Question for GSD breeders:

[PaddyD]

Originally Posted by Castlemaid

Wonderful post, Catu!

Agreed.

How far in the future is this potential breeding going to begin?

[dawnandjr]

Originally Posted by Castlemaid

Wonderful post, Catu!

Agreed!

[bocron]

Originally Posted by HarleyTheGSD

-By owning a German show line/working line stud dog, I will allow other breeders to breed their bitch with an outstanding quality dog and therefore, produce dogs that are the same.

I know that I would have to look at the bitch's pedigree to see if there are any genetic disorders in her generation, and if there is, I would not allow that bitch to be bred to my stud dog.

Starting out your breeding program with a male is probably the hardest way to go. Look at it this way, if you owned a female that you raised, trained, titled and got the health certifications done, who would you want to breed her to? Most(if they don't own their own male to use) will go out and find a male that has the most accolades, the highest title you can find, a koerklasse rating, and hopefully a dog that has participated in the highest level, Regional, National or even World competitions (working line or showline, each has their own brass rings). So unless you have the skill to train, title and compete at that level, most people who own a breedworthy female are not going to breed to a nice looking dog with no certifications or the bare minimums. If they are willing to breed their female indiscriminately then they are not what most would consider a true advocate of the breed, and you don't want your male's reputation attached to that.
You have plenty of time, get out to some clubs and conformation events and watch the different lines work. Experience their temperament and overall demeanor and then decide where to start. If you truly get the Conformation bug, then you won't enjoy trying to win with a working line, conversely, if you get the Schutzhund bug, you will probably enjoy training and competing with a dog from working lines.

Good luck whichever way you go!

[HarleyTheGSD]

Thank you to everybody that posted, all of your replies helped tremendously! Now I realize that breeding or even owning one stud dog is much more difficult than I thought, and I am fixed on getting a stud dog. I am willing to go to clubs and conformation shows to have a better understanding of how the German lines work, and I will get out and ask breeders and Schutzhund trainers more questions. I am also willing to get my stud dog titled, trained, and into any competitions I can get into. I am very determined and will do whatever I can to reach my goals.
And don't worry, I will do much much more research and look closely at both lines in person.

Thank you again everybody!!

[gagsd]

Good luck Brittany!

[Freestep]

Brittany, do you have a mentor? I think that is the most important thing for anyone wishing to get into dogs.

I think the key is to get a good quality pup, with a solid pedigree, raise, train, and title that pup, show and get a koer rating, and when all that is said and done, see if you still want to do that over and over and over again...

THEN see if you still want to be a breeder!

[Catu]

Originally Posted by HarleyTheGSD

I am also willing to get my stud dog titled, trained, and into any competitions I can get into.

Why not get your dog titled, trained, and into any competitions you can get into, before deciding if you are going to stud him?

[trudy]

Brittany, get out and about, see dogs, learn from others, find a breeder you like, buy the best boy you can, train and trial him while finishing your studies and starting your career. By the time you are ready to start breeding , you will have no student loans and will own your own place with enough land to have a couple of dogs, your first dog will most likely be retired, but you will have learned so very much from him. You are now ready for more...I am sure with all the training and trialling you have seen dogs you like and don't...Use that info and the friends and breeders you know and trust and search for dog # 2, male or female, won't matter as training, trialling will take several years, health testings being done, and if this dog turns out and has no issues you and others don't like, here is the start of your breeding..then you will know where you are going.

And I know young people think everything must be done quick...there is no quick success, your first dog may be super and you might get some stud service, but the learning you will get is most important. As well too often young people with great intentions have limited finances to back it up. Often renting and at the whim of renters on if they can keep their dog. Jobs are easy to loose so extra expenses become more difficult, especially if paying off debt, a sick dog, training costs, trialling costs etc, may be out of your reach.. I know you would never give up your dog for boy friends, babies etc, but too often we hear of it, and what will you do if the dog and boy friend don't like each other?? Many thoughts to think of. Wait, there is lots of time

[HarleyTheGSD]

Originally Posted by Catu

Why not get your dog titled, trained, and into any competitions you can get into, before deciding if you are going to stud him?

Hmm. So that I would know what he is capable of? I should do that. And if something goes wrong to where I cannot stud him and I lose a lot of money, I will still have an amazing, loyal, protective companion.

[HarleyTheGSD]

Originally Posted by trudy

Brittany, get out and about, see dogs, learn from others, find a breeder you like, buy the best boy you can, train and trial him while finishing your studies and starting your career. By the time you are ready to start breeding , you will have no student loans and will own your own place with enough land to have a couple of dogs, your first dog will most likely be retired, but you will have learned so very much from him. You are now ready for more...I am sure with all the training and trialling you have seen dogs you like and don't...Use that info and the friends and breeders you know and trust and search for dog # 2, male or female, won't matter as training, trialling will take several years, health testings being done, and if this dog turns out and has no issues you and others don't like, here is the start of your breeding..then you will know where you are going.

And I know young people think everything must be done quick...there is no quick success, your first dog may be super and you might get some stud service, but the learning you will get is most important. As well too often young people with great intentions have limited finances to back it up. Often renting and at the whim of renters on if they can keep their dog. Jobs are easy to loose so extra expenses become more difficult, especially if paying off debt, a sick dog, training costs, trialling costs etc, may be out of your reach.. I know you would never give up your dog for boy friends, babies etc, but too often we hear of it, and what will you do if the dog and boy friend don't like each other?? Many thoughts to think of. Wait, there is lots of time

I will do lots of research and will wait until I know for sure that I am ready. I will also talk to breeders in person and ask questions.
I agree when you said; "your first dog may be super and you might get some stud service, but the learning you will get is most important". Even if my stud dog doesn't get any service, I will have the knowledge and will be able to keep trying and I will know what to look for.
And you are right, I will not let any boys get in the way. And if the boyfriend and the dog don't get along....well he'll just have to either deal with it or leave.