalia their dogs are winning well in the longcoat classes at the WUSV (German style) regional events which are a lot more exacting than KC shows. Longcoats are now permissable in their own classes under SV rules, which I admit I still find it hard to get my head around...but there are some nice examples...the regional events insist on good hip and elbow scores, breed surveys and working qualifications in order for animals to attain the top honours. They also have a gun test and offlead gaiting in the open classes and a courage test in the working classes.

My workingline dog is a longcoat and while he is never going to be bred from, it doesn't stop him doing his job.
 
Possum said:
Booboos - thanks for the link, sorry to hear about your loss, it really is a horrible condition. I was aware that some breeders are now gene testing for it, I guess it isn't that surprising that the reliability is a bit questionable given how new it is. The most reliable 'test' presumably would be to look at the prevalence of the disease in the specific lines of the puppy, but I guess this information would be nigh-on impossible to get hold of.
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Thank you. He was only 10 which felt far too young and the way he gradualy stopped being able to run, walk, etc. was horrific - but I don't need to tell you that, sadly you know all about it.

I don't know if that would work 100% because the disease is quite difficult to diagnose and I would imagine some owners may not have the funds/inclination to diagnose. Some owners may also be confused between dysplasia type problems and neuro problems, plus they may not forward information about their dog's problems back to the breeder.
 
The breeder of my little one is Cedars Mount at Church Stretton, I think a google will bring it up.

She doesn't breed very often though and most pups are spoken for before they are born from repeat breedings. We hadn't had one from her before though. We pretty much had to interview for him! He was the last one, but I'd have picked him anyway.

Mum of mine was an New Zealand dog imported by the breeder, and dad was a schutzhund winner, full hip/elbow scoring and history all available. She breeds them to be with families. When I was looking, I found some lovely, robust looking Czech bred puppies which were very expensive, but I was concerned that they were more for a real working home where they'd be guarding and so on, and I wouldn't be able to give them enough stimulation. My young lad is smart enough to do agility or schutzhund (if they had it in my area) but he's a family dog at heart so suits us.

Here's a pic where he'd been digging in the bag of building sand in our back yard, because I think he's just lovely! he's very much still a puppy though, so he has a long way to go before he's a big boy.

attachment.php
 
Nice looking lad. You may have found, as have I, that there is a hard sell connected to the Czech dogs - which I don't personally think is warranted when you look at the other end of the scale - cheaper dogs from German or Dutch or Belgian breedings have got the same trial results or have also passed out as police or army dogs or made perfectly good pets and guardians, even if they may not look so physically imposing. Each to their own though!!
 
Margaret Nyrvana-Jones in Baldock has bred some lovely dogs, both working and show. Also the Hornsbys at Lakateamia at Methwold if you want real working line dogs. In my experience though some of the schutzhund only (as opposed to police and real life working lines) have very strong drives as they are bred for style and speed and sometimes don't have much common sense!
 
I've got so much to research and think about now, thank you all.

Sadken - your dog is absolutely stunning, thanks for sharing.
 
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