Dazed & confused: need a good strategy for breeder search/database use

So I've given myself the next 5 weeks to get down and dirty with breeder research. My goal: narrow my choice down to a shortlist of breeders to visit, pick the right one for me and make a firm reservation. I'm in Germany, so today tackled the LCD breeder database. There are over 300 breeders on there...how on earth do I start??? And that doesn't even include the separate DRC database. Help!

I've seen the Champ Dogs UK recommendation, but that doesn't help me unless I widen my search to the UK (which I'm open to doing). @snowbunny made the good recommendation to "follow the sire" instead of looking at potential mamas. There are hundreds of those on the LCD list as well. Frankly, except for the odd variance in HD/ED scores, they pretty much all look the same from the TINY photos. There is a section for expected litters, but these really are expected (vs. "planned") so considering my summer 2017 timeline, it doesn't help me.

I've researched all the acronyms and different grades of test results and have a good handle on those in Germany and English. I'm normally a pretty dedicated researcher and don't mind emailing/calling dozens if not multiple dozens of breeders and sifting through the LCD database. But where do I start? Can anyone recommend a good strategy? Clicking through 300 different breeder websites is really daunting, is there a better way?

By the way, I'm still dithering on the breed question (Rottie or Lab), but I've decided that I need to move forward and take action or I'll still be moaning about being dog-less next summer instead of moaning about 2am wee breaks. I'd REALLY, REALLY rather be moaning about 2am wee breaks.

 

How about narrowing the field by looking first for summer planned litters close to home?

Are you still in Germany?

 

Find a dog you like. Just one, single dog. Email the breeder and ask if there are any litters planned and, if not, if s/he can recommend anyone else with similar dogs. You'll probably find it's quite a small world once you get started and the same names crop up time and again.

Join FB groups for Labs in Germany, too, and ask on there for recommendations for the specific thing you're after. You can then research the names you've been given. It's a lot easier that way than starting from the list of hundreds.

 

Yes, I'm in Germany now, but will be leaving for Spain in five weeks...thus my imposed deadline and trying to light a fire under my posterior.

That's indeed what I wanted to do - look for a German breeder who is planning a litter anytime from May onwards - just don't know how to do that other than email all 300 breeders on the list. Which seems rather daunting.

I'd also be open to UK/Ireland breeders, but thought it made most sense to start looking closer to home.

And I'd still be very interested in Zaba's breeder if you have her contact info. Gorgeous boy!

 

Uh oh. Does this mean I have to have a Facebook account, something I've studiously avoided since forever? Sigh...ok, in the name of dogs, I guess I can deal.

 

Really? Oh, I was sure I'd stalked you on FB! Must have been some other random Emily with a Rottie

 

Zaba's breeder is here - http://www.champdogs.co.uk/breeder/2964?classic_site=1

 

This was Zaba's litter


http://www.champdogs.co.uk/litter/29049


...

 

Naw, I had an account that I set up for business reasons about 10 years ago but literally have not logged in for 8 years. I have been harangued by friends for years for my backwardness, so you should feel very proud that YOU got me to log in by saying it would help me find my dog.

Honestly, my only motivation in life is dogs. I'm a little ... weird.

 

Thank you! Awww... look at the little round fluff balls!

 

If you get a Lab, what kind of Lab do you want? I'd personally say that a Show Lab would be best for an assistance dog. Although I moan about how bonkers Charlie is, I do think that is just a mix of his high energy, my inexperience and his unfortunate life events needing so much surgery when young (when I should have been training).

Betsy is similar, and although she's lively (you don't want a dead one!) and a handful because she is still so young, I reckon she has an underlying solid temperament. As does Charlie - underneath the bonkers bit - although he is a disgrace on a Gundog field, absolutely nothing can shake him. He's rock solid in terms of no nerves temperament.

But I'm not so familiar with the German breed differences. Only UK and French, really.

 

You fit right in here

 

My feeling from my very limited experience would be show. And personally I'd like a heavy-boned big boy with a blocky head and a bit of extra height and leg, but health and temperament are really much important than the look. Temperament would be the calmer the better. A lot of the "work" my dog did was having the patience to sit around and do nothing until I asked him to suddenly do something. I think that will be a big challenge for a young Lab, field or show. Seeing Mags work with Mollie has given me some great ideas for how I'd like to tackle that question!

So far what I've seen is that the German Labs don't have such an abrupt division between field and show. They seem all a bit middle of the road temperament-wise and looks-wise lean more towards show. But I'm far from an expert and I've mostly seen Labs at shows...which would then make sense that they look like show lines.

 

I doubt that, to be honest. @Karen might be able to say though.

 

Join the crowd!!!

 

Not weird at all

 

Yes, like I said, I've really not had any occasion to see many field Labs so far. They could be quite different. Certainly the ones I've seen just out and about in town have more the typical "show" look. I'm just basing my "not a big division" on the breeders who told me their dogs were field (or a field/show mix) and the dogs really did look quite "show".

 

There's a huge difference between field and show lines in Germany, with lots of skinny black whippety-looking dogs around in the working test world! You'll be able to see that if you look at the DRC site (the LCD site is very show-orientated).

I'm also looking for a puppy for the spring/summer, but as I am only interested in a working line dog, but also want a well-built dog, and preferably a dark yellow one, with perfect health results, great temperament and from good working lines, I'm finding the search quite difficult... So far I have narrowed it down to one breeder here in Germany (who I actually know personally and who isn't too far away), and one sire (the most promising mating looks to be an upcoming one in the new year in February - in Austria). But I am going about it in a different way to you - I'm not stressing myself, and if nothing comes from either of those prospective litters, then I'll probably leave it another year. I'd rather get the right dog for me, than rush into a compromise.

 

I'd go with this advice, I really would. Start at one point and go outwards on promising paths, rather than trying to grab the whole world in your hands and sift through it. You might have a few frustrating dead-ends, but you'll get there. There are many, many good breeders and many, many great dogs out there; you will find one that is right for you. Just start somewhere, and keep following trails of recommendations and advice.

 

Thanks, Karen. I've been so overwhelmed by the LCD site that I've not even tackled the DRC yet. I wonder if I AM actually seeing your "whippety-looking" Labs here on the street in Regensburg but have thought they were mixes. Could be! I appreciate the education, though... it's all new to me.

I've given myself the five week challenge not to stress myself, but to get myself moving as I've not made any progress search-wise for the past 3 months. I've met a lot of great dogs and very nice owners, but no really step forward in actually getting a dog or puppy. And the five week deadline because in five weeks I'll be driving down to Spain so it will be much harder to do a breeder visit here in Germany. But if I don't find "the one" in the next month, I'll keep looking online and just have to plan a short visit to Germany by air if I need to do a breeder visit past mid-January. Which to be realistic, is probably what will happen.

I'm also in a bit of different space than you in terms of looking for a dog, as I've been without Brogan for nearly a year now. I realise it's time to find and start training with his Valiant Successor - having no dog companion is just no good for me. Hopefully I can find the right candidate and feel no compromises were necessary. Hope you find the right pup for you, too!