German Shepherd Breeders - The Good the BAD and the UGLY | Avi Cohen EP.80 

Check my online dog training: robertcabral.com/training/yt

After 50 years in dog training and competition, obedience, conformation, hunting, protection work I feel that show breeders are destroying every breed to get the ribbons and feed their ego.

I grow up with Labadors and Blue Heelers . I made a change after my Father past away .I always wanted a German Shepard, I didnt do my homework ,I didnt shop around . I bought the first dog on Alaska List . Ive been very fortunate after 4 years Blitz my dog is healthy and no problems . He is from a local breeder AKC Reg. $ 1,400. No breeding rights . This dog so loyal , Obedient and Protective. Best dog i've ever had

Avi reminds me of my uncle - everyone needs a Avi in their family.

I love working line GSDs. I got one when I was 16, having no idea what issues to research. She was the best dog and part of me wishes I'd bred her based on her temperament alone (she was that awesome) and she had no hip or elbow problems in 12 years. After her passing, I did research and selected a breeder for a male GSD. The breeder has a following with many word of mouth recommendations and repeat buyers because her dogs are awesome. The breeder interaction was amazing and the effort she puts in to her dogs is top notch. That boy didn't make it to 3 due to an autoimmune disease. The breeder feels so bad, but I know it's not her fault. It sucks, but breeding just doesn't work that way; it's not a guarantee. She offered me another puppy and provided lots of tips and advice on his care during the rough times.

So sorry about losing Fury. I lost my beautiful German Shepherd in August last year. Still cry for him everyday. My heart is absolutely broken 💔

I’ve even so lucky. All my Shepherds never had problems with their joints. I do thoroughly check out bloodline and watch the parents move, as well as their temperament.

My brother bought his Malinois from a breeder/trainer in New Jersey. It is from police dog lineage. He was actually looking to buy another breed because he had no experience with this breed. He was just so impressed with how smart and obedient his dogs were. The dog he chose is brindle so it does have Dutch Shepherd in his lineage. Personality wise he is pure Malinois. Sometimes his dog is a handful but he does obey orders. He can be stubborn but he has a great personality. My brother takes him to the vet regularly. He likes to take his dog to public places for socialization. Everyone comments on how handsome and well-trained his dog is. They ask what breed and some ask if he is a Belgian Malinois. Recently he decided to get a professional trainer with Malinois dog experience because he thought he could be better and reach his full potential with a trainer He is not interested in competitions. His dog is a year and a half and he is so attached to my brother it would be impossible to rehome him. He does not like my brother out of his sight. His dog will settle for me or his wife if not given a choice but he will constantly be watching for my brother. The trainer is going to have him a week while they visit his mother-in-law in Texas and he might be okay since other dogs are there. Then they will go to his training sessions afterward. They like the trainer who is former military so they think this is the right way to go.

I could listen to Mr Cohen all day very interesting, informative and just a character. I’m sorry to hear about Fury. At least he had a good owner and a good life.

This is perfect for anybody who absolutely loves dogs. Perfect advice.

Wow what a podcast. Thankyou. Growing up I had a g. Shepard%! He would pick me up everyday after school. I would just look at him and he knew what I was thinking. So very very smart. I will never forget. Wolffie.

Rest In Peace Fury and my condolences Avi. I did the research - in retrospect perhaps not enough for a working dog (though at the time that was not what I was buying and having studied vet med I was reasonably confident in my ability to read breeding co-efficients etc) and got unlucky. My beautiful cripple of show x working lines (sound on +++ meds) now concentrates on her job of doing medical alert for me as a service dog. She loves her job and all is good. She LOVED her IGP, and was the dog that introduced me to the sport, but luckily she has enough mental stimulation in her 'proper' job of saving my life, to be happy. She was a nice dog, she would have done well at club level, but my new IGP line puppy is a grade above her - which I would never have bought had my other bitch stayed sound. So in the end it works out, but of course my worry is for how long I can keep my older bitch sound and happy. As for insurance - yes a must have, but when you have a long term condition the yearly uplift in premiums often become totally unaffordable.

Good breeders dont have a website/ads. Their customers are their website/ads, spreading the word about him. This thing is the same with "Why Lamborghini dont have commercials?? Because people who can buy a Lamborghini dont watch the TV!". I own a Working line German shepherd and because of your "GENETICS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING" I went from Romania straight to Germany (Hamburg) to buy a puppy. I got that breeder's phone number from a friend who`s a dog trainer for Romania military (train the dogs to sniff drugs/bombs and even suicidal persons). That guy dont have a website nor ads, and u know why? He dont have time for that sh!t. He`s 100% of his time busy with his dogs. All the best from Romania!

I got a Jack Russell and I bought him from a well knowing breeder for over 30 years. I looked at over 20 years of photos of the same breed the same markings the exact same temperament no health problems. Either I got extremely lucky or maybe I just did the right thing in the first place. I waited 3 years for him In fact this dog was too good for me he outsmarts me and almost every thing I do. He knows over 30 commands and I've just run out of things to teach him. Here's my best friend apart from Jesus. Only men understand the love between a man and his dog I could hear the pain and Sadness in your voice. You are a champion yourself for the love you give to these wonderful animals.

Fair leadership , far too many dogs are trained with extreme pain that places dogs into survival drive and they are then fighting for their lives. Not good.

…. and then the conversation took an even more beautiful turn when Avi told us about his Fury. I remembered the story from before of not touching the dog. So so sad. I’m sorry Avi! Thank you for coming back on the show.

Rarely mentioned is the importance of correct breed standard temperament. If I can't meet the parents, it's a no go regardless of how they look. I was looking for a GSD pup and went to a kennel that had a litter of stunning pups. The mother was a full send psycho. An absolute nerve bag. I dearly wanted one but had to pass.

Avi should charge for breeding consultation. I'd pay for sure. His knowledge is priceless.

I gotta say….I love you two guys together. I’m learning and being entertained at the same time.

This guy is saying the something my breeder was telling me. I'm starting to feel good about the puppy I'll be getting.

Love this guy!! Needs to be on as a regular or longer!

Awwww... I have so many thoughts on this episode. Such critical insights for owners! Thank you so much for producing these!!! And condolences for Fury! 💖💖💖

Loooooove. I want to meet Avi and consult him before I get my next Shepherd...the working German kind!

Awesome Mr.Robert. Loved it. Thank you to Mr.Avi for sharing so much details.

Fantastic Trupanion is a must

Thank you both. I just got a 5 yr old GSD from a decent shelter. He was coming to his limit. I'm blessed I got him. His hips are already showing some signs. I'll do what I can to keep him healthy. Thank you championing dogs.

Legend Avi I like his humor and honesty. And thanks Robert for such great contents always educating. 👍👍👍👌👌👌

Just as most young adults who think they know more than their parents, my daughter (in her late 30's), and my son's wife (early 30's), both with a family and kids, reluctantly, would take any advice under consideration I gave them both when it came to their pets... Much of it you go over in this video. Nevermind my life-long experience with different animals, including working my way up the ladder to become a K9 Handler/Trainer... First, as an MP in the US Army, and later the Sheriff's Office where I was a patrol deputy, on training days or slow shifts, I volunteered as an assistant to the handlers... So, when it came to the process of getting a puppy, my D-I-L won the prize... LOL Looking for a Yorkie puppy, fell in love with the "tiniest in the litter" (ie., the Runt)... She not only paid $800 for the dog, but never tried to train it in even the simplest of obedience tasks, so it barked constantly, and crapped under all their beds (but did urinate outside, or used the new "weekly" disposible pee pads)... She was "free-fed" cheap kibble, and never got her puppy or adult vaccinations, nor yearly vet visits... It was no wonder she only reached three pounds (at most), and died at half a Yorkies expected lifespan at seven, almost eight years... My D-I-L cried and cried at the loss, had her cremated and paid $125 for the special doggie urn... (Note: Most all this was rectified as I was over their house twice daily caring for my three, now older, grandkids, whom I involved in the care and training of their next dog (half Dachshund, half Jack Russel(?), they got free from a friend.. But, still waited till the puppy grew up before getting her shots, and is intact so loves to escape their fenced backyard)... My daughter, who hated ANY kind of advice, paid dearly when she surprised her family by bringing home an Akita puppy, to keep their other (surprise) mix-breed dog company -- and because her oldest kid was embarrassed to walk the other dog in front of his friends... Again, NO training, except "Sit" and a few others, free-fed (with ONE bowl for the dogs to share and eat out of all day and night, very little of the "walking" by my grandson as he was too busy with his girlfriends... I don't think I need to explain why they now only have two cats, an NO DOGS... Poor Peaches... RIP.

This process is so important in finding out the true roots of a dog. Which we had more breeders doing this.

What a great interview…..Avi is so knowledgeable, he is a true asset to the GSD community

EXCELLENT PODCAST!! Thank you so much Robert & Avi!

Ari is a gold mine. Super interview.

I cannot thank you enough for this frank discussion. I am looking for a dog, having put down my Shepherd almost two years ago. Even though I am not looking for a show dog, I now know what to look for when looking for a new dog, by looking at the owner/breeder.

Really sorry for your loss Avi. Thank you for both for great information

What an awesome cast ...thank you both.

I wrote my comment before I watched the entire video. I think most of us know all too well how Avi feels after putting down his very special friend. I hope he finds his new Fury soon. Thank you David for bringing him on and to Avi for sharing his expertise with us.

Such great a informative video content! So sorry about Fury! Putting your dog down is one of the most difficult aspect of having a dog. Thanks for all you do making your videos and look forward to seeing your next video.

What will help the buyer is for them to ask the breeder if the puppies parents have had their hips and elbows xrayed and if they have been DM tested. A good breeder will have these tests done before using any dog for breeding, and will provide the buyer with the test results. If they don't have this, Walk Away! Hips should be a grade of A+ to B+, this gets a little complicated but most breeders won't use a dog that's a C, except under certain circumstances, namely that the dog will be breed to an A+ proven producer of soundness. The breeder should be asking the potential buyer many questions about their experience with gsds, their living situation, etc... The puppies should be utd on what shots they need at that age, they should be clean, happy and healthy, and excited to meet you. One more important thing, the breeder is to give you the puppies blue puppy AKC registration papers at time of purchase! Do not believe ANY excuses! This is a requirement of the AKC and any breeder not following this rule can face a lifetime ban. People, do your homework! I also study bloodlines like this gentleman speaking, but I'm not going to get into that here. Learn your five types of gsds and the characteristics of each at least, that will give you a good start. That being said, the original working line German shepherds are the best dogs, in my opinion. Expect to pay more for a properly raised puppy, because a breeder doing it the right way has invested a lot of money in their dogs and their puppies. Most will also give you a guarantee on the puppy, and will take the puppy back if you are not happy with it, but you must have proof of taking the puppy to your vet within so many days of purchase. I could go on for hours, but I'm just going to shut up and wish you future gsd owners the best of luck, the German Shepherd is the greatest breed of dog in the world, if you don't have the time and interest these dogs require to be successful, please don't get one. Thank you

This is very very educational. Thank you for this video.

I learn so much every time you interview Avi, hated to hear about Fury. Love the Fury Vids on Avi's channel.

The real problem is there aren't enough good breeders, there aren't enough solid dogs being bred, so when we have those great breeders that nobody can get a dog from, the resort to bad breeders.

I wish I had known just how much time is involved in training for IPO before I tried it, but Avi's absolutely right. It's almost impossible to do as a hobby. All that time you need gets spent working to pay the bills, and there's not a chance if you're also disabled or have anything else going on in life that takes up your time. I'd love to be able to live this lifestyle, and tried off and on for 15 years, but still can't afford to (and being of the working class, likely never will). But my point is that clubs and trainers are often not honest about this with new members. A couple of my friends have now ended up in the same boat for the same reasons, and others are barely hanging in there (and I wonder how much fun it still is for them). Those I know who are able to succeed and even title are those who work with dogs professionally, are retired, are neglecting the rest of their lives because they can't let go, or were born into money. I'm in no way complaining about the amount of work involved, because I knew it would be hard and I deeply respect how much time people do put into this training (but I am in every way complaining about the fact of social class so often being the deciding factor in determining who gets to stay in the sport). Not much we can do about it, short of changing our society, but I do wish that clubs were more honest with prospective/new members right here in this reality. I think this is contributing to the numbers of inexperienced people who are buying these dogs from these disreputable breeders (don't worry about my own dogs though, I've found other outlets for them, and I did know enough to buy from good breeders, but I just wanted to add my thoughts, as I've been through this and it's a punishing realization when you're already so invested, let alone if you also have a sick dog). I've also known a number of people over the years who have fallen victim to BYBs and their ilk, and it's reassuring to still hear voices in the bite sports who are honest and willing to bite into the problems in their midst. Thank you both, and keep doing what you're doing!

Worst Case Scenario: my sister bought an expensive "Teacup Poodle" for my Mom for Mother's Day. My Mom had no interest in getting a dog. Knew nothing about training. The tiny Poodle had SERIOUS health conditions---but by the time its was fully apparent, my Mom was enamored with the poor, sick dog. Breeder offered to "take the dog back"--come on, THAT'S RIDICULOUS. Horrible breeder probably would have put the dog down. So my Mom had a crippled club-foot, oozing eyes, pissing & pooping all over the house tiny dog for years. It was awful. Not sure who was worse--my sister, who spent $1200, or the breeder. Probably the breeder, but my sister a close second.

Avi is a great guy

i've had 3 gsd's though childhood to now, 2 got hip dysplasia at 10+, the other was only 6 1/2, heart breaking as he was a lovely obedient dog, it is exactly what I won't have one now, its far to common here.

I bred my dog a long time ago and it was a horrible idea then I started to educate my self on the topic and by far this is the best video

what a wonderful podcast!!! good to see Avi again.

I learn so much every time you have Avi on! Hated to hear about Fury, love the Fury vids on Avi's channel.

My heart broke when hearing about Fury, I love how much you guys love your dogs

So sorry for your loss of Fury Mr. Cohen. Condolences.

This has a lot of great information, thank you both for sharing I'm all ears trying to learn all I can so my dog and I can have the best life together as we learn and teach each other. Thanks for you knowledge.

Avi, I'm so sorry to hear about Fury.

I’m a retired Marine and love your channel I’ve always owned German Shepard’s I own a West German true to bloodline my breeder is strict with maintaining too bad

another great podcast thanks guys

Love this!

In my personal experience, even if a person follows the rules re research on breeders to avoid puppy mills, backyard breeders, it is incredibly difficult to find a breeder like Avi. Many of the discussions on this show I agree with. It seems tho that breeders like Avi are breeding specifically for competition working dogs. I feel people looking for companion dogs have very limited options for getting a well bred, healthy and stable tempered puppy. Leaves us with kind of taking a chance purchase from those fancy websites. I wish that weren’t so, because I love GSDs, they are incredible companions in a family home.

I really thank good that's I so this video before I buy a German shepherd ,, I big thanks from my heart for this episode A lot bot information a lot of knowledge,, AVI you are a wonderful guy I hope to see you in person one day

Avi taking hits love this man 🤣😂

Avi's the man! 👏👍

Great information for anyone buying a pedigree animal... It reminds me of a friend who spent hours studying all kinds of information, including their family trees, to decide which horses he'd bet on at the track... He must have gotten his system down right as he won a lot more than he lost.

So true. Too many breeders I will say this if you looking to buy for work or breeding intentions buy from reputable breeders who have the credentials. In my neck of the woods most of the so called breeders never took a dog through the process from scratch yet they breeders

such a great podcast. Rob i really love this podcast, as a university student just getting into dog sports this helps limits big mistakes

Such a great podcast. I almost bought an American Show because I didn't know about getting a Czech Working from Czech for SAR. He is Amazing SAR dog but quite a bit for my first time working line. I wouldn't trade him for everything.

Hi Avi ! 👍 nice to see you ! ❤

This is an amazing video.

so sorry about Fury , @Avi Cohen 😭😭😭

Love this video

Oh my. This is exactly what hubby and I did. We didn’t do homework and we saw GS pups on FB. Went and got two. So now we have two GS pups male that just turned 10 months. One of the pups the vet said his hocks are turned in and he cries at times. Got a scan and his hips are horrible. Right side 10-15% in cup and left side 20% in hip cup. So we saw a surgeon recently and hip replacement is approx $15k. And other people say put him down. We don’t know what to do. We were idiots on not researching but we’re both retired and have taken both pups to board/train and they are a handful but I feel so bad for the bad hip pup. His brothers hips are fine at this moment. When do you know? We’re thinking of the hip surgery but we don’t know. We’re both older in 70s and want the best for them. We should have found these videos before we got pups but we were after the fact. Sorry. 😢

Hi Robert. I’ve been enjoying your podcasts. I listen to them at work.

Great interview and as true as it gets. Research is everything. But as long as people invest into cuteness only, puppy mills and back yard breeders will exist.

Avi: "I need something that will be Me". I get you. So sorry for your loss. I guess we all will go thru this at some point. You are a wonderful trainer and dog lover. I hope you find a great dog soon as soon as you are ready. Once your grief is a little better, I think you need a wonderful dog in your life. You are a lovely man, hang in there, friend. Some day, when my ❤ dog (German Shepherd) is gone, your words will help me. I hope it's a long time from now, though.

I just realized that even though I purchased a West German Show Line the parents were working dogs. Explains a lot the guy emphasized training. This is my second dog. Much harder than a Frenchies.

I'm from Belgium and now I feel I'm lucky: I can get a Malinois puppy for 400€, working line, and would know the breeder bc he/she lives within a mile.

Glad I'm not the only person that starts early. I'm doing Zeds training drills from 3am so I get the field to myself. I don't have to put up with the untrained pet dogs. We use a lot of room as well which would be unfair on other dog owners. I think the ability to be able to walk away from a litter is essential. Leave the emotions at home when going to view. I agree that researching prior to buying is important. Love listening to such experience. Working Dog EU is similar to the ISDS for Border Collies. Well worth doing the research if you want to do a particular sport or train a dog for particular job. Thanks Guys : )

When Robert talks about Fury when he was to take Fury’s stick and Fury growled and Robert said “Get Put Of Here” and I love it that Robert was able to make Fury respect him but without hitting or screaming at Fury. My opinion once you start hitting a dog, then the owner has already lost the dog. Robert is of excellent character ✊✊ Having self-control, patience, discipline, compassion, and willpower. You have been raised right, Tito Robert 👍👍

I have been very fortunate to work with excellent and ethical breeders always. I have also had excellent dogs from shelters. I have trained, had sport dogs, service/search and rescue, and good old house dogs. The excellent and ethical breeders I have been fortunate to know have given or deeply discounted puppies to me because they knew my purpose (in the case of search), especially after 9/11. If the breeder does not ask serious questions, they are in it for the money. Quality dogs can be found anywhere but you must, as Avi says, do your research and/or take the time to work with the dog before purchase. I suspect Avi has tremendous instinct and is downplaying it.

Yup. I learned this the hard way. He only lasted 6 years. Totally crippled.

Amazing podcast amazing guest amazing host

Thank you for the great topic. Can you make a program about dogbreading in the GDR (DDR) please? I have read that the state GDR did a great job for GS breading for boarder guard dogs. Love from Norway.

I wish trainers like you guys were in Oregon where I live. My pup went to board and train, because I had surgery and they did no training with her. Waste of $1300. She’s now training with me at Petco, but it feels more playtime. She knows what they are teaching already.

Number 1 thing IMO to take from this is all the marketing with website, pics and videos doesn't mean Jack Shit about the quality of someone's dogs and or training. Of all my experiences the last 3 decades the best dogs I have encountered had come from the opposite. The top 3 best dogs I've seen were bought from farms in Europe that never stepped foot on a training field either, they were pets and we bought them. Genetics is paramount!

This is exactly what happened to me. My 6 yo male GSD limps after a short walk or run. I went to the breeder’s place, her home to check it out before buying. But, what do I know? Now I know my 100# Zeus is on meds and I cannot do anything to change the situation.

great content

is there a resource for trusted breeders ?

I truly love the GSD because I had a once in a lifetime dog of the breed. But she was atypical. Absolutely nerves of steel, bombproof, play drive through the roof but absolutely no suspicion of people unless they made it obvious they were up to no good. Most of my Shepherd friends thought she was a "face licker" because she had no interest in hunting people....but I since I don't like dogs that bite people - I was happy. But I'd never have another GSD. What if I got a breed typical dog that was suspicious or aggressive towards people? I'd be miserable until it died.

Those prices are just crazy, I think if dog has x-rays done, and you can allready see about working abilities, then few thousands is ok, but for puppy 5000 seems lunatic no matter who parents are.

I'm not sure you need such an extensive champion pedigree to get a good "family pet", certainly you should for a dog you want for protection sports. But you absolutely MUST be able to see & meet the parent dogs in the breeders home, and basic health checks. And under NO CIRCUMSTANCES, take a puppy less than 8 weeks old.

Actually makes me happy to hear him say “I don’t raise puppies..the biting the pants, the pulling etc etc show them to me a year old!” .cause wow..I was getting a little frustrated and worried about how he’s acting, but, my boy has a serious little soul in there, I think he’s going to turn out great! But it was heartening to hear that the pros also experience the “puppy difficulties “ !!

Hips and elbows x-rayed in parents, if possible, grandparents, vet certified ok, and puppy x-rayed and vet certified. Or dont breed the dog. Period. Thats how you prevent the DOGS from suffering due to genetic defect. Same with buying the pup for working or pet. You could buy a second home for the cost of potential vet bills.

Avi is a real g

The OFA registry has only helped rottweilers. Hip dysplasia is polygenetic, involves many parts of the hips, and is recessive genetically. You can breed 2 dogs with "excellent" hips and the third litter has a dog with hip dysplasia. I took to examing the x-rays myself to breed dogs that had good hips but different hip profiles. Read Carmen Battaglia. That's how he bred out hip dysplasia in his GSDs.

The problem with German Shepherd, especially the one in America. Are the health problems and that slop back that they bred the dog to have.

Damn. $3,000 to $5,000, I BETTER be getting a GREAT Dog.😳

My best pets were mutts found by the side of the road or in a shelter... the ones we purchased from "breeders," not so much...

you should do one of these on decoys

Thank you for the great videos Looking to get a working line German shepherd. Any good breeders that you will recommend . Info will be greater appreciated

I disagree on this a bit. I work 40 hours a week and train 3-4 times a week. And do IPO. Also wake up a 4:30am to make sure I get training in. Just because you have a full time job doesn’t mean you can’t do it. It’s hard but not impossible

3000-5000 dollars for a puppy???? I have a working line german. With blood line and from a top breader. They are used for police,protection etc. It cost 1100euro. So it must be big business in the US .

Are you familiar with the POA (Spanish for German Shepher Dog of Argentina)? How they breed their dogs, select and issue pedigrees?

Start with titles and conformation ratings that look like this VA Sch 3 IPO3 kkl1 lbz especially on the sire side but important on the female side These letters mean a lot V is also a good conformation rating