Looking for a reputable GSD breeder

T

The Original Kao

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preferably with puppies to go to homes soon, and also preferably in Scotland.
Not for me btw :D
Got talking to a lady on facebook.....as you do :p and she's looking for a female GSD puppy and yay she's really fussy about who she buys from. She wants a healthy puppy that will hopefully grow to be an old dog with no physical problems. There was no mention that they must have big paws ;)
So I thought I'd help her in her search by asking you lot :D
 
Any particular part of Scotland? There are some good breeders up there you are lucky, I am sure CC and I will be able to give you some names. Shame she doesn't want big paws but never mind, does she have any particular plans for the puppy, e.g. obedience, agility etc.?
 
She's in Central Scotland MM, but she's willing to travel, would prefer to get the pup as close to home of course.
As far as I know, she just wants a family pet. She grew up with a GSD and loves the breed.
Thanks :)
 
There are GSD rescues in most counties.. ours came from Devon and Cornwall GSD rescue. They often have puppies too... If she wants it to have a low risk of health problems a GSD cross would be likely to improve the chances of this - and extend it's life expectancy.
 
Polotash said:
There are GSD rescues in most counties.. ours came from Devon and Cornwall GSD rescue. They often have puppies too... If she wants it to have a low risk of health problems a GSD cross would be likely to improve the chances of this - and extend it's life expectancy.
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Why do you say this?
A well bred GSD is less likely to have health problems than a random cross breed.
 
Polotash, if she wants a GSD with a lower risk of health problems she should invest in a pup from several generations of health tested parents from a reputable breeder :)
It is not a failsafe but at least you can go back to the breeder for recompence/inform them and they can stop the line/or avoid those lines in future.

Outcrossing or crossbreeding does not automatically prevent health problems, a GSD with HD mated to a lab with HD will most likely produce puppies which will later develop HD.
Breeding from dogs with unknown lineage does not prevent health problems.

All our GSDs have lived to old age (my first bitch was 14 when she died, her hip score was 0:0) all have come from health tested stock :) and none suffered from any of the hereditary illnesses in the breed because we knew what lines to look for.

Oh and BIGGSD/GSD Vigil is another good charity for rescue dogs :)
 
I knew you would be quicker off the mark than me with breeders CC. :p
Polotash, I would be the first to suggest someone tries rescue for a GSD but would totally disagree that there is less chance of health problems for the reasons given above. There is also a fair chance that puppies either rescued at an early age or born to a rescued bitch are less likely to have had the best start in life, either in correct feeding for the bitch or in the case of pups handed in socialisation etc.Agree that BigGSD/Vigil are good rescues, and as well as UK German shepherd rescue there is also http://www.germanshepherdrescue.co.uk/, which is a totally different group, sadly politics and in fighting doesn't just happen in the horse world:rolleyes:.
 
Oh and before anybody accuses me of having an agenda, I don't breed, I don't show, I don't have a stud dog and we have not bought a pup direct from a breeder since the late 1980s. I just think puppy buyers, if they must have a pup, should go to the people who do things right and in the interest of the breed as a whole, not their own pockets :)
If you don't mind having a dog of unknown parentage, with no health tests on the parents, don't pay someone for it, rescue, there are plenty out there.
 
Polotash said:
There are GSD rescues in most counties.. ours came from Devon and Cornwall GSD rescue. They often have puppies too... If she wants it to have a low risk of health problems a GSD cross would be likely to improve the chances of this - and extend it's life expectancy.
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Myth. What if the parents both have breed related health issue eg HD? Bit of a sweeping statement.

s4sugar said:
Why do you say this?
A well bred GSD is less likely to have health problems than a random cross breed.
Click to expand...

*Like* and what CC says. Go for a health tested well bred pup with several generations of good breeding.
 
s4sugar said:
Why do you say this?
A well bred GSD is less likely to have health problems than a random cross breed.
Click to expand...

Not according to any vet I know.

Yes, I've got two GSDs to 14 before, but I've also lost 2 at 9, and their average lifespan is more like 10.

I'm not saying of course that every cross breed is healthier, if you look at my post I say it's more likely to be... of course if you cross two breeds with hip/ eye/ heart etc problems you increase the chances of this occuring.

So, not me making the sweeping statements!
 
Polotash said:
Not according to any vet I know.

Yes, I've got two GSDs to 14 before, but I've also lost 2 at 9, and their average lifespan is more like 10.

I'm not saying of course that every cross breed is healthier, if you look at my post I say it's more likely to be... of course if you cross two breeds with hip/ eye/ heart etc problems you increase the chances of this occuring.

So, not me making the sweeping statements!
Click to expand...

How is it more likely to be? People who crossbreed deliberately more than likely don't have the relevant health checks done, doesn't make the crossbreed more healthy it just means the health problems haven't surfaced.

If you breed two purebred GSDs that have been health tested and a GSD with a Collie for example and they too had been health tested, then you'll get in theory two equally healthy litters.
 
Do the vets you know, know the exact breeding of the dogs they treat?

Nine and ten are not terrible ages for a GSD to die, the average age is more like 10-12, our last bitch died at ten from a non-hereditary liver/spleen issue, a lot of people on this board have lost dogs of all sorts of breeds in similar circumstances and no one is saying their breed is less healthy?
They are not terriers or collies, bigger breeds do not live as long as smaller ones.
Yes there are a lot of health problems but that is an issue in any numerically large breed which has fallen victim to irresponsible breeding.

There always has been a large (and now growing) progressive GSD fraternity in the UK that do their own health testing and showing under international rules and regulations (the KC are not as tight as they could be over health test results for breeding stock), if puppy buyers do their research and reward those who are doing things right, it can only help the breed :)
 
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Health tests or no, the lady (I assume!) is looking for a GSD, not a mongrel, so why would she want a crossbreed?
 
Very good point Clodagh.:p I have to say I have been lucky in always dealing with enlightened vets who would recommend people to buy pups from reputable breeders with hip , and more latterly elbow, scored parents as well as any other required tests, and of course those with sound temperaments. Or if they want to rescue to go to a reputable rescue that provides back up throughout the rest of the dogs life.
The only GSDs I have lost at under 10 have been due to non hereditary problems such as cancer, the last 3 I have lost have been 14, 12 and 2 months short of 11.
 
Clodagh said:
Health tests or no, the lady (I assume!) is looking for a GSD, not a mongrel, so why would she want a crossbreed?
Click to expand...

^^this and in reference to the rescues, I'm not sure she'd qualify as she has a young child and I know a lot of rescues are funny about re homing to families with young kids.
Thanks all for the replies :D
 
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