Number of Dogs Breeders Have

[Steelhead]

We have visited a few breeders in our search for a puppy. It just surprises me that breeders have so many dogs. I always see on here people saying dont get a German Shepherd unless it gets the proper exercise and will be a part of the family than you go to supposedly reputable breeders and the dogs dont live in the house and I dont see how they make sure the dogs gets the exercise required each day. Some of the breeders have 7-8 dogs!

What do you guys think? Shouldnt a reputable breeder have the dogs in the house as part of the family?

[MaggieRoseLee]

If the breeders say the dogs spend 24/7 in a kennel, then it's not just the lack of exercise but also the fact the breeders can't really have a good idea of the true temperament and fitness level of these dogs.

But if they get these same dogs out all the time for training and exercise and time in the house, time with people, then it may not be an issue at all. Some breeders can't have ALL the dogs in the house ALL the time, but instead have a rotating schedule to allow all the dogs that get along in the house at the same time, but in lesser numbers to keep it to a 'dull roar'.

One of the reasons many of us like to have titles on the dogs used for breeding is that it's PROOF that some level of training and communication is going on between dog/owner. Sch takes TONS of time (years?) so is the one I like to see the most, even though I will just do agility with my dogs.

[onyx'girl]

The breeder I got my male from has that amount. Two are seniors, and don't require the training/exercise that the younger dogs do. They all live in the home(not outdoor runs) and are a part of the breeders family. They may crate/rotate some of them so all dogs are not out together at once.
They have two breeding females and two younger females that will carry on the breeding program when the time comes.
I'd rather support a breeder with 7 or 8 dogs than a kennel full with 7 or 8 litters on the ground at any given time. A breeder with one male and one female / breed them over and over just because they have a 'pair' isn't something I'd be interested in either.

Look at the breeders whole program and whether or not they are training/trialing their dogs themselves.
For me it is about the temperament, health and what the breeder has produced in the past. I like a smaller kennel where the breeder is hands on with every aspect of their program.

[MaggieRoseLee]

Onyx'girl made a good point.

The number of litters a year is really important to me. I don't like more than 3 or 4 at the most, spread out if possible throughout the year. That way the breeder can really take the time and effort to raise each set of puppies, know that set, before adding the next.

[bocron]

We personally have 11 dogs. 9 of them are housedogs. The other 2 don't get along with the others, they are basically rescues, not GSDs, and get their own personal time with us and each other, but not the rest of the group. We have no trouble getting each dog the amount of exercise and training time they need, it just takes commitment. A litter or 2 a year would be totally feasible(we have bred in the past, just choose not to anymore). If we had 8-10 litters a years, I could see it could become problematic, but it would depend on the situation.
I know a breeder who had 10 or so litters a year, but they also had full-time kennel help whenever there was a litter on the ground. The breeder spent their time with the dogs and puppies doing socialization and training, the help did the bulk of the dirty work. We discussed it once and they said if it was just them, they would probably only have a couple of litters a year, but with help it is a different story. And no, the sales of pups didn't pay for the help, they used their "real" income for that. They are retired now.

[lhczth]

I have 6 ranging in age from 6 months to 11.5 years. The two older dogs don't need the same level of exercise as the others. The rest I am actively training. They all are house dogs, but I do play musical crates.