ok...so how do I know about the quality of my GSDs?

Question

So I asked the ? about how much GSD pups sell for...I have the papers for both the dam and sire, and a pedigree for the dam but how do I know if they have "quality dogs" in their pedigree...all it has is the names and numbers of the dogs. Is there a website that you can go to and type that in and it will tell you about the dogs or is there another way to know??.....and dont be a smart a**!!! I just need a little bit of a guide as this is our first litter....everyone has to start somewhere so dont act like you were just born with the knowledge!

Answer 1

The majority of dog in a quality pedigree will have titles, either Champion or working titles (in shepherds you'd want to see titles like Sch I, Sch II or Sch III for example).

If there are no titles, only names, then the dogs are not likely to be quality.

Experienced dog people can also tell by the type of names in the pedigree, regardless of breed.

Answer 2

Most serious breeders start by getting their breeding stock evaluated before puppies are conceived.
This involves competing in appropriate competitions - breed , obedience, Shutzhund or whatever & having all the recommended official health testing for the breed done on the parents as well as studying the compatibility of the prospective parents pedigrees.

If you haven't done this & your dogs don't have two champion parents each then it is a fair bet the puppies are only pet - sorry , being too un PC - "companion", quality.
If the health tests have not been done then only the ignorant and uninformed will be stupid enough to buy them so getting any money could prove difficult.
Edit;-
I received this email from the OP;-
Message: Just so you know I am not looking to sell the puppies as "champion" dogs.....my "pets" as you call them are "champion" enough for me. I am simply trying to learn more about the history of our "pets". Us hillbilies from the po-dunk town that I live could care less about a "champion" dog. I was told that I should find out if they have "champion" bloodlines and I didnt know how to do that....didnt know it was such a big freakin deal!! And just because I dont know how to do that does NOT mean that I have not done research on breeding and it does NOT mean that we dont take care of our dogs as your response suggested! They have all testing they need. And I never said I was even trying to be a "serious breeder" I said this was our first litter and I just need a little guidance. Thank you answering my question in a completely rude way!!!!
.......
I doubt they have had any recognized and certified health tests as BYB never do - all their dogs "need" are functioning gonads.
More work for the rescues:o(

Answer 3

What club are these dogs registered with? If it's with AKC, I would expect a quality pedigree to have either the mother or father of the pups have CH in front of their names meaning the dogs have a Championship on them. Preferably I'd like both to have this and some initials after the name as well or some performance championships like an HC (herding champion), MACH (agility champion) or OTCH (obedience champion). I also like to see a significant number of animals in the dog's past that have either american or canadian CH and hopefully some performance titles as well.
I believe, for AKC if you want their conformation show info you have to pay for it but if you have the dog's registered name and or registration number you can look up their performance info for free. But you can tell a lot by the titles before and after the names. The title info is here
http://www.akc.org/events/titles.cfm
and here
http://www.akc.org/events/titles.cfm?page=2

The AKC reports order page is here http://www.akc.org/store/reports/index.cfm
and if you have any questions, feel free to call them. They've always been very helpful when I've called them.

Answer 4

The places that "everyone" who is a good breeder starts are at dog shows and with other responsible breeders. That means 5+ years involved with showing or competing.

The above answerer was not rude at all. I think you were quite defensive. The fact of the matter is that if your dog was not a champion dog, if his/her parents were not champion dogs, then you probably DO NOT have a dog that should be bred. There is no shame in that and there is nothing wrong with that. I own one myself. What there *is* something wrong with is breeding a sub-standard pet simply because you can. GSDs are incredibly prone to joint and hip issues, and can have temperament issues. This is because of poor breeding.

This isn't about selling champion dogs to a bunch of hillbillies. This is about being an ethical and moral person. This is about breeding pet quality dogs that probably have genetic issues. This is about breeding pet quality dogs when thousands of GSDs are given up each year to shelters.

Instead of sending nasty e-mails to people trying to help you, why not read the GSD club code of ethics and the AKC responsible breeding guidelines? This way, you don't have to take the word of "rude" people like us. Instead, you can take the word of responsible people who breed. These aren't guidelines and rules for just 'show' breeders - these are guidelines and rules for ALL breeders.

http://www.akc.org/breeders/resp_breeding/index.cfm

http://www.gsdca.org/Noframes/breeders_code.html

http://dogplay.com/Breeding/index.html

http://www.grca.org/acquiring.htm#breeding (different breed, but GREAT breeding advice)

Just a reminder, the first big sign of a backyard breeder (an unethical, immoral, and irresponsible breeder) is that they throw a tempertantrum when anyone tries to teach them how to be responsible. They start spouting things about breeding pets and not caring about genetics. The world has plenty of pets. In fact, 2-5 million are killed each year in shelters. It certainly doesn't need one more puppy factory breeder.

I realize that most of the time I respond to people like you, it's just banging my head against a wall. Prove you are different. Prove you are moral and that you care. Read up and take it to heart. This may mean that you alter your dogs, but hey, it's the right thing to do.

Answer 5

Try asking the club it is registered with. Usually they we'll have the info on championships. I own a gorgeous GSD puppy, and here, in Canada, I paid $800.00 for her. There of course is no way to tell whether she was going to be of show quality. Because usually you have to wait until at least 6 months of age. But having pre-tests done on both dogs, and hip xrays, is super important. You can also offer a limited reg. to anyone until the pup is 6 months. Then you can determine show/ pet quality. I hope this helps. And wish you the best of luck in your breeding.

Answer 6

Well Sue, so much for trying to help the inbreds. The poor pups will probably end up on the BBQ at the next hillbilly party!

Answer 7

If you dont already know the answer to this question, then you shouldnt be selling your puppies or breeding your dogs. Furthermore, smart GSD buyers wont buy puppies from parents who are not certified hip dyspasia , eye disease, and heart disease free.