Making A puppy decision Help!

[Dogs6]

Okay my mum is friends with a GSD breeder who shows and competes in shutzhund, They are also the president of the closest shutzhund club. She was talking to them today and they have a 12 week old puppy whose prospective buyer backed out at the last minute. Now after a lot of argueing and promising never to get a grade lower than an A ever again, I managed to persuade my parents to let me look at it and if it is suitable I am allowed to get it. However when my mum was talking to the breeder he happened to mention that he took another bitch to Germany to get mated 3 weeks ago and as I am interested in doing Shutzhund one of these puppies might be a better choice for me both litters are from working lines but the as yet unborn pups are from better lines. I have not seen the first pup yet but I am leaning towards it because it should have had at least some of it's shot's and be ready to start socialising and basic training straight away. I don't mind waiting for the other litter. But now I don't know what to do can anyone help please? Also names For a german shepherd bitch because I get first pick of the other litter. Thanks

 

[mmorlino]

I don't know about GSD but as a dachshund breeder (and a VERY picky one at that!) I would look at the parents of the unborns, pedigrees, etc.

Make your decision on temperament and conformation of the puppies!

In the doxie world 8 weeks or so is the optimum time to critique a show puppy, as they will look the most like their adult self at this age.

 

[Dogs6]

I have looked at the parents pictures and their hipscores etc we are going to veiw the pup and the bitch on Saturday and will probably be able to see the other bitch as well. sorry for not making that clear. And I am probably not going to show although I could. There is no spay contract that I know of although they have just been talking to my mum so I'm not sure.

 

[release the hounds]

an experienced breeder should be choosing the puppy that's right for you if you have no experience in this. who are the parents if you don't mind me asking?

 

[mmorlino]

an experienced breeder should be choosing the puppy that's right for you if you have no experience in this.

That's a good point!

 

[Xandra]

The breeder should certainly be helping you. Do you know what to look for? Because there will be subtle things to look for. It's not going to be as simple as a checklist.

Lines only mean so much. Just because the parents are good doesn't mean all the pups will be. Sometimes the worst genetics from either side combine.

DON'T fall in love. Go in skepically and logically, no matter how much you feel you're bonding. Remember that all puppies are cute. The pup's probably been started on a rag. Check out drive and confidence. If the breeder will let you take the pup on a little walk somewhere it's never been, that would be good. Without prey drive the pup can't excel at Schutzhund. A nerve bag is at best a drag and at worst useless.

If it were me, unless that 12 week old really wow'd me, I'd wait. Pick of the litter is hard to beat, but remember, if you don't know what you're doing, you might end up with a mediocre dog. Especially since these are from better lines, and because you should be able to see a bit of a spectrum; you'll be able to compare them.

 

[Dogs6]

My mum has the names and she has just gone to bed so I'll post them tomorrow. Should have put this in my first post this isn't our first puppy although it is our first GSD and my Grandmother breeds and shows Golden Retrievers so my mum has a lot of experiance which is the reason only we are going and although I have choice i have already been told that if they don't feel that it is a good match for our family they will not sell it to us. At the minute they only have the 12 week old puppy. I know and will try to remember not to go rushing in and all puppies are cute. I will ask if we can take it for a walk and see it out of it's familier enviroment.

Thanks alot for your help.

 

[Xandra]

My mum has the names and she has just gone to bed so I'll post them tomorrow. Should have put this in my first post this isn't our first puppy although it is our first GSD and my Grandmother breeds Golden Retrievers so my mum has a lot of experiance which is the reason only we are going and although I have choice i have already been told that if they don't feel that it is a good match for our family they will not sell it to us. At the minute they only have he 12 week old puppy. I know not to go rushing in and all puppies are cute. I will ask if we can take it for a walk and see it out of it's familier enviroment.

Thanks alot for your help.

That's great that you have someone with experienced with puppy picking going with you.

Be sure she doesn't pick the golden retreiver of the litter!!! I don't know if they were working or pet dogs but there is a lot more expected of a Schutzhund dog then a pet, keep that in mind.

You should join the Leerburg forum and crosspost there. They can be a little harsh but they're more experienced in picking the sort of dog you're after.
http://leerburg.com/ubbthreads/

 

[Dogs6]

Be sure she doesn't pick the golden retreiver of the litter!!!

:rofl1:

You should join the Leerburg forum and crosspost there. They can be a little harsh but they're more experienced in picking the sort of dog you're after.
http://leerburg.com/ubbthreads/

Thanks

 

[AGonzalez]

Leerburg is a good list (I lurk there, not brave enough to post, I get enough harshness already), so is workingdogforums.com - though there are a few asshats there but you'll figure them out from the get-go.

Pedigrees don't make the dog, but they surely help out when considering drive and such and what the parents accomplished. You definitely need someone experienced to help you pick a pup, but even then you might not get one that will work. It's a gamble for sure, but even if it doesn't work it might turn out to be a great pet.

You want the puppy that thinks it's king sh!t - i.e. confident and not easily spooked. Leerburg has some good videos on picking a puppy (on their website, free too, lol) that you might want to watch, they are kind of neat and might give you an idea of what the person helping you pick the pup out is looking for. Actually Leerburg has lots of good videos, but they are expensive...I am renting them from my local library though, so you might want to look there and see if they have them or can get them in.

As for names, I'm guessing they'll want their kennel name attached (most do) so something that fits well with that would be a guess. Are you looking for a registered name or a call name?

 

[Dogs6]

A call name because my family is rubbish at picking names and thanks for your help

 

[babymomma]

If you get a boy..

I like Matrix.. My GSD boy will probably be matrix when ever he comes along.


for a girl...ummm
I have No idea.

 

[Fran101]

The first GSD ive ever met was named Bronxy and ive always loved the name for some reason

then again, i love geographical names. can't you tell? lol

 

[Dogs6]

then again, i love geographical names. can't you tell? lol

yes lol

 

[Poppy101]

Hey ryan .
you know bronte Sounds Good Ya Know and Donna Will Be So Kind To Get You Thee Pup .
And Lets be honest troy is a man .
and you arent going to call thee bitch thatt !!
DONAAA Wouldnt Be happy ! becz she is A G I R L
Ok bye from me and i will be over later for agility Training
Laterz Lois

 

[Dogs6]

I don't like the name Bronte as you already Know Lois but thanks for the ideas. Keep them coming.