oldearthdog, I took your idea and started a new thread. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Hope you don't mind. This is of most importance tome at the present time.
So if the breeders cn jump on this let's get started.

Crabtree
Thanks, I've got 3 yrs to get it right.
Practice-practice-practice. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It's very very hard if nigh on impossible to pick out the perfect pup for every customer - it just doesn't work out like that. I do try though - this is what we do:

1. Spend all our spare time in with the pups / outside with the pups getting to know them as a litter
2. As they get older, we give each pup individual attention, in a smaller group or completely alone
3. At 7 weeks old we temperament (aptitude) test each one and write up our findings

4. We spend lots of time getting to know the customers on phone or via e-mail
5. We then insist they visit to see Sire and Dam etc
6. We give them a real grilling about why they want a GSD, what they will be doing with it etc etc

Then we try and match things up. Sometimes we have great results:

1. We picked out a quiet, affectionate but steady male to go and be an assistance dog for someone with special needs. Feedback from trainers so far is that the dog is shaping up incredibly well.

2. We selected a schutzhund prospect for a guy - it was the smallest bitch in the litter and we were a bit worried that he would automatically want the biggest male (who was impressive to lok at but too much of a love bucket) The guy trusted us and wow does that bitch have some drive and determination!! She is doing really well we hear.

Sarah
Thanks. There are all sorts of aptitude test for selecting puppies. What do you favor, or do you use your own?

I use the Flinks puppy test. I also play with the pups daily. We have them in puppy playgrounds. Kiddie slides, tarps, buckets, squeekees, towels, burlap, balls on strings hanging from the fence. They go into these at 4 weeks. We also do they Bio-Sensor method of raising them. So by the time temp testing comes around we have spent plenty of time we are pretty sure what the test is going to show. We actually do the test 3 times in 3 different places, with different people. Pups like kids can have an off day. People tell us what they want we look back and see if we have it. Away we go!

We have had real good luck. The only complaints we have encountered is taking 1 dog back that was too much for the owner(CJ/Danu). One that had to much prey always wanted to go(Gero/Cala).

I also like to emphasize going into working homes. We get about 3 calls a day wanting a pet to sit in the house and do nothing. Ya know they had shepherds all their life and they know what they are doing... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Old Earth Dog,

In the past we have used Volhard's Puppy Aptitude Test and been very happy with it. With the last litter we used the Flinks one. Can't really say which is best - both did the job.

Todd,

Oh yes! toys, obstacles, things that make noises, things that bounce unpredictably, puppy play pens outside . . . All this we make available from about 4 weeks old, and then we watch like hawks, sometimes interacting with them, sometimes just observing (sometimes out of their sight)

One of our best proofing / assessment tools though is the children!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> When my 4 year old races by with his latest noisiest toy, whooping at the top of his voice and the pups try to clinb out of the play pen to race after him, tails wagging furiously, I know I have a good starting point for solid nerves! I agree, by the time temperament testing comes round it is usually just a confirmation of the impressions we have built up over the weeks. We also do the test more than once to account for off days.

Todd
When you refer to the Bio-Sensor test, are those the tests where the pups are exposed to hot-cold to build stress resistance? I looked at your web site and I'm drooling all over myself. Gorgeous dogs! I know color shouldn't influience getting a working dog, but how can you NOT love those dark, big headed sables!
Gwen
A noisy 4yr old will test any dog (also tests the drives of the mothers). <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

 Quote:

oldearthdog;Todd,I looked at your web site and I'm drooling all over myself. Gorgeous dogs! I know color shouldn't influience getting a working dog, but how can you NOT love those dark, big headed sables!

Yep! oldearthdog,I know what you mean. I can't make up my mind to get a pup from Todd or another breeder. Both have what I want, wish only one had. Make chosing much easier. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

"I WILL NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE TWICE"
The only problem is I have to decide soon.

MY main concern is a social dog because of grandkids. From there I definitely want a kickass dog. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

 Quote:

I can't make up my mind to get a pup from Todd or another breeder.

Butch, there would be no debating this one for me. Have you seen Todd's guarantee?? Beautiful dogs, unbeatable guarantee....*sigh* I can't wait until I'm back on my feet and have my own house <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />