[Mikey von]

Hello,

We are in the beginning stages of looking for a GSD for our family. We currently have two older dogs (both 12, 1 lab mix , 1 shepherd mix) who we are enjoying and we will not get a puppy until they have both moved on. I do want a puppy quickly after they are gone though and want to be prepared. We are a family of 5, with three young boys (6, 2.5, and 5 months). We live in the Mtns of Nor Cal (Burney) on several acres that back up to 10's of thousands of acres of forest. My wife is a stay-at-home mom (who does some work from home during the evenings) and I am a school teacher.

We are looking for a family companion first, but I am very active outdoors as I am sure my boys will be. I hike a lot, backpack, hunt, and Mt. Bike. I am also interested in obedience training (CGC), tracking, and possibly SAR. Our new pup will be inside with us most of the time and will have an inside/outside kennel off our detached garage.

I want a dog similar but better trained (my fault) and less skittish/shy than my last GSD/mix, Kaya. Kaya passed away 2 years ago after a year long battle with cancer. I got her from an animal shelter when she was 8 weeks and she was 11 when she passed. Kaya went everywhere with me, especially in the woods.

I want a dog that can keep up with me, but at the same time be a fine family pet. I do not want a super high drive dog that will go nuts if it misses a daily hike or is unable to come with us on a trip. A dog with a medium drive that has an off switch would do great.

With that long book off my chest, I have been looking at different breeders. I really enjoy the looks of the dark sable dogs and have decided that I will look for a dog that fits my drive/temperament needs that will have a sable coat.

One breeder I am interested in is fairly close (1.5 hours) and I was wondering if anyone has heard of or dealt with them? They are True Haus Kennels out of Oroville, CA. German Shepherd Dog, True Haus Kennels

I will gladly take any advice on the type of dog (DDR right now) I should be looking at and any breeders that are with-in driving range (8 or so hours) of me.

thanks,

michael

 

[Mikey von]

Thanks for the quick responses.

Here is another Nor Cal breeder that was PM'd to me. Thought I would share it so everyone could see. Witmer-Tyson Imports - German Shepherds, Law Enforcement Training, and Equipment

I definitely want to do professional training with our pup. Is there any benefit or cons to having the breeder be my trainer as well (I plan on doing the training, not just having the dog trained)?

Also, I noticed that many of the breeders (including True Haus) have multiple litters per year (7-8). Is this too many and a sign of a puppy mill type operation?

 

[Mikey von]

So anyone have any info or heard of True Haus Kennels?

 

[Mikey von]

bump

 

[Mikey von]

Ace. thanks for the tip. We are a little bit out till we are ready for a new pup.

I did find another local (2.5 hr drive) breeder whom i'd like to check out -

Home Drescher Haus in Oroville, CA

anyone have any experience with them?

 

[Mikey von]

I am new here and to pure breed shepherds, but in my lurking and reading (I read a lot) I know that cliff's opinion has a lot of weight. I thank you
(and everyone else) for responding to my question.

True Haus is definitely on the top of the list. The more I look into them the more I like them. They actively work and title their dogs and from the looks of it, they will support me in training and working my dog.

This will be our first dog from a breeder. Our other dogs (2 shepherds and a lab) have come from shelters. We are a little nervous about going to breeders, just because we have never been.

I plan on contacting and visiting the two I have listed (maybe drescher haus just to see the black stallion). Is there a standard set of questions I should be asking?

I don't know where to start. First, this kennel has some of the finest working lines in this country, imo. Second, All the females I see have BH titles to go along with SDA titles. This is a very good source of some very nice dogs. SDA tests the nerves of a German Shepherd in their advanced titles better than Sch, IMO. I also know Cindy's stock and I have the same lines in my kennel, and my club is an SDA club, so maybe I know a little about her dogs and their titles from first hand.
I would get a puppy from Cindy and True-haus in a heartbeat. Of course if you don't know SDA or have never seen a SDA trial or SDA titled dog.....Well???
It doesn't make me any difference where the OP get a dog from, but since he asked about True Haus, I would sugeest he/she go look at her dogs and come back and tell us what he finds. Then we can see which of the opposite opinions on this kennel is closest to the truth.

He is! STUNNING. I would just like to sit in a chair and watch him run - he is so beautiful.

 

[Mikey von]

Remione1 - thank you for the great review. We have all but decided to go with Jim and Cindy at TrueHaus. We do want to see the facility and were planning on checking it out when we passed that by that way over Thanksgiving. That did not work out, so we plan on stopping by next time we head South. They definitely sound like great breeders.

I plan on training with them as well and that is a big selling point for us. I really wanted to put $$$ on the recent Tom and Fibby litter, but we are waiting for our older dogs to pass on. I REALLY want a dog that can hike with me (not that I want my other 2 to pass).