I'm about to be a new GSD Mommy!

[lynnerobb]

Last week, my husband and I went to place a deposit on the worlds most ADORABLE Gsd, ( yes, I know I am biased ) a little girl currently named by her breeder as Ms. Grey. We are going to wait until she gets to come home on the 9th to watch her personality and give her her very own name

I have a few questions though, and was wondering if I could ask? We have not owned a Shep since our little boy Mars passed away of old age in 05, so I am a bit out of the loop training wise, and any suggestions would be so very welcome. We had Mars registered as Canine Good Citizen and as a therapy animal.. with this one my husband would like to attempt schutzhund Training.. Is there a good age to start training like that out?
I could also use some food recommendations if anyone has any

Thanks so much for bearing with me

[GSDBESTK9]

Not all GSDs are cut out for Schutzhund. Where are you getting your GSD from? Is it a reputable breeder who does Schutzhund with his/her dogs??

[lynnerobb]

We are getting our pup from this breeder: Church Family Farms Home

They seem to be very reputable, and we have been visiting our pup often. Any idea of how to tell if she would be Schutzhund material? Our breeder mainly shows, I admittedly did not even think to ask if they do any type of competition like agility or such with their GSD family.

[MaggieRoseLee]

Not all dogs will do well in Sch, but you certainly increase you chances if your breeder is trying to breed for the sport, has titled their dogs in the sport and know how to pick the best puppy from the litter that will fit your needs.

So if I wanted to do Sch then I'd go to a breeder that's breeding for that. Why we go to responsible breeders in the first place, support a program that's right up our alley for the dogs we also want!

HOw are the parent dogs OFA's for hips and elbows? Couldn't find it on the website. What's the puppy warranty look like?

Did you get a chance to look at How to find a puppy! and Welcome to the GSD/FAQ's for the first time owner - German Shepherd Dog Forums

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by lynnerobb

We are getting our pup from this breeder: Church Family Farms Home

They seem to be very reputable, and we have been visiting our pup often. Any idea of how to tell if she would be Schutzhund material? Our breeder mainly shows, I admittedly did not even think to ask if they do any type of competition like agility or such with their GSD family.

I'm not seeing much information posted on their website, but it appears their dogs are not titled, and I don't see OFA information either. The female http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/dog.html?id=671106appears to be a mix of show and working lines, and there is no pedigree information on their stud dog other than this:

Kenichi : 86lbs - Black & Tan

"Kenichi is our only male breeding sire at this time. He is the perfect fit for our goals and produces the top quality puppies for everyone’s needs. "

The "breeders" appear to be a very young couple, so I am doubtful as to their experience. The statement that their dog "produces the top quality puppies for everyone's needs" is so ridiculous I don't even know where to start...

So... will your pup make a good candidate for SchH? If it is really important to you, I'd look elsewhere. All puppies are a crapshoot, but with a knowledgable, experienced breeder you can stack the odds in your favor. You will pay more than $400, but you are more likely to get what you want.

edited to add: it appears their female's sire is a unilateral cryptorchid, according to the comments on PDB.

[bocron]

Was it me, or is that website impossible to read? I tried looking at it in Firefox and Safari and couldn't come up with a legible version.
If you are interested in getting involved in Schutzhund then it is a good idea to find a club near you to help with getting started. At our club we start puppies the minute people get them and want to come out. We don't do any formal "work" at that stage, but it is a great way to get started on socialization, some fun obedience and prey/play work. There are 3 main Schutzhund organizations in the US, DVG America, United Schutzhund Clubs of America and GSDCA-WDA. There are also protection sports associations as well as ring sport. The subject is pretty deep and can take some time to research and decide upon.
Here are a few links to clubs in Indiana I found. I don't know any of these folks, just giving you the listings.

Fort Wayne Working Dog Association & 3 Rivers Working Dog Association

http://www.ogindyschutzhundundpolizei.com/index.html

O.G. Landshark

White River | Home

[Freestep]

Finally, after some more digging I found the photo and pedigree for their stud dog:

Brian Church's Kenichi vom Caloway - German Shepherd Dog

Weird pedigree, it appears that a female of decent German working line was bred to an inbred pet male. I wouldn't touch this litter with a ten foot pole.

Linebreeding - 5 generations

• 1 - 2............................................. in Harley Vaughan Rice
• 2 - 3............................................. in Little Jacob McCandles
• 3 - 4............................................. in Big Jacob McCandles II
• 3 - 4............................................. in Houka's Shasta Moon
• 3 - 4............................................. in Zackery Running
• 3 - 4............................................. in Sasha's Peace O'Dream
• 2 - 3............................................. in Chelsea Inga Snow-Ball

[1sttimeforgsd]

Hello and Welcome, and congrats on the new puppy. Many of the members on here are well educated about the breed and their pedigrees and although they have the best of intentions they do not realize that most of us on here would not have a gsd if we had only purchased from the bigger reputable breeders.

You came on here happy about your new upcoming puppy, only asking about Schutzhund and food not if your breeder was acceptable to everyone else liking.

As for food, I would buy the best kibble that you can afford. There are lots of articles on here about food and puppies. I can not help on your Schutzhund question sorry. Best of luck with your new puppy, and post pictures please and share when she comes home.

[Germanshepherdlova]

Congrats on your new puppy and I can't wait to see her pictures!!!

[Freestep]

Originally Posted by 1sttimeforgsd

You came on here happy about your new upcoming puppy, only asking about Schutzhund and food not if your breeder was acceptable to everyone else liking.

I can't sit idly by and watch people rush headlong into something that has red flags all over it, without saying something.

OP seems like an awfully nice person and very excited, and I hate to rain on their parade, but I don't want to see another person get taken in by a BYB and be here posting in a few months about all kinds of health and temperament issues... so, sorry if it bothers you, but I simply have to say something, now, while there's still time. OP can still back out at this point, maybe have their deposit go toward the "live and learn" fund, and begin searching for a reputable breeder.

But then, maybe by the luck of the draw, the pup will be just fine.