Looking for a Male GSD?

Bullseye1

Ricochet_Chloe wrote: »

What is hip scored ?

Here is some reading material on hip scoring.
http://www.vetclinic.ie/hip-score-scoring-dogs-ireland.html

But to be honest I cannot see how any of the show lines have any good hip scores. They are an abomination to the breed. I would be more inclined to seek a good well breed working line GSD. When it comes to working lines temperament will be key.

fatmammycat

Ricochet_Chloe wrote: »

What is hip scored ?

Hips scores are the rating numbers of the parents hips, x-rays are done when the breeding parents are over 13 months and sent to the UK to be assessed. The lower the hip score the better for the dog.
GSDs are prone to hip dysplasia so it's pretty much vital to pick a pup from carefully vetted adults. Won't rule out problems later, but will certainly cut the chance of there being a problem.

Ricochet_Chloe

andreac wrote: »

If you don't know what hip scoring is then you shouldn't be getting a gsd. You need to do a lot more research before getting a dog like this.

Excuse me?

Ricochet_Chloe

andreac wrote: »

If you don't know what hip scoring is then you shouldn't be getting a gsd. You need to do a lot more research before getting a dog like this.

I could easily say and here you go: If you are telling people who dont know what hip scoring is, they shouldn't be getting a gsd, you are possibly discouraging others from buying an outstanding super breed of dog. Just because I dont know one little detail? No one is perfect you know.

Ricochet_Chloe

fatmammycat wrote: »

Hips scores are the rating numbers of the parents hips, x-rays are done when the breeding parents are over 13 months and sent to the UK to be assessed. The lower the hip score the better for the dog.
GSDs are prone to hip dysplasia so it's pretty much vital to pick a pup from carefully vetted adults. Won't rule out problems later, but will certainly cut the chance of there being a problem.

Thank you for telling me.

Gumbi

Ricochet_Chloe wrote: »

I could easily say and here you go: If you are telling people who dont know what hip scoring is, they shouldn't be getting a gsd, you are possibly discouraging others from buying an outstanding super breed of dog. Just because I dont know one little detail? No one is perfect you know.

It's not one little detail. It's a detail that could end up causing you financial and emotional ruin.

Ricochet_Chloe

Anyone know any responsible and experienced, genuine breeders?

Ricochet_Chloe

Gumbi wrote: »

It's not one little detail. It's a detail that could end up causing you financial and emotional ruin.

Yes I agree, but I just took it to much to heart that he/she said "you shouldn't be getting a gsd"

Ricochet_Chloe

Ill just say, I have been reasearching this breed for over 2 years now, and to my extent, hip scoring never came up. I may have read it somewhere as it sounds familiar but otherwise, I may have forgotton...

muddypaws

Ricochet_Chloe wrote: »

Ill just say, I have been reasearching this breed for over 2 years now, and to my extent, hip scoring never came up.

Sorry, but thats very worrying. Where have you been researching?

Ricochet_Chloe

muddypaws wrote: »

Sorry, but thats very worrying. Where have you been researching?

I have typed into Google, 'all about German shepherds" and I have read on many sites, asked questions ect. As I said; I may have read it somewhere as it sounds familiar otherwise I have forgotton...

muddypaws

Again, I apologise, I don't mean to sound condescending, but the internet really isn't everything. If you want to know about a particular breed of dog, you need to go out into the real world and meet owners and breeders.

Ricochet_Chloe

Please dont get me wrong, I know alot about this breed It has been my favourite breed of dog for years

Ricochet_Chloe

muddypaws wrote: »

Again, I apologise, I don't mean to sound condescending, but the internet really isn't everything. If you want to know about a particular breed of dog, you need to go out into the real world and meet owners and breeders.

Thank you, I plan to do this very soon I have a friend who has owned 3 gsds and she is telling me tips ect. I will go out and meet breeders thank you

Bullseye1

muddypaws wrote: »

Sorry, but thats very worrying. Where have you been researching?

Do you really think hip scoring on show dogs are going to guarantee a dogs can't have hip problems? By their very nature show dogs have been so badly breed hip scoring is totally useless. They resemble frogs not dogs.

muddypaws

Bullseye1 wrote: »

Do you really think hip scoring on show dogs are going to guarantee a dogs can't have hip problems? By their very nature show dogs have been so badly breed hip scoring is totally useless. They resemble frogs not dogs.

Where have I mentioned show dogs?

Bullseye1

Where have you excluded them? Way too many judgmental people on this forum who like to "tut tut tut..." other members. Instead of providing links on what hip scoring is they tell the OP they are not suitable owner.

Now maybe the OP is not suitable or maybe they are perfectly suitable. Let the responsible breeder determine that fact.

OP I would recommend you contact the IKC and ask for breeders of working lines (straight backs). Plenty of healthy dogs out there. Be sensible and do as much research as possible.

Temperament
Health checks
Plenty of socialising classes and training.

Best of luck.

DBB

Bullseye1 wrote: »

Where have you excluded them? Way too many judgmental people on this forum who like to "tut tut tut..." other members. Instead of providing links on what hip scoring is they tell the OP they are not suitable owner.

I think you're mixing up your posters. Muddypaws said no such things to the OP, that I can see.

Folks, can I please ask that everyone remains civil here. The op is looking for advice: this is an opportunity for people to help the op, and point them in the right direction so that they might make good decisions based on good information.
I'd appreciate if people would bear this in mind when they hit the reply button.
Do not reply to this post on thread.
Thanks,
DBB

Ricochet_Chloe

Bullseye1 wrote: »

Where have you excluded them? Way too many judgmental people on this forum who like to "tut tut tut..." other members. Instead of providing links on what hip scoring is they tell the OP they are not suitable owner.

Now maybe the OP is not suitable or maybe they are perfectly suitable. Let the responsible breeder determine that fact.

OP I would recommend you contact the IKC and ask for breeders of working lines (straight backs). Plenty of healthy dogs out there. Be sensible and do as much research as possible.

Temperament
Health checks
Plenty of socialising classes and training.

Best of luck.

Thank you

Ricochet_Chloe

And thank you very much DBB

Ricochet_Chloe

Thank you all, so does anyone know genuine, responsible, experienced breeders.... thanks

Bullseye1

You could try contacting the GSA.
http://www.gsaireland.com

fenris

You need to decide on why you want a GSD.

Do you want one for looks or capability?

Your description makes it seem like looks are all you really want, calling a spade a spade if you want looks then you are looking for a show type dog, I think that it is fair to say that most people who know and care about the GSD as a breed will warn you away from show breed dogs from and the corollary is that the people who breed show type GSDs are not what you can really call responsible breeders. They have taken a fantastic dog and mutated it into a travesty that all too often has the will and basic capability of a proper GSD but is cruelly retarded by physical damage inherent in the show dog, this is heart breaking to see.

My GSD was of German working lines bred with local Irish lines but still ended up with HD at a relatively young age, parents had relatively good hip scores (sub 10 total), the drive was there to the end but he was left down by his hips and spine and it caused him great distress to not be able to do what he loved and to hear his hips cracking and banging as he wandered around was horrific, we even did a full hip replacement which gave him a new lease of life for a few months but other spinal issues emerged soon after (masked by the HD and also very common), having to PTS such a young bright and capable dog was one of the two most emotionally damaging things for my children and I that I have had to do in my life and I do not make that statement lightly.

My point is that I started with a good base genetically but the local show breed element of his breeding managed to counter that with disastrous results.

Not knowing about hips scores despite what you may think is a fairly fundamental gap in knowledge regarding GSDs, it shows up very quickly if you search for GSD breed characteristics or buying a puppy.

Seeking to buy a GSD based solely on looks with a very limited budget is not something that inspires confidence especially when you look at the veterinary bills that will in all likelihood kick in within a very short few years as a result of your stated requirements.

As regards the budget, what are you going to feed the dog? - crappy food will bring on the problems much earlier, proper food is expensive in either time or money. (Hint - Tesco don't sell proper food in the pet food section)

Pet insurance is getting expensive and you will need it unless you plan on getting rid of your dog at the first sign of problems (not an uncommon approach for a lot of people)

A good GSD is an absolute joy and a real companion, would you not give yourself and the dog some sort of a chance and have a rethink of your criteria?

At the moment I would say stay away from what the IKC class as GSDs, there is so much more to a GSD than looks, temperament and health are also part of the breed standard but seem to be completely ignored.


Here is a link to a good article on buying your first GSD puppy. Have a poke around that site for more info.

http://www.gsaireland.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=11&cntnt01origid=68&cntnt01returnid=68

At the moment I think sourcing a good healthy sound GSD in Ireland or the UK is a difficult prospect, I think that it can be done if you get involved with the working dog people and take their advice (which may be unpalatable regarding timescales and budget).

Cocolola

Ricochet_Chloe wrote: »

Im keeping it at around €500 because my parents wont let me get any higher.

In addition to all that's been mentioned as regards the health of the dog's parents, I just want to ask about this OP.

Can I ask how old you are and whether or not you're living at home with your parents? Why do they have a say in how much you spend? Are they giving you money or have you earned it yourself?

I apologise if I seem nosey or anything it's just it's not always plain sailing once you've bought a dog, especially with a breed like the GSD who, as has been said, can unfortunately have painful, debilitating and expensive health problems. Will you be able to afford the treatment if needed or will it be your parents?

Inexile

OP I know you have a very specific set of criteria for your dog but just thought that I would mention that a rescue on the east coast of the county has a post on FB page about a GSD it took in which is pregnant. The bitch was chipped and they traced it to its original owner who seems to have sold it on without much thought to its future. Not sure what the daddys is, though the rescue might, but it may be an option too.

b_mac

On the topic of HD, I found this site a very good read http://www.offa.org/stats_hip.html?view=2

cots11

Hi op. Fenris gave some great advice in the post above. I can relate to your eagerness of wanting a GSD. Your particular preferences of the type of GSD, yep had them too. Many people starting out are first drawn to the looks and to the reputation of the fiercely loyal companion a GSD can be. When i started out, i spent about a year researching everything about this breed, google is a great resource. Anyone i met with a GSD, i stopped and complimented how fabulous there dog was. Its a great way of getting talking to the owners.
The best advice i can give you is to talk to anyone you see with the breed. We just love to talk about the breed. Ask them for any advice starting out and breeders name, but don't rush out on the first recommendation you hear. Do your research, and it will pay off. Check out GSAIreland as was mentioned above for advice. There is an endless amount of breeders out there, personally i wont recommend a breeder on the internet. If you do your research, you will have a good starting point and will come across a breeder that has the dog for you. Other advice i can give is, let the breeder know what you require, is it a pet or do you intend working the breed. If they are genuine GSD people and dont have a suitable dog, they will give you names.

On a final note, when you get your GSD, sign up for obedience classes and it will open up the full potential of owning this magnificent breed. Best of luck.

angelfire9

Can I ask (and this is not directed at the OP but in general) would people consider sourcing GSD's from outside Ireland?
My brother and his wife have a beautiful bitch, she came with papers, would not be show standard as she came from working stock but they got her in Austria (my Uncle loves GSDs bought his first pup from the same family about 30 years ago and is now on his third dog from them)
From what I understand this family have one litter every 2/3 years and there is a waiting list for pups so it wouldn't suit the OP but my point is, given that years talking about GERMAN shepards would you get a better selection of healthy dogs in Germany/Austria/Switzerland ??

(To clarify my uncle met this family when he worked in Munich years ago so it was pure good luck that brought their dogs into his life)

Ricochet_Chloe

Cocolola wrote: »

In addition to all that's been mentioned as regards the health of the dog's parents, I just want to ask about this OP.

Can I ask how old you are and whether or not you're living at home with your parents? Why do they have a say in how much you spend? Are they giving you money or have you earned it yourself?

I apologise if I seem nosey or anything it's just it's not always plain sailing once you've bought a dog, especially with a breed like the GSD who, as has been said, can unfortunately have painful, debilitating and expensive health problems. Will you be able to afford the treatment if needed or will it be your parents?

i am 16 and i am putting my own money towards also i live with my parents.

Ricochet_Chloe

No, I am not looking for a show dog. I am avoiding them like the plague ! Working line is what Im looking for. I understand and heard stories about the tesco food. Dont get me wrong, I do know alot about German shepherds and have researched them for 2 years. This thread isn't about what we all know about GSDs and how to look after them advice ect. But I do understand you are trying to prepare me for owning an outstanding dog.

Now back to the question: where can I find a genuine German Shepherd breeder who is very responsible and gives proper prices for the pups. I am looking for a working line male GSD. With papers. I am NOT looking for a dog for looks and shows ect. I am a very responsible dog owner. I clicker train dogs. And feed them properly. The pup must be socialized very well with kids, cats, other dogs ect. Thank you.