Thoughts on these breeders or which line I should look at?

klmrda · 09-25-2011, 11:42 PM

I am searching for the right breeder to provide us with our newest family member. I am looking for a companion GSD. Our 12 year old GSD, Thunder, passed away in August. My primary goals are a healthy (our previous GSD had DM and died from hemangiosarcoma) and sound GSD that will have a tempermant that fits our small family of 3 (2 adults and one 4 year old). I am currently researching therapy dog work with the possibility of doing that with the dog.

WGSL, DDR, ASL... there are so many options to chose from. All I want is an as-healthy-as-I-can-hope-for, sound, companion GSD. I'm not concerned with the color of the GSD.

Some of the breeders I have found that I am interested in are:
Hillview Kennels - German Shepherd Breeders
German Shepherd Breeders CA:Puppies For Sale

ogs:Training:Protection Dogs-German Shepherds
German Shepherd Breeder with German Shepherd Puppies for sale
rockymountaingsd.homestead.com
German Shepherd Puppies From von Waldhimmel German Shepherd Breeder

Can anyone provide insight to any of these breeders? Should I be looking for a specific line (WGSL, ASL, DDR...)

I have been spending hours reading these forums, researching breeders and searching the internet trying to learn whatever I can to find just the right breeder.

Thank you for your comments and time!
~KLMRDA

Noodles · 09-26-2011, 12:05 AM

Some working line dogs can be a little intense for family life. So be careful I don't want to steer you away from them completely I just want to caution you. I am sure plenty of people have wonderful working line dogs in their home but SOME can be intense. There are a lot of health problems in the ASL's and some have quite the lack of nerve so once again you have to be careful there too. Research the lines and ask about DM, bloat and torsion, hips, elbows, and eating habits, along with temperaments. Meet the parents if you can and if you can't ask on here a lot of people know the temperaments of well known dogs from first hand ring meeting. I don't know enough about the WGSL dogs but they seem to be where I am headed so you are in good company if that is where you are going lol. I saved your second breeder link for my own investigation. I do like how German line breeders often have adults or young adults available so you can see and meet what you are getting into so to speak. Good luck I am sure that soon you will have lots of recommendations and info from many who are more knowledgeable than I am.

robk · 09-26-2011, 04:36 PM

For me there will only be one answer: Working line. Great nerves, generally good health and and very usable drive. (not over the top like the Belgian Malinois or Dutch Shephreds that I see at our schutzhund club). From this starting point I would narrow my research down to different sub groups of working line dogs such as West German, Cezch, DDR, Dutch/Belgian. Each brings slightly different traits. There are great working line breeders here in the US. My boy is mostly West German and Dutch. He has very solid go anywhere nerves, is never jumpy around loud noises, gun shots, thunder ect. He is very friendly to strangers (of course he is only a 5 month old pup so everyone still gushes over him, much to my dismay). He is very drivey but that just makes him fun to play with and easy to train. He is NOT unmanageable in the house. As long as the cat leaves him alone he will just lay down and chew on his toys but as soon as I am ready to go do something, he is right there, ready to go as well.

Which ever way YOU decide to go (working line vs Showline) just take your time with your research and have fun. Go see the different types of dogs in person and interview different breeders. You'll probably end up with a great dog in the end!

klmrda · 09-26-2011, 06:02 PM

Thanks for your comments Noodles and RobK. That does help me a lot. I think I'll be steering away from ASL and maybe look toward the working lines. Sounds like I'm on track. Now for more research... Hopefully some folks on the forums will chime in and be able to give me some insight into the specific breeders I'm looking at.

Thanks again!

**JakodaCD OA** · 09-26-2011, 06:27 PM

if your not sure what line you'd be interested in, I suggest checking out different dog shows/clubs in your area, to get a feel for the differing dogs.

Also breeders in your area, normally dont mind talking/having visitors check out their dogs,,do that as well..

It's better to 'experience' them vs looking at websites/papers..

There are nice dogs out there in ALL lines, it's just figuring out what you want and finding a good breeder who can match you to the type of dog that will fit into your lifestyle..so what I'm saying is, don't steer away from a "line" if you haven't experienced them yourself

Emoore · 09-26-2011, 07:11 PM

You will not find the right dog for you by asking people for their opinions on the internet.

Go to the local German Shepherd club, go to your local Schutzhund club, attend a show or other event, visit a rescue meet'n'greet, go see the breeders within driving distance. THEN you'll get an idea of what line of GSD is best for you. You'll probably figure out which breeder is best for you as well.

klmrda · 09-26-2011, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emoore

You will not find the right dog for you by asking people for their opinions on the internet.

I respectfully disagree.

While I don't expect anyone to take me by the hand and lead me to the perfect pup for me, there is a lot to be said for considering other peoples experiences, thoughts, opinions, education, etc.
Bearing in mind that comments from others also may need to be taken with a grain of salt.

Wild Wolf · 09-26-2011, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emoore

You will not find the right dog for you by asking people for their opinions on the internet.

Research online and talking to people here led me to Bill Kulla - who gave me my perfect little man. (Perfect for me, mind you.)

I will always recommend Bill Kulla's dogs - incredible, and have the great potential of being both competition dogs and family pets!

:: BILL KULLA DOG TRAINING ::

klmrda · 09-26-2011, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Wolf

Research online and talking to people here led me to Bill Kulla - who gave me my perfect little man. (Perfect for me, mind you.)

I will always recommend Bill Kulla's dogs - incredible, and have the great potential of being both competition dogs and family pets!

:: BILL KULLA DOG TRAINING ::

I have read wonderful things about Bill Kulla's dogs and his training. May I ask if you have a dog you compete with or more of a companion dog?

Noodles · 09-26-2011, 11:26 PM

I have an ASL dog and I think he's wonderful. Strong nerve and no health problems *so far*. He is always up for anything. I am starting to really like the German Show/working lines. I don't like the straight working line dogs I find, at least with all the ones I have met so far, to be way to intense for me I wouldn't trust them around my one year old. That being said I have not met all of the working dogs out there so I am sure there are plenty of wonderful ones I can only speak of the ones in our club. But, its a great idea to go see them all in person and make a decision from there just resist the urge to buy the first one and actually all the ones you see until you see them all and can make the best informed decision.

09-25-2011, 11:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
klmrda New Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: MN Posts: 15	Thoughts on these breeders or which line I should look at? I am searching for the right breeder to provide us with our newest family member. I am looking for a companion GSD. Our 12 year old GSD, Thunder, passed away in August. My primary goals are a healthy (our previous GSD had DM and died from hemangiosarcoma) and sound GSD that will have a tempermant that fits our small family of 3 (2 adults and one 4 year old). I am currently researching therapy dog work with the possibility of doing that with the dog. WGSL, DDR, ASL... there are so many options to chose from. All I want is an as-healthy-as-I-can-hope-for, sound, companion GSD. I'm not concerned with the color of the GSD. Some of the breeders I have found that I am interested in are: Hillview Kennels - German Shepherd Breeders German Shepherd Breeders CA:Puppies For Saleogs:Training:Protection Dogs-German Shepherds German Shepherd Breeder with German Shepherd Puppies for sale rockymountaingsd.homestead.com German Shepherd Puppies From von Waldhimmel German Shepherd Breeder Can anyone provide insight to any of these breeders? Should I be looking for a specific line (WGSL, ASL, DDR...) I have been spending hours reading these forums, researching breeders and searching the internet trying to learn whatever I can to find just the right breeder. Thank you for your comments and time! ~KLMRDA

09-26-2011, 12:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
Noodles Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 138	Some working line dogs can be a little intense for family life. So be careful I don't want to steer you away from them completely I just want to caution you. I am sure plenty of people have wonderful working line dogs in their home but SOME can be intense. There are a lot of health problems in the ASL's and some have quite the lack of nerve so once again you have to be careful there too. Research the lines and ask about DM, bloat and torsion, hips, elbows, and eating habits, along with temperaments. Meet the parents if you can and if you can't ask on here a lot of people know the temperaments of well known dogs from first hand ring meeting. I don't know enough about the WGSL dogs but they seem to be where I am headed so you are in good company if that is where you are going lol. I saved your second breeder link for my own investigation. I do like how German line breeders often have adults or young adults available so you can see and meet what you are getting into so to speak. Good luck I am sure that soon you will have lots of recommendations and info from many who are more knowledgeable than I am. Last edited by Noodles; 09-26-2011 at 12:07 AM.

09-26-2011, 06:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
klmrda New Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: MN Posts: 15	Thanks! Thanks for your comments Noodles and RobK. That does help me a lot. I think I'll be steering away from ASL and maybe look toward the working lines. Sounds like I'm on track. Now for more research... Hopefully some folks on the forums will chime in and be able to give me some insight into the specific breeders I'm looking at. Thanks again!

09-26-2011, 06:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
JakodaCD OA Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Old Lyme, CT USA Posts: 14,237	if your not sure what line you'd be interested in, I suggest checking out different dog shows/clubs in your area, to get a feel for the differing dogs. Also breeders in your area, normally dont mind talking/having visitors check out their dogs,,do that as well.. It's better to 'experience' them vs looking at websites/papers.. There are nice dogs out there in ALL lines, it's just figuring out what you want and finding a good breeder who can match you to the type of dog that will fit into your lifestyle..so what I'm saying is, don't steer away from a "line" if you haven't experienced them yourself __________________ Diane Danger Danger vom Kleinen Hain aka Masi "Angel" Jakoda's Bewitchen Sami CD OA OAJ OAC NGC OJC RS-O GS-N JS-O TT HIC CGC "Angel" Steinwald's Four x Four CGC HIC TT Harmonyhill's Hy Jynx NA NAJ NAC NJC RS-N JS-N HIC Jakoda's Jagged Edge

09-26-2011, 07:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,214	You will not find the right dog for you by asking people for their opinions on the internet. Go to the local German Shepherd club, go to your local Schutzhund club, attend a show or other event, visit a rescue meet'n'greet, go see the breeders within driving distance. THEN you'll get an idea of what line of GSD is best for you. You'll probably figure out which breeder is best for you as well. __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

09-26-2011, 04:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
robk Master Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 571	For me there will only be one answer: Working line. Great nerves, generally good health and and very usable drive. (not over the top like the Belgian Malinois or Dutch Shephreds that I see at our schutzhund club). From this starting point I would narrow my research down to different sub groups of working line dogs such as West German, Cezch, DDR, Dutch/Belgian. Each brings slightly different traits. There are great working line breeders here in the US. My boy is mostly West German and Dutch. He has very solid go anywhere nerves, is never jumpy around loud noises, gun shots, thunder ect. He is very friendly to strangers (of course he is only a 5 month old pup so everyone still gushes over him, much to my dismay). He is very drivey but that just makes him fun to play with and easy to train. He is NOT unmanageable in the house. As long as the cat leaves him alone he will just lay down and chew on his toys but as soon as I am ready to go do something, he is right there, ready to go as well. Which ever way YOU decide to go (working line vs Showline) just take your time with your research and have fun. Go see the different types of dogs in person and interview different breeders. You'll probably end up with a great dog in the end!

09-26-2011, 11:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
Noodles Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 138	I have an ASL dog and I think he's wonderful. Strong nerve and no health problems so far. He is always up for anything. I am starting to really like the German Show/working lines. I don't like the straight working line dogs I find, at least with all the ones I have met so far, to be way to intense for me I wouldn't trust them around my one year old. That being said I have not met all of the working dogs out there so I am sure there are plenty of wonderful ones I can only speak of the ones in our club. But, its a great idea to go see them all in person and make a decision from there just resist the urge to buy the first one and actually all the ones you see until you see them all and can make the best informed decision.

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