Ontario Breeder Questions & Finding Older Dogs!

[marshies]

Hi All,

I am currently in the process of searching for a GSD to come home during the November to February time frame. I am looking both at puppies and older dogs, and am wondering if I can ask some questions to help me further the process.

Plans for the dog:
This dog is going to be a companion animal at home. Though it is coming home to the life of a pet, temperament and sound breeding are important to me as I live at home 4 months of the year with young siblings (5 and 9), and don't want to bring home a puppy with a lot of issues (nervous, reactive, etc). I understand that even dogs from the best lines will require a lot of socialization and exercise to grow into great dogs, but I want to start with a good foundation. That said, I am more than willing to go through classes and private trainers should my puppy develop issues.

Current List:
I've spoken to Committed to Canines and like their dogs. I've also looked Wild Wind GSD. I have looked mostly at kennels that have worked their dogs extensively as I understand that this provides a good test for the temperament of the parents. Since I have no specific purpose for the dog beyond companionship, I am also open to show-line breeders that work their dogs.

Question:
1) Does anyone own a dog from either of the kennels I mentioned? If so, do you have any feedback about the breeder or the dogs?

2) Are there other breeders that you might suggest? I spend time in both Toronto and Kingston, and would prefer breeders in the area.

3) A breeder I spoke to mentioned that older dogs start about $5000. Is this a reasonable price to expect if I wanted a 8 month old or older dog? It sounds a bit high to me, but the last time my family brought home an 1 year old GSD was 12 years ago, and he went for ~$2000 with some training. I could be dating myself, but any thoughts on older dogs through breeders would be extremely helpful!

4) I do not qualify for GSD rescues in the GTA area as I have a sibling younger than 8. Other than rescues, what are some other routes I can go to find older puppies? A breeder I spoke to mentioned that she's had 2 puppies rehomed in the last 12 years, and that it was highly unlikely to get an older dog from her unless I reserved a puppy and paid a premium. I understand the reasoning behind the price, and am willing to pay it. However, I'd be open to suggestions and other routes.

Thank you all for your time! I'm looking forward to joining the wonderful world of GSDs!

[holland]

I have seen dogs from Committed to Canine and I like their dogs-I don't know the other breeder

[marshies]

Originally Posted by holland

I have seen dogs from Committed to Canine and I like their dogs-I don't know the other breeder

Thank you so much! I like their dogs too.

[duenorth]

The Ontario Regionals are being held this weekend in Orangeville, which isn't too far from Toronto. If you can go, it's a great opportunity to see both working and show lines, meet GSD people and talk to breeders.

Home - 2011 Ontario Regional Championship & Sieger Show

[marshies]

Originally Posted by duenorth

The Ontario Regionals are being held this weekend in Orangeville, which isn't too far from Toronto. If you can go, it's a great opportunity to see both working and show lines, meet GSD people and talk to breeders.

Home - 2011 Ontario Regional Championship & Sieger Show

Thank you for information! I'll see if someone is willing to drive me. I would love to go and meet some GSDs and their people.

[carmspack]

I am in Ontario -- Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs . $5,000 for an 8 month old is a lot .

You can PM me regarding litters due shortly , one will be sired by a retired narc dog bred to a german import female who is his replacement , taken out for maternity.
Wild Wind is unknown to me.

Carmen
Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs

[marshies]

Originally Posted by carmspack

I am in Ontario -- Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs . $5,000 for an 8 month old is a lot .

You can PM me regarding litters due shortly , one will be sired by a retired narc dog bred to a german import female who is his replacement , taken out for maternity.
Wild Wind is unknown to me.

Carmen
Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs

Hi Carmen,

Thank you for taking the time to respond. I have PM-ed you already.

in terms of 6-8 month puppies, where do you think would be a good place to find them and what would be a reasonable price if I wanted a pedigreed dog? I am insisting on the pedigree just because I don't have enough experience with GSDs to trust myself to evaluate shelter and kijiji dogs, and my family situation does not qualify for Toronto area shelters. If you have information on this, I would greatly appreciate it.

[elisabeth_00117]

Stark comes from Wild Winds German Shepherds in Arthur, ON.

Kathy (the breeder) is an amazing lady and I have nothing but good things to say about her and her family. I have regular communication with Kathy either via facebook, email or phone and I do try to pop in to her place every once in awhile (especially when she has puppies for me to play, I mean, help socialize ). I consider her a friend and think very highly of her.

Her male, Shep (who is stunning) is an amazing dog. He comes from the lines that I like and is really what I prefer in a working dog. Intense ball and food drive, high thresholds, stable nerves, aloof but friendly and just a very stable, balanced dog. Really, he is what I want in a GSD. He is *the* German Shepherd in my mind.

He is currently being trianed and titled in rally/obedience and displayed (if I remember correctly - you will have to verify with Kathy) intensness on the sheep. Every trial he has entered he has managed to get his title or at least the fact that he didn't get the title was a handler error (ask Kathy, she will laughingly admitt it was her fault...lol).

Her females are very stable in temperament, nice nerves and good working drives. She has mostly showlines so from what I see is what I would expect from those particular lines.

She has one Czech female who I am in love with named Lexi. She is a spitfire and if Kathy would let me, I'd steal her in a second. She is just awesome and has a lot of the Pohranicni Straze qualities that I personally really like.

I talk to many of her puppy buyers on a regular basis and everyone is extremely happy with their dogs. I even had the opportunity to babysit one of the Lexi/Shep puppies and she was just awesome.

Stark is reactive but I can honestly say that I have talked to many other puppy buyers (from his litter and others) and Stark is the only one who is showing any behavioural issues at all. I am not sure why and I am very open about his issues and if you would like to know more, please ask. I think his issues are a combination of genetics, stimulation and maturing.

If I could afford another dog right now, I would be going back for a puppy from the repeat Lexi/Shep litter.

She has a few younger dogs right now who are not yet breeding but she has high hopes that they will fit the critera she is looking for. I believe she is staying with the showlines more now.

I definitely trust Kathy and would recommend you contact her and go out and meet her dogs.

If you are looking for a Schh prospect, then I would steer you in a different direction as much as I love Kathy and her dogs, but if you are looking for an active pet, possibly obedience and/or agility then I say give her a call.

She does the appropriate health testing, evaluates her dogs, knows their pedigrees and is super helpful and stands behind what she breeds.

If you would like you can tell her I sent you her way or PM me and we can chat more.

[marshies]

Originally Posted by elisabeth_00117

Stark comes from Wild Winds German Shepherds in Arthur, ON.

Kathy (the breeder) is an amazing lady and I have nothing but good things to say about her and her family. I have regular communication with Kathy either via facebook, email or phone and I do try to pop in to her place every once in awhile (especially when she has puppies for me to play, I mean, help socialize ). I consider her a friend and think very highly of her.

Her male, Shep (who is stunning) is an amazing dog. He comes from the lines that I like and is really what I prefer in a working dog. Intense ball and food drive, high thresholds, stable nerves, aloof but friendly and just a very stable, balanced dog. Really, he is what I want in a GSD. He is *the* German Shepherd in my mind.

He is currently being trianed and titled in rally/obedience and displayed (if I remember correctly - you will have to verify with Kathy) intensness on the sheep. Every trial he has entered he has managed to get his title or at least the fact that he didn't get the title was a handler error (ask Kathy, she will laughingly admitt it was her fault...lol).

Her females are very stable in temperament, nice nerves and good working drives. She has mostly showlines so from what I see is what I would expect from those particular lines.

She has one Czech female who I am in love with named Lexi. She is a spitfire and if Kathy would let me, I'd steal her in a second. She is just awesome and has a lot of the Pohranicni Straze qualities that I personally really like.

I talk to many of her puppy buyers on a regular basis and everyone is extremely happy with their dogs. I even had the opportunity to babysit one of the Lexi/Shep puppies and she was just awesome.

Stark is reactive but I can honestly say that I have talked to many other puppy buyers (from his litter and others) and Stark is the only one who is showing any behavioural issues at all. I am not sure why and I am very open about his issues and if you would like to know more, please ask. I think his issues are a combination of genetics, stimulation and maturing.

If I could afford another dog right now, I would be going back for a puppy from the repeat Lexi/Shep litter.

She has a few younger dogs right now who are not yet breeding but she has high hopes that they will fit the critera she is looking for. I believe she is staying with the showlines more now.

I definitely trust Kathy and would recommend you contact her and go out and meet her dogs.

If you are looking for a Schh prospect, then I would steer you in a different direction as much as I love Kathy and her dogs, but if you are looking for an active pet, possibly obedience and/or agility then I say give her a call.

She does the appropriate health testing, evaluates her dogs, knows their pedigrees and is super helpful and stands behind what she breeds.

If you would like you can tell her I sent you her way or PM me and we can chat more.

Hi Elisabeth,

Thank you for the thorough response. I actually started looking at Wild Winds because Stark was so handsome. I initially rejected the idea of having a completely black GSD as a sire since I am partial to the classic tan and black saddle look of GSDs, but Shep's puppies have really grown on me.

I will definitely love to chat more with you, and will be sending you a PM once I get home from work and have some time to formulate my thoughts.

On another note, would you know of anyone I can speak to about finding older puppies?

Thanks!

[marshies]

Hi Guys,

Please keep suggestions coming.
I went to Woofstock this weekend and held a GSD puppy. Though the mother had fading pigment, and the situation reeked of BYB, the puppy was the softest and sweetest thing in the world.

As I held it, it's little padded paws were on my hand, and it made soft whiny noises and leaned its little warm body on me...

Can't wait till I can have one to call my own.