Hello everybody I'm kinda new here.
I'm currently in the market to purchase a Working Line GSD pup. I have a couple of senior beagles purchased at a regular pet shop umpteen years ago. So basically I'm new to shopping for a pup.
So I've given a deposit for a pup a couple of months back. The breeder is about a 14 hr. drive from my place and have not seen any video of this pup alone (currently 7wks old) I've only seen videos of the litter as a whole. I'm interested in finding out what is the norm. Do breeders regularly pick the pup for the person or should I be wary if this has already been done for me. I'm going to have this pup for another umpteen years and I want to make sure I get a solid, well driven sport/ppd prospect with good nerves, acceptable aggression etc... that I'll be happy with. I just received Ed's "Bite Training Puppies" yesterday and have learned more about how to pick a pup and the reasons for the different tests and how they relate to the pups future workability and have come to the realization that I've left this up to someone else now ....
...so needless to say I'm worried and anxious about my situation. I really do like the Sire and I think the female is pretty decent as well, but I'm no breeding expert at all as to say what will result from the/a breeding.

Do any of the more experienced trainers/dog people or breeders on the forum have any advice they can offer. I'm kinda worried I'm going to drive 14 hrs one way, test the pup and it maybe not pass all the tests or pass them with flying colors or even get to compare the pup to his litter mates.

I should state that the pups in the videos look lively, active and healthy as a whole. I've just not seen mine in particular. The kennel area I must say from the vids look "Nice and Clean". And it appears as the pups are well taken care of. But as I've recently learned in "Bite Training Puppies" Not all puppies from the same litter are created equal in terms of Working Ability.

Thank you in advance, your help is greatly appreciated!!!
Ray

Ray, going with a puppy is a crap shoot. I followed Ed's advice and did well with both my dogs. I live close to the breeder and was able to see the pup multiple times. I don't think one day is enough. My experience is pups can act different day to day. The first time I tested my final choice. Loco only wanted to sleep but the breeder told me that's the pup you want. The next two times he was over the top on all test. If, you are getting your pup from a reputable breeder that works their dog I'd allow them to pick for me. Especially if they know what I'm looking for in the future and they have a track record of placing working pups, They will have spent more time watching the litter and know which puppies are showing the traits you desire.

It depends on the breeder. Some breeders feel they know their dogs better than an amateur puppy buyer and can make a better judgement on what pup would best suit the buyer. Often these breeders will allow experienced clients to either make the call on what pup they want, or at least come see the litter and say "I like that one, what do you think?" and discuss it further.

It's nothing to be wary about if you trust the breeder to make a good decision, but I will never again buy any pup sight unseen no matter who he/she is from. Go check out the parents of the litter yourself and watch the pups as many times as you are able to. If you trust the breeder enough to produce good dogs, then you should also trust them enough to give you valid advice as to which pup is best suited for you. If you don't trust the breeder for one or the other, then walk away and go to the next one.

For those experienced in puppy picking this can be frustrating, because you want the pup you want, and many breeders will accomodate. However, from the other side of the fence -- most people go for the one that looks cute, or has a certain color, regardless of temperament. If the pups are bred for a specific goal, such as a working dog is, then the breeder will make a better judgement call on which pup is too much/too difficult/not enough for a certain buyer based on their experience.

Thank you for your responses...I am more at ease now. I would not have several days to spend with the pup(s) to learn each one's ups and downs/ mood swings and overall temperament. I can see now how the breeder should know the pups overall temperament more so than me in this scenario.

However if anyone else has any other perspective or input I would certainly welcome it.
Thanks again

Edit: By the way, the breeder does handle/train his own dogs and both parents are SchIII, KKl1 with the Sire having addt'l titles such as IPO3 FH and HOT. I'm not really sure of the FH and HOT but what I understand of the IPO3 it's similar to Schutzhund but a little more difficult.?.?.?...

Edited by Ray Fajardo (09/09/2008 12:44 PM)
Edit reason: Addt'l info.

IPO is the International rules for Schutzhund and only slightly different. The FH is an advanced tracking title. HOT means handler owner trained. A very good sign that the breeder knows what he/she is talking about. I think that Mike's post above says it all. He laid it out very nicely for you.

I got my puppy from an experienced SchH breeder. Long before it was time for me to go and pick up my puppy, I let them know exactly what I was looking for in a dog and what I wanted to do with my dog. All I saw beforehand were weekly pictures of all the puppies. I drove 6 hours to the breeder, pulled into the yard, and they came out of the house with my boy in their arms, and that was that.

I have never been so happy with a dog and I couldn't have gotten a more perfect dog if I tried.

I wouldn't let someone pick my puppy unless they were very knowledgeable about their dogs and had a good grasp on what is required in a dog for various dog sports.

Thanks Steve....I searched high and low via internet for my pup before I found this forum and am pretty much stuck on that Sire for a pup and the female is very driven so I feel pretty good about the litter in general.

so what's the breeding on your pup? curious minds want to know...

Edited by ann freier (09/09/2008 02:41 PM)
Edit reason: spelling....

My breeder, who I trust explicitly, chose both of my dogs. I had many conversations with him describing the type dog that I wanted.

The breeder had no problem with me selecting my own but he was on the opposite side of the country.

My breeder, to this day, would replace a dog that had unusual health or temperament issues.

I talk with him all the time about training or any other questions. He's become a personal friend.

That's my kind of breeder.

All 3 of my GSDs were chosen by the breeder (same breeder) chosen from what I described what I wanted from the dog. They were all exactly what I wanted.