Not to start a raging debate here, since I'm only looking for peoples feedback on breeders in my area, and not so much 'what's the best GSD line' but... from what I can tell by reading all the threads and articles I can find - AM and WG are totally different animals for the SL breed line. Depending on what the owner is after in a dog - 1 or the other will NOT fit their criteria and be deemed 'not as good' - not that it's true in any way - other than the individual assessing the animal. To them it's clear - but to someone else looking for different qualities - their opinions will vastly differ. It will also vary based on the individual dog, just like people from the same family can be doctors, lawyers - or criminals and junkies - 50% genetic deposition from 'mom and dad' and 50% environment/handler/owner.
I will tell everyone who finds this thread in the future - that picking the right breeder is an insanely difficult decision. One that you
shouldn't take lightly and
DEFINITELY need to put the work in talking to owners, breeders, visiting said breeders/kennels and local clubs + talking with reputable trainers in your area.
Everyone will have their own opinion (like people always do) about what's the best.
I am grateful to meet and get to know some of the members in this community. I have been reading about GSD's and all the pro's and con's of the breed - and I can say without a doubt that despite the problems some animals can encounter - when you pick the right breeder - you eliminate most of those problems. The rest is up to you to be a good parent to the pup/dog - just like with anything worth while - if you don't put the time in - you'll never achieve the potential.
Everyone who owns an AKC pure breed GSD is an Ambassador for the entire breed, average people don't know the different between a DDR, WGSL, AMSL, etc... When I talk to my friends, who almost ALL of them own dogs BTW - and I mention we're considering a GSD - their first reaction is 'wow really? are you sure?...' so that right there tells me that there are an abundance of
terrible GSD owners to perpetuate the stereotype of 'bad dogs' - and that was the main reason I started researching every last thing I could find about the different breeds, breeders, lines and pros and cons of the dogs. I didn't want to be that guy...
I feel very confident now that I'm making an informed decision partly from those who have lent help on these forums - but largely due to the diligence that I have put in re-educating myself about what I remember as 'my best childhood friends in the whole world' - bringing any dog into your family is a big decision - and one that shouldn't be made haphazardly.
Thanks again for all the help - you guys have been awesome!
(man that ended up being really long)