Please pardon my long windedness! I am just really passionate about responsible, ethical & purposeful dog breeding. Thanks!
AN IMPORTANT NOTE: The best breeders don't discount a dog because it's got an imperfection according to the standard. A breeder who has excellent quality stock (regardless of breed) can have an entire litter that would be considered "show" stock. Even I've had it happen. (the litter my "Matthew" came from)
The best breeders discount puppies because they are being sold as "non-breeding or companion or pet" whatever you would care to call it, regardless if the puppy is show quality or not. I put many many show quality puppies into "pet quality" price homes. In fact, I have many more show quality animals in pet homes than I do in show/breeding homes! (I'd rather it be that way) Many breeders (even those in the fancy) don't want to dedicate the time & effort & cost that is required for someone to earn the right to breed a dog off of my bloodline. I mean, I really don't require much- OFA Hips & Elbows (an absolute necessity in the GSD and WS, and in all large breed dogs), a PennHIP (an additional method of hip testing/certification), possibly an MDR1 test (a genetic test for drug sensitivity) depending on the line being bred, plus at least a UKC Championship and some kind of performance title. The "clearances" OFAs can't be done until the dog is two, and it makes sense to wait for PennHIPs until then as they share an x-ray (save $$), the MDR1 is genetic and can be done whenever, and the show CH can be done anytime after the dog is 6 months- certainly before 2, and a performance title is also attainable between their first & second birthdays. Many people continue on to put a Grand Championship on their dogs; many of mine are also, but I don't require that an owner does for their own dog/s. I feel that, if one is breeding German Shepherd Dogs (or White Shepherds), that the dog should be both a fitting representation of the breed to look at (and therefore worthy of attaining a Championship), and also intelligent enough to title in a performance sport, whichever it may be. If you spend proper time to train your dog, it shouldn't take $100. in entries/per and 2 weekends of your time at most (3 shows/trials) to get each required title. I mean, if one's time is too valuable or important to bond with and train their dog, well, they don't want one of my dogs anyhow. They're too smart to be always idle-- they'll cause chaos bored and untrained! Those people are welcome to shop elsewhere. I even tell my pet people to go to dog class. I'm a dog trainer, and even my puppies I keep (or occasionally purchase) all go to puppy class & obedience class/es to get ready to go in the rings.
). Most often, I require these show quality pups in Pet price homes to be altered; though occasionally I will offer a co-ownership deal (often for a time period) where the dog can stay in tact and I will show it, possibly breed it, or maybe it will be just be retired, altered and just a house pet again, just with a CH, a GrCh, a working title or two or three. Pretty neat for the owners to have rosettes and title certificates on their wall and possibly some trophies! And of course, a pleasure for me to see how one of my puppies turned out and got to keep a relationship with them, the puppy.
Any puppy that might be over-sized, poorly patterned, poorly pigmented, over/under coated, easty-westy or whatever is a "pet quality" puppy. Period. These are yes, genetic defects, but are more cosmetic in nature. There is nothing wrong with them health-wise, they just won't "fit" the written breed standard well enough (because, there's even cosmetic 'faults' in the show quality puppies!!!!!!!!!!!! If someone tells you their dog is perfect and perfectly is the written standard, they're either blind, lying, or ignorant. There's no such thing as a genetically perfect dog. All dogs have at least 1 fault, and most likely carry for more (and therefore in the right combination, can produce more of the same when bred)) These cosmetically defective puppies MUST be altered as a part of my contract.
A defective dog should be fully disclosed, and depending on the severity of the condition, further discounted, possibly down to the costs the breeder has invested in raising the pup to a minimum of 8 weeks. If the puppy is so defective (health wise), it shouldn't be sold at all, but euthanized. We cull our chickens when necessary- unfortunately, as a dog breeder, one is responsible for making those choices where due to defects in the dog they be put down or they will live on in a condition they shouldn't. Many bad dogs are out there because so-called breeders are not capable of culling/euthanizing when necessary. Then, due to their further naivete or ignorance, they don't require that dog to be altered, and then the genetically defective dog is bred (not to mention the same parents are bred together again and again) further perpetuating the defect/disease in the breed. Often times, a genetically defective pup ends up costing the owner far more than the purchase price of pick-of-the-litter, despite the discount depending on the defect. Other times, it can be minor: a male puppy with only one testicle can be the most gorgeous thing in the entire world, but only has one testicle. He cannot be shown as a missing testicle is a DisQualification in the conformation ring regardless of the breed. The only extra costs associated with a retained testicle (monorchid/cryptorchid) is that often a vet will charge an extra $50. to retrieve it. In those cases, I will charge full price & refund the retrieval cost when they give me the receipt for his neuter surgery. Few genetic defects are that simply dealt with however.
LASTLY: Just because a breeder charges much more than others, doesn't mean they have a better dog than the next guy down the road. However, the stereotyped "backyard breeder" (I breed my dogs out in my back yard, or the front! whatever works- just not indoors most often!! LOL) or a "puppy mill" puppy who is priced very low/cheaply is a poor quality, often poorly raised, representative of their breed. There are "norms" for a quality dog of each breed of dog. If a "norm" for a pet quality dog is $800. on up to $1500., it doesn't necessaraily mean that the $1500. puppy is going to be better than the $800 or the $1200 (or anything in between) puppy. Same goes for show quality. Each breeder has their own "type", or look within their breed, and they each set their own price based on many factors, from the going rate on the market, rarity or commonness, to their morals and demographic. Take time and care to look around for your next dog. If you know someone who is experienced in the dog fancy/world, it would be advisable to have them accompany you when finding a puppy, and they can even help you find breeders to start with until you find one who is 'right' for you & yours. If more people used their heads, I feel this would be a more popular service. I have helped many people find their ideal dog, even when it's not a breed I would typically like myself, much less to own myself! It's what's good for them in this case...! I certainly don't recommend everyone to run out and get a German Shepherd Dog from me the next dog they get!!! I could never produce enough, nor would I want to!!!! I average one litter a year, and sometimes I'll have two- but it's been years since there's been more than one... (can't wait for my litter coming this summer!!! very extra-nice litter and I'm keeping a puppy)
So, need to fall off my soap box now, but this is a topic that I'm really passionate about.
Jen P & the Pack
Past: United White Shepherd Club Treasurer
American White Shepherd Association Membership Chair & Regional Vice President
Echo Dogs White Shepherd Rescue Vice-President (a 501c3 charity! www.echodogs.org)
Present: German Shepherd Dog Club of America member Breeders' Code of Ethics signer
United German Shepherd Dog Alliance member
AKC Breeder of Merit
AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
White Shepherd Genetics Project Longevity Award Chair (really cool, and a trend-setter for all dog breeds and breed clubs! www.wsgenetics.com Open reporting of genetic defects and traits of the White Shepherd/white coated German Shepherd Dog and GSDs who carry white/in white lines)
American Red Cross Pet CPR/First Aid Instructor
Owner/Instructor for Proud K911 Dog Training, and
Owner/Breeder for JayDee's Proud-Haus Shepherds
I think that's it...? I guess I keep busy amongst the dogs, the birds (chickens & 30 Guineas coming), and my gardens
Being raised around all types of dogs and knowing how many dogs have to be euthenized each year due to growing numbers, I'd really root for a "mutt". Have your cousin look at the local shelters, online, etc, and find one they loves for it's own personality. You can raise any dog to behave and put up with minimal shedding. You have to agree that you'd take an ugly loveable behaved "mutt" from a pound, over a beautiful but terrorizing pure bred from an overly priced breeder. Please realize I'm not bashing on pure breeds, I love my AKC registered championship line Maltese, but don't ignore the under dog
Also: If you do end up going with a breeder, unless you're planning to show the dog, you can often find dogs with "imperfections". I got my Maltese from a breeder who took a substantial amount of the price off due to the fact he has an underbite and too big of a frame to be considered "showing" material.
Good Luck, I can't wait to find out what you choose
AN IMPORTANT NOTE: The best breeders don't discount a dog because it's got an imperfection according to the standard. A breeder who has excellent quality stock (regardless of breed) can have an entire litter that would be considered "show" stock. Even I've had it happen. (the litter my "Matthew" came from)
The best breeders discount puppies because they are being sold as "non-breeding or companion or pet" whatever you would care to call it, regardless if the puppy is show quality or not. I put many many show quality puppies into "pet quality" price homes. In fact, I have many more show quality animals in pet homes than I do in show/breeding homes! (I'd rather it be that way) Many breeders (even those in the fancy) don't want to dedicate the time & effort & cost that is required for someone to earn the right to breed a dog off of my bloodline. I mean, I really don't require much- OFA Hips & Elbows (an absolute necessity in the GSD and WS, and in all large breed dogs), a PennHIP (an additional method of hip testing/certification), possibly an MDR1 test (a genetic test for drug sensitivity) depending on the line being bred, plus at least a UKC Championship and some kind of performance title. The "clearances" OFAs can't be done until the dog is two, and it makes sense to wait for PennHIPs until then as they share an x-ray (save $$), the MDR1 is genetic and can be done whenever, and the show CH can be done anytime after the dog is 6 months- certainly before 2, and a performance title is also attainable between their first & second birthdays. Many people continue on to put a Grand Championship on their dogs; many of mine are also, but I don't require that an owner does for their own dog/s. I feel that, if one is breeding German Shepherd Dogs (or White Shepherds), that the dog should be both a fitting representation of the breed to look at (and therefore worthy of attaining a Championship), and also intelligent enough to title in a performance sport, whichever it may be. If you spend proper time to train your dog, it shouldn't take $100. in entries/per and 2 weekends of your time at most (3 shows/trials) to get each required title. I mean, if one's time is too valuable or important to bond with and train their dog, well, they don't want one of my dogs anyhow. They're too smart to be always idle-- they'll cause chaos bored and untrained! Those people are welcome to shop elsewhere. I even tell my pet people to go to dog class. I'm a dog trainer, and even my puppies I keep (or occasionally purchase) all go to puppy class & obedience class/es to get ready to go in the rings.
). Most often, I require these show quality pups in Pet price homes to be altered; though occasionally I will offer a co-ownership deal (often for a time period) where the dog can stay in tact and I will show it, possibly breed it, or maybe it will be just be retired, altered and just a house pet again, just with a CH, a GrCh, a working title or two or three. Pretty neat for the owners to have rosettes and title certificates on their wall and possibly some trophies! And of course, a pleasure for me to see how one of my puppies turned out and got to keep a relationship with them, the puppy.Any puppy that might be over-sized, poorly patterned, poorly pigmented, over/under coated, easty-westy or whatever is a "pet quality" puppy. Period. These are yes, genetic defects, but are more cosmetic in nature. There is nothing wrong with them health-wise, they just won't "fit" the written breed standard well enough (because, there's even cosmetic 'faults' in the show quality puppies!!!!!!!!!!!! If someone tells you their dog is perfect and perfectly is the written standard, they're either blind, lying, or ignorant. There's no such thing as a genetically perfect dog. All dogs have at least 1 fault, and most likely carry for more (and therefore in the right combination, can produce more of the same when bred)) These cosmetically defective puppies MUST be altered as a part of my contract.
A defective dog should be fully disclosed, and depending on the severity of the condition, further discounted, possibly down to the costs the breeder has invested in raising the pup to a minimum of 8 weeks. If the puppy is so defective (health wise), it shouldn't be sold at all, but euthanized. We cull our chickens when necessary- unfortunately, as a dog breeder, one is responsible for making those choices where due to defects in the dog they be put down or they will live on in a condition they shouldn't. Many bad dogs are out there because so-called breeders are not capable of culling/euthanizing when necessary. Then, due to their further naivete or ignorance, they don't require that dog to be altered, and then the genetically defective dog is bred (not to mention the same parents are bred together again and again) further perpetuating the defect/disease in the breed. Often times, a genetically defective pup ends up costing the owner far more than the purchase price of pick-of-the-litter, despite the discount depending on the defect. Other times, it can be minor: a male puppy with only one testicle can be the most gorgeous thing in the entire world, but only has one testicle. He cannot be shown as a missing testicle is a DisQualification in the conformation ring regardless of the breed. The only extra costs associated with a retained testicle (monorchid/cryptorchid) is that often a vet will charge an extra $50. to retrieve it. In those cases, I will charge full price & refund the retrieval cost when they give me the receipt for his neuter surgery. Few genetic defects are that simply dealt with however.
LASTLY: Just because a breeder charges much more than others, doesn't mean they have a better dog than the next guy down the road. However, the stereotyped "backyard breeder" (I breed my dogs out in my back yard, or the front! whatever works- just not indoors most often!! LOL) or a "puppy mill" puppy who is priced very low/cheaply is a poor quality, often poorly raised, representative of their breed. There are "norms" for a quality dog of each breed of dog. If a "norm" for a pet quality dog is $800. on up to $1500., it doesn't necessaraily mean that the $1500. puppy is going to be better than the $800 or the $1200 (or anything in between) puppy. Same goes for show quality. Each breeder has their own "type", or look within their breed, and they each set their own price based on many factors, from the going rate on the market, rarity or commonness, to their morals and demographic. Take time and care to look around for your next dog. If you know someone who is experienced in the dog fancy/world, it would be advisable to have them accompany you when finding a puppy, and they can even help you find breeders to start with until you find one who is 'right' for you & yours. If more people used their heads, I feel this would be a more popular service. I have helped many people find their ideal dog, even when it's not a breed I would typically like myself, much less to own myself! It's what's good for them in this case...! I certainly don't recommend everyone to run out and get a German Shepherd Dog from me the next dog they get!!! I could never produce enough, nor would I want to!!!! I average one litter a year, and sometimes I'll have two- but it's been years since there's been more than one... (can't wait for my litter coming this summer!!! very extra-nice litter and I'm keeping a puppy)
So, need to fall off my soap box now, but this is a topic that I'm really passionate about.
Jen P & the Pack
Past: United White Shepherd Club Treasurer
American White Shepherd Association Membership Chair & Regional Vice President
Echo Dogs White Shepherd Rescue Vice-President (a 501c3 charity! www.echodogs.org)
Present: German Shepherd Dog Club of America member Breeders' Code of Ethics signer
United German Shepherd Dog Alliance member
AKC Breeder of Merit
AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
White Shepherd Genetics Project Longevity Award Chair (really cool, and a trend-setter for all dog breeds and breed clubs! www.wsgenetics.com Open reporting of genetic defects and traits of the White Shepherd/white coated German Shepherd Dog and GSDs who carry white/in white lines)
American Red Cross Pet CPR/First Aid Instructor
Owner/Instructor for Proud K911 Dog Training, and
Owner/Breeder for JayDee's Proud-Haus Shepherds
I think that's it...? I guess I keep busy amongst the dogs, the birds (chickens & 30 Guineas coming), and my gardens
