Finding a Companion/Pet-Quality Dog

[DeeMcB]

I'm thinking forward to adding another dog to our family when Ezra is 2 (summer, 2012). Ezra came from the Humane Society, so I have no experience at all with breeders save for what I've learned here. I would be interested in getting a "pet quality" pup from a reputable breeder but how does one go about finding that? I'm assuming that not every litter turns out pups that are "pet quality", so how do you know when they're available?

I'm completely aware that I may have a gross misunderstanding about how this works, so feel free to "school" me

[Xeph]

I'm assuming that not every litter turns out pups that are "pet quality", so how do you know when they're available?

That's incorrect, actually. Every litter turns out pet quality puppies, but not every litter will turn out show quality puppies or high caliber working dogs.

[SchDDR]

What Xeph said.
You just communicate with the breeder and let them know exactly what *you* mean by pet quality, and they can help you select the pup that fits the bill.

[onyx'girl]

If I were looking for a pup that I wasn't going to compete with in sport, I would still look at breeders who I was interested in to possibly do sport/competition. Then talk with the breeder about my goals(or lack of)...I would still go with a good line regardless, many times the dogs that are well bred have better health, nerves and an off switch than a breeder who breeds for "pet" homes.
That and you may change your mind and want to do agility, conformation showing, SchH, etc with your pup!
So research which lines you'd like to have, then look at responsible breeders who have those lines and support their great program.
Or go with a rescue that has already evaluated a dog that would fit your lifestyle.

[SchDDR]

I wouldn't go a breeder who breeds for pet homes.

To quote the master himself:

"German Shepherd Dog breeding is working dog breeding or it is not German Shepherd Dog breeding."

[DeeMcB]

Thanks, everyone.

Help me understand "goals". Does that mean only whether or not I plan to compete with the dog, or are there other components to it? I'm assuming that the breeder will screen me to ensure I have the time, energy and willingness to provide attention & appropriate training for a GSD pup. What else specifically would a breeder ask me to determine a good fit? There are probably some clues in that information that I need to be thinking about myself.

[Xeph]

Does that mean only whether or not I plan to compete with the dog, or are there other components to it?

Do you want to do sports with it? If so, what? If you do not want to do sports, are you an active person? Would you like a hiking partner, or are you more the type that takes a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood?

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by Xeph

Do you want to do sports with it? If so, what? If you do not want to do sports, are you an active person? Would you like a hiking partner, or are you more the type that takes a leisurely stroll around the neighborhood?

Is your dog going to be expected to spend a lot of time putting up with or playing with children or grandchildren? Will your dog be expected to not eat your cats? How much time can you realistically commit to your dog each day?A good breeder should try to get a solid feel for your lifestyle and what you need in a dog. RUN away from a breeder that doesn't ask you a bunch of questions or have you fill out some sort of interview form.

[Whiteshepherds]

Originally Posted by Emoore

Will your dog be expected to not eat your cats?

As opposed to the dogs that we want to eat our cats?? (sorry, couldn't resist)

[SchDDR]

Frankly, if a breeder doesn't grill you about your lifestyle, living arrangements and expectations for a dog... you should probably walk away. Clearly, they aren't concerned about their dog's welfare, and that's liable to reflect itself in their breeding practices as well.

Information a breeder should ask you about would be the size of your yard.

Your level of experience training dogs, what breeds of dogs you have owned, how many dogs you have owned, and whether or not you currently own any dogs [or other pets.]

How physically active and mobile are you?

What is your work schedule like? How much time do you have to spend training and exercising the dog?

Do you have kids? How old?

Do you own your home, or rent? [Yes, that's a legit question that a breeder *should* be asking.]

Why do you want to own a GSD? Why do you want a pet quality GSD?

I'm sure there are many more questions, but these give your breeder an idea of what you're looking for in a dog, so they can help you find it.