Breeder Question from a Newbie

[Danielle609]

First, I should start off by saying "Hello" since I am a newbie here! I had many GSD's growing up, unfortunately all of them came from BYB's. They were all great dogs (minus one) But either they were not good with strangers (most likely due to the way they were raised) or had severe health problems. After going through all of this as a kid, I don't want to put my daughter (16months) through that. I know when I am ready to add my first dog into our family I want it to be a good breeder and make sure that on my part I give it the correct training and socialization. So here is my question;

Would it be odd to "interview" breeders and ask to view their facilities even if we will not be getting one for awhile? I am not sure that now is a good time to add a puppy into our family, but I want to start looking for a good breeder, so that when the time is right all the work has been done. My husband thinks that I am crazy, and that it is stupid to contact breeders this early in advance. Am I crazy? Opinions please? Thanks! (Also would love some breeder recommendations in Michigan/surrounding states. TIA!!)

[Hunther's Dad]

Welcome to the board! I don't think it's too soon to interview breeders. Between reading up on the breed, identifying a breeder who you are comfortable with, and making preparations for the puppy, taking your time is a wise move.

Just make sure you bring your husband with you. When you see some cute little furballs running around, you might wind up adding one to your family sooner than you think!

[Freestep]

Getting to know breeders NOW is a good idea. We love it when people do their homework in advance.

[CassandGunnar]

This tread is a great place to start.
Things to look for in a 'Responsible' Breeder

[Danielle609]

Thanks for the replies so far! Now I can tell my husband that I am not crazy and I have proof! I will definitely take a look at that link. My research today has brought me to two breeders that have stuck out.

kolendakennels.com

teamhuertahof.com

Does anyone have any information, both neg. and pos. that they could PM me? It looks like they both breed West German showlines...am I correct?

[selzer]

I think that on this board, you will probably get a lot of people giving you a lot of positive responses to this idea. I think that when you get out there and start interviewing breeders, you might have a mixed response.

To be a responsible breeder (on this board) you cannot be profiting from selling puppies. If you make anything beyond the specific cost of the litter, that money must be directly invested back into the dogs. And with most good breeders it is, but this means the breeder MUST be independently wealthy, or working.

If a breeder is independently wealthy, the breeder who probably has a maid service come in once or twice a week, would probably be happy to fit you in between teaching vacation Bible School and dog classes in the evening. The house will not be needing repairs and the lawns will be pretty and meticulously maintained. You will meet their bitches, and possibly the dog.

The rest of the good breeders you talk to, will be willing to talk over the phone to you, but they may want to wait until you are more serious about getting a dog to have you come to their home. This is not because they keep their dogs in dispicable condition. It is because they are working, have dog training, trials, shows, and a life. They might want to wait until they have puppies, but over three weeks old, because chances are they will NOT let you visit prior to three weeks.

While it sounds good on paper to let everyone and anyone come over to just look over your place, the fact is, you can jump through all the hoops and be number 1 on their list of breeders, but when they are ready for a puppy and they call, and you tell them that you just bred your bitch and puppies will probably be available in four months, well, chances are, they will go and find some other breeder and already have a puppy when you call to let them know the puppies have been born and how many of either sex. They may not tell you this until you call them and let them know that it is time for them to pick their puppy though.

I think if you have time, join a shepherd club, go to meetings go to shows, get to know some people, ask people who they train with, ask people about vets, look at dogs. Then buy from someone you know have gotten to know.

Or, talk to a lot of breeders over the phone, tell them you are not ready to buy a puppy yet, but if they would like you to come over sometime and help to socialize a litter. Then the breeder can determine the best relative timing, and you can see the bitches that will be bred, and possibly the up and coming bitches.

I had an individual from training classes ask me to let her come and socialize puppies when they were born, she was not ready yet for a pup. And I agreed. She came twice. Then as I was letting some of them grow up a little before selling them, she offered to take one through puppy class for me. And she did (I paid for the puppy class, but she kept and socialized the pup). Almost a year later, when her puppy had just been born, she went with my to a show for the sisters of the pup she put through classes. She was also familiar enough to my bitch that I let her come in (prior to going to the show) to see the newborns.

The thing is, I knew this person would be serious about training, about trialing her dog (we got legs together at a show in December on the pups.)

I think that some people will let you come and see their dogs if you are not currently in the market and some will not. And you could just write off those breeders.

I know that I have canceled plans and missed dog classes for people to just come and see. I do think there is a point where you have to draw a line though.

[Castlemaid]

I take it from the two links you posted you are interested in a German Showline. Kolanda Kennels is more of a commercial type operation.

Robin from Huert Hof is a member on this board, and has a great reputation for integrity and honesty, without the usual inflated prices that many Showline breeders sell their puppies for.

Also just wanted to remind everyone that negative comments are to be sent via PM (no breeder bashing!), but positive comments, recommendations, and general advice is welcome from all.

[selzer]

Originally Posted by Danielle609

Thanks for the replies so far! Now I can tell my husband that I am not crazy and I have proof! I will definitely take a look at that link. My research today has brought me to two breeders that have stuck out.

kolendakennels.com

teamhuertahof.com

Does anyone have any information, both neg. and pos. that they could PM me? It looks like they both breed West German showlines...am I correct?

I do not know anything of Kolenda Kennels, but teamhuertahof, Robin is a member here and she has West German Showline dogs, very knowledgeable, dogs have good credentials. If I was in the market, I would buy one from her.

[Castlemaid]

To be a responsible breeder (on this board) you cannot be profiting from selling puppies. If you make anything beyond the specific cost of the litter, that money must be directly invested back into the dogs. And with most good breeders it is, but this means the breeder MUST be independently wealthy, or working.

If a breeder is independently wealthy, the breeder who probably has a maid service come in once or twice a week, would probably be happy to fit you in between teaching vacation Bible School and dog classes in the evening. The house will not be needing repairs and the lawns will be pretty and meticulously maintained. You will meet their bitches, and possibly the dog.

LOL Selzer, where do you get these views from? Not even close to what the board recommends in general. People focus on the aims and goals of the breeders, and what they have produced as an indication of what makes them reputable. Not on their personal finances and lifestyle. Sorta has no place in this thread and is a red herring to derail the conversation.

[selzer]

My point is that most breeders have a life, are not independently wealthy and are not living off the proceeds of puppy sales. So they are not necessarily going to welcome with open arms every one who just wants to show up and check them out.

I think it has a place on this thread.

I think people on this board will say yes yes yes, go check them out years before you are even serious about buying a puppy.

I think in real life, breeders might want to open their home and kennels only to people who are serious about buying.