Hi all...

Am about to purchase my first pure GS pup in the not too distant future and have finally found a reputable breeder with pups!!!
Have done a quick search of the forum but couldn't find another similar topic....
Just wanting to know, what questions do i ask this breeder when i go and have a look at the pups. Am wanting to get into Sch with the pup, have a few questions in mind, but i would like to know what everyone else recommends me asking so i have all the information i need when decided on the pup.
Thanks in advance...
Amanda

Amanda here's a few questions.

1. What can the parents DO? What can you SHOW me if I come to visit?

2. Who has obtained a previous pup/dog related to this line that is currently at work in a functional task? Sport? Training beyond basic OB? How are they working out? Request references from working placements. Check them out.

3. How many pups have you produced...how many are healthy adults, how many have you had fail for health/temperament?

Norman Epstein

Amanda,

Does the breeder have a web site? Can you PM it to me?

Amanda,
You mention wanting to do some sport work with the dog. So you know of a club you'll be engaged with? A helper/trainer? If so ask a experienced member or the helper to go with you to the breeders. If nothing else, to help with picking out the dog. If you're not familar with the ring sports, watching the parents work out may not mean much to your eye, so an experienced sidekick will be invaluable.
As to questions for the breeder. You've probably already thought of the most important. In the past I've always found it informative to talk to Vet services in the local area. Have they dealt with him? How are his dogs cared for, or is it always an emergency? Are the dogs a pain in the you know what or is the office happy to see them? Ask the same kind of pointed questions of the tracking clubs, agility groups, SAR crews and any others you can think of. Have they ever heard of him? Or dealt with him or seen his dogs? The telephone can save a lot of walking and affords an anonymity that can result in some surprisingly candid dialog. Try it.

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

Thanks heaps for the reply guys....
He doesn't have a website that i know of, i got his details off someone i work with. He runs his own club so i'll be checking out them training when i go down to visit.

Thanks heaps for your suggestions guys, and Randy the vet ring around sounds like a great idea...will give it a shot tomorrow.

Anything else i should know beforehand?

Ask to see the pedigree...look for OFA certifications on hips and elbows. They don't give out many 'excellent' ratings so look for tons of 'good' ratings and slim to no 'fair' ratings. Poor ratings are BAD. This doesn't guarantee their hips/elbows, but gives you something good to stack in the pup's favor.

I was told to avoid dogs from lines that have a lot of AKC titles - please pipe up if I am incorrect. Most good 'working' dogs like LE, BP, SAR and (I think but may be wrong) SCH won't have a lot of AKC titles such as conformation, ect. I think this advice was given to me to steer me from American Show lines.

Ask to see both parents if on-site. If not, why not? Observe the temperment of the parents, no guarantee that will be YOUR pup's temperment but it can be a good indication of what you're working with. Ask what they do, ask for demonstrations. Ask to see pics of other pups related to these and inquire as to their health/employment.

Aside from that, you'll have to talk to SCH people on what other questions to ask...I am sure there is alot I don't know about that sport and it's requirements.