German Shepard pups

[snake]

I'm looking for information, or where to find it on aquiring a German Shepard pup. I'll be a "house" dog, but will have plenty of dirt outside to play. A large dog is fine, in fact the bigger the better, since it will be my "eyes and ears" for security.

Thanks

[rivahmom]

This guy is the authority of german shepard protection dogs. Good luck in your search. www.leerburg.com

[EarthMama]

I'm looking for information, or where to find it on aquiring a German Shepard pup. I'll be a "house" dog, but will have plenty of dirt outside to play. A large dog is fine, in fact the bigger the better, since it will be my "eyes and ears" for security.

Thanks

Google for a german shepard rescue group in your area, snake. You will be able to get a purebred shepard at a greatly reduced cost than buying from a breeder... and you'll be saving a life at the same time.

It's a win-win situation. ;D

[snake]

rivahmom & EarthMama....

I thank you both for the information. It gave me a good starting point.
I looked at the adoption site. Nothing close to me...but if they had the right dog, it wouldn't be too much of a trip.

Thanks again! :)

[EarthMama]

rivahmom & EarthMama....

I thank you both for the information. It gave me a good starting point.
I looked at the adoption site. Nothing close to me...but if they had the right dog, it wouldn't be too much of a trip.

Thanks again! :)

Snake, a lot of rescue groups are willing to do a "relay" to get the perfect dog to its new perfect owner. :) So if it's too far for one person to travel, they just "relay" the dog until the dog gets closer to you.

It's worth emailing a german shepard rescue group and chat with them awhile.

Good luck and I hope you find your furry companion real soon.

[EarthMama]

*Hello- *I have 6 female AKC german shepherds that are turning 7 wks old tomorrow. * They are beautiful blk & tan girls. * * www.myspace.com/Guestshepherds *
* * I am located in Mo. but can fly her to anywhere in the USA. *

You're willing to fly your puppies to buyers you've never met? And who haven't met you?

Most reputable breeders won't do that. They care too much about where their puppies are going... and to whom.

:-[

[harvester]

Most UNreputable breeders do not take the time to put up such an extensive website. Nor do they offer garantees on their puppies, Nor do they sell puppies with vaccinations, Nor do they advertise "parrents on premisis" which is a full offer for people to witness their breeding facility. Shipping puppies is not an easy task these days, there are alot of requirements demanded of the airlines for the safe shipping of HEALTHY puppies. NONreputable breeders seldom offer shipping on puppies due to the requirements involved. We shipped dogs all the way from the state of montana to the east coast. It took us two weeks to complete the requirements for each dog.
Nice site Guest! And the duckling photos were adorable!

[EarthMama]

*Anybody who pays 500(& up) for a puppy, PLUS 300 for shipping- is going to give that pup a good home. *

WOW!! :o

How scary for a "breeder" to be so naive.

[harvester]

I highly doubt anyone who wasnt serious about having one of her puppies would spend 800 bucks just to have a kicking dog that they could get for free from an unreputable breeder.
Isnt it funny how people think they really know another persons character and life simply off a posting on a blog? Theres naivety for ya!

[snake]

Well.... I appreciate all the points of view. 8) I'm still lookin'. I've got to take my time on this. It's a life changing decision for the pup.

[Saoirse]

My hound and shepherd mix is the best dog I ever had. Loyal and intelligent, he was easy to train. I paid $10 for him at a farm house. (The lady wanted some sort of assurance that her pups were going to a good home.)

[macgeoghagen]

you can adopt a retired military work dog. website uswardogs.org

[leera]

I would start with petfinder.org

From there you will be able to find several breed specific rescue groups.

If you're wanting to spend the money on a pup,shop around.Do your research first,get to know the breed you think you want.Do you really want a German Shepherd or is it really a Beglian Malinois that you want for a guard dog...etc,etc.....Perhaps it turns out you want a Rott or a Dobie instead.


Look for a breeder who has been around a long time,not just a couple of years breeding pups in the backyard.

When you visit the kennel,the owner SHOULD ask you if you've been to any other kennels that day(for health protection of his dogs and litters to young to vaccinate).
The kennel should be neat and clean,the dogs should all appear happy and healthy.

The owner should be able to provide the answers to anything you ask from show records to vet records and the history of the bloodline he's breeding.A well bred pup is worth it's weight in gold,no matter what the breed.

German Shepherds are my all time favorite breed too.

[panzer426]

First off, you will never find a reputable breeder of German Shepards...simply because no such breed exists and only back yard breeders who obviously don't know enough about the breed to BE breeding them call them by that name.

Try searching breed rescue and adoption centers in your area, then breeders, but look for German ShepHERDS.

Before you even contact a breeder, talk to German Shepherd rescue groups and training clubs about the breed and learn everything you can...not just about the breed, but about the different bloodlines (some are suited to little more than family pet that MIGHT bark at intruders; some are neurotic headcases that cannot be trained, are dangerous and unhealthy; some are good pets but so inbred/poorly bred that they have severe health issues; some are great working dogs but make terrible pets for any but the most experienced handlers; there are many different types of GSD bloodline/breeder and you need to find what type you want before you evn start talking to breeders).

To find a working GSD club in your area where you can speak with several owners, trainers and handlers go to http://www.germanshepherddog.com/ Even if you have absolutely no interest in training/competing in Schutzhund, you wll learn more than oyu can imagine about how to select a reputable breeder, how to decide which GSD breed type is right for you, and how to select the right pup/dog for you...this information is equally applicable to selecting a German Shepherd Dog from a rescue/shelter.

[snake]

panzer426.......

Wow....I DO appreciate the info. Didn't even think of the literal spelling application. Went to the link you provided....looks like I have a little more research to do!

Thanks again! Bill

[gardenfay]

snake:

just wanted to say that although i usually go for mixed breed dogs, my own personal preference is a puppy that will bond with me and mine - not a grown dog that may never really bond with us and may have problems i have no way of knowing about.

also, i prefer a female to a male - i believe females to be more territorial and more protective.

hope it goes well

gf

[EarthMama]

First off, you will never find a reputable breeder of German Shepards...simply because no such breed exists and only back yard breeders who obviously don't know enough about the breed to BE breeding them call them by that name. *

Try searching breed rescue and adoption centers in your area, then breeders, but look for German ShepHERDS.

The correct AKC name for this breed of animal is "German Shepherd Dog". Reputable breeders call them by such.

[EarthMama]

snake:

just wanted to say that although i usually go for mixed breed dogs, my own personal preference is a puppy that will bond with me and mine - not a grown dog that may never really bond with us and may have problems i have no way of knowing about.

also, i prefer a female to a male - i believe females to be more territorial and more protective.

hope it goes well

gf

Reputable rescue groups spend time with their rescues in foster homes first, so that you are able to actually talk to people who have lived with the animal. Also, some rescue groups have their rescues temperament tested. That's always nice too.

Most foster homes have a menagerie of other animals in the household too... so your potential pet will have been exposed to other dogs & cats & possible kids & everything else. You'll be told up-front what your potential pet gets along with and what he/she doesn't. It's a GREAT way to be assured of what you're getting. Even with puppies, there's no guarantee of temperament.

Our male dog was vastly more protective and territorial than our female... so the idea that females are more protective and territorial doesn't hold true with all dogs. Just depends on the animal.

[Vinland]

Just go to a shelter. There are thousands of dogs and cats who die everyday in them because of piss poor breeders and their 'responsible selling'. I bet you can find what you want if you visit a few animal shelters *:) Other options are breed specific rescue's that are a great cause in themselves. Good luck!!

[momma_to_seven_chi]

Well.... I appreciate all the points of view. 8) *I'm still lookin'. *I've got to take my time on this. *It's a life changing decision for the pup.


I am going to say something that will anger some of the "rescue" people here, but it is the truth. *Buy the dog. *Buy him from a non-commercial breeder. *You will get a better quality animal with a much better temperament and fewer social/mental/behavioral issues. Small breeders live on the quality of the animals they sell. They love their animals. *Commercial breeders are more likely to see them as livestock where production numbers are more important than health and temperament.

If you are not looking for a show dog, then just buy a pet from a good quality line of a small breeder. Dogs who end up in shelters are there for a reason. *Many have not been loved. *They have not been well taken care of, nor have they been trained correctly. *A huge majority of them are there due to either health or behavioral issues. The quality of dog you get will be the best from a small breeder with less than six or eight breeding females of the GSD breed. Make sure the dogs have good medical care, and are well taken care of from any breeder you choose.

If your goal is to "save" a dog, then a shelter is great. *I have had six from shelters over the last 40yrs. My favorite dog of all time was a rescue mutt golden/lab/whatever mix. I loved them all, but they all had issues of one type or another.*If your goal is to have a quality animal, then get it from a private breeder. There is a huge difference in just getting a pet in order to "save it" and getting a dog for a purpose. If you want a dog for a purpose, then you want quality. And in the vast majority of cases, shelter dogs will not be quality animals for a specific purpose. You do get what you pay for, and the quality animal will be more likely to come from a good breeder.
Good luck.