Having spent over ten years working hands on in the rescue field, I often get asked the question “why did you get a puppy and not rescue a dog”?
Well to be honest, I needed a break!
Now for some context to that…
For my entire adult life I have own and lived with reactive dogs, some much more than others but all with their unique challenges. Do not get me wrong, would I change that absolutely not! They are the reason I am where I am, they are the reason I have the skill set I have and why I know how hard it is to live with reactive dogs.
Right to left: Roxy, Deezal, Zak & Oscar
So, this time I decided that I want to go and buy a puppy for the first time as an adult. The first stage of this of course was research and deciding on if I was going to stay with German Shepard’s or maybe look at other breed… and I did actually consider getting a German Wired Haired Pointer x Lab and even found a litter that came highly recommended… but ultimately my preference for German Shepard’s with my history with them and simply I just love the breed.
I feel the need to say here, this wasn’t an easy decision for me and it took me weeks if not months to convince myself that I was “allowed” a puppy, having spent over 10 years working in the rescue field I had the experience and the home to give to a difficult dog struggling in a kennel but as I said above I needed a break. I still of course have Indie who is a rescue dog in my home and will always have a special place fro rescue dogs but the next dog I owned was for me…
The search began!
You’ll often hear about dog trainers saying “do your research” when picking a puppy and that is exactly what I started to do. I was in a good position with lots of friends who know lots of great breeders and lines, I quickly narrowed my search down to WestMac lines. I already knew two dogs who came from them and friends had also recommended Westmac lines.
I made contact to see what future breedings were planned and once I got send the next planned litter I was sold!
The excitement was real, I had my name on the waiting list and now it was all just a waiting game.. then the day came where puppies were born!
Now is the point we’d find out how many and genders, this litter had 8 puppies, 7 girls and 1 boy. Now this is where my first test was… I initially wanted a boy (I had even picked a name) but I wasn’t first choice for the boy so either had to wait for the next litter or go for a girl. I knew I wanted a puppy from this litter so I made the decision to get a girl.
My advice to everyone, do your research, check who the breeder is and what they are prioritising in that breed, the aftercare, previous litters… most importantly will you be able to meet the dogs needs? I choose to get a working line GSD BUT I chose the breeding carefully, the litter Raven came from should have less drive than the next one I might have waited for a boy from as the lines showed me this. This is why it is important to do your research!
Raven with her Mum
Puppies are hard… or are they? Read my last blog on how I kept Raven busy HERE!
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