Off to visit a GSD breeder!

[Jinx94]

The last year or so has been one of massive change and I'm now on a very even keel and soon to be moving into my new house!!

I reached out to a few breeders and explained my set up and of the 7 that got back to me, 5 have automatically offered me a place on a waiting list despite me saying nothing about previous experience or what I intend to do with the dog. I found it a little off putting if I'm honest..

However, one sent me back a fantastic reply wanting to make sure that I understood the needs of the dog and said that they would want me to visit, meet them and their dogs and see the dogs working to make sure that I'm making the right decision and that I'm someone they would want to sell to. So I should be visiting within the next two weeks!

I *think* that I'm confident about the questions that I would like to ask, but is there anything that you wish you had asked?

At the earliest, pups will arrive in November, so I have plenty of time to make sure that I'm ready and I'm not shy about holding my hands up and saying that I should wait for the next litter, if that's what's best.

Struggling to contain the excitement though!!

 

[CorvusCorax]

Yay! Who is it? PM preferred.

I'd make sure to ask all the boring questions about health and ask to see proof of tests going back over then generations. If they are as sound as they seem, they won't mind at all!

 

[JumpTheMoon1]

I would not give money to greedy dealers.Rescue dogs are always the best.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I would not give money to greedy dealers.Rescue dogs are always the best.

Good job it's not your money then maybe try and read the post again, because that's not what the OP was asking.

 

[Jinx94]

I would not give money to greedy dealers.Rescue dogs are always the best.

I wouldn't class these guys as greedy dealers, they tried to put me off!! ?

 

[Clodagh]

I wouldn't class these guys as greedy dealers, they tried to put me off!! ?

JTM is the current flacktard on here.

 

[Clodagh]

I’m excited for you! I know nothing of the breed but if you get an interview before you get a pup they are generally pups worth getting.

 

[CorvusCorax]

JTM is the current flacktard on here.

Yeah, I saw, clearly not much to do with their time. Maybe if they're that bored, they could try and find a rescue that can provide evidence of several generations of good health and temperament behind the dogs that they rehome.

 

[MurphysMinder]

As CC has said, ask lots of questions about health test several generations back, ask to see the paperwork or check KC names and you can have a look on KC health checker. Although if they have foreign health tests they may not show up on KC. Interact with all the dogs and see how they behave with you, if they have several generations even better, but don't be surprised if the proposed sire of the pups is not owned by them, the majority of breeders will use dogs from other kennels to improve their lines. Ask how the pups will be reared, if in a kennel will they have plenty of time in the house getting used to domestic appliances etc. Good luck with your visit, I'm envious, I was hoping to have a pup from a litter born this week but she had all males . There are quite a lot of pups around but I know what lines I want and am prepared to wait for the right one.

ETS. Being cheeky , perhaps you could pm me details in case it is a breeder I have missed on my search, thanks.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I would always go to reputable responsible breeders .Rescue dogs are not always the best, particularly if you want a well bred dog who is healthy and everything known from the start of its life
Remember, I usually insult everyone and everything, so never read my 1st post on any thread

Corrected again for you sweetie ?

 

[palo1]

I’m excited for you! I know nothing of the breed but if you get an interview before you get a pup they are generally pups worth getting.

Yes, this. I have to say I loved my interview with the breeder; she invested considerable time in meeting me, taking her dogs out with me and asking me questions I needed to be asked. Good luck!

 

[Moobli]

Very exciting! You must keep us updated

 

[Barton Bounty]

GSD are the only dogs that I am frightened of ?

 

[CorvusCorax]

Great stuff, that will be so helpful to the OP!

 

[Jinx94]

Great stuff, that will be so helpful to the OP!

Thanks CC, BB isn't the only one to have said that. My mum, having already asked me herself, asked my dad to persuade me to get any other breed She wants me to get a nice little terrier. I like terriers, but I don't think they're quite what I'm looking for!
I should add that I haven't lived with my parents for quite some time! My mum has always been nervous of anything that she considers to be wolf-like. It's all out of concern for me, especially as it wasn't that long ago that I was attacked by a dog (not a shepherd or shepherd type).

BB, a lot of people may be a bit intimidated by or wary of particular breeds, and that's okay, but I think it's always worth meeting some nice, polite examples if its it's possible. For me, it's not a specific breed, but I'm definitely on edge around dogs that I know can be unpredictably fear aggressive. I'd take a well trained "bitey" breed any day!!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Thanks CC, BB isn't the only one to have said that. My mum, having already asked me herself, asked my dad to persuade me to get any other breed She wants me to get a nice little terrier. I like terriers, but I don't think they're quite what I'm looking for!
I should add that I haven't lived with my parents for quite some time! My mum has always been nervous of anything that she considers to be wolf-like. It's all out of concern for me, especially as it wasn't that long ago that I was attacked by a dog (not a shepherd or shepherd type).

BB, a lot of people may be a bit intimidated by or wary of particular breeds, and that's okay, but I think it's always worth meeting some nice, polite examples if its it's possible. For me, it's not a specific breed, but I'm definitely on edge around dogs that I know can be unpredictably fear aggressive. I'd take a well trained "bitey" breed any day!!

I love them , the look etc , Im just wary lol ???

 

[Barton Bounty]

I love them , the look etc , Im just wary lol ???

Bizarre since i wouldnt even think twice in putting my face down to a bull terrier lol

 

[HappyHollyDays]

GSD’s are wonderful dogs, I’ve had two girls and they were both incredibly intelligent and the most loyal dogs in the world. Our last one used to sleep between us and the front door and tracked naturally with no training at all. It was purely instinct and although I would love another my house is just too small and I’m to old and knackered for all the walking they require.

 

[Barton Bounty]

GSD’s are wonderful dogs, I’ve had two girls and they were both incredibly intelligent and the most loyal dogs in the world. Our last one used to sleep between us and the front door and tracked naturally with no training at all. It was purely instinct and although I would love another my house is just too small and I’m to old and knackered for all the walking they require.

They are wonderful, my friend had two , now just one, they are so loving and snuggly but I cant get rid of that tiny amount of fear ?

 

[HappyHollyDays]

BB so many people find them scary but they aren’t. My last girl used to wrestle with my cats kittens, soft mouth, no aggression and she and Chester the one I kept were known as Joined at the Hip. He was devastated when she died as were we.

 

[Barton Bounty]

BB so many people find them scary but they aren’t. My last girl used to wrestle with my cats kittens, soft mouth, no aggression and she and Chester the one I kept were known as Joined at the Hip. He was devastated when she died as were we.

Friend across the road has a new one and she is a wee fluffball x

 

[skinnydipper]

Bizarre since i wouldnt even think twice in putting my face down to a bull terrier lol

You might want to rethink that approach with any breed, while your face is still intact.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Thank you for your input ??

 

[Dexter]

Thank you for your input ??

Its more useful than yours has been so far...

 

[Barton Bounty]

Its more useful than yours has been so far...

Thank you for yours too ? full
Moon indeed ??

 

[Ratface]

BB, I had the most wonderful GSD. She's been dead for ten years now, aged 13, but she was a dog who made friends everywhere.
I was interviewed by the breeder, the sire and the bitch, and my trainer was also interviewed. We were then shown the litter. I chose the one that was sitting watching her litter mates having a tug of war with a toy. When they dropped it and got involved in a squabble between themselves, she got up and retrieved it and didn't give it back. A hard stare encouraged them to find something else.
We were sent away, and told that the breeders would discuss my application and get back to me.
A week later, they did and they brought her over. Having inspected the living quarters, enquired how I intended feeding, exercising and training her and how long she would be left alone each day, (four hours maximum - reliable ex-police dog walkers available five days a week, and would go and fetch her if my working day leaked to evening/night) I was allowed to have her. They said that they would always have her back and refund my money if I couldn't keep her.
I kept them up to date with all the events she was successful at, and how her health was going. When she had to be pts, I rang them. They thanked me for giving her a good life, and said that they had given up breeding several years previously, as the people who were interested in their puppies weren't people who they felt were right for them.

 

[Barton Bounty]

BB, I had the most wonderful GSD. She's been dead for ten years now, aged 13, but she was a dog who made friends everywhere.
I was interviewed by the breeder, the sire and the bitch, and my trainer was also interviewed. We were then shown the litter. I chose the one that was sitting watching her litter mates having a tug of war with a toy. When they dropped it and got involved in a squabble between themselves, she got up and retrieved it and didn't give it back. A hard stare encouraged them to find something else.
We were sent away, and told that the breeders would discuss my application and get back to me.
A week later, they did and they brought her over. Having inspected the living quarters, enquired how I intended feeding, exercising and training her and how long she would be left alone each day, (four hours maximum - reliable ex-police dog walkers available five days a week, and would go and fetch her if my working day leaked to evening/night) I was allowed to have her. They said that they would always have her back and refund my money if I couldn't keep her.
I kept them up to date with all the events she was successful at, and how her health was going. When she had to be pts, I rang them. They thanked me for giving her a good life, and said that they had given up breeding several years previously, as the people who were interested in their puppies weren't people who they felt were right for them.

I think my fear came from a woman called alison who retrains police dogs , we were having a conversation outside a shop and i put my hand out flat to it and her one went for me, she was standing with it in public ??‍ She said oh im sorry shes not good with people yet! No shit sherlock ?

 

[TPO]

I think my fear came from a woman called alison who retrains police dogs , we were having a conversation outside a shop and i put my hand out flat to it and her one went for me, she was standing with it in public ??‍ She said oh im sorry shes not good with people yet! No shit sherlock ?

Something seriously amiss there because police dogs don't do that, exact opposite of their training. The head dog trainer for Central Scotland police worked with my mum back in the day and they trained together for working trials. As a kid I spent many a weekend in a field with police dogs, current and ex.

GSD isn't the breed for me but when well bred and trained they are a delight and I love watching them work.

I had a phone interview, interview in a cafe and then allowed to the kennels to meet the pups when looking to buy my dog. The breeder was very stringent!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Something seriously amiss there because police dogs don't do that, exact opposite of their training. The head dog trainer for Central Scotland police worked with my mum back in the day and they trained together for working trials. As a kid I spent many a weekend in a field with police dogs, current and ex.

GSD isn't the breed for me but when well bred and trained they are a delight and I love watching them work.

I had a phone interview, interview in a cafe and then allowed to the kennels to meet the pups when looking to buy my dog. The breeder was very stringent!

Tbh the lady is a bit nutty so she probably fed off her crazy energy, it just gave me a fright ?

 

[CorvusCorax]

Yep, it was definitely Alison's energy ?

Not sure why your post is bringing out the very best in people Jinx, but best of luck and PM me any time!