Are my expectations high ?

[QDMHunter]

I have been watching,reading this website/board for just over 4 to 5 months now. I am in the process of finding a dog. A good GSD to be a family dog. I will not compete with it, show or breed it. Just a well behaved, smart loving dog.
I am 44 years old, my wife and I have 3 children, 2 are grown and gone and have a 14 year old daughter in the home with us. We had a GSD for 12 years from my youngest daughters birth untill we had to have her put down about 2 years ago at the vets request, it was best for her as she developed a tumor at her pancreas. That would be one of the hardest things I ever had to do and was tremendously sad for the family.
I sat in the vets office with her on the floor after we got the news for an hour or so saying my "goodbyes".
We all miss her beyond words, I have not been able to think of another dog until the last several months and we have decided the time is right for another family member.
I find myself looking at her pictures and standing there looking at her collar, draped over a small wooden box containing her ashes and feel a great loss even to this day.
I have contacted several breeders of what look to be fine dogs, sent emails to about 4 that I had narrowed down. of those only 1 in well over a month has even given me a minute of their time and I need advice.
We reside in Northern Virginia, We have a 2450 Sq Ft. single family home, we dont have a fenced yard and live in a master planned community. Not having a fence was never an issue with our previous female GSD Jesse nor the Rott. we had prior to her. I am looking for breeders in VA, MD, DE, and NC but would be willing to have a dog shipped. Jesse was protective of the home and family naturally, yet very friendly and outgoing to neighbors, kids in the neighborhood and would only react as unknown people came to the house/yard, once we eccepted them, she was fine. She was well behaved and listened well.
What I am looking for is a female.
A little larger than average with out being bred for large size.
A Czech, DDR, East German ? Black, Black mixed, Dark sable...
Drive but not over the top, we are an active family, hiking, camping and have plenty of room to play in the neighborhood and woods behind us.
A pup or older pup that has some training.
We won't be showing, competing or breeding. Just a great family addition.
We will likely continue with training with the breeder or locally ,what ever is more efficient.
We have decided to spend in the neighborhood of 3K to 3.5K more or less but what should I expect at that price or less? If you were to invest that money in a family dog, what woul you GSD owners expect ?
Do breeders of these dogs get so many people that inquire that they just get overwhelmed by all the time people take from them that they just blow off the ones that they think are not really buyers?
I know everyone has the right to deny a sale, that goes with out saying, the same as I have the right to not buy from one or another.Am i saying something that would make someone not want to sell to me? I would defy anyone to find out anything bad about me or my family that would make one not sell to me, my emails have been somewhat like above so people will know I am not just looking but I am a buyer of the right dog to fit my family, yet want someone that will take the time to help me choose the right dog. I would expect the breeder to be trusting of me as I am of them, relying on them to make a choice from their litter that will meet the goals of our family.
I inquire via email as to not really disturb anyone when it is not a good time to discuss and always leave my phone number so they can contact me when they have the time. I have to admit, I am new to the different types of Shepherds and want the best healty dog for our money. I can't seem to get anyone that wants my money or time, a BYB will take it I know but I don't want a dog from them, I want a well balanced dog that has the health, temperment and bond that these dogs have.
I guess if you have read through all of this, through my rambling and brief family info, you may just have the time to help me, reccomend or know of a path I can atleast check out. I plan to be a part of this board through my journey and well through my dogs life.
I'll thank you in advance for any input.

[Emoore]

Why don't you post the e-mail you're sending the breeders so we can see if maybe there's something that's turning them off?

[GSDBESTK9]

Originally Posted by QDMHunter

Do breeders of these dogs get so many people that inquire that they just get overwhelmed by all the time people take from them that they just blow off the ones that they think are not really buyers?

I don't think it is because of the time people take. For us, we are receiving a tremendous amout of inquiries at this time and I know for a fact that even my husband is having a hard time keeping up. Does not mean he is not willing to spend the time. In fact, he is very good at spending what ever time needed. Thankfully some of them have been persistant and it has paid off.

If there is a breeder you like, don't give up, keep emailing or better yet, calling. I'm sure you will find what you are looking for.

Don't pay 3K for a puppy though, for that kind of money you should receive a young adult with some training.

[Holmeshx2]

From the sounds of it you are looking for working lines (based on the colors) and for a puppy from working lines I would expect to pay closer to 2K then 3K quite honestly. I know breeders are busy however something I want in a breeder is the relationship without having to hound them because I really don't like to be a bother. One big thing I did in my search for the perfect breeder was made my own personal requirement that the breeder be from this forum because FOR ME I felt like if they took the time to be here helping people that don't even have one of their puppies and do it for the love of the breed then I had a really good chance of them still helping me after the sale.

[holland]

I guess how I would look at it is if I sent a breeder and there was no response I would move on-I think that if you are simply stating what you are looking for in a e-mail then a breeder should respond-its the polite thing to do

[GSDBESTK9]

That's kind of silly. Many times my husband has gotten emails from the junk folder when he happened to look in there. So if you send an email and get no response, why not try again? Or better yet, why not call?

We have gotten 4-6 emails per day lately and my husband is pretty good at replying to them but when you receive that many in one day and are going back and forth with them, it is not uncommon to think you have replied back when in fact you haven't.

I don't think trying is hounding and if the particular breeder is bothered by you, then move on.

[holland]

Well first of all I am not looking for a dog-if there was a dog I absolutely fell in love with maybe-but that hasn't happened and in my opinion if I sent an e-mail and the person didn't respond after a week or so yep I'd move on-my opinion-I have one

[Emoore]

Johnsonhaus has black and sable working-line dogs in MD. Just sayin. . . .

[holland]

Also just sayin...if a breeder didn't return my e-mail I'd move on-

[Josie/Zeus]

I'm sorry you're having a hard time getting response with the breeders you've emailed. I think it's also timing, Superbowl weekend, etc.

I hope you get some answers soon and I also agree that paying 3-4 k for a family pet is too much. You can find great showline quality with amazing temperament of course for that price.