I am looking for a new GSD. I have had a wonderful female GSD for the past 3.5 years but lost her in my recent divorce ( I sure will miss that dog ) It has been 5 months since Tasha (my GSD) lived with me and I am starting to really miss her. I am beginning to look for a new companion. I am torn between a pup or a 1-2 year old. A pup, on one hand, I feel will grow very close to me much like Tasha did. I am concerned that a 1-2 year old may not attach to me or may be hard to train. But I am not sure that I will have as much time as I did with Tasha, so I am thinking maybe not a pup. I guess it will come down to the "right" dog whether it be a pup or one a bit older.

Anyway, I came across Worthy Kennels and they seem to be a very good breeder. Only problem I see at this point is they are in Alaska and I am in Wisconsin. I would not be able to go up there to pick up my dog, she (or he) would have to be shipped. I guess, in this case, a pup will be best.

Any input on Worthy Kennels?

Any input on the pup vs. other?

Thanks

I have been a long-time Leerburg lurker, FWIW. I have both his 8 week to 8 month puppy video along with basic obedience.

You say that you might not have as much time as you did with your previous dog to train. Is that correct? Is it training a puppy- potty training, basic ob.- that you wouldn't have time for? Even with a dog that's 1-2yr old, you'll need to pick up where it was left off.

I don't think that an older dog would have any problems bonding to a new owner. It'd be easier to gain that bond if you were to get a puppy-like your dog Tasha.

Worthy Kennel looks to me like a good place to get a dog from-but this is a novice opinion. But anyone who refers their potential puppy buyers to purchase Leerburg videos(check about half way down the page of this link: http://www.worthykennels.com/CurrentLitters.html ) seems like a good bet to me.

Good luck Kacey!

That is what lead me to Worthy, I did a search for Leerburg using Google

As for time, in actuality I could probably devote just as much time to the new dog as I did for Tasha. It is more of a mental thing for me, I guess. I always felt guilty anytime I left Tasha home alone. Anytime she wanted to play, I did. That is one thing I will attempt to change with the new dog. Tasha could easily tire anybody with playing fetch, she was always ready and knew where we kept her frisbee.

 Quote: Keleah Stull

I don't think that an older dog would have any problems bonding to a new owner.

Me neither.:smile:

Plus an adult dog's energy level won't be a surprise, either. You'll know exactly what you are getting.

With a puppy, you can't be sure if you are getting a super-duper, high-performance, crazy dog that you won't have time for.

I have dogs I have raised from a pup and dogs I have obtained after they are full grown.

No difference in the bonding, except for the dog to dog type differences.

I imported Raya from Germany after she was full grown and titled and was concerned about the bonding issue since she had pretty much spent her entire life in a kennel.

She cured me of those fears about 2 seconds after I opened the crate at the airport and has adjusted to being in a house wonderfully.

My marek was older when i got him, a day later it was like he lived with us forever. I guess it depends on the dog,

Thanks for all the great replies. I guess it will probably come down to the right dog, be it a pup or a young adult. You have all cured me of my doubts about a young adult dog. I actually talked with Ed regarding Dee when I saw the ad, but was too late as someone picked him up last Sunday.

Any ideas as to where to look for a young adult dog? So far I have been researching breeders and sometimes they have non-pups for sale. I emailed about one at Gill's German Shepherds earlier this week but have not received a response yet which is pushing me away from this breeder.

Find a couple of breeders that you like and are comforable with and tell them you are looking for an older dog. A lot of breeders have pups returned for one or another reason and then some (like me) hold back one or two from litters with the idea of selling them when they are about a year old.

Good luck!

I have a couple of personal experiences I can share with Veronica and Worhty Kennels and they are good. First, I searched the world over, literally, for a trained Sch dog to teach me. Everyone told me to get a puppy- yet Veronica understood my motivation in getting an older dog. She happened to know of a dog out of the same dam as a dog she owned. Buck is now my constant companion. he is a Sch 3 GSD imported from Belgium, and I never would have found him but for Veronica. She gave me perfect advice on what to look for and what to be careful of also.

Today, at my Schutzhund club, a member had a beautiful new puppy-- only 10 weeks old and she just received it. She bragged on how the breeder was great to deal with and how she loved the dog- Guess where it is from? Worthy Kennels-

I think Veronica prides herself in being honest-
Carla

and.. let me just note, she is in alaska and we are in GA-

Edited by Carla Brown (11/08/2008 10:54 PM)
Edit reason: clarification

 Quote: keleah stull

Worthy Kennel looks to me like a good place to get a dog from-but this is a novice opinion. But anyone who refers their potential puppy buyers to purchase Leerburg videos seems like a good bet to me.

Not only recommends it but gives the DVD to each puppy buyer.

"All puppies come to you: tattooed, microchipped, vaccinated, wormed, and with the
free DVD: "Your Puppy 8 weeks to 8 Months", that will teach you how to housebreak
your puppy and how to motivationally train your puppy in basic obedience commands.
Made by a world famous trainer of police and sport dogs, Ed Frawley ."

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The only thing needed for evil to exist is for good men to stand by and do nothing!!!