Breeder good or bad?

[GSD84]

So I've been checking out this site, and figured I would post the breeder we recently put a deposit down with. Should have done this before, but we went to see her and she was very informative and had both parents on site, as well as all the paperwork. What do you all think of the dogs? Here is the site

Timberline Reg'd German Shepherds And we have the deposit on the litter that is due July 22. For a female.

[Lucy Dog]

American show lines... they title (in conformation)... they OFA... they show. Seems like they're doing the right things with those dogs, but I don't know them personally.

If I was looking for an American show line, I'd consider them a potential prospect, but I'm only basing this off what I see on their website.

[GSD84]

Thanks. Well according to her they are mixed with european and american lines. They supposedly have the some of the drive of a working dog but are well balanced with a calmer dog as well. Or at least that's how she explained it to me. This is my first dog so I'm doing major research and trying to find out as much as possible.

[Lucy Dog]

If you go back far enough in any pedigree, you'll have to get to those German/European lines. I'm mostly seeing American show line names though... they're show dogs.

Does she have any titles to back up "the drive of a working dog" statement? I'm only seeing conformation titles. Does she do any kind of work with the dogs she's breeding?

[selzer]

If the proof is in the whelping box, it looks like a lot of what they have produced has gone on to win in the ring.

[GSD84]

Originally Posted by Lucy Dog

If you go back far enough in any pedigree, you'll have to get to those German/European lines. I'm mostly seeing American show line names though... they're show dogs.

Does she have any titles to back up "the drive of a working dog" statement? I'm only seeing conformation titles. Does she do any kind of work with the dogs she's breeding?

Good question, I will e-mail her and ask. I am not sure on that one. I went in with a list of questions when we met her, but didn't think to ask anything about the working class dog

[Lucy Dog]

What are you looking to do with the dog? Is he/she just going to be a pet or do you have any plans to work or show?

I think as a pet or show prospect, I think you made a good choice. Again, I don't know this breeder or their dogs, but from the website alone, they look like a fine choice.

If you went there and liked what you saw, I'm sure you'll be happy with your new pup.

[GSD84]

Originally Posted by Lucy Dog

What are you looking to do with the dog? Is he/she just going to be a pet or do you have any plans to work or show?

I think as a pet or show prospect, I think you made a good choice. Again, I don't know this breeder or their dogs, but from the website alone, they look like a fine choice.

If you went there and liked what you saw, I'm sure you'll be happy with your new pup.

Well hubby is on shift work and never home at night, so with two young kids I really liked the GSD because of their ability to protect. And it would be nice to have a companion since hubby is always working. But since I've been reading up I would love to one day try and do some "protection training" (not sure if that's what it is called). I still have a lot of research to do on that. Sorry still not familiar with all the terms.

[Lucy Dog]

Originally Posted by GSD84

Well hubby is on shift work and never home at night, so with two young kids I really liked the GSD because of their ability to protect. And it would be nice to have a companion since hubby is always working. But since I've been reading up I would love to one day try and do some "protection training" (not sure if that's what it is called). I still have a lot of research to do on that. Sorry still not familiar with all the terms.

Did you speak to the breeder about wanting to get involved in personal protection training or Schutzhund? What did she say?

Typically, American show lines aren't the lines you see for people who want a serious protection or schutzhund dog. The European working lines are more common in those fields.

[GSDElsa]

If you are interested indoing a protection sport with your dog do not go with american show line which is what these dogs are. You best bet is a god working line breeder, but youcan find some good german show line breeders that maintain those traits in their dogs as well.