We are looking into buying a German Shepherd. Questions!

Guineveree1990 · 12-10-2011, 03:52 PM

What would I want to ask before taking one of these puppies home? Also-- why are they double the price of the pups below? When it says world champion lines does that mean they are German lines? German shepherd puppies | Lake Stevens | eBay Classifieds (Kijiji) | 15118734

Looking into these too---
Pure Breed German Shepherd Puppies Just In Time For Christmas | Federal Way | eBay Classifieds (Kijiji) | 15250310

What do you think? We are just looking into a family pet, not looking to show or breed.

GSD Fan · 12-10-2011, 03:57 PM

Things to look for in a 'Responsible' Breeder

Please check out that link above.

Since you live in Washington, I am sure others will come by and recommend some breeders.

katieliz · 12-10-2011, 04:07 PM

hi guine and welcome to the board. i strongly caution you to reconsider buying a german shepherd puppy on e-bay. also, depending on where you are located, there are wonderful dogs being re-homed or waiting for rescue. puppies are a bit harder to find but if you have patience you can not only have a wonderful family companion but feel REALLY good about giving a dog the chance for a good life. so you're in washington state?

katieliz · 12-10-2011, 04:21 PM

re the double price thing...looks to me that the $800 dollar puppies are german import lines, the other puppies look like they're family-home breds (sometimes known as back-yard breeders). in any case, those prices are actually quite low for a well bred pup from a reputable breeder. i could be wrong (and if i am i know someone will correct me), but i think really reputable breeders don't have to sell their dogs on e-bay. often they have a waiting list. and with a good breeder you don't just go and pick out your puppy, they know their pups and match them with appropriate owners. and they sure don't advertise their puppies as being christmas ready, because every breeder with any experience at all is going to be wary of selling puppies around holiday time or for a gift (not saying that's always bad but most would surely not advertise them as such).

this is going to be a companion to your family for many years. take time, learn all you can, it will benefit your eventual decision greatly!!!

Freestep · 12-10-2011, 04:30 PM

Don't buy a puppy through eBay!! Do not support irresponsible breeding! I didn't go to the links, but I can say that any breeder worth their salt does NOT advertise puppies for sale on eBay (and don't get me started on the "just in time for Christmas" thing). Hopefully someone who knows reputable breeders in your area can point you in the right direction. You can expect to pay a bit more when going through a reputable breeder, but it's SO worth it. Believe me, with a breed like GSD which can suffer from health and temperament issues when poorly bred, you want to buy from a breeder who knows what they are doing. Even though you don't care about showing or breeding your dog, you want a healthy, sound companion with a solid temperament.

katieliz · 12-10-2011, 04:36 PM

thanks for confirming that freestep.

bocron · 12-10-2011, 05:02 PM

As to the first ad which reads:AKC registered black and red pups, these dogs are from the World Champion lines with beautiful color pigment and great temperament, strong and healthy. There is no hips or elbows problem ever recorded in the past generation.

The term "world champion" means absolutely nothing unless they explain the venues any titles were earned. Kind of like saying "famous show dogs" totally useless terms.
As to the part where it says no hips or elbows problems ever recorded in the past generation, that also means nothing. All it means is that nothing is recorded, which I take to mean that they haven't checked but they haven't had a problem either.

The second ad is even less encouraging. Just the fact that they say the dogs are the biggest German Shepherds people have ever seen makes me want to run. They also state no hip problems, but no mention of certifications. Also, they are "uniquely marked"
, how is that good? Totally random breeding with no thought to the breed in general.

It's your money, but IMHO neither of these is a wise use of it. There are much better breeders on the west coast.
If you'll post a bit more about yourself, your family and home life, and what you hope to do with your new pup (family pet, try some obedience competitions, agility, whatever) people can help steer you toward some better options.

Annette

Barb E · 12-10-2011, 05:39 PM

Welcome to the board from a "kinda neighbor"!

Here is the website for GSD Rescue in Washington - They're a good group
Washington German Shepherd Rescue

Now if you want to buy a dog/puppy please don't do it from either of those ads.

If you poke around on this website a bit you'll find a lot of posts about GSD types (lines) and breeders not only in the West but all over the USA.

I hope you find the perfect family member!

katieliz · 12-10-2011, 06:16 PM

ohmygosh, just LOOK at the dogs on the washington rescue site!!! thank you for posting that barbe!

i love all my dogs very much, but there is something truly special about rescues (two of my four are rescues, two i've had since 8-11 weeks of age).

i do see that washington requires a fenced yard for all their dogs tho.

Guineveree1990 · 12-10-2011, 11:19 PM

I believe I found the pup we are going to get! Not either one of those two that I post but pretty much the same situation. I had a German Shepherd rescue when I was a child and he was a great great dog. VERY smart and gentle even though he was 100+lbs. Well this is some years later and now I am married and we have two young children and a 60lb Australian Shepherd that we have had for 2 years. He is great with the kids and loves other dogs. We are looking to add a German Shepherd to our family now. (I am a stay at home mom and we have a huge yard and a nice trail by our house that we walk regularly, exercise will not be an issue with us) where we would LOVE to rescue a dog we really want a puppy that will grow up with the children. Adding a year old german shepherd that weighs 100lbs that we do not know isn't an option for us with the little kids. Anyway I would love to go to a "real" breeder and spend $1,500+ but that is more then we can pay. I have a question though--- Arthur (Our aussie) is great with other dogs and LOVES to play--- if we adopt a male puppy and they grow up together will they get along? Arthur is already fixed and the pup will also get fixed if that makes a differences. Would two males get along or would you recommend a female?

12-10-2011, 03:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Guineveree1990 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 32	We are looking into buying a German Shepherd. Questions! What would I want to ask before taking one of these puppies home? Also-- why are they double the price of the pups below? When it says world champion lines does that mean they are German lines? German shepherd puppies \| Lake Stevens \| eBay Classifieds (Kijiji) \| 15118734 Looking into these too--- Pure Breed German Shepherd Puppies Just In Time For Christmas \| Federal Way \| eBay Classifieds (Kijiji) \| 15250310 What do you think? We are just looking into a family pet, not looking to show or breed.

12-10-2011, 04:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
katieliz Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: york township, mi Posts: 6,323	hi guine and welcome to the board. i strongly caution you to reconsider buying a german shepherd puppy on e-bay. also, depending on where you are located, there are wonderful dogs being re-homed or waiting for rescue. puppies are a bit harder to find but if you have patience you can not only have a wonderful family companion but feel REALLY good about giving a dog the chance for a good life. so you're in washington state? __________________ mom to seraphina blue & the cashman miss jeni-take-a-ride, rescued 7/07 shangri la's great white caesar, rescued 4/09 hearthside's cinderfella (RIP 4/20/09) shep von bellefontaine (RIP 6/9/10) voodoo lily (dsh) & cricket (african grey)

12-10-2011, 04:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
katieliz Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: york township, mi Posts: 6,323	re the double price thing...looks to me that the $800 dollar puppies are german import lines, the other puppies look like they're family-home breds (sometimes known as back-yard breeders). in any case, those prices are actually quite low for a well bred pup from a reputable breeder. i could be wrong (and if i am i know someone will correct me), but i think really reputable breeders don't have to sell their dogs on e-bay. often they have a waiting list. and with a good breeder you don't just go and pick out your puppy, they know their pups and match them with appropriate owners. and they sure don't advertise their puppies as being christmas ready, because every breeder with any experience at all is going to be wary of selling puppies around holiday time or for a gift (not saying that's always bad but most would surely not advertise them as such). this is going to be a companion to your family for many years. take time, learn all you can, it will benefit your eventual decision greatly!!! __________________ mom to seraphina blue & the cashman miss jeni-take-a-ride, rescued 7/07 shangri la's great white caesar, rescued 4/09 hearthside's cinderfella (RIP 4/20/09) shep von bellefontaine (RIP 6/9/10) voodoo lily (dsh) & cricket (african grey)

12-10-2011, 04:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
Freestep Knighted Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,087	Don't buy a puppy through eBay!! Do not support irresponsible breeding! I didn't go to the links, but I can say that any breeder worth their salt does NOT advertise puppies for sale on eBay (and don't get me started on the "just in time for Christmas" thing). Hopefully someone who knows reputable breeders in your area can point you in the right direction. You can expect to pay a bit more when going through a reputable breeder, but it's SO worth it. Believe me, with a breed like GSD which can suffer from health and temperament issues when poorly bred, you want to buy from a breeder who knows what they are doing. Even though you don't care about showing or breeding your dog, you want a healthy, sound companion with a solid temperament. __________________ Luka von Sontausen, CD Vinca von Sontausen, CGC Freestep's Beluga Whale, BWD

12-10-2011, 04:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
katieliz Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: york township, mi Posts: 6,323	thanks for confirming that freestep. __________________ mom to seraphina blue & the cashman miss jeni-take-a-ride, rescued 7/07 shangri la's great white caesar, rescued 4/09 hearthside's cinderfella (RIP 4/20/09) shep von bellefontaine (RIP 6/9/10) voodoo lily (dsh) & cricket (african grey)

12-10-2011, 03:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
GSD Fan Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MS Posts: 1,128	Things to look for in a 'Responsible' Breeder Please check out that link above. Since you live in Washington, I am sure others will come by and recommend some breeders.

12-10-2011, 05:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
bocron Elite Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Milton, Georgia Posts: 1,458	As to the first ad which reads:AKC registered black and red pups, these dogs are from the World Champion lines with beautiful color pigment and great temperament, strong and healthy. There is no hips or elbows problem ever recorded in the past generation. The term "world champion" means absolutely nothing unless they explain the venues any titles were earned. Kind of like saying "famous show dogs" totally useless terms. As to the part where it says no hips or elbows problems ever recorded in the past generation, that also means nothing. All it means is that nothing is recorded, which I take to mean that they haven't checked but they haven't had a problem either. The second ad is even less encouraging. Just the fact that they say the dogs are the biggest German Shepherds people have ever seen makes me want to run. They also state no hip problems, but no mention of certifications. Also, they are "uniquely marked" , how is that good? Totally random breeding with no thought to the breed in general. It's your money, but IMHO neither of these is a wise use of it. There are much better breeders on the west coast. If you'll post a bit more about yourself, your family and home life, and what you hope to do with your new pup (family pet, try some obedience competitions, agility, whatever) people can help steer you toward some better options. Annette __________________ Annette Holbrook www.coppercreekdvg.com- All Breed Schutzhund Club Home of Umarek von Hugelblick, my good luck charm!

12-10-2011, 05:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
Barb E Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 14,428	Welcome to the board from a "kinda neighbor"! Here is the website for GSD Rescue in Washington - They're a good group Washington German Shepherd Rescue Now if you want to buy a dog/puppy please don't do it from either of those ads. If you poke around on this website a bit you'll find a lot of posts about GSD types (lines) and breeders not only in the West but all over the USA. I hope you find the perfect family member! __________________ Dante - March 2004 Kaos von Wolfstraum Oct 2011 "Today is tomorrow's time machine" ~ Dr G ~

12-10-2011, 06:16 PM	#9 (permalink)
katieliz Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: york township, mi Posts: 6,323	ohmygosh, just LOOK at the dogs on the washington rescue site!!! thank you for posting that barbe! i love all my dogs very much, but there is something truly special about rescues (two of my four are rescues, two i've had since 8-11 weeks of age). i do see that washington requires a fenced yard for all their dogs tho. __________________ mom to seraphina blue & the cashman miss jeni-take-a-ride, rescued 7/07 shangri la's great white caesar, rescued 4/09 hearthside's cinderfella (RIP 4/20/09) shep von bellefontaine (RIP 6/9/10) voodoo lily (dsh) & cricket (african grey)

12-10-2011, 11:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
Guineveree1990 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 32	I believe I found the pup we are going to get! Not either one of those two that I post but pretty much the same situation. I had a German Shepherd rescue when I was a child and he was a great great dog. VERY smart and gentle even though he was 100+lbs. Well this is some years later and now I am married and we have two young children and a 60lb Australian Shepherd that we have had for 2 years. He is great with the kids and loves other dogs. We are looking to add a German Shepherd to our family now. (I am a stay at home mom and we have a huge yard and a nice trail by our house that we walk regularly, exercise will not be an issue with us) where we would LOVE to rescue a dog we really want a puppy that will grow up with the children. Adding a year old german shepherd that weighs 100lbs that we do not know isn't an option for us with the little kids. Anyway I would love to go to a "real" breeder and spend $1,500+ but that is more then we can pay. I have a question though--- Arthur (Our aussie) is great with other dogs and LOVES to play--- if we adopt a male puppy and they grow up together will they get along? Arthur is already fixed and the pup will also get fixed if that makes a differences. Would two males get along or would you recommend a female?

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