Import or Buy Local - Page 3

Why I import breeding stock and pups occasionally-

We have a lot of really wonderful pups born in this country now, no doubt about it. I have nothing against getting a high-quality pup from a reputable, knowledgeable breeder in North America. There are very good reasons for doing just that, and good reasons, IMO, for importing from Germany.

One down-side in North America is that both the US and Canada are HUGE, so to go to even a few of the great breeders here to evaluate pups and parents in person would be a logistics nightmare. When I go to Germany I can visit a dozen top breeders' kennels in the space of less than a week. Top kennels tend to be located in clusters, and every one of them is within spitting distance of their club, so I get to see a lot of dogs in person and actually observe their work. The owners of the best dogs are typically proud to bring their dogs onto the field to show them off for company!  I can get to anyplace in the country in about 8 hrs.  For me, 5-10 days in Germany now is the same as going to Disneyland was when I was 8, with the added benefits of being able to bring some of my adventure home with me.  :-D

To be continued-
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Another reason I import-
I only trust a few breeders on this side of the pond to evaluate a litter and select the "right" pup for me, beyond conformation for  temperament and working drives. Too many breeders here still only buy their breeding stock on conformation and the titles listed on the back of the Annentafel. (if even that...) Most never even see their breeding stock work, let alone the dogs they produce, nor care to. As long as they have the right letters and numbers surrounding the name,  the dogs are fertile and don't bite the kids, they couldn't care less about the rest. Hard for me to trust someone who has never stepped on a training field to pick a puppy for me, a trainer/competitor who has, does, and plans to continue to do just that in future. All pups are a gamble, but I try to stack the odds in my favor. Hell, I don't have that many years ahead of me, little time to waste on pups that don't work out for the sport.

When I look for a puppy I look past the pup itself into the pedigree, with thoughts for the future of my breeding program. I also look closely at the pups' extended families. (something few people ever bother to do IMO) to learn about parents', grandparents', siblings' and previous progeny produced as far as titles and ratings. I don't like to see only one dog from the extended familys' litters having earned titles, ratings, etc., especially with working line dogs. Unfortunately too few breeders here go on and title their pups, or see to it many of them get their titles, so its impossible to know what they might have been.

Cost? I can get a super puppy overseas very reasonably, especially in person. I can ship 2-3 in a crate (which I haul over as luggage) and offset the cost of the airplane ticket and rental car some. Here the best breeders (with some exceptions of course) want 2-8 times what I would pay for the same quality pup in Germany, + shipping on top of that. The way I see it, I get to have a great time traveling around looking at dogs, buy a couple to bring home, for just about the same amount as I would pay to travel to one or two major kennels here and buy one top pup (or have it shipped)... IF they would sell that pup at all!

So--- If you are looking for a nice pup for yourself and your family to love forever, no plans to compete at the top level of competition (Sieger shows, National trials) or breed later, and want all the guarantees, probably better to buy here in the US. If you are looking for a top, top dog to compete with, breed later, are really knowledgeable and picky, and are willing to forget about guarantees (and want a vacation to remember! :-) you might want to dust off your passport and start looking for deals on airfare and rental cars abroad. 

Like I said, there are exceptions. My last dog came from Tracy Bullinger right here in North America. Airfare $400. r/t. + $100. for the dog on the way home and a few days of fun in Canada. Best of both worlds.
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 Shelley,

Too bad there are no tropical areas in Germany! I would be asking you if I could tag along if I bought the tickets! But it is C*O*L*D over there (or at least as cold as where I am-here in the state of MO=Misery)
renee

Taunya at www.eurosportk9.com is a good source for finding and matching the right puppy or dog. She has working dogs, show dogs and is sometimes mixing the two to improve both........she knows what she's doing and is very easy to work with. I recommend her.

Renee-
Its rarely as cold in Germany as it is here in PA, and they don't get so much ice/snow in the northern LG's. February is a good time to go. You can enjoy Frauen Festival (like Marti Gras) which is a week long party much-focused on women (no curfew that week LOL). Its also a good time to buy dogs. Travel costs (flights, car, etc) are cheap in Feb.
Clubs work all winter over there, unlike around here where everything comes to a screeching stop when the ice falls.
SS

Like everyone else said, go local.  Alot of good points why.  You can see the parents, touch the pups and make a clear decision.   There are alot of good breeders in every region.  These people produce just as good of dogs if you do your homework.  There are alot of crap breeders here and ther and everywhere.  I think the biggest reasons that we see so many shitters, is because too many breeders breed crap and the ones that breed good dogs may not be as selective in where the dogs or good dogs go.    Because we have a large amount of breeders, there is a lack of good handlers to take all of these dogs.   
In Europe it is ideal to preserve a breed.  The countries are small and you can drive everywhere reasonably.  There is no need to stick a female on a plane to get bred,  you don't have to fly 6 hrs to look at a dog competing at the nationals,  and there are more clubs in a smaller area.   The US is huge.   Take every GSD and Sch Club in the US and stick them all in Wisconsin.  You now have Germany.  It would sure as hell be alot easier to find  what you want.

 Shelley,

Frauen Festival sounds like my kind of week! LOL...I love good German wine (although it tends to bite a bit harder for me!). 

Frauen Festival is a gas. Everyone young and old, especially the women, are in the streets.  There are parades, local skits put on at churches (Surprise!- Alcohol is served at church social events in Germany!) parties and general carousing. I had a ball both times I was over there that week. Kinda takes the bite out of February.

The Eurpoeans really know how to party. 2-3 day long celebrations are not at all unusual. Don't believe me? Follow the folks who finish anywhere near the top home from the BSZS. Don't forget to call home every day or so to let your family know you're still alive. LOL

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