This post is probably gonna be long, so I'm apologizing in advance. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I hope, within the next year, to be looking for a puppy. Right now, in our home, we have a GSD mix female (spayed) and two cats. I'm a homeschooling mom with two children ages 3 and 9. The 9-year-old helps with training Ceili (the mix).

What I'd like to add to our family is a GSD that's going to be a family companion, family protector, and hopefully an obedience dog for me. No schutzhund clubs in the area (within a 3 hour drive, anyway). I'm looking for stable nerves and temperment (he'll be living with kids, after all), a willingness to work, but not so drivey that he'll be unhappy doing anything less than police work. Steady and reliable with kids, but willing to stand his ground and threaten anyone who doesn't belong (I agree with Ed's statement that someone who will go through a barking GSD needs to be confronted with a gun.) I also will be looking for good confirmation - that is, good hips and elbows, healthy and strong. NOT show confirmation!!! Could care less what color he is - they're all lovely.

This dog would spend tons of time with the family (our dogs live inside with us), would go on family outings, etc. He'd be, like Ceili is, a part of us.

Now, I'm not a novice dog owner - there's a Sheltie, three Rotties, a rescued AmStaff, and a mutt in my background. All were obedience trained and were family members until they passed away.

I've been looking at a GSD from strong working lines, like Leerburg, but I'm wondering - is this going to give me "too much dog" for what I'm after?

Sorry this post is so long, and I'm hoping nobody thinks the question is too stupid. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

That's a very good point that most people miss when looking for a dog. The type of dog you want is definitely going to take time, no matter what:

Family companion
Family protector
Obedience dog

Even if there's not formal protection, you needed to have excellent control and socialization. So that all takes oodles of time.

I think it word FOR you that you have another dog. At lease they can keep each other company and burn some energy off.

David C

It would be very simple for a working line breeder to select a nice working bred puppy that will fit in well with your situation. Pups will vary in temperament within every litter and it is often easy to find a pup that will do well in a pet situation.

As long as you understand that working lines WILL have more drive than pet/show dogs and the dog WILL need a bit more training and socialization than pet/show dogs.

I'd choose a female if I were you.


I know for a fact that if you e-mail cindyr@leerburg.com here at Leerburg she'd hook you up and give you some reasonable expectations for a working line pup in your home.

I probably will get a female - I just used "he" for the sake of differentiating the "potential" dog from the female I already own. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I do want a dog with drive, but not over the top drive. We are prepared to spend lots of time socializing and training - if you'd known Ceili when we first got her and now, you'd know how committed we are - or is that how much we should BE committed - as in to an asylum. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

In all seriousness, we enjoy working with and spending time with our pets - if you don't, why have them?? I've never understood the "oh, it lives in the backyard" mentality, where the poor animal never sees a human. I don't mind kenneling, as long as the dog gets lots of people time.

I feel a lot better knowing that the experienced breeders out there can and WILL help us find the right puppy. I was half afraid that if we weren't interested in serious sport with the dog, nobody with working lines would be interested in selling one to us!

There are pet puppies in almost every working litter. Just talk to a breeder you're interested in and see what they have. If there's a litter coming up, and you feel comfortable after looking around, then put a deposit down to make sure you get what you want. Most pet quality are actually the first to go.

Hi

This is my first post. Amber characteristic for a GSD is exactly what I want in a GSD which I am looking around for. What kind of GSD would fit the bill? For example, East GSD? West GSD? American GSD?

John

John, it depends more on the individual dog rather than the "category" of GSD. However, my German show line male fits that exactly. But then again, he's perfect so he fits most postive descriptions well. LOL <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

thanks for the reply!

John

If you are looking for a good OB dog, I would advise looking for a breeding line known to produce intelligent dogs with some handler sensitivity. (that's assuming that you are not into heavy adverse training...)

That is NOT the same as a "soft" dog (Ed has some info on his site about this...) but just a dog that is biddable and is willing to work for you without a lot of confrontations about who is boss... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi Ann

Any suggestions where I can buy a GSD puppy who has a good breeding line for obedience background? Thanking you in advance.

John