A few questions about a german shepherd breeder.?

Question

After a careful search we located and contacted a german shepherd breeder 3.5 hours away from us.

1. the breeder is akc member and all their dogs are registered
they have been breeding for 6-10 years.
2. The breeder has a webpage, where he posted the pics of all their sires and females and clearly indicated which ones are the puppies' mom and dad
3. they welcomed our visit
4. they charge100$ deposit and total of 500 dollars per pure working line (mix between american and german line).
5. these pups come with 2 year health guarantee by the breeder and the breeder agrees to take his pups back in case we cant keep her/him.
6. the give away the pups at 6 weeks old after they administer their first set of vaccination and deworming.

what do you all think? does it sound like a good breeder?
i guess i am having hard time differentiating a good breeder from a puppy mill or so called backyard breeders. please, any advice on this matter will be highly appreciated.

Answer 1

Registered dogs does not mean better dogs.
What is the website? That will allow me to see what the dogs are ; bloodlines; health and workability!
The price is extremely cheap for working lines.
American lines are showlines and not worth $100 as far as I am concerned. Not working lines so be careful on that!
Also no breeder allowes working puppies to go home before 8 weeks of age. None!

Most vets do not even vaccinate until 8 weeks of age!

My last litter is now 9 weeks old and they all went home at 8 weeks. They were hand raised because MOM abandonned them so they remained with us for socializing by us not mom.
It would have been easy to not bother but good breeders care about their babies.

Ask other breeders about the breeder you are thinking of. Contact the local SPCA and ask them about them?
Do a google search!

Answer 2

Go visit the Breeder, Look at the Kennels,Are they Clean are the dogs clean, what is the Dogs Temperament, are they Aggressive, are they approachable. Will the Breeder give you the agreement in writing. If you can answer yes to these questions then you are probably safe. You might want to check with the Breeders Better Business Bureau for complaints. Also check the AKC's Standard for a German Shepherd, each Breed has a Standard which states what the Ideal dog should be like. It is hard to judge a puppy of 6 or 8 weeks you have to make your decisions on the Adult dogs. Also how many litters does this Breeder have at one time, if he has 3 or 4 litters at once then it probably is a PUPPIE MILL.

Answer 3

Does the sir and dame look healthy and happy?
Shepherds come with a 2 year 'Hip Dysplasia' guarantee. If you have your shepherd x-rayed for Hip Dysplasia and it has it the breeder will replace the dog. They will not take the first dog back, but give you another pup.
Be sure to ask about the dame and sir and their ancestors. An "A" rating is best. It is a common question.

They sound like a reasonable breeder. Go sit with the pups and see which one chooses you.

By the way. Breeders are business people out to make money. That is their main objective. Backyard or Beverly Hills Kennels ....the pup is the pup. It will be yours to raise the best way you feel.

Answer 4

1) there is no real thing as "breeder member" of AKC.
2) do they also list their dogs' "wins" at shows? Or "titled" offspring?
3) very good
4) actually, for a GOOD GSD $500 sounds cheap
5) ok, if they stick to it
6) 6 weeks is young...should be more like 8-10 weeks. It is believed a vaccination at 6 weeks is nullified by the antibodies pup has already gotten from Mom's milk

What you need to check

paperwork of proof of "testing"...OFA ..hip dysplasia
any titles on parents...conformation or working
above should be listed on pedigrees too

I would do a search on the www about German Shepherds..the standard for the breed, health problems...what questions to ask

maybe can find out who their vet is?
ask for references of prior puppy buyers

ask "what they are breeding their dogs FOR? working? show? herding? protection work?

Answer 5

Even though they may have working lines. They should still be checking for genetic conditions. OFA hips, cardiac, thyroid. They may also do pennhip. Also Cerf the eyes.
These are things that good breeders do.
Also no good breeder allows puppies to go that young. That is too young. They should at least wait until the puppies are 8 weeks old. Some breeders wait until the puppies are older.
$500 for a puppy is kinda cheap. But then again I don't know how much they charge for german shepherds. So I have no clue.

Answer 6

AKC doesn't even allow the sale of puppies under 6 weeks.

And the price is CHEAP!!!! Clearly, they do not show and probably do not have OFA clearances for the adults for that price!!!

CAREFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!

I do not condone vaccination of puppies at 6 weeks either. IF a breeder is good, they keep the puppies until at least 8 weeks and vaccinate closer to that. Earlier is not always better. Selling puppies at 6 weeks means they want to get rid of them!!!!!!

Answer 7

No good breeder would allow you to have your puppy at 6 weeks of age.. Especially if they are breeding working lines.. 8 - 10 at very least...

Answer 8

This sounds like a wonderful professional! Check out the Better Business Bureau and any local German Shepard clubs, vets, shows, to see if this reputation is stable.

The fact that they guarantee health for 2 yrs, and will take them back (and refund your $, I hope) makes them very reputable sounding and in keeping with most state business laws about selling animals.

On second thought, it might warrant some further investigation, 8 weeks is normal for weaning, and selling. Most breeders will make sure it has been wormed and started its first shot series. Whatever promises they make, get them in WRITING! If everything checks out then go for it!

Michelle

Answer 9

check with AKC it is against their rules to get rid of the puppy that young and if so they aren't suppose to be able to be registered and most states also have laws that pups can't go until 7 or 8 weeks old.

Answer 10

These people have it all so "sewn up" in a kit, follow the money-it's a mill, show dogs ribbons championships and all a money maker- I mean why are they breeding these old show dog females over and over??? If they were trying for a genetic link to their line they got that in the first breeding, they are not showing for passion of Shepherds they are showing to promote SALES.We bred Great Danes for years and know of all the breeders and Judges and pre show parties and Handlers and it's all so much bologna!! The best breeders are the always the wealthiest, hence the parties the promotion of their dogs. All the narrow chested over angulated roach backed Great Danes in California, Arizona well, enough said, they are "champions". After years of that I favor loving my dog and going to dog parks.