Remember... no breeder of working dogs will put on their website "Oh and sometimes some of our pups aren't really cut out to work n we'll sell those to pet homes. They're pretty low drive n mellow." It makes the breeder sound really bad if they start talking about all the (in working dog terms anyway) "crap" they are producing! In the working dog world, "my dog has more drive than yours" "my dog is more dominant than yours" "my dog is harder than yours" "my dog is more difficult to handle than yours".... its all playground talk But if you get with them and talk to them and meet them they will help you pick a suitable pup. Some breeders will be flat out honest with you when they tell you that they are unlikely to have a suitable pup in a certain litter, so just move on to the next one.

Repeat litters may be a good place to look, too, b/c there's a better chance of predicting what a cross will produce. Puppies are a gamble any way you slice it, but if you can meet dogs from previous litters by same parents, you may get an idea one way or another if they're for you.

Jenni,

I never metamorphosis I didn't like.

Here's what Max Stephanitz said about Horand, the first GSD: "His character corresponds to his exterior qualities; marvelous in his insinuating fidelity to his master; toward all others the complete indifference of a master-mind, with boundless and irrepressible zest for living. Although untrained in his puppy hood, nevertheless obedient to the slightest nod when at his masters side; but when left to himself, the maddest rascal, the wildest ruffian and an incorrigible provoker of strife. Never idle, always on the go; well-disposed to harmless people, but no cringer, mad on children and always - in love." From Max v. Stephanitz 1925 book, 'The German Shepherd Dog - Word & Picture'; description of Horand's* character: *Horand von Grafrath, the foundation dog of the German Shepherd breed.

Check out this webpage, some quotes from Max V. Stephanitz regarding the temperament of the GSD, wonderful stuff: http://maxvstephanitz.homestead.com/mvs_temperament.html

He (Max) mentions that the GSD "longs for work".

For me personally, the most important trait of the GSD has always been his temperament (versus drive, hardness, etc): his faithfulness, loyalty, love of family, stable temperament and nerves, aloofness toward strangers, intelligent, courageous, alert, protective, respectful and needing respect in return. Kind of describes true nobility, doesn't it?

Edited to add: drive is important, but to me a good GSD will have it, it just doesn't need to be extreme for me cause his temperament (above) IS the GSD's drive, it's what makes him tick.

My next obstacle is price. I just received an e-mail from a breeder and this is what he states:

"I have the finest of ddr-East German GSD's and I don't really aim at having "pet quality" puppies. All are sold with full registration and a good guarantee. All my dogs are direct imports from east Germany and all have working titles, very good or excellent ratings in structure, are in breed survy class 1 and all are hip certified. My puppies are $1500 with a $400 deposit to reserve one."

If this is the typical amount of money for a dog that will be competing for titles and future breeding purposes, I can understand the pricing. I also understand that a lot of time and energy is put into a breeder's program and raising dogs is not cheap.

Realisitically, that is way over my budget for a pet who will not be competing for titles or breeding purposes. Maybe I am in the wrong place. If so, be nice. I'm already disappointed.

 Quote: Denise Hau

Realisitically, that is way over my budget for a pet who will not be competing for titles or breeding purposes. Maybe I am in the wrong place. If so, be nice. I'm already disappointed.

Maybe there are people on the board that know of more inexpensive GSD's from reputable breeders. But, I think that price is close to standard or even the lower end of standard. Hopefully Denise I'm wrong but from what I've read and researched, it's what you can expect to pay. Longhaired GSDs are cheaper (showlines). My research has shown about $300.00 cheaper from the same litter of pups that charge $1500 BUT that's because they can't show the longhaired. Working lines, I would think, are different since they are for work and not show, therefore, their coat may not matter.

 Quote: denise hau

I don't really aim at having "pet quality" puppies

Neither do I but that doesn't mean that I will not have them in my litters.

I don't think you are wrong. I just had certain expectations and that is from ignorance. That is why I am here to learn and get advice from the experts such as yourself.

I don't need a dog with the best pedigree out on the market. That's not what I am about. I just knew that the German dogs or European dogs were better than the Americans and figured I'd start here.

I am by no means an expert on anything dog related but I did and continue to do what you are doing - educating myself and talking to people. You're on the right track. You mentioned you have teenagers. Why don't you consider spending some time in searching for a rescue? I myself wouldn't take in a rescue if I had babies in the house (my own paranoia) but you don't have tiny ones in your house as far as I can tell from your posts.

But, for me, if money was something that made me have to decide between the GSD and another breed, no way, no how. I'd get a rescue GSD in a heartbeat before I got a puppy from another breed. Scratch that. I'd temporarily consider a Dobe but then I'd go back to the GSD. I know I would. I love the breed to much not to have one.

I wonder if it would help you to hit the search button and type in "rescue" and read the experiences of some of the people on this board. Although I've never researched for that on this board, I can tell you that there are many, many posters here who have posted comments about their rescues and so very many of them have good stories to tell. Just an idea.

My husband and I have our hearts set on a puppy this time around. My eldest daughter was two y/o the last time we got a puppy and she doesn't remember any of it. The other two never had the experience of a puppy either.