Help me decide

[thinkrevolutionx]

Alittle background first, single male in process of closing on a home with a medium sized fenced yard. I've owned a number of dogs in the past, including my latest, an akita. I have some history in training dogs, but nothing competitive.

I am a law enforcement officer who fell in love with the drive and spirit of our K9 dogs, whom are ddr dogs. I always wanted a shepherd, and now that i'm done with school and have the actual time to dedicate to it, i'm interested in picking one up.

Now, cost is not a concern for me, that being said - i've been reading here for a few weeks now, and have a couple of books, but i'd like to give you guys what i'm looking for and hopefully you can tell me some breeder(s) to look at, as well as what line(s). I understand that alot of things depend on the dog, but i'll give overarching things.


1) First and foremost the dog must have no social aggression. Must not be a risk around children or other animals. Timidness around strangers is fine, but I don't want my dog to bite or be fearful. Family dog first. Everything else second.

2) I intend to train the dog and socialize it immensely. I will be enrolling in multiple classes for obedience and protection and whatever else strikes my fancy. This is not because I intend to compete with the dog, but to make it a nice well rounded dog, and to help bond with it. So i'd need a dog with the drive to participate.

3) I will be going to dog parks, beaches, hiking - the whole nine, probably with other dogs and people and as with #1 I need it to be trustworthy in these environments.

4) Sue me, but looks are important. I do NOT like the sloped back of any show line dogs, i think it's very unnatural and unattractive. I do very much enjoy the dark sable dogs, but not solid black. The dark sable czech dogs seem to be the most handsome dog, but I've heard that they are less inclined to be as good family dogs as the west german working lines. Brown / Black standard is also beautiful, but once again I enjoy the more streamlined, almost "wolf" look of the DDR / Czech dogs rather then the blockiness of the american and west german lines. My research ultimately leads me to believe a slightly more mellow west german working line dog would be what would suit me most though.

Anyway, sorry for the essay but it's obviously a big decision. Any help or insight would be much appreciated!

[Emoore]

Sounds like you could do well with either a West or East German working. What area of the world/country are you in? Easier to recommend a breeder that way.

[kleinenHain]

Agree, what area are you in?

[MicheleMarie]

you pretty much stated everything that i was looking for in a dog i ended up with a west german working lined dog. he looks very wolfish at the moment.. he is a medium sable and he gets darker some weeks and then gets lighter the next o.O his temperment is absolutely supurb, we do protection work and he's a hard hitter with a crazy bite and you can cuddle with him after lol. he loves water and other dogs, loves car rides LOVES people and attention. very smart-i had him house trained in 2.5 weeks of getting him. ddr/czech dog should be fine for you too. they just tend to have more energy and drive and if you are willing to spend the time for them to direct their drive and mind then you should be good to go!
if your dog is from a reputable breeder with good balanced nerves then the outcome of him being safe and friendly around other people and dogs is UP TO YOU. it's YOUR job to socialize him to other people and dogs and busy places when he's a puppy and make it a good experience. you can read ALL about that on here later though

i agree with emoore-i have three breeders i can recomend to you in Colorado..but there are great breeders everywhere so I'd have to know what state/region you are in and if you can travel

[thinkrevolutionx]

Michele, that is exactly what i'm looking for.

I am located in the new york area, by the city.

[Emoore]

You gotta at least take a walk over to MA and check out Wildhaus: (Wildhaus Kennels, Working German Shepherd Breeder in Michigan)

[MicheleMarie]

Originally Posted by thinkrevolutionx

Michele, that is exactly what i'm looking for.

I am located in the new york area, by the city.

DEFINATELY goto wildhaus (link below) i will be getting my next dog there! lol

my breeder doesn't update her website...but i am sure she ships. the dog i got my pup from-she will be breeding to the same stud. This will be the 3rd time she does it-she does it because the pups are out of this world!! really-they are perfect (okay i am a LITTLE biased). one from the first litter just got qualified k9 for Oakland, CA police
Kennel Dogs Schutzhund Home protection SAR Police Dogs Mondio French Ring

i unfortuntaley don't know the north east too well-even though i grew up in vermont people on here are very knowledgeable and will give you fantastic advice!!

there's also a great thread under "choosing a breeder" titled "what to look for in a breeder" so if you find a place by where you live you will know what to look for and what questions to ask.

dog hunting is half the fun

[Freestep]

Whatever you do, get the opposite sex to your Akita.

[JakodaCD OA]

you mean wolf like this


or this?


or maybe this?


or last one I promise)


Sorry couldn't resist

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by thinkrevolutionx

1) Timidness around strangers is fine, but I don't want my dog to bite or be fearful.

Just to be clear, I don't think "timid" is the word you are looking for... "timid" implies shyness/fearfulness. Did you mean "aloof"? Because a dog that is timid with strangers is not a good sign for what you are looking for.