You might want to consider rescue then. I find many fine purebreds through purebred rescue and most are available at fairly reasonable rates

I have been wary of rescues because it seems like a lot of those older dogs have issues. They are snappish or scared. Especially with a GS I want to know that the dog is not going to be inappropriately aggressive.

Before we found our GS/mutt pup we were looking for an adult. I remember one dog I fell in love with he was so sweet. As we sat in the garage getting to know the dog the lady assured me he was good with kids, and cats, and other dogs, and he was just the best dog in the whole wide world. Then one of her other dogs got into the garage and the dog attacked it! Full fledged dog fight after hearing how well behaved this dog was with other dogs! What if that had been a child! I looked at other adult dogs and I could not find one that was not scared or seeming to have some other issue. That is why we chose to get a pup.

Granted, this was not a GS rescue it was just rescue in general. Maybe it is different.

Imprinting on pups is so important. I believe Ed has said that a pup who is attacked by another dog often never really recovers from it, becoming fearful or dog aggressive. I know that there are great dogs out there in rescues I just don’t know how to be sure which is which.

With our last pup we knew her inside out! We could predict everything she was going to do because she had been with us for so long. It makes me wary to have a dog that I don’t know its history. It would not be such a big deal if it were just me and my husband. But we have kids.

Anyway, that is why I have not really looked too much into the rescue thing. Maybe I am wrong it is just something that with a small growing family makes me nervous.

 Quote: Julie Callister

I have been wary of rescues because it seems like a lot of those older dogs have issues. They are snappish or scared. Especially with a GS I want to know that the dog is not going to be inappropriately aggressive.

Yeah I have to agree somehow; however, some issues with older dogs are easy to fix. Some older dogs that you might get are diffcult, but some puppies can be like that too. A dominant dog who is being aggressive need a strong pack leader will be easier to rehabilitated than a puppy who has a fear of everything.

 Quote: Julie Callister

Then one of her other dogs got into the garage and the dog attacked it! Full fledged dog fight after hearing how well behaved this dog was with other dogs!

http://leerburg.com/introducingdogs.htm

I have all pre-owned dogs. I have positive opinions of rescuing shelter dogs. But I also think that an inexperienced handler should have an experienced dog-person with them when they visit the shelter, and definitely a plan for training, introducing, and everything else.

There's a current thread here about the same situation, except it was one of the dogs who already lived in the house (and had never been any kind of problem) attacking the new puppy.

Yes, rescues can have problems (they were, after all, surrendered or abandoned), but preparation and learning are necessary before acquiring either one (adult or puppy).

Julie,
You want a ppd, per your op. Given the timeline you've given for medical studies and military duty, if (and it's a big if) you could find the 'right' pup tomorrow, your husbands tour would likely be coming close to an end before the dog is fully what you've asked for. That is why I suggested starting with a young partially trained dog. Granted, it would not make the search any easier, in fact maybe harder, but a dog that has been properly built to the roll you envision will be more then you ever hoped for. As to cost, good linage and breeding will cost dearly no matter where you live, but it will be your best 'bet' for the pup you want. If you can step to a known baseline however, it puts the odds alot more to your favor. All things considered IMO it may be best to stretch the budget and start with a older partially trained dog. Okay enough of my opinions!
As to finding a breeder......Start at the local clubs. Talk to the owners of dogs that impress. In my location I can go watch the police work their dogs, if you're allowed in your part of the world do the same, talk to the handlers/officers, talk to the decoys, they'll give you the names of breeders. And (no small thing here) you'll get a start on looking for a helper when that time comes as well.
Good luck!
If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

Randy,

Thank you for your advice. I actually know someone who trains ppd’s and right now he has some pups. Long story short, he accidentally ended up with two litters and has not been able to sell them yet. He is not going to breed anymore because it takes so much time and with all of the personal protection work I imagine it gets to be a little much

I have spoken to him several times and I trust him. I would have probably already gotten one of his pups but we didn’t have the money yet. So, his pups have been getting older. He has been doing all of the bite work with them getting ready to put them into his training program but he is still willing to sell them. They are about 16 weeks old now, assuming he still has them. He said he can help me continue in bite training etc... so they are ready for his program when they get older. I was just nervous because I had either an adult or a pup in mind not an adolescent. By the time we got the dog it could be anywhere from 17 weeks to 43 weeks old. Obviously, the dog is much more expensive at 43 weeks than 17 weeks. What is your opinion of this situation?

 Quote: julie callister

I have been wary of rescues because it seems like a lot of those older dogs have issues. They are snappish or scared. Especially with a GS I want to know that the dog is not going to be inappropriately aggressive.

There are alot of reasons dogs end up in rescues. The key I find is getting the best full story you can. The last GSD I ran into in SPOT was a 4 year old lovely dog who had the unfortunate past of having his owner die in a car accident. Probably the three most common breeds here I see locally due to behavior issues are labs, "pits", and jr terriers. While this may be represent the numbers that end up due to poor temperment and other behavior issues I don't believe it should be an immediate disqualifier. Doing research on a rescue is as important as doing research on a breeder.

Melissa,
I'm not discounting rescue dogs as companions or perhaps even a ring sport of one sort or another, but personal protection? Not the place I would start looking for a dog. Imho it just seems like the odds get so much longer for all involved.
Julie,
If you've already an eye on a breeder/trainer, ask for past customers you can contact. Check out what previous buyers (more then one or two) think of his dogs, his program and if they would repeat the training under his program. If you get any names, go, if possible, to see and meet as many of the dogs you can.
Now I'm not a breeder, nor do I have an interest in breeding beyond what I may be paying for, but frankly any breeder/trainer that told me they've accidently come up with two litters wouldn't instill alot of confidence in my eyes, and his bonfides would certainly bear close inspection.
It's easy to talk a good game.

Randy

Randy, sound advice. I agree with you on older dogs.

Julie, no disrespect, but I would strongly recommend you continue taking your time with the thought/process of obtaining a ppd. Having a young small family and a ppd will be a huge undertaking for a single parent (whilst your other half is away I mean). Not trying to change your mind or anything, but there are also a lot of liabilities to a ppd that should be taken into consideration. I apologize that my response is a little off topic. I wish you the best in finding what you seek. I very much agree with what Randy has recommended. It echoes very sound advice. I wish you the best.

I only skimmed quickly through the posts, so maybe I'm wrong, but if you want protection a puppy may not be the best idea...