New GSD advice please

Hello all,

I have a few questions i'd like to put to the forum.

I've decided I'd like to bring a GSD into my life and was after some advice.

I've heard some horror stories about breeders, crossing breeding for coats etc and would like to avoid this at all costs!

Im much more drawn to a short coat black and tan, where would be the best place to look for a good quality, loving breeder?

How do the characteristics of a male and female differ (apart from the obvious )

When a breeder is found, what to look and ask for?

All advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards.

[gsdlover4ever]

Where abouts are you in the world?

What are you planning on doing with your shep: show, sport...?

Would you consider a rescue GSD?

BTW welcome to the forum

Hello gsdlover,

Sorry I forgot to include my location. Im near Birmingham, West Midlands.

Im only intending to have him as a loyal family pet, I shall train him/her, take to classes etc.

As sorry as I feel for rescue shepherds, personally I dont think that would suit my requirements as I want a gsd from pup.

Thanks!

[kita]

Take a look at Wildmoor's reply in this topic:

http://www.mygermanshepherd.co.uk/fo...i-looking.html


Don't be taken in by fancy 'sales' talk or websites - they are out to sell you a product and they will not tell you anything bad about themselves on their own web sites.

Be prepared to go on a waiting list, most good breeders have a number of people waiting for a pup they have bred.

I am wary of buying a pup at this time of year as some breeders tend to breed for the Christmas pet market (not good).

Although you want a 'pet' look for a good breeder that possibly shows their dogs, tell them you are not intending to show the pup - they sometimes have mismarked pups whose coat colour/length is not quite up to show standards. They will usually breed to improve the breed, rather than for the 'pet' market.

Also try and find a breeder that offers lifetime support, or will take their dogs back at any stage in their life.

Remember that the most expensive pups are not always the best!

Buy with your head and not your heart! This dog is going to be with you for (hopefully) the next 10/15 years.

Sue

[Stuart]

Welcome to the forum.

I know you said that you wanted a pup and not a rescue,.. please remember that rescues also get pups,.. and with a rescue pup you would be in quite a rare position where the parents would be known

But which ever road you go down,.. I am sure you will choose right, ... just let us know how you do please

[gsdlover4ever]

Not sure of any breeders in your location, but here is a list of GSD rescues in the UK, that i know of.

ARAS and German Shepherd Inn: Bedford: ARAS Dog Rescue Mainly German Shepherds, but all needy dogs are taken in and given care and attention until they can be rehomed. Always have German Shepherds of varying ages requiring new homes.
Biggsd: http://biggsd.com: Biggsd helps to coordinate the rescue and rehoming of GSDs throughout the UK. There are always many GSDs (and a few other breeds) featured on the site looking for new homes. There is also an active community of GSDs lovers and experts offering advice on the forum.
Cefni German Shepherd Rescue: National: Cefni German Shepherd Rescue German Shepherd Rescue rehoming of dogs nationwide volunteers with excellent knowledge of the breed, behavioural problems, dog handling, alsation and GSD breeds considered too.
German Shepherd Dog Rehoming~ North East: Newcastle: index North East based GSD rehoming organisation
German Shepherd Forum: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK: GERMAN SHEPHERD FORUM - HOME Not just a forum, this is a web site with a forum attached. For all German Shepherds, Owners and Enthusiasts. Includes online forum and rescue page
German Shepherd Rescue Scotland: German Shepherd Rescue Scotland - Rescuing and Re-homing German Shepherd Dogs and Puppies in Scotland, Saving GSDs Rescuing and re-homing German Shepherds in Scotland. Also have an online store selling great GSD gifts.
German Shepherd Rescue South: Ashford, Middlesex: German Shepherd Rescue South based in Hampshire - Rescuing and Re-homing German Shepherd Dogs in the South of England Home rescue,re-homing unwanted German Shepherd Dogs in Home Counties, Hampshire, Surrey, Bedfordshire, Kent, Berkshire
German Shepherd Rescue UK Ltd: Scotland/North England/Birmingham: German Shepherd Puppies for sale Dogs Breeders GSD Rescue Dogs Alsatians German Shepherd rescue and rehoming service
German Shepherds UK: German Shepherds UK • Index page Forum all about the breed of German Shepherds
HUGS Rescue: Powys/Wales: HUGS Welsh German Shepherd Dog Rescue in Wales (Alsatian) Hope and Understanding for German Shepherd dogs. A newly formed rescue, based in mid-Wales, dedicated to the rescue, assessment & rehoming of gsds.
Maggies pet rescue & rehoming service: Pitsea Essex: MAGGIES PET RESCUE - GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE Rescue and where possible rehoming of healthy german shepher dogs.
Second-Chances gsd rescue: Edinburgh, Scotland: Second-chances for German Shepherds German Shepherd rescue organisation for Scotland and north england, we are a registered Scottish charity No 28175
Southern Counties GSD Rescue: Home Counties: German Shepherd rescue | GSD rescue and Alsatian rescue dogs | Southern Counties German Shepherd Rescue re-homing stray, abused, and unwanted German shepherd dogs and poundies throughout the home counties
Sussex German Shepherd Rescue: National organisation: German Shepherd Rescue-gsd rescue-throughout the uk Rescue and re-homing throughout the UK and Ireland please come and join our forum.
Lancashire gsd rescue: Preston lancashire: TED KEWLEY Rescuing and rehoming German Shepherds in Lancashire and surrounding areas and North Wales. Please note that we are unable to take dogs with behavioural problems but can give you names of good dog trainers in our area
UK German Shepherd Rescue: National Organisation http://www.ukgermanshepherdrescue.co.uk/: Rescuing & rehoming German Shepherd dogs & puppies throughout the UK.
Watford German Shepherd Help and Information: Watford, Hertfordshire: Watford GSD Help & Information We offer free help and advice to German Shepherd dog owners on topics such as Health and behaviour issues.
Wiltshire German Shepherd Rescue: GSD Lifeline Rescue for German Shepherds in need of a new home in Wiltshire and the South West. (Forum style site)

[kita]

Don't know if you are willing to travel but these breeders have been recommended recently on here:

http://www.mygermanshepherd.co.uk/fo...-scotland.html

Taken from above link:

"For those looking for a pup Heather at Conbhairean German Shepherd Dogs :: UK hobby breeder of german shepherd puppies in Scotland

has 2 females not booked - litter is 2 weeks old - Heather is one of those few I will not hesitate in recommending she does all relevant tests and breeds for Health/Temperment as well as having great looking dogs."


Sue

Thank you all for your replies.

GSD - Thank you for your reply, but a rescue is not what im after at this time. Maybe later on in life, when my heart strings have well and truly be pulled

Stuart - Yes I will let everybody know, certainly!

Kita - Thank you for findng that infomation for me, but Scotland is waaay to far then I was willing to travel.

Where are the best places to look?

Regards

Adam

[zetstaff]

Hello + welcome

[LOVEGSD]

Hello and welcome

Good luck with your search..x