I have been doing my homework to locate a puppy for my family for about 5 days now. I have been looking at websites, e-mailing breeders and talking to people on the phone. Now I am wondering if I really want an imported dog at all. Maybe I should go back to the American lines because they are couch potatoes like the majority of people who live in the US.

The websites that I have visited (DDR kennels and dog forums) have one thing in common. They are dealing with dogs that have a specific purpose in life. The majority of them that I have read about are being bred to improve the lines so that they can perform better at their job. Higher drive and stamina. Is it going to be a dog that will always be causing mischief because it's bored living with us? Will it become a dog with bad habits such as barking, digging or chewing?

I'm just looking for a dog as a companion for our family of five. I have never participated in any competing events, but would like to try something because GSD are so intelligent and need to keep themselves busy. I would like to try obedience and agility if I get the support I need to get started with a local kennel club.

What do the kennels do with offspring that don't meet their standards? If they have a higher drive than the American lines, then how can they fit into a typical family home? I decided to go the DDR/import route because I thought I was getting a much better animal due to the very selective breeding program. Not only that I would be getting continued support from the breeder if I need it.

My parents have sung such high praises in the past about them as family pets, but now I wonder if they are more dog than I need. Am I out of my league looking for a DDR/import as a pet?

Try looking at the german showlines. I wouldn't waste my time with american lines. You'll be spending $4000 on hip replacement surgery within the next 8 years or giving the dog drugs for the rest of their senior lives to live with the pain of hip problems

In working lines you will always find pet quality pups, n even a higher drive dog can learn to settle down into an active family household. They are easier to train because they are more motivated to learn, n the behavior you get from them in the house if your breeder sells you the pup you are looking for, is primarily shaped by how you handle your dog and teach them to behave in the house. Having a working line dog as a pet is not a big deal as long as you have time for the dog. If you want a dog that lays around on the sofa and doesn't care if he doesn't get to run around or play ball for 3 days straight, then a GSD is not for you. If you are going to walk the dog twice a day, involve the dog in family activities, play ball, train obedience etc then a working line dog isn't a problem. Just tell the breeder what you are looking for n they will be honest with you about what you can expect from their pups. Most litters produce a few pet quality dogs, n not all breeders are good at breeding the highest drive working dogs anyway, or their idea of "high drive" is pretty low compared to another breeders drivey dogs.

I know quite a few people who have working line dogs as pets with no problems, it's no different to having a high energy lab, but more fun and better looking

Hi Denise. I would encourage you to really think about the repurcussions of importing a dog, especially when you describe that you are looking for a family dog. You can spend hours reading on this website alone about the many issues people run into with breeders right here in the US. It gets way more complicated if something goes wrong with a breeder outside the US.

I think there is an important place for imported dogs. Experienced people in sport, service dogs, and breeding who know exactly what they are looking for, and have established contacts do this regularly. I just personally know of too many situations where imports have gone wrong, for any number of reasons, for less experienced folks who find sources via the internet, etc. without personal relationships to guide them.

I would actually encourage you to contact some of the folks here, including Ed & Cindy to help you find a puppy that is the most likely to suit your goals. And a higher drive dog DOES have need for a much higher activity level - whatever the sport or real job - than the typical pet couch potato dog. IMO, it's a disservice to the dog and your family to bring in a known higher drive dog because some people say that's "better" and expect the dog to act like a couch potato.

There are good breeders and bad breeders all over the world. Taking advantage of the Leerburg community IMO, will improve your odds of getting a pup who is a good fit for your family and your goals.

Best wishes!
Beth

Denise,

Don't give up. I would absolutely stick with getting a GSD from working European bloodlines. If you talk with reputable breeders and explain what it is that you are looking for, they will be able to help you. Not every puppy from a working litter is cut out for serious work, but is as likely to have a solid temperament and good health as any of its higher drive, more serious littermates.

I hate to hear people who want to bail out on a working line dog as a good pet/active companion b/c they think they won't be able to live with the drive and energy level. A good breeder will be able to set you up with an appropriate pup and give you the support you need, or be able to tell you 'this litter may not be for you'. IMO, reputable, long-time breeders of working-line dogs are often much more knowledgeable of the character & temperament of the dog's they are breeding than many breeders who are only striving to produce 'good pets'. Working dog people spend a lot of time training and working with the dogs, often pushing dogs in different training scenarios, therefore seeing things that are not revealed by lesser breeding criteria.

I'll PM you with some breeder recommendations.

My experience is extremely limited, but it sounds like it is relevant to your situation. I don't think you need to buy an imported dog, but I also wold not chose an American line dog. I have a 3 yo West German high line dog bred for Schutzhund, and he is not a couch potato, but has also never trashed the house. He was never an "alligator" puppy, just a normal chewer. I deliberately chose the quietest male pup in the litter. Temperament was my most important criteria, as I also have an aggressive older GSD/lab mix (rescue). My pups parents were both titled, sire Sch III, dam Sch I. His sire is an import, dam american bred of german lines. I got him from a local breeder who is also the treasurer of the local DVG chapter. Like you, I wanted to see the breeder, and was not interested in buying over the net.

He is a great pet, and enjoys drive and focus work. Great temperament, very social, stable, yet protective, particularly of my daughters. I never took X-rays because I wasn't competing or breeding, so I won't know until he is older if he develops any HD. He seems fine now. For my next dog, I will get a higher drive dog, since I have learned some things with this one. I will get a working line dog, but not one bred for PP or high level competition. Also, in the future, I would be more comfortable with an internet purchase, since I have found a whole community of knowledgeable people here to consult, some of whom are breeders.

I would not suggest you get an American dog. The only ones I have known had very poor temperaments, and you certainly don't want that in a pet. A good breeder will want to match you with a dog that will make you happy, and make a good match for the dog. There are a lot of dogs out there. It sounds like you, like me might be happy finding a breeder who competes, and who asks you a lot of hard questions before selling you a pup. Be honest with what you want.

John and Polly - I hope my post was not misleading. There is obviously a huge difference between "American bred" and "American lines." I'm not an advocate for American lines. I do think the import avenue (and it seems you both agree) is a VERY slippery slope, IMO, for a novice with no relationships in place.

I hope it was clear that I was talking about breeders located in America, and there are many good ones (and many craptacular ones too) - not a promotion of American blood lines.

Beth

I have no desire to purchase a dog that is imported. Let me clarify that. I want a dog with European/German bloodlines but desire to purchase one from a kennel established here in the States.

Here are my concerns. I would like to find a kennel reasonably close to home so that I check them out. Unfortunately, I haven't found anybody. So that means, I have to rely on somebody's word and purchase out of state and/or across the country. Doing this anything can go wrong. I read the horror stories here. The other problem is how much am I going to pay for a dog? I read $1,200 at one kennel and at another $1,600. For me, the price is too high for a pet who may not compete or be used for breeding purposes. Also, most kennels take deposits for future litters and if I remember correctly, deposits are nonrefundable. I may or may not be able to get a dog on a pending litter depending on my needs.

Because I have just started my homework, I have no clue which dogs I should be looking for in a pedigree. Right now all these names mean nothing because I don't have any experience with working dogs.

I feel like I am walking on eggshells because I don't know anything and have trust issues with complete strangers.

I came here to this forum to become an educated consumer and have learned so much. That's why I am doubting myself.

 Quote: john haudenshield

Don't give up. I would absolutely stick with getting a GSD from working European bloodlines. If you talk with reputable breeders and explain what it is that you are looking for, they will be able to help you. Not every puppy from a working litter is cut out for serious work, but is as likely to have a solid temperament and good health as any of its higher drive, more serious littermates.

I hate to hear people who want to bail out on a working line dog as a good pet/active companion b/c they think they won't be able to live with the drive and energy level. Working dog people spend a lot of time training and working with the dogs, often pushing dogs in different training scenarios, therefore seeing things that are not revealed by lesser breeding criteria.

My limited experience would have me disagreeing with some or all of the statements in the quote above. This is just to give Denise another perspective:

I have a GSD who is American/German showline. He is 2 years old. His temperament is outstanding. His intelligence is mind-boggling. His desire to learn is never-ending. He is calm and stable under every scenario I've ever put him through. Is he PPD material - absolutely not. Is he extremely friendly - absolutely - unless he doesn't like you (it's happened 3 times). He knows how to call them .

Here is where he differs from the working line in a way that would be very obvious to newbies to the breed...he does not require as much of a workout as a workling line:

Two walks (off leash) every single day.
Play chase-the-ball-till-you're-exhausted game twice a day, every single day.
Obedience training twice a day, every single day.

This is the absolute MINIMUM that my dog requires in order to be content throughout the day. I work from home so I see a lot.

My opinion and how it differs from John's is that you yourself are saying you might be in over your head in the working line "upkeep". If you feel this is the case, I think you should not go for a working line. My sister and I get together with our dogs every week. Her working line is 12 months old. Her dog never tires. Never. It's ridiculous the difference in the amount of exercise her dog requires as compared to mine.

Having said that, my next dog will be a working line but I am oh so thankful I started out with my German/American showline. He'll probably end up being my most cherished pet of all.

Let me chime in here (as if anyone could stop me). My DDR male used to be a huge pita if he wasn't mentally/physically worked every day. Just do a search for my old posts if you want to know how annoying he was. They say they take 3 yrs to mature, which seems like an eternity, but it's worth the wait. Mine turned 3 in Dec, and I'm not kidding; he's a different dog. No more pacing 24/7. I have actually seen him sleep a few times lately (still springs to action if I move a muscle, but I at least know what he looks like with his eyes closed).

I wouldn't trade his alertness for the world. It's possible to be high-energy without being annoyingly hyper. He was never hyper; just needed to be doing SOMETHING. He was never destructive in the least...but then again my schedule allows me to take him literally everywhere, so he never had much opportunity.

For what you're looking for, I actually think you're on the right track w/DDR. They have enough drive to have fun with, but IME, they're not quite as demanding as say, a high-drive Czech or West line dog. They can be a bit more defensive, and aloof, which is the case w/mine. He is not friendly in the least to outsiders. He's not aggressive or fearful; he just doesn't pay any attention to them. If you want a labrador personality, a DDR might not be for you. Of course, these are gross generalizations. This is based on maybe 10 dogs I've personally spent a great deal of time with and many more that I've known casually.

Keep in mind that how you raise this animal does have as much or more effect on it's behavior as genetics; sport people intentionally build drive b/c it suits their purpose. You can raise your pup to suit YOUR purpose, as long as you keep in mind his genetics and particular needs for stimulation, BOTH physical and MENTAL. I knew I wanted mine to be able to be in the house alone, so I taught him house manners from the beginning. Is he a couch potato now? Not even close! BUT-he does have enough respect for me to let the cats live and the walls stand. Don't know if I'm coming across clearly, but what I'm trying to say is not to underestimate YOUR role in the development of your new dog.

Great post, Jenni. Then again, I always like your posts .