i don't think she knew what she had - Page 6

Good luck with Sydney! Sounds like both yourself and your darling dog are fortunate to have found one another. After a litter that bog, at that age, she may not OFA, but it sounds like you have a great companion. Best of luck to both of you, Shelley

Nice post, Shelley.

She looks happy and healthy and cute too (although I prefer DDR)! Congrats on finding her... maybe your doggie soulmate! Unfortunately, I would have to agree with the others that she is not breed quality and that you would be doing a disservice to the breed if you were to breed her. Most GSDs are sh** and give the breed as a whole a bad name. Many, many "American" lines have genetic defects and unpredictable and unsafe temperments... but people continue to breed them... many of these "breeders" know no better, others don't care they just mass-produce these dogs because there are buyers for them. So much for my rambling... I think DR is out of line being so offensive and pushing away those who may learn from others knowledge... but I understand where DR is coming from... the over-breeding of GSDs is sickening and we want to discourage mistakes with a breed as fragile as this one is. The GOOD NEWS for you is that you finally have your GSD and it seems as though she would be a great learning dog for you... we all have to start somewhere. Based on your story, I would not trust a word the breeder you got her from says... but I would look very hard for a great Schutzhund trainer in your area... with 2 little kids you can't take the chances of someone training you wrong. BEST OF LUCK!!!

Yes I am out of line and being a jerk on purpose. Trying to get some of the newbies wanting to breed GSD's to take their time and do their homework before proceeding. Hoping they can learn from others mistakes and not just keeping repeating the old learning curve most breeders went thru...before the interent which is allowing us to communiciate as never before. Sometimes it seems unless you just have to be blunt.

DR - I know your intentions are pure.

thank all who posted. i do not want to be a breeder. my hat's off to all who are. i may be new to gsd's, but i've done nothing but breath dogs since i was five. my first dog when i was 15 (bonnie just turned 10 on valentines day---my parents dog now) i've learned much and am still learning and will continue to learn probably till the day i die. now guys, when i do finally want that "something special" puppy(which i will, i LOVE puppies:) and i feel that sydney's taught me all that she can, would you please be so kind as to point me in the right direction. i know there are a lot of con artists out there just trying to make a buck, pawning off unstable temperments and such. and those are the kind of people i don't want to deal with. thank you all. that includes you, DR:)

melba, You'll do fine and do Sydney proud. I'm glad you were willing to listen even when the good advice was bluntly given. Many aren't willing to listen and end up like the thread of a true back yard breeder at it's worst.

and there are no clubs within 100 miles of where i live. i do go to seminars occasionally, last one was in lake city fl last year, but i didn't have sid then. i worked one of my boss' dogs under the instruction of alex beyer. i have read some books and such, but don't have anywhere to go for real helper work. her tracking is excellent-she footstep tracks very well, with a deep nose. and her obedience is great. she's about 3/4 ready for her bh. really sharp. i've only had her for 6 months, so we're still doing rag and tug work. she wants to bite, though. i'm just not letting her yet.

Thank you Melba and good luck. The best thing you can do is train, train, train. Keep reading all you can. I would suggest Susan Barwig's "Schutzhund". Takes years to be a good trainer and everytime you train another one you get better. See if you can get into other training such as agility, Search and Rescue etc..