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just be sure that you don't say that on a GSD forum. They'll dip you in oil and burn you at the stake.
One of many reasons I am no longer a member of ANY dog forum. Entirely too intense for an average dog owner.
just be sure that you don't say that on a GSD forum. They'll dip you in oil and burn you at the stake.
One of many reasons I am no longer a member of ANY dog forum. Entirely too intense for an average dog owner.
As for food, get the best that you can afford that your dog does well on. There are better foods than authority that are a similar price-range. If you have a costco nearby, check out their Kirkland brand. If you are near a TSC, try 4Health.
Sorry, I've had very good luck with Authority. It keeps Marley in shape and Vida from getting sick. It also has the added benefit of small bites for the Shih Tzu and comes in Lamb flavor for her poultry allergies.
Sorry, I've had very good luck with Authority. It keeps Marley in shape and Vida from getting sick. It also has the added benefit of small bites for the Shih Tzu and comes in Lamb flavor for her poultry allergies.
This is just to educate anyone else who is considering a puppy. My only concern would be what type of breeder sends the entire litter home early? Of course there are certain breeders who will let a trusted and experienced GSD owner take a pup home a little early, but that is a vast difference between the breeder selling the litter. In my experience, this is usually the type of breeder who is simply tired of paying all the extra upkeep and the enormous work of cleaning up after a GSD litter. Each puppy should be worked with daily ALONE by the breeder. Daily handling of ears and feet, some basic manners. Fun time with the whole litter, teaching them to come by having following the breeder around the property. Daily exercise, daily poop clean up. At least a couple times a week the pups get taken for a car ride. Pups get taken out individually (or with 1 person per pup) to have a fun outing and socialize.
No breeder is going to be able to do everything every day because you need a day job to support this dog breeding hobby. But I won't give my money to any breeder who isn't working to produce the best pups possible. If they are breeding so that they have puppies that the public wants to buy, I'm going to pass. I want a breeder that is breeding for nothing less than having the greatest GSD that ever lived. They need to be working to better the breed and I want to hear how this pairing is going to do that. I also want the breeder to tell me what is WRONG with the dam and sire. No dog is perfect, so what faults do these 2 have that you are trying to correct? How do they compliment each other? What do you expect the pups of the litter to be like? What are the siblings of the parents like? What type of pups have the dogs produced before with different mates?
Thank you, I believe your stance on this issue has been proven. I understand your sentiments but do not feel the need to visit this area again. If you would like to address me privately, please feel free however also please respect my opinion as well and refrain from putting this breeder in a bad light.
No breeder is going to be able to do everything every day because you need a day job to support this dog breeding hobby. But I won't give my money to any breeder who isn't working to produce the best pups possible. If they are breeding so that they have puppies that the public wants to buy, I'm going to pass. I want a breeder that is breeding for nothing less than having the greatest GSD that ever lived. They need to be working to better the breed and I want to hear how this pairing is going to do that. I also want the breeder to tell me what is WRONG with the dam and sire. No dog is perfect, so what faults do these 2 have that you are trying to correct? How do they compliment each other? What do you expect the pups of the litter to be like? What are the siblings of the parents like? What type of pups have the dogs produced before with different mates?
Thank you, I believe your stance on this issue has been proven. I understand your sentiments but do not feel the need to visit this area again. If you would like to address me privately, please feel free however also please respect my opinion as well and refrain from putting this breeder in a bad light.
Then I expect the breeder to grill me. What experience do I have with the breed? Why did I get involved with this breed (if I have past experience) or why do I want to, if I am new. What experience do I have with dogs in general? Have I ever titled a dog in anything? Do I plan to do so with this dog? Do I have children? Do I have a spouse? What experience do THEY have with dogs? Is the whole family in agreement with getting the dog and with how the dog should be raised? Do I have other dogs at home? Do I have other pets or livestock?
We were definitely grilled. He asked us about our intended use, our family life, our family "network", how long we are willing to spend with training on a daily basis, feed we intend to use, his recommendations, vet records, other animals in the house, etc.
I also, would like to stress that contracts are not always good indicators of "good" breeders. If the dog is what you are after, has the personality you like and the parents have no physical or temperamental issues, I see no reason to not purchase the dog without a contract. In OK, it is highly unlikely to purchase from a person with a contract. I have never purchased one and neither has anyone in my extended family. All of ours have been perfect companions. It could simply be a coincidence, but I do not see a contract as a reason to purchase or not purchase a dog.
Again, thank you for your opinions and insight.
We were definitely grilled. He asked us about our intended use, our family life, our family "network", how long we are willing to spend with training on a daily basis, feed we intend to use, his recommendations, vet records, other animals in the house, etc.
I also, would like to stress that contracts are not always good indicators of "good" breeders. If the dog is what you are after, has the personality you like and the parents have no physical or temperamental issues, I see no reason to not purchase the dog without a contract. In OK, it is highly unlikely to purchase from a person with a contract. I have never purchased one and neither has anyone in my extended family. All of ours have been perfect companions. It could simply be a coincidence, but I do not see a contract as a reason to purchase or not purchase a dog.
Again, thank you for your opinions and insight.