Dog Community

Breeder Recommendations?

Posted : 12/15/2006 1:57:08 PM

My brother and sister in law just lost their 13 yr old GSD, who was the light of thier lives. He was plagued with health problems from the beginning. Hip dysplasia at 18 months, eventual hip replacement, knee replacement, etc.
They are interested in obtaining another GSD puppy (I already gave them the shelter dog talk, but this is what they have their hearts set on).
They are willing to pay whatever it takes to get a healthy dog. Does anyone have any breeder recommendations? They are located in Maine, but willing to travel to get the right dog.
My next step will be do to some online research for promising breeders. Please feel free to PM me or email me. Thanks in advance.

Xerxes

Posted : 12/15/2006 2:02:40 PM

I would consult with your local GSD rescue. This time of year and in the coming months they will probably have scads of pups needing homes. And when I say "pups" I mean just that. One of my friends runs a GSD rescue and she's amazed at how many pups under 6 months they get.

angelabarry

Posted : 12/15/2006 2:29:49 PM

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm not even sur if there IS a GSD rescue around here, but I will check into it.

[linkhttp://www.gsdca.org/Noframes/connary.html]http://www.gsdca.org/Noframes/connary.html[/link]

Does anyone have any thoughts on this breeder? Looks like they do health testing.....

Xebby

Posted : 12/15/2006 2:40:13 PM

That dog certainly has passed all the test and has been proven without a dought. You can even look up the dog on the OFA website and check it out yourself. I would contact the breed with a list of questions ready and ask away. If you're comfortable with the breeder then that's your first step.

Check out the breeder main website to get a better idea:
[linkhttp://www.selectshepherds.com/]http://www.selectshepherds.com/[/link]

cyclefiend2000

Posted : 12/15/2006 3:06:14 PM

if your brother is interested in adopting a rescue dog or puppy this might be a good place to start looking....
http://www.gsrne.org/

it is the gsd rescue for new england. like xerxes mentioned rescues have puppies come in fairly regularly. i have seen everything from new born pups on up at rescues in our area (of course they arent up for adoption until they are 2months or older)

stardog85

Posted : 12/15/2006 3:17:46 PM

If they want to make sure the dog is healthy, they might look into getting an older dog that they can get prelim OFA or PennHip evaluations on and any other testing that can determine health status. Pennhip seems to be fairly reliable at predicting hip status as young as 4mo from what I know.

Even a pup from the best breeder on earth can end up with hip or elbow displasia or any other of the number of health issues a GSD is prone to - make sure they know that.

mrv

Posted : 12/15/2006 6:45:41 PM

Susan Clothier,,, check out her dogs at [linkhttp://www.flyingdogpress.com]www.flyingdogpress.com[/link]

I would buy a GSD from her. She is in NY

angelabarry

Posted : 12/15/2006 6:51:50 PM

Thanks for the replies so far :-)

I checked the rescue site out, but they really have their hearts set on a pup directly from a reputable breeder.
Personally, I would choose a rescue dog in a heartbeat, but different strokes for different folks I guess. At least they care enough not to be interested in a puppy store or a back yard breeder.
I have been looking at breeder's websites, and at least in New England, a lot of them are downright discouraging. I found one where you can pay your deposit via paypal on the website without ever talking directly to the people or providing any information at all. Sigh.....

Pwca

Posted : 12/15/2006 6:58:30 PM

My only good breeder recc in the NE recently moved to TN, so I don't have anyone up there to recommend any more. But good for your brother and his family for realizing that if they DO want a puppy, that all breeders are NOT alike. There's nothing wrong with getting a pup from a reputable breeder- indeed, in a breed with as many health problems as GSDs, if you want a pup, that's probably the best way to go, despite the fact that GSD rescue gets pure or nearly pure pups fairly regularly.

angelabarry

Posted : 12/15/2006 7:20:16 PM

Wow, mrv, those dogs sound absolutely incredible!

mrv

Posted : 12/15/2006 7:23:27 PM

Yup Susan Clothier is amazing.... I have been referring students to her website for years. I love her stuff on teaching self control and building a relationship. I had the opportunity to hear her at the Terv national this past spring. It was a true epiphany, I am reading her book right now.

I would seriously consider her dogs and even wait considerable amounts of time to get a puppy from her if I hadn't committed to Belgians.

Xeph

Posted : 12/15/2006 8:26:04 PM

First of all, do they want German lines or American? German show, or working lines? Czech, DDR, West German Working?

All the lines are VERY different in looks and temperament, and if you go to the wrong line, you can end up with a real MESS!

Truley

Posted : 12/15/2006 8:50:33 PM

Sent you a PM.

Dawn

angelabarry

Posted : 12/16/2006 8:34:45 AM

Gee, Xeph, really don't know! I know they are looking for a pet. They probably won't do any agility or search and rescue with it. They don't need a guard dog, but would be happy with a dog who will let them know if someone is around.
There are no children around, just him and his wife. The dog will go pretty much everywhere with them....camping, boating, etc.
Any suggestion as to the best lines they should be looking for?
I will be the first to admit I am no expert on GSD's, so please excuse the following (probably ignorant) remark. They prefer the less-slope-y backed type of dog.

Truley

Posted : 12/16/2006 9:25:17 AM

Sounds like they are looking for a family companion and that is great. A good breeder will be honest and tell you if a pup they have is right for you or not, and if they can't help you they will send you to someone they trust.

Dawn