GSD breeders

[elegy]

A friend of mine lost her old shepherd over the weekend (tragically. He died at the kennel while they were away. Unexpectedly, although he did have some health problems.)

Anyway, she wants another shepherd and her husband insists they get a puppy. She wants a good pet dog. She has two boys (5 and 9 I think), doesn't want to do anything with the dog beyond normal pet dog activities (hiking, frisbee, hanging out and being a dog).

Can anybody point me in a direction that I can point her? We're in Central PA. I just don't want to see her buy a dog from a crappy BYBer.

 

[Fran101]

this is my FAVORITE breeder, where i will one day get my boy from
(Working German Shepherd Breeder in Michigan, by Wildhaus Kennels )

they are in michigan, but do ship.

If you can, check out german shepherd forums. they will point u in the right direction

 

[Lizmo]

I don't know any, but that's terrible for your friend. Many vibes for her.

 

[Amstaffer]

germanshepherds.com: Choosing A Breeder

I would try there first. Lots of very knowledgeable and helpful people.

I would also second Wildhaus, (although he produces serious working dogs) he is active on that board and has a very good reputation and is well regarded by his peers.

 

[ihartgonzo]

Are they willing to ship their puppy?

I know an AMAZING breeder in Chico, Ca. Beautiful, sound, stable working dogs and pet quality puppies available.

 

[Zoom]

That Wildhaus breeder sounds really good...

 

[ihartgonzo]

These are two of my favorite breeders... I love GSD's, I was going to get one before Gonzo, and hopefully I'll get a nice puppy someday! Both are in California. Both are really nice people (I've met both of them) with awesome, well-rounded dogs.

German Shepherd Dog, True Haus Kennels (<-- I was about to get a puppy from them... stunning dogs and a very supportive/informative/invested breeder.)
Hinterland German Shepherds - Litter Announcements (<-- Really nice dogs with all kinds of titles, from Schutzhund to Herding to Therapy work.)

 

[release the hounds]

If you're looking for an active pet, Chris Wild would be a great place to start looking. They do breed working lines, and they can be "serious" working dogs or they can be great even tempered, healthy athletic and energetic pets. That's the beauty of breeding for utility, not beauty.

he does have the web board mentioned earlier, it's a good place to start looking.

Here's another person you can check with, she's in PA. She's been around for quite a long time. Really loves the breed and knows it. She might not have the dog for you, but probably knows who does. The website is kind of all over, but trust me she knows her stuff.

AboutShelley

 

[elegy]

thanks guys. i passed along your links. i don't know how much money she's got to put into a well-bred dog and i suspect the working dog kennel aspect will turn her off a bit- she doesn't want a serious working dog. she wants a friendly, flexible pet dog. but we'll see.

it's a shame her husband won't go for an adult dog. there are a couple gorgeous looking younger adult dogs in local shelters, a la petfinder. i mean seriously. Adopt a German Shepherd Dog: 55101-SHELBY: Petfinder

 

[release the hounds]

Take it from someone that works GSD's regularly. Showline kennels that advertise the best of everything have laid back, pretty dogs and the temps vary. They aren't cheap, most reputable show kennels are 2K and up easily for a puppy.

working lines, again you can get all sorts of temps, but why a working line would turn anyone off, especially somebody that wanted a GSD is beyond me. a good working line dog can be whatever you want it to be. Mine go with me everywhere from camping and hikes to parades and Home Depot. They play with kids, they play with me and lay around the house when its time. They also will do lots of other things most other dogs won't too, if you want them too.

and i've gotten dogs of all ages, from 8 weeks to 5-6 years old and in the end it's all the same concerning our bond and training. It probably won't matter cause the dad has his mind made up, but seriously the right dog for the family is the right dog.

 

[Amstaffer]

Take it from someone that works GSD's regularly. Showline kennels that advertise the best of everything have laid back, pretty dogs and the temps vary. They aren't cheap, most reputable show kennels are 2K and up easily for a puppy.

working lines, again you can get all sorts of temps, but why a working line would turn anyone off, especially somebody that wanted a GSD is beyond me. a good working line dog can be whatever you want it to be. Mine go with me everywhere from camping and hikes to parades and Home Depot. They play with kids, they play with me and lay around the house when its time. They also will do lots of other things most other dogs won't too, if you want them too.

and i've gotten dogs of all ages, from 8 weeks to 5-6 years old and in the end it's all the same concerning our bond and training. It probably won't matter cause the dad has his mind made up, but seriously the right dog for the family is the right dog.

Well said

 

[elegy]

working lines, again you can get all sorts of temps, but why a working line would turn anyone off, especially somebody that wanted a GSD is beyond me.

all those scary bite sport pics
and, i imagine, all the emphasis on drive.

she wouldn't get a show line shepherd either, i don't think. what i'm afraid she'll get is a no line shepherd, bred for absolutely nothing.

 

[Amstaffer]

all those scary bite sport pics
and, i imagine, all the emphasis on drive.

she wouldn't get a show line shepherd either, i don't think. what i'm afraid she'll get is a no line shepherd, bred for absolutely nothing.

Working lines do have lots of drive but there always seems to be one in the litter with moderate drive and the nice thing about Wildhaus is he picks the puppy for you and he has a very good rep for getting it right.

The best thing about WL GSDs is that they are bred for stability and strength of nerve. This makes them more predictable and sound. Which I believe to be the most important thing when getting a dog (with physical health a very close second) especially a breed with size and traits of a guard dog.

I believe a moderate drive dog can be satisfied with long challenging games of Frisbee, it doesn't always have to be bite work or tracking.

 

[release the hounds]

she needs to be introduced to good Shepherd people. If she lives anywhere near the breeder in PA she should go meet her and some dogs. She'll have a totally different perspective on the scary biting pictures and drive. and a good working breeder is going to have a dog with good temperment, but not enough drive to do the work and even dogs with lots of drive can be given normal everyday things that active people do to keep them happy. So many people equate drive with energy and they are not at all the same.

a dog with drive and an outlet in the form of runs, walks, two toy, tug, ob exercises can be a calm, calm dog on the house once it learns play outside from calm inside. Same as any other dog. A dog with no outlet will often have excessive energy from frustration. But there's lots of dogs that have no drive and energy coming out of their ears.

I believe a moderate drive dog can be satisfied with long challenging games of Frisbee, it doesn't always have to be bite work or tracking

that is very true.

 

[Maxy24]

This website is kind of annoying (unorganized) but if you can move past that they do their health testing and get these dogs temperament tested (if you go to the OFA website and type in the number it verifies their tests and scores and shows that they have their TT). I know nothing about the other letters after their names but it can't be a bad thing right lol: German Shepherd breeder E-Z Brook

 

[Renee750il]

Talk to DanL, too. He can point you in some good directions as well.