Well, this may be opening a can of worms, I hope not, but has anyone ever bought a puppy from Von Zoeller Kennels? I plan to buy the pup from them and was advised to see if there were any people who knew anything about the kennel. So if you know anything aobut this place I'd like to hear it. Thanks. Jennie

jennie, sometimes the more pertinent questions are in regards to you and what you intend to do with the dog. that may make all the difference in the world whether this kennel or one of their pups is right for you.

Jennie,I took a look at their website. One question....?? Why do you want a german shepherd? I have shepherds.I am just curious.

I originally wanted the dog for Schutzhund; I still do but I was under the somewhat misguided impression that Schutzhund = Personal Protection. I have heard this is not true. Schutzhund is a 'sport.' Thought that may be I still think it is the place to start for personal protection. That is what I ultimately want the dog for. I want a German Shepherd because the best dogs we ever had when I was a kid were Shepherd crosses. They are intelligent, obedient, and eager to please. (At least the good ones) And I prefer larger dogs to ankle-biters. I want a dog that if needed would defend me and I very much want to learn how to train a dog correctly. I thought that the Czech dog would be more inclined, genetically anyway towards personal protection and so that was one of the reasons I decided on the kennel, because they have Czech dogs, though not all of their dogs are Czech. They also have some beautiful German working dogs, but there is not a single show dog in the kennel and I thought that was important too, to have a breeder that values the working dog enough to dispense with any interest in a dog that just looks pretty. I am just happy nobody wrote and said the place was awful. Due to distance, I haven't visited the kennel. My posts are always so long! Bye. Jennie

Jennie,I run across so many people that remember the german shepherd or cross of...when they were a kid..as being the best dogs. Based upon what you shared..I would recommend not buying from that kennel..because what you get and what you remember as a child will not be the same...and to blunt you won't know how to handle it.Prior to purchasing a working dog/pup..You need to talk to more people so you know whats in store for training.It would benefit you and your pup that you want to purchase.

Question:

What have they produced that is currently in training in the area that you want the dog to work in?

Do they train or compete? What is the experience of the breeders?

Not sure, as there is nothing on the site (I could have missed it).

I think you're on the right track with bloodlines and wanting a working dog. As long as you have a realistic idea of what you're going to need to do to care for and train one, there isn't any reason why you shouldn't pursue a Czech working line dog.

I'm not so sure you've found a really good breeder, you will have to do some more legwork to find that out for yourself.

I don't know those guys, and nobody I know knows those guys. . .and they don't have jackshat for information on their website. I'd only buy a dog from them if you can visit the kennel first and see the mother and father in action.

Now wait a minute, maybe there is something to this thing about me not knowing how to handle the dog I plan to buy. I don't know and I don't pretend to. But how is a person ever supposed to learn? After all, if I don't have the working dog I don't know. So how am I supposed to learn how to handle something I don't have? Sigh. Anyway, of course the dog will not be the same as those I had as a kid. But at least it is the closest thing I have had experience with to what I want to get. And there have to be some traits that are shared by the entire breed. Intelligence for one. And a dog needs that for any training. A person can only learn so much by reading books and pretty soon I will have read just enough to know next to nothing by people of opposite opinions and anywhere in between. I can't be talked out of buying a puppy for this training. Maybe I will be talked out of buying this specific puppy that I had planned to buy, but the end goal will remain the same. Don't want you to think I am angry or anything, I am just trying to show you how frustrating it is to want to do something and have people tell you that you either can't do it, aren't ready, whatever. Come on, people, all of you were new at one time! You weren't born trainers. It sucks a lot of time and effort for those who are experienced to put up with our silly questions and lack of knowledge I am sure, but somebody did the same for you and that is how you learned, because somebody took the time to teach you. So I don't think it's too much of a stretch to think that I can learn it too. And also want to add that even if it seems like I am upset or don't agree with what was written, I do appreciate the time and effort that everyone puts into replying to my posts and I know that they all are done with the best intentions. But I believe I can learn this and I will. And I will find the puppy. Jennie

Robert, thanks for the careful encouragement. I will be going to pick the pup up so I will see the parents, but not until the pup is ready to come home. It's not like I can go there and look things over now. But the deposit I have on the pup is refundable. The breeder assures me that if I show up and for any reason decide I don't want any of the puppies in that litter I can have either my money back or apply the deposit to another litter at the kennel, either way. So I view this as basically a no-risk thing for me to pursue. The most I will be out is gas money and time. I would never put a deposit down on anything without seeing it or knowing I had an out. I will try finding out what to look for in the parents when I go in February. It is really wonderful to have people with knowledge and experience who are willing to share it (even at odd times... I think one of your posts was done at like 2 am!) Thanks again. Jennie