Ray,
I agree it's not ideal but there are some very nice dogs available in rescues. It took me about 3 minutes to find a very nice GSD in my eyes (mind you I don't raise GSDs or do any kind protection work) in a purebred rescue about 1 hr from my home. Given the money limitations as described by the OP it seems a reasonable option. Young well bred dogs of any breed don't tend to be free or even cheap nor would I expect them to be.

It would take some investigation to find out more on any rescue dogs past but I can see no reason a dog like this http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=8641840 would not merit a look. (mods please let me know if I have to pull this link or feel free to pull it yourself.)

Melissa

Julie: There is a lot of good advice above. I think some of the best advice you have received, given what you are looking for, is to purchase an older/trained dog and not a puppy. When I was younger my family acquired a personal protection GSD when we lived overseas. He was 3 when he joined our family - fully trained. Wonderful family dog and undoubtedly a protection dog.

A few years back I decided I wanted another GSD here in the US. I spent over 1.5 years researching GSDs and breeders. I just PM'd you with my selection. There are many excellent breeders out there,so interview, interview, interview. I ended up with a puppy, but my goals were a bit different than yours - I wanted a family dog with excellent/proven lines and temperament. I have a 3 year old daughter and as she keeps me plenty busy, I was not looking to develop a protection dog. As you know it requires substantial time commitment and assistance from others. Also, I can tell you based on my recent experience, while I am no pro, even the basic obedience work is A LOT of work; and my puppy is not as assertive or strong nerved as yours will need to be for the PPD work.

In addition to some of the other advice on what to look for in a breeder, I also looked for how they place dogs (any age). What are they looking for in a buyer? Do they allow buyers to pick the puppies/dogs? What role do they play in that process? Do they temperament test their puppies? etc.

Good luck in your search!

I just re-read a few things: You have two small children; you want a protection dog and also a gentle family dog; you want strong prey drive; solid nerves, confident, fearless, strong and ready to be trained; you have limited budget. I hate to say this, but I cannot imagine getting all of that on a low budget. If you didn't have small kids I would agree that a rescue would be your best bet, but that is not the case and with small kids in the mix....

Anyhow, I know that's not what you want to hear, but I think you may want to rethink what exactly you want/need. Is it enough to have a dog that is gentle, loving and safe with young kids; that also acts aloof with strangers and at home barks/sounds protective? If so, that does not require any special PPD training and you can get a family dog that meets those criteria much more readily.

 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.

Hi Julie

I would like to second (or third or fourth or fifth?) the idea of getting a rescue dog. Generally the adoption fees are under $200 and some of the dogs like the one posted above are even registered. You *can* get a puppy through rescue as well. (Yes, we get pregnant females or people drop off an entire litter). But puppies are a LOT OF WORK. It is so hard to raise and socialize a puppy correctly, especially when you have two young children you just might not have time. When you had your last dog, was there time to spend with the dog during the day? Are your young children in school?

With adult dogs you can see the temperament of the dog as it is already developed. Some of the dogs in rescue are truly great dogs. They are not always in rescue because of a behaviour problem. Sometimes (a lot of the time) it's because the owner moved or had a baby, the dog itself is fine.

The beauty of a foster home program is that the rescue will be as forthcoming as possible about the dog because they want it to be a match. Foster homes WANT the match to work out, and lying to you about the dog is not going to accomplish that goal. The key word is match. Tell the rescue what kind of dog you want and they will be up front with you as to what dogs they have that will match your critiera. (And they will tell you if they don't have a match too).

If you have ANY problems with the dog, the rescue will take the dog back. (Of course, they would rather the match be a good fit in the first place.) So if the dog does have aggression issues, you are not stuck with the dog (which is important when you have little kids).

Some rescues will adopt out of state, so if you don't find the right dog with your local rescue, look farther. There are literally hundreds of GSDs on petfinder.

I currently have a rescue puppy that was born in my home and I adopted. I also have adult rescues. I can honestly say that I prefer adults JMO.

Bottom line: talk to breeders and see what they have. Talk to a few rescues and see what they have. Make the decision that you feel best fits your family situation.

I just wanted to take a minute and thank everyone for all of the information. It has given my husband and me a lot to think, and think, and think about. After a lot of thinking, debating, and planning we have decided to get a dog that is a little older and has already had a lot of the foundational work done. It will still be a lot of work but I think we are up to it. Thanks again.

Good luck with the new dog Julie!

 Quote: Mel Lane

I just re-read a few things: You have two small children; you want a protection dog and also a gentle family dog; you want strong prey drive; solid nerves, confident, fearless, strong and ready to be trained; you have limited budget. I hate to say this, but I cannot imagine getting all of that on a low budget. If you didn't have small kids I would agree that a rescue would be your best bet, but that is not the case and with small kids in the mix....

Anyhow, I know that's not what you want to hear, but I think you may want to rethink what exactly you want/need. Is it enough to have a dog that is gentle, loving and safe with young kids; that also acts aloof with strangers and at home barks/sounds protective? If so, that does not require any special PPD training and you can get a family dog that meets those criteria much more readily.

That was one of the most well thought-out posts that I've seen in a long time, my sincere congratulations for what should be the post of the month ( if we had one )!

THANK YOU.
Seems like the best most obvious solution.