Looking to get my first puppy.

[elderNerd]

I'm looking to get my first puppy. Have had dogs all my life but all have been rescues of one kind or another. The best by far was a GSD with a just bit husky or Malamute in his blood. At my age this will almost certainly be my last dog and I would like a shot at having another great animal. All my dogs have been “good dogs”, the last was a rather troubled rescue that eventually earned his GCCC after nearly a year of no-force training by myself under the direction of a professional trainer. We have three miniature horses and an 800lb pig named Boog. I have grave doubts about the ethics of breeding for show (looks) as opposed to breeding for temperament, function and health and so I am uneasy about dealing with that side of the dog world. We are located in the very rural mountains of northern North Carolina. Willing to travel ~200 miles, perhaps more.

Any tips, thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.

[lourdes]

Hello, I'm also in the process and have narrowed down my choices to Von der Falkenhein AK9 German Shepherd Breeder German Shepherd Puppies specifically the breeding of Jerry and Loretta Line-breeding for the progency of Jerry von der Hube and VD Loretta Vepeden
Best wishes on your search this will be my first dog ever and the process of finding breeder/litter can be overwhelming. GSD forum has become invaluable to me on this journey.

[sophia_dave101]

Actually the tips for getting that first puppy are probably endless and like most things that you do in life common sense will carry you a long way. It will do a lot when you are thinking about getting that first puppy.

[elderNerd]

Originally Posted by sophia_dave101

Actually the tips for getting that first puppy are probably endless and like most things that you do in life common sense will carry you a long way. It will do a lot when you are thinking about getting that first puppy.

Thank you; been locating by internet searches and culling by phone conversation. I think we've found a breeder. I didn't think to ask about price in our first phone conversation, and there's no price on their site that I could find. I have an email request for some idea and will call if no response to email over the weekend. We can't spend more than $2k for the dog and would like to spend less. Based on previous experience with our trainer we expect to spend >$1k on training (and to find it worth every penny). Anyway that really makes spending more for the dog difficult for us to justify. But we need a breeder competent enough and experienced enough and serious enough to properly evaluate puppies and match them to the needs of their clients. So I have concerns that our budget may not be adequate. Thoughts on that?

edit:
regarding first post: GCCC is what the pre-senile call CGC

[Lauri & The Gang]

Originally Posted by elderNerd

edit:
regarding first post: GCCC is what the pre-senile call CGC

Hahaha!!

Have you ruled out having a puppy shipped? There are many VERY good breeders out there - you shouldn't limit yourself to a set area if you want a puppy from a competent breeder.

[elderNerd]

Originally Posted by Lauri & The Gang

Have you ruled out having a puppy shipped? There are many VERY good breeders out there - you shouldn't limit yourself to a set area if you want a puppy from a competent breeder.

Yes, that would simplify things greatly but before deciding I want to talk to the breeder face to face, see them work with dogs, see how their dogs live etc. I could extend the driving radious to ~300 miles.

[gowen]

Originally Posted by lourdes

Hello, I'm also in the process and have narrowed down my choices to Von der Falkenhein AK9 German Shepherd Breeder German Shepherd Puppies specifically the breeding of Jerry and Loretta Line-breeding for the progency of Jerry von der Hube and VD Loretta Vepeden
Best wishes on your search this will be my first dog ever and the process of finding breeder/litter can be overwhelming. GSD forum has become invaluable to me on this journey.

+1 for Von Falkenhein in reidsville, nc.

[CelticGlory]

There are many great show lines and working lines, you also have some breeders who cross these lines as well. Von Lotta is a good breeder located in GA. Their pet puppies are priced $1500-$2000, their show quality puppies are more.

I would look into breeders who have older puppies that hold them back and decide they would do better in other homes as well.

[elderNerd]

I have talked to the breeder by phone. Their prices are completely within reason and I have arranged of us to meet them in a couple of weeks. I will not (and would not) select the puppy, the breeder will. I don't think one could overstate the importance of that. I want to feel comfortable about them being the one making the decision, and that they know us well enough to fully utilize their skills in that process. Of course, in the end it's a craps shoot played on a Gaussian field and I'm just hoping to nudge the odds in our favor.


In any case I thank you all for the feed back. I will post a picture of the pup when we get one.


Thanks again,


elderNerd

[gowen]

Originally Posted by elderNerd

I have talked to the breeder by phone. Their prices are completely within reason and I have arranged of us to meet them in a couple of weeks. I will not (and would not) select the puppy, the breeder will. I don't think one could overstate the importance of that. I want to feel comfortable about them being the one making the decision, and that they know us well enough to fully utilize their skills in that process. Of course, in the end it's a craps shoot played on a Gaussian field and I'm just hoping to nudge the odds in our favor.


In any case I thank you all for the feed back. I will post a picture of the pup when we get one.


Thanks again,


elderNerd

Which breeder are you considering? I can only speak from my personal experience with our past breeder and can easily say that she is an expert judgement of character and knows her dogs well. You will not go wrong letting her (AK9/Birgit) make the selection on your behalf.