I am new to this forum and this is my first post.

I am looking for a dog that will be a pet and possibly involved in agility. I have spent the past few days looking on the internet and feel overwhelmed by what I see. I have seen so many dogs that they are starting to look alike. The problem is that none of them are close to where I live - middle Georgia. I looked up on Google: DDR German Shepherds.

I am not new to the world of German Shepherds and very much aware of all the opportunities that await GSD owners. I have had German Shepherds as pets only since I was 2 years old. I am now 46. But the thing is that I have not had to look for a dog in the past 16 years and so many things have changed so I am doing homework before plunking big $$$ for another dog.

How does one find a reputable breeder nowadays? It seems that you find somebody on the internet, e-mail them, talk on the phone and then if you can, go in person. Some may just make a deposit without personally meeting which goes against my belief. I want to see the breeder, get some references, and see all the dogs. I saw a breeder on Friday and found her through a classified ad. Before I left her kennel, I felt pressured to purchase a dog but couldn't because I didn't know enough about her or her dogs.

Is there some type of registry that breeders use to find each other to keep the German lineages pure? I have e-mailed some kennels and asked for referrals for kennels closer to me.

Another thing that I am overwhelmed with is the pedigrees. I understand what the titles stand for after the names of the dogs, but how do I know which dogs are good and which ones to avoid. Do I just go by the titles?

Anyway, if I want a good DDR/import dog, where do I go? I have sent e-mails to local kennel clubs for information. So far I haven't heard anything. I thought about AKC shows but somebody told me I was wasting my time.

Am I going about this all the wrong way? Thank you for any feedback you give me.

Denise

There is alot of crap being bred, titles don't always mean squat. There are very specific lines that are known to produce good dogs, n lines with good dogs in them don't always produce well if they aren't crossed properly with other lines n end up producing crap once more. You can visit a local Schutzhund club and talk to the people there about their dogs, their dogs lines, the breeders they came from and watch the dogs work to make your own judgements. Often the best breeders are breeders who won't ever show up in a google search because they are better at breeding than marketing

Is there a reason you are looking for DDR lines specifically?

Don't walk, RUN away from anyone who would remotely pressure you into purchasing a dog. On the contrary, one (of many) appropriate earmarks of a reputable kennel is there discernment regarding to whom they make a sale.

That's just for starters.

Secondly, your use of the word "good" as you describe lineages, titles and dogs is highly subjective, depending on what you want.

Start broad...real broad. Like you want a pet with whom you can dabble in various training and activities, or do you want a working animal with whom you may struggle to mold into a pet?

Me, I had the same issue. I was frustrated at the time I started looking, but it turned out to be a blessing that I had to wait a matter of years before getting a dog (GSD). Yeah, it's a whole lot to sift through.

Personally, I was/am a K9 cop wanna-be, so after seeing enough dogs with the kind of temperment I thought was cool, and thus repeatedly seeing a lot of the same dogs and kennel names in their respective anscestries, I started very slowly to get a handle on what it meant FOR ME to have a "good dog".

 Quote: Mike J Schoonbrood

There is alot of crap being bred, titles don't always mean squat. There are very specific lines that are known to produce good dogs, n lines with good dogs in them don't always produce well if they aren't crossed properly with other lines n end up producing crap once more. You can visit a local Schutzhund club and talk to the people there about their dogs, their dogs lines, the breeders they came from and watch the dogs work to make your own judgements. Often the best breeders are breeders who won't ever show up in a google search because they are better at breeding than marketing

Is there a reason you are looking for DDR lines specifically?

I have a few reasons. I am mainly concerned about health issues such as hip displasia and other potential health risks. I am hoping a DDR dog will have less health issues than an American. I understand nobody can guarantee a dog's health 100%. Also, I have seen quite a few DDR dogs and my husband and I are attracted to their looks. Let me say that I love GSD and feel that they are all beautiful no matter what line they are. My first dog as a child was a DDR, and my parents have said that he was the best. My father currently has one and cannot say enough good things about her.

Since, I have heard so many good things about DDR dogs that I am going to take the plunge and get one.

You guys had a DDR dog 44 years ago?

Why would you ask me that question? Is there something odd about what I posted?

Let me explain further. My father was in the Army and was stationed in Belgium in the early 60's. My parents wanted a German dog and somehow acquired one. I really don't know how it was done because I think it was illegal at the time. Maybe I should ask him now that he's retired. lol.

I was genuinely curious.

I think referrals are best to go buy, find a sports group , Schutzhund ect... ask those GSD owner about any of the DDR dogs that might be in there club or if they know a reputable breeder to refer you too..

I was afraid you were going to say that. lol. That was my next step. The nearest Shutzhund group is 2 hours away. At least that is what a neighbor told me. If I have to go that route I will. Thank you.

 Quote: Denise Hau

I am mainly concerned about health issues such as hip displasia and other potential health risks.

If your biggest concern is health then go with a breeder that feeds raw and believes in minimal or no vaccinations.

By the way have you seen this thread