Even if you can't afford, or abide the 2-3 year wait list for one of their dogs, their books will tell you how to locate a good breeder.
Posted on 04/23/2010 4:33:02 PM PDT by SmartInsight
About Courage: A 3-year-old German shepherd was taken by a Good Samaritan to an Orange County veterinary clinic April 7 near death from starvation.
German Shepherd Rescue Group of Orange County stepped in and offered to pay for the dog's care.
(Excerpt) Read more at ocregister.com ...
I’d probably be more interested in the Shepard over a Lab. My little terrier if she’d been a big dog, I can’t even get my mind around that one...lol She kept me busy for 2 years before she finally settled down. She’s a wonderful little dog, smart and she listens pretty well. She’s like a little clown, I love her personality. I’m not sure getting a large breed dog right now is a good idea, because of my terrier, she does not play well with other dogs...lol But, I’m starting to look. I just know I want to get another dog sometime in the near future and am looking seriously at Shepard’s.
Thanks...I’ve been following this story closely!
Even if you can't afford, or abide the 2-3 year wait list for one of their dogs, their books will tell you how to locate a good breeder.
I would find your local GSD club, find out what activities their dogs are doing and go watch. Talk to breeders. Don't buy the first dog you see.
Talk to freekitty, she's a GSD person.
As far as Labs, the best way to find a breeder is to check out the hunting clubs. Watch the dogs doing what they were bred to do. If you don't want a full-blown field dog, it's a cinch that a pup or two in any given litter will be a more mellow boy or girl and perfect for a house dog that you might want to shoot over occasionally or take to a hunt test just for fun.
My girls are mixed field and show breeding, in varying proportions. But the show lines are NOT the block-headed, short-legged, fat ones. There are still a couple of kennels (Dickendall and Kerrybrook, for two) that breed what they call "dual purpose Labs" - and those are my show lines.
Mary Howley of Candlewood Kennels, who is probably the best field trial breeder in the country, uses show lines for outcrosses. My little black Lab that I got from her is 1/4 conformation (Kerrybrook) and she is PLENTY high-energy. We just finally have her to where you can hold a conversation with her, at age three. Before now she was all drive, no brain. But that's to be expected with her breeding, she's an 2xNFC/AFC Ebonstar Lean Mac granddaughter, they mature late, even for Labs.
My oldest dog was sired by an English show dog, at least the British show dogs have to pass a hunting test in order to put champion in front of their names. It's pretty pitiful when the "Pigadors" come out to try to get a Working Certificate on their dogs and the poor things are waddling in the general direction of the bird . . . slowly, and sometimes showing no interest at all when they get there.
My best buddy, my special dog, was a rescue but out of a field champion line. He was a beautiful example of the downeast NC type of Lab, dark, almost liver colored chocolate with green eyes that persisted well into adulthood.
I know of Candlewood, anybody who is serious about Labs knows that kennel. But, I’ll be getting one of the local variety when I finally can bring myself to do it. It’s been over two years, and I still can’t. I have taken in a sweet little Walker Hound girl, though. She needed somebody, and that somebody turned out to be me. We’ve just about learned each other’s ways by now.
AT the READY!
PROTECTING THE PERIMETER!!
On Watch!! No predator best come near the Hound and Master’s Manse!
In that pic, you can see the tense muscles! When my Lola (terrier/shep mix) chased squirrels( in younger days) she would just quiver as she sighted and readied to race ahead!
Gosh, I didn't realized he had ever reproduced!
He turns into a lapdog soggy marshmallow at night but its only because he works so hard during the day.
Chasing muskrats and boats away from the shoreline, killin snakes, mouses and moles. Barking at turtles. Its all hard work.
Wonderful!
Yes, They do work so hard...Thank heavens you have such a hard working partner to protect your property from varmints!
Barking at turtles is very important!!
When Lola is so tired, she gets on the bed, laying down and then a deep sigh, and then a couple more sighs and then, sleepy bye in contentment...later her legs are “running” as she chases squirrels in dreams.
He’s a beautiful dog I hope he gets a really good home. I’d take him in a heartbeat but not sure how my kitty would like that?
Thanks SandRat, I had looked at this thread earlier today and, like all here, was very bothered by it.
The dog survived and is beautiful now.
I don’t think this one can be house broke though....lol
.
Thanks potlatch - Wonderful thread
I emailed the link to this thread down to the Blue Ridge Mountains
I saw the HP video of the Hero German Shepard that saved his owner and his home on Fox News Channel today
Just like Rin Tin Tin or Lassie movies -
“Go for help!”
Dogs, horses, and a (very rare) Brahma can be so loyal and intelligent and understanding
All they need is a pat and a cookie!
Yes, dogs are loyal and intelligent and understanding, completely honest in their feelings. Too bad humans can't be that way too. Dogs even have a conscience, know when they've done wrong!
Using the list this time, just because all of us need some “Good Doggie!” news tonight.
Thanks again! :-)
I see you’re getting a lot of good help here, so I’m sorry to pile on, but somebody’s got to plug the older dogs!
With an adult dog, you know exactly what kind of temperment, personality, and conformation you’re buying. The dog may come pre-loaded with apps like ‘Fetch’, ‘Heel’, and ‘Don’t Poop On The Carpet’.
You won’t have to worry about teething, the ‘adolescent phase’, or ‘will my dog look like an ugly slab-sided mongrel because the breeder wasn’t none too careful about gates’ syndrome.
A puppy is a crap shoot; a 12-18 month old is a sure thing, and you can find loads of them for a nominal fee at your local shelter, craigslist, or breed rescue. :-)
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