Finding a good breeder in Ontario, Canada?

[Lucy Dog]

Originally Posted by Ada_GSD

Does anyone know, from the link above for the West German Show Lines, what is implied by weak temperament? Ie. weak in what sense?

Fear, fear aggression, lack of confidence are all examples of weak temperment.

[Ada_GSD]

Ah... I see. Is weak temperament really that common with west german lines?

By the way, thank you for the links, they are extremely useful!!!

[Lucy Dog]

Originally Posted by Ada_GSD

Ah... I see. Is weak temperament really that common with west german lines?

I think weak temperment can be found in any of the different lines. That is why so many people here stress going to a reputable breeder who titles their dogs. A titled dog has been proven they can work in whatever field they are being titled in.

Titles are not just about the sport, but it's kind of like a temperment test too. A dog with weak nerves or that is reactive is going to be much harder, if possible at all, to title than a dog with a temperment that the breed standard calls for.

[atravis]

Originally Posted by Castlemaid

Here you go!!!

Elem. of Temperament

Best article I have ever seen discussing temperament. I would consider this mandatory reading for all GSD owners, and future GSD owners.

Breeders should be able to quote it backwards and forwards .

Ugg, I could not agree less with this article.

Namely with her apparent opinion of prey drive in this breed.
I once heard someone describe prey in GSDs as a disease.

I couldn't agree more.

GSDs were never meant to be cat-killing, critter chasing lunatics.

Her definition of Defensive drive is accurate to some degree. But this:
Assuming the dog has good, strong nerves and a reasonably high threshold, a dog with strong defense drive can be a good working dog.

Can? Excuse me?
Is it any wonder that many of the actual working dogs of today, the K9s, the PPDs, have absolutely no prey at all? Or at least VERY little?

Where is her explanation of fight drive? Of civil aggression/civil drive?
A good GSD doesn't give a rat's arse about chasing fluffy lures or traditional "prey" items. For sport, maybe. But for real work? Its man-focused or nothing. Prey is a determent to these dogs.

[trudy]

If you share with us what you wish to do with the dog and what your family life and experiences are we could better help you. I personally own Can show lines but they are not extreme, nor are they weak tempered. This works with my family, what I wish to do and my experiences. I like playing at different things, maybe competing but maybe not, BUT with a dog who I can try things with. I do herding, tracking, agility, obedience and conformation showing. I moved from Barrie in April, and although my dogs are from near Belleville there are some good breeders near Barrie. My daughter also has a GS from the same kennel and she does the same things i do. Both of us have worked with special needs people so need stable tempered dogs who aren't going off the deep end at every little thing.

Our dogs come from: home

If you go there and down the left side to currently showing CH SIn is my daughter's, and Ty is mine. Also if you are on facebook i have lots more pics of all the dogs, Trudy Calvert. I will add you if you ask,

Also there is a GS fun match in Loretto, slightly south of Aliston on Sat and there should be several breeders there, its come one and all, and I will be there

http://lorettokennels.com/Morris_fun_match.pdf

it is open to anyone, try to come, great people will be there all approachable

[Quinnsmom]

Loretto Kennels has a good reputation for show-line GSDs, according to a friend of mine who lives nearby. The fun match is this Saturday btw. There is one breeder in the general area to avoid also. PM me if you need info.

[trudy]

Loretto Kennels has a good reputation for show-line GSDs, according to a friend of mine who lives nearby. The fun match is this Saturday btw. There is one breeder in the general area to avoid also. PM me if you need info.
__________________
Yeah Loretto also breeds some W German dogs and crosses the lines. I hope you will be at teh fun match too, I would love to meet you too. I will have ty and Gemma, but thought the writer could see some dogs and talk to some people. I am not a breeder so am not in it for anything personal, just thought she might get some info there. And i know of more than 1 breeder to avoid in the area

[unloader]

I thought this thread was about helping someone find a good breeder, did I miss something?

[tintallie]

The OP needs to clarify what they are looking for in a German Sheperd Dog first, and then the forum members can offer suggestions that are a good fit. Is the OP open to shipping a dog to their area if a suitable match isn't available near Barrie/Simcoe or the GTA area? When I was looking around in Alberta, there were very few options for looking for a working line GSD and I had to expand my search area first to British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest, and then later the Midwest based on which breeder I felt comfortable with.

[Ada_GSD]

Okay I can clarify a bit (thanks for going back on topic lol)...

We're just looking for a good pet dog that is social, likes the outdoors and playing as well as some obedience/training capability. As far as looks, the West German look is what we really like. Tomorrow we are planning on visiting Von Balkan to look at a puppy we're interested in. We could consider shipping a puppy too, but I am inclined to think that being able to meet a puppy in person and see the breeder's home and maybe pick a puppy is the best route to go. Otherwise who knows what you're getting?

We like the smarts and personality of GSDs (we had a GSD before)... from our (mine and my wife's) experience they are the best dog breed and just plain amazing... and that's why we want to get one again. We've both always been attracted to the breed anyway. But again, we're just looking for a good companion, pet dog... not a guard dog, not an extreme sports dog... we'd like to just go out to the beach with the dog, go swimming... go hiking, play fetch, walks, etc.... you know... typical pet dog stuff :P Nothing crazy. We're just trying to get a good breeder with a healthy, sound, well tempered dog... if you've got a choice, why not look for the best you can find?