Hello All, newbie here...I have been talking to Ed and Cindy periodically in the past couple of weeks. I recently informed Ed that I had a pup from Kraftwerk k9 but that didn't work out. I also had another pup ordered from Rocky Mountain GSD's and that didn't work out either. I have been looking online for a good breeder and Ed said that it would be okay to ask in the forum as long as we spoke in private messages. I am all ears!! I am looking for a well rounded male pup. He will be introduced to 3 kids, a husband (technically kid #4), 1 male black lab, 1 female border collie, 1 male cat (all fixed btw) and three snakes. Although, they rarely are an issue The purpose of this pup will be to be a personal protection dog. I have spent a lot of time reading around here and love all I have seen, however, I am not so sure that a "working dog" with HIGH DRIVE is what I require. I want a dog with enough drive to work with but not one that is bouncing off the walls day and night. (I hope there is such a thing :crazy Any help would be appreciated. I bow to those in the know.

Howdy to y'all!

Wow, I thought for sure that this would create a huge topic discussion. It's amazing that so many have such strong opinions on breeding, yet no one has anything to say about breeders.

robbin i sent you a PM

Mm, well I speak to many breeders of the breed I'm inquiring about, then I compare answers to the prepared questions. Then I perform a background check with the state to see if the person has any criminal history, if no or considered minor acts I'll still talk with the person. Then I call the breed rescues and ask if they know any information on the breeder I'm talking with and also ask them who they'd recommend to buy a puppy. Also, to dig up dirt of the person you're looking for, Google is your friend. There are other resources but Google is the easiest to use.

One major question to ask the breeder, "can I speak to people who've bought a puppy from you?" If they say no or give an excuse, hang up and don't worry about them anymore.

There are other questions, however my list is rather very very long. Try not to ask too many questions and have sessions, which in particular you try to become friends with the person. If they're bad, then they'll often slip up and you'll recognize contradictory statements.

I just wanted to clarify that when I said Rockey mountain gsd's didn't work out, it wasn't because of the breeder not being honest. It was because the mom lost the pups. Kraftwerk was a different issue.