where do i even start? - Page 7

From a different perspective - I am not a dog breeder, but I am a dog owner.

I would do one of two things:

-If I were looking for a pup where I didn't care about breeding or bloodlines, I'd go to a shelter.

-If I wanted to support responsible breeders, who do health/temperament testing and title their dogs, I'd buy from one of the breeders who does all of these things.

I would never buy a dog from someone who didn't see the value in improving the breed, doing health check and working thier dogs.

There are simply too many dogs in shelters to support someone who feels they need to breed unproven dogs. Why bother? If you aren't committed to the time and experience required to title a dog, then how can you say you're committed to bettering the breed? Those "breeders" will never see a dime of my money.

I am not saying not to breed your dog. I'm saying do all the health checks and get sometitles to prove your dog is workable. Otherwise, why would you breed her?

Good posts, Tig!

On rereading my own post,  I should have made it clear I do NOT advocate breeding solely for pet homes. Dogs should be titled and health checked.  The point I was trying to make was the GSD does make a wonderful pet. But when breeders breed ONLY for the show ring or schutzhund trials, the temperament that makes the GSD a good pet and wonderful all-round dog takes a back seat to looks and drive.

"2.  Find a club that can evaluate her for herding instinct; schitzhund; tracking; etc.  This will help tell you what your bitch brings to the table for the breed."


If you don't have a Schutzhund club available,

Obedience
Agility
Rallly
Service (they were bred for guide dogs too)
Protection
Search and Rescue
Tracking
Detection

Are also working titles.....

Sunsilver,
   I really liked your post, it places the conversation on a higher plane and looks beyond tittles and towards the true intention of the breed. I wish we had more conversations on this level.

Thank you, Markobytes. If you want to read such a conversation, look at the threads I linked to in my post.

I didnt read the post where she dosnt have time to feed her dogs regular meals.  YIKES

My dogs eat plenty. I was feaking out because I thought that my male was skinny. They are outside most of their day, when weather permits. I put in a feeder outside so they would have food ALL the time. They get food in the house too.
The get treats too, way more then they should thanks to my kids. My female is almost chubby. You have no idea what me and my family have been through. 6 years of hell, tears, miscarriages, lies, lawyers to orders of protection.

If I didn't care my dogs would be tied up outside, or ignored in an outside kennel. I'm officially out of this conversation. Have fun arguing over EVERY THING. I have a life and can't sit at the computer all day. 

I will never post in this forum again nor will I recommend it to anyone either. You guys are not doing the GSD community any favors by being such jerks. 

I CLEARLY don't feed my dogs...ever.

Ok, fine, Ladyhaze and Supakmario:  both of you flounce off and breed your bitches to whatever
crap studs you can find, and take absolutely no notice of all the things we have been saying, 'cos
that wasn't what you wanted to hear in the first place !!!

I know replies on this thread (and all the many threads you started SupaK)  have been very detailed - some
might say we've been longwinded ! - but the discussion has been full of useful info, and polite and restrained
in the main, even where we haven't all agreed exactly with each other.

The only two people who have started swearing and carrying on are:  you two.

Keith actually offered to 'mentor' you, Ladyhaze.

So I don't agree anyone has been a 'jerk' - but I do think your reaction shows a lot about you, and whether
you are being a responsible 'adult' person about wanting to breed your dog.

Just don't come back crying when it all goes pear-shaped, and people are bashing your doors down wanting
you to take back 'puppies' or give them their money back, 'cos they've had big problems.

Everyone has some problems in their personal lives, some worse than others, and I'm really sorry about what
you've been through;  but it isn't reasonable to 'hide' behind those as an excuse for not having better arguments
for your position, which is what its started to sound like you are doing. 

RIP in advance, some of the future pups that are bound to suffer if these litters get bred. 

Oh Supakamario.   I truely gave you the benefit of the doubt that you were someone with integaraty.  Your posts here show I am wrong.  I pray for the sake of your dog that you wise up before you make very bad decisions.  I hope the OP for this post really listens to the good and correct advise and not your ill advised information.                             .