Breeding opinion - Page 2

@gagsd4! What nerve issues did the Zidane dogs have?

I checked out the PDBreeder's webpage, and while they say they breed for personal protection dogs, and they parrot the info they've found elsewhere about the dogs behind their stock, they're breeding for one thing, and one thing only:  $$$$

Anybody can buy a bite sleeve, put it on, and entice a dog to bite it, but that doesn't make them knowledgable about training a dog in personal protection work; they say they don't compete in SchH, but will give a discount in price to any 'reputable trainer' who wants to buy a dog from them and title it.  They claim that any dog from them will 'have enough prey drive for SchH1', yet given that they don't participate in SchH, how would they know that?

But enough about them.

cowboy, tell us about Kaiser and Zada. Tell us WHY you are considering doing this breeding--what does each have to offer to the breed, aside from working reproductive parts and registration papers?

Tell us what Kaiser's strong points are, as far as his conformation goes, as well as what areas on him could stand improvement. Tell us the same things about Zada, too, and why you feel Kaiser is a good match the her.

Tell us about each dog's working ability--their work ethic, their tracking skills [are they air-scenters by nature, or ground?] Do they work primarily in prey, or do they go right into defense drive? Are either of them civil? 

Ultimately, tell us why we should buy a puppy out of Kaiser and Zada, instead of a puppy from parents who have hips and elbows that are certified as normal and healthy by OFA or the SV, and who have been examined and been found to be worthy of breeding based on working ability, temperament and structure, by one or more recognized experts on the subject? 

I realize you're new to the GSD, but until you can answer the above questions, you shouldn't be breeding GSDs, unless your goal is to make back your 'investment' and supply more dogs that will end up in the local animal shelters by the time they're 4 years old [or sooner]...in which case, I've wasted my time in responding to you anyway.

@Hex! I must disagree with you when you say that pdbreeders are just in it for the money if you knew what they charged that would change your mind! I've read these sites and saw how critical people can be when people who are less informed asks the supposedly informed sincere questions! It almost appears that some people will criticize others dogs! I believe that there are plenty of good dogs out there and we should not criticize other people's dogs! How can we criticize a kennels dogs based upon their web site when we have not saw their dogs work! I'm sure there are dogs out that don't compete that are better dogs than those who compete! Some people may not want to compete with their dogs but that doesn't mean that their dogs are of less quality! What if some of the big name Doug's owners had chose not to compete with them would that have made them a less quality bred dog? Just wondering! Kaiser and Zada both have very high prey drives and good defense drives! As far as strengths and weaknesses Zada is a little smaller than I would like and Kaiser is absolutely beautiful. Why do some people think that they are the only ones who have good dogs and every other kennel dogs are of less quality because they belong to someone else and they are not using their dogs in the manner that others think they ought to! Thanks for all the helpful advice and unnecessary criticism! 

@Hex! Only that first sentence was for you specifically the rest of the post was just me speaking generally! I bred pit bulls for 21 years and said I would never own a German Shepherd but I'm having to eat my words! Very intelligent dogs and I'm looking for 20 plus years with the German Shepherd! 

fyi........zada just turned 1yr a month ago.  kaiser won't be 2 until feb.   grrrrr. 

pjp

@Ziegenfarm! Yeah I realize that! I really am an animal lover wants what's best for all animals! I also have a cat 3 horses and two fish! I stated in an earlier post that I bred pit bulls for 21 years and with the kind of dogs I had you had to get that motherly instincts in kinda quick or you may have problems down the road because of my dogs' high drive I assumed I needed to do the same thing! I assure you that I am definitely an asset to the breed I'm sure we've all made some mistakes along the way and had to learn so I really appreciate all the advice and comments! What ever I do I put my best foot forward I was just wondering what more experienced people thought about this blood of my dog's! Like I said I may never compete but I do want to have blood that's suitable for people looking for personal and property protection, businesses and the like! I knew all the ends and outs of the pit bulls bloodlines history breeders etc and want to know the same for Shepherds before I get too deep and invest money my wife doesn't want me too; since she doesn't like animals unless its on a plate with steak sauce! I just want to make sure this is a bloodline from some reputable dogs! 

It may sound mean as to what Hexe said but the truth is....well its just the truth. You are correct that a title doesnt make the dog, the dog makes the title. You are asking about dogs from a pedigree that almost none of them have any sort of genetic testing. I can only speak for myself but that speaks volumns about whether this breeder is in it for the money or not. This board is very passionate about shepherds and want to make sure that if someone is going to breed them, they do the absolute MINIMUM and test for hips and elbows. I dont remember seeing any dogs with hip/elbow scores. Why breed when they have no idea that the dogs they place are even going to be able to work? To me that says they are in it for the money.

If you have been a member of the board for any length of time you will read story after story from people who buy dogs with health problems. How much someone pays plays absolutely NO ROLL in soundness. Ive gotten free sound dogs and spent a fortune on ones that werent. You came and asked for people to be honest. You may not like what is said, but people do it to warn you of possible heartache down the road.

Barb

Thanks Bhaugh definitely trying to avoid pit falls and I certainly want to be a blessing and not a burden to the breed and the OFA certification is definitely on the list for both! Kaiser will have his hips check sometimes after February because from what I gather they need to be at least two years old to have it done! 

before breeding, please get their hips/elbows checked and also do a DM test .......
titles are preferable, especially for working line dogs.

if you are not breeding for solid temperament, you will have to be very careful with your buyers as your puppies may end up in shelters or worse.

if you do decide to breed, make sure your puppy buyers have trainer. working lines are great dogs, but they can be overwhelming for the average buyer who just likes the color. much education is required to make sure they are not getting in over their heads.

@SitasMom! Thank you very much!