Hello. My husband and our family (two daughters and Reuben 11yr old GSD) are seeking a new shepherd to add to our home and have been considering a breeder named "Joan" with Von Rom german shepherds website as well as another breeder "Alpine Safety K-9s". We have been searching for a while and with each breeder we find...the more we investigate, well, the more reasons we find not to go with them.
I will say that "Joan" with Vom Ron actually purchased the dam of the puppy we are considering from Alpine I believe when I have been pulling research through databases.
My husband has had great faith in the input from this website for quite some time as "lurkers" and now would greatly appreciate any info or suggestions anyone may have.
Thank You.
Julie

Link?

Sorry, I wasn't sure if they were allowed to have links here or not. http://www.vomrongermanshepherds.com is "Joan's" site and http://www.alpinek9.com is I believe where she purchased Ixe the mom to the pup we are eyeing. I am possibly just interested in a pup from alpine k-9s if it works out primarily due to the fact that when I spoke with "Joan" last eve. she got very defensive and sounded almost offended that I was questioning the health of the parents and pups. Since it is not official on the website I felt it was fair to inquire and she shot back with...Well of course they're all healthy, I wouldn't sell them for border patrol if they weren't". Well that naturally offended me and I attempted to explain that since we will be investing not only a large amount of money to purchase but also a large part of our hearts and time for a pup to join our family I was only seeking a healthy background. That didn't seem to subdue her much and I also mentioned that I have run into many backyard breeders and that is not what I'm looking for and without health certs, OFA's, etc., one can only be skeptical.
I mean why not brag if you have it?
Thanks,
Julie

What are you looking for? Pet or working dog? Competition? Schutzhund?

Primary role would be companion and protector of family and home but my husband would like to train (beginner) schutzhund with the help of a professional of course. He really likes the look of both of these sites Czech imports (I believe largely because of little to no angulation of the back and the dark sable coats).
Obviously temperament, and health being #1 priority though.
Thanks again,
Julie

I see one of the sites says on a few of the dogs have OFA hips and elbows. OFA what? I have a dog with OFA hips and elbows, too. OFA moderate dysplasia in right hip and Grade 1 elbows!

I have heard nothing negative whatsoever about Alpine.

The OFA thing has already been mentioned.

I see on Von Ron's site that they work their dogs in obed., tracking, and protection every day, but I don't see anything about dogs being titled, or if not titled, used as PSDs, etc. I would really wonder at that as well.

Are they close enough for you to go visit? I was looking at Mal's awhile back and I can say that all that information - health, titles, titles in the pedigrees, or PSDs etc where applicable - was available. It was about 4 hrs away but I was able to visit, and also able to visit at a couple of different places dogs from the kennel and watch them training in FR. If you can go visit the kennel, or go watch some of their dogs work, that would be a good thing as well.

I live in the general area this breeder is in and have not heard of them but would be wondering where are the sport and or working titles on their stock?

What "border patrol"? are they referring to? I would ask for references there because all I can think about it the Mexican border and there are lots of breeders in So Cal.

Maybe your husband should find a schutzhund club first and go to trainings to figure out if it really is for him before you get a high drive working dog.

I do not do sport but do have a Czech working lines dog as do several other folks on my SAR team.

"Buckeye Country" So I assume you are in Ohio? Not finding anyone more local to evaluate?

I know a little about one of those kennels; Julie, I sent you a PM. When you log in, check your messages (click on that flashing envelope at the top).