Dog breeders

[LOX]

Can anyone out there recommend a German Shepherd dog breeder< I am currently looking for two dogs from the same litter as pets. I live in Sheffield and I am prepared to travel if it means I can find the right dogs. mant thanx

[Annlinda]

Please think very hard before you have2 litter pups. Unless you are a very experienced trainer you could find life VERY difficult. Often they fight when they reach puberty and unless you train them separately they take no notice of you.

[lankeela]

I agree with LOX on having two together, you will have a great deal of trouble getting them to bond with you as they have each other. You would need to ensure that you spend time with each one, which in itself would make one jealous of the other, and could cause problems. Many breeders would not sell you two from one litter.

However here are some club secretaries who you could contact for details of breeders they know of.



Sheffield GSD Society (Ann Hardy) 01777 703417

Allertonshire GSD Club (Mrs Hunter) 01748 812251

North Yorkshire & South Durham GSD Club (Mrs Scott) 01740 622107

The above all are involved with the more 'continental', 'middle of the road' type dogs, but to prove I am not biased (!) the following are involved with the heavier built, old English type 'Alsatians'

GSD (Alsatian) Club of the UK (Ms J Hassall) 01302 751743 (25th Feb - show at Newark Showground)

South Yorkshire Alsatian Association (Roy Brandon) 01302 721015

They probably all are involved with training classes for breed/obedience, so you could maybe visit and see which type you prefer, as ne'er the twain shall meet!

[lankeela]

Forgot to add, pleeeease make sure the parents are hip scored and the sire is tested clear for Haemophilia (don't be fobbed off by breeders who tell you it is not in their lines).

I think you will find that most of the clubs have a code of ethics which the breeders have to adhere to regarding health testing. The secretaries will be able to tell you what is required of them.

Please also make sure you get Kennel Club registered
dogs as without this you have no way of knowing if the pedigrees are genuine, or whether health checks have been done (this will be on the parents and puppies registration certificates).

[lankeela]

Sorry meant I agree with Annlinda!

[LOX]

Thank you both - Annlinda and Lankeela for your much heeded advise, after reading your replies we have now decided that getting one dog will be enough and life will be much easier !! Thank you again Lankeela for the advise on heamophilia, this is a question i would never have thought to ask. I am awaiting a call from a breeder in Derbyshire at the moment......Many thanx again...Lox

[lankeela]

Good to have someone take the well meaning advice offered. Please feel free to ask any further questions.

[Annlinda]

Enjoy your pup and best of luck and take lankeela's advice and go to dog training. You will have fun and make friends for life

[lankeela]

He he - such innocence! Annlinda when I referred to the twain ne'er meeting, I was actually alluding to the difference in type between Germanic/English GSD's and not breed/obedience! However, there is a big difference although a proper Shepherd should be able to do both.

Training classes are indeed a necessity for any pups, but more so for Shepherds. Much fun and mental stimulation, not to mention friendship and maybe even friendly competition can be had.

[kita1]

There are a couple of good sites for GSD lovers:-
http://lovinggsd.com and http://www.germanshepherdsuk.co.uk
both have forums that you can join and ask questions about breeders, the breed in general etc.

Good luck with your new pup!

[amonty1144]

You might also get a very nice pup or young dog from the breed rescue, used to be a very good gsd rescue at Stamford Bridge near York.
Try the links on the loving gsd site.
Also pedigree database will give you info about gsd lineage and the current backbiting in the breed!

[LOX]

Thank you Lankeela and Annlinda for your help, advise. and good wishes.....We are now proud owners of a little boy!! We bought him last night from Doncaster from a breeder who we contacted on the kennel club sight, so far he has been a little gem! he is one of a litter of eight and he will be 9 weeks old tomorrow, we had a VERY peacefull night last night, he is a very calm little puppy. I took him to my local vet today for his first injection but he advised us to wait a couple of days until he has settled into our home and so not to cause him any trauma. Again I would like to say many thanx for all your advice

[kita1]

That might be your last peacefull night for a while!!!

Hope I am wrong, but I suspect you are going to have a very busy New Year!

Don't envy you the house training!! (I remember it well - nights stood in the freezing, pitch black - waiting for pup to do a wee!!). Bet pup ends up with some interesting names!

Good luck with your new boy.

[lankeela]

You are going to have some fun!

Be interested to know his pedigree (or at least his parents).

Getting me all broody now! Haven't had a shepherd pup for years.

[robotics]

Please Please Please take and follow the advice given especially from IanKeela, check the dogs pedigree, the KC can tell you if there is any dogs registered within the pedigree that have HD etc

Start by asking the breeder to see the pedigree of the dog, you then call the Kennel Club to confirm that everything on the pedigree is correct, You then ask the Kennel to confirm both parents siblings hipscores and further back if possible.

Never do what I did see the dog and you just have to have it. I so feel back for not checking beforehand.

Don't be put of, but seriously check out the pedigree carefully.

I have a two year GSD who was diagnosed with HD at 18mths, I have found many more dogs, closley related brothers/sisters/aunties and uncles on both sides of my dogs pedigree who the breeder knew about but never informed me. A responsable breeder will not just mat two dogs with good Hipscores they will look at the whole picture

Just cause my dogs got HD, Doesn't mean yours will.

Joanne

[robotics]

Enjoy your little fluffy puppy, and welcome to the wonderfull world of the German Shepherd.

joanne
www.mygermanshepherd.co.uk

[LOX]

Oh gosh! so many kind people with such good advice. Thank you VERY MUCH...
Lankeela.... I have got 5th generation pedigree certificate issued by the kennel club his father is 'Kingsblood Thorin of Rockforce' aka 'Vader'. He can be found on www.rockforcegsd.co.uk along with photos and history. His mothers name is 'Tournedous Addi' a result of 'Fouranfass Ejit' and 'Snocab Holly' hitting it off together!!!
We have also the breeder registration certificate.The respective hip scores are 4/2 and 5/6.
Kital.... He is already using the training pads!!! just a couple of accidents but we were up with him at 3 o clock this morning he was crying, missing his brothers and sisters but fine today and eating well
Joanne.... Thank you for your advice!!! The sire's breeders told us that both dogs had been tested for HD which were clear, but tomorrow i am going to ring the KC to check. Thanx very much!!!

[lankeela]

The parents hip scores should be on the KC registration certificate under their names.

[lankeela]

Had a look at the breeder's site - pleased to see they have the hip scores and all the dogs are tested for Haemophilia.

There are also some very well known dogs in there, and a sensible combination of English/German blood lines.

You should have years of great companionship ahead of you.

[robotics]

Lox��So glad your little fluff ball is doing well,

I do not know of the dams pedigree but as Iankeela said there is some fantastic dogs in Vadars Pedigree, and even though my dog has HD, doesn't mean yours will. Don't look at the pedigree, unless you wish to breed from your dog.

If your dog is a 'pet' just get on and enjoy him, forget all this stuff about purebreds and certificates, If you had got a crossbreed you would not have a pedigree - you probably would not even know who the father (and possibly the mother) is, let alone any hip scores etc. It does not mean the problems are not there, just that no one bothers to look for them!

I wish all the best of luck and happiness to your dog, they are a wonderful breed.







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