New member in Florida, looking for pup

[Dutch in America]

Hello everyone. I am new to the forum and would like some input about finding a puppy breeder. I live in Florida and want a male short-hair pup for obedience and therapy work, thus, a lower drive puppy.
I do have experience with working dogs, having had and trained Dobes,Rotties and GSD. Being Dutch myself, I would love a Dutchie. I have a family member in Holland scoping out possibilities there, but obviously the logistics are easier if I can find one here in the US.
Any input would be appreciated.

[Karin]

Hi there and welcome.

Glad you are looking around and trying to get more information about the DS breed. And yes, being Dutch yourself I can see how you might be drawn to these dogs.

My reaction to your post is this and I mean no disrespect. I have limited experience having a 4 month old FCI registered puppy. But I have read a ton. What you want to do with this pup is not typically fitting to the DS. They are a high drive protection breed. Asking for a lower drive dog raises red flags for me because you are already indicating this breed might not be your ideal. I also don't think typically they would make great therapy dogs... that is just not enough hard work for them. AND BEFORE I GET IN TROUBLE, of course there are individuals that are low drive and would make good therapy dogs, but it is not the breed standard. They are drivey, bitey dogs that need a lot, and I mean a lot of exercise, much more than GSDs and Rotties. With my four month old I typically walk 6-7 miles a day in 3 walks. He needs this or he will go into destructo mode. They are highly trainable but again need lots of structure and consistency. My DS is much more drive than my GSD and much more of a destruction dog if not given guidance and supervision.

Definitely talk to some good breeders out there about what you want to do with the dog and be really honest with yourself. Also please understand that there are two general lines of DS, FCI and KNPV. Educate yourself about this and do not go with KNPV lines.

I got my pup from Les Flores (De Las Flores Kennel) in Washington. He is a good guy to talk to about what you want and if the DS is a good choice. I know that there are other breeders that might be able to answer all your questions honestly. Maybe others can give you some contact information. Finding a quality breeder is very VERY important. Also check with Trudy at North American Dutch Shepherd Rescue. She is a wealth of information too. You might consider a young adult so that you really know what their drive is like.

I know it is easy to get enamored by these guys but having the puppy now, I would say be very careful with this decision. They can turn your life upside down in good ways and bad, but you better be ready.

Hope others give their two cents as well.

Karin

[johninny]

WELCOME!
thanks for doing your research and joining us DS fans.
Karin has a very good point that i want to emphasize: if you want a DS to be a therapy dog, i think the only wise thing to do is get a rescue from Nadsr or directly yourself from a shelter, etc., that you can completely check out yourself in person w/r/t suitable personality and temperament. the chance of getting the right puppy for this seems low to me, whereas with work and patience you may well find an adult that fits the bill.

[johninny]

Karin has a very good point that i want to emphasize: if you want a DS to be a therapy dog, i think the only wise thing to do is get a rescue from Nadsr or directly yourself that you can completely check out yourself in person w/r/t suitable personality and temperament. the chance of getting the right puppy for this seems low to me, whereas with work and patience you may well find an adult that fits the bill.

[LyonsFamily]

I would also agree with the getting an adult dog with an established temperament if you're looking for a therapy dog, preferably one that's been in a foster home for a while and the dog's personalities and traits are really well known. I think going the DS route is going to be way more difficult than if you went with something like a standard poodle or any other sporting breed.

What particular type of therapy work are you looking to do? There's some stuff that a DS would be a better fit for and some that would be stressful to deal with the liability and extra training. I'd imagine if you want to do work with small children, it wouldn't be that great of an idea due to the high prey drive and herding instincts a DS has, for example.

[Dutch in America]

Thanks everyone,I definitely appreciate your input. I am currently talking with a breeder who has an older pup that is lower drive, she knows what I am looking for. I do ride my recumbent trike everyday, we are setting up some agility stuff in the yard, and I plan to do tons of socialization, get into an obedience group for regular training, work with him daily. The therapy work would be more in nursing homes with older people, if the dog likes it, if not, it won't happen. I plan to keep the dog occupied. I will personally see and check out the puppy in person and if it seems to be not a good fit, I will walk away. I want the dog to be happy, and will not take him if I feel it won't work.
Thanks all of you for your info and interest. I will keep reading the forum.

[johninny]

good luck.

[Revhendo]

I have three couches that will attest to what has been said above.
Keep us updated on how it works out for you.

[Christie M]

Hey all,

While there is a lot of good advice on here, there is also some over reactions. Yes, they do need mental and physical stimulation. I personally think more mental than physical. I have shared my home with Dutch Shepherds for 15 years now - adults, puppies and at least 40 fosters. I have never run them for 5+ miles. They have rules, stuff to do and get lots of exercise and training. They are harder than average dogs, but not crazy. And ALL of my personal dogs have been therapy certified. If they are stable, trained and well socialized - they love it. They also work their butts off! Its that versatility that we love.

Getting an older dog with established temperament is great advice! But I think it is just as reasonable to work with a breeder who really knows their lines and the dogs they produce. Of course I am biased, since I am the breeder that Ina contacted This is a repeat breeding, and all of the pups from the previous litter turned out very, very confident. Knowing the dogs behind these puppies (for a few generations), and knowing how my puppies tend to turn out, I am very confident that this will be a great match. When I was contacted, I said "I have one puppy that would fit your needs. The other two are just too much" and that is true. But the guy she is coming to meet is extremely laid back and very confident. He loves to play and interact and he lets the stresses of life roll off of his back.

So I just had to chime it. I know that most of the time we have to speak in generalizations. I know in many situations, I would give similar advice. It is actually sad, because that advice is given with the thought that most people will be dealing with a breeder who just wants to sell puppies - not make great long term relationships.

[Choochi]

My girl is almost 3 and if we don't get out she will sleep all day on the couch quite contently. Take her out and she will happily run for 5+ miles but it's not a must. It's not some thing that came with maturity, she's always been like that. She would however make a horrible therapy dog because she is very distrustful of strangers and is really not a touchy feely dog except with people she knows very well.

DiA, you're in good hands with Christie as your breeder if you're looking at pups. She can also help steer you towards a rescue if there is one out there that would fit your bill.

[Linda Lew]

Hi, just wanted to let you know that I got my pup in Pompano Beach last week. She is nine weeks old, and came from a litter of 12. Her mother is a Belgian Malinois and father is Dutch Shepherd. I don't believe Jay is a breeder but an agility and therapy dog trainer. If you are interested, please let me know and I'll give you his telephone number.

I'm a new member to this forum as well, just haven't introduced myself or posted a picture of my beautiful puppy yet. She is awesome!

[Sugars Mom]

My girl is almost 3 and if we don't get out she will sleep all day on the couch quite contently. Take her out and she will happily run for 5+ miles but it's not a must. It's not some thing that came with maturity, she's always been like that. She would however make a horrible therapy dog because she is very distrustful of strangers and is really not a touchy feely dog except with people she knows very well.

Ha, ha, you just described Sugar to a tee!

[Dutch in America]

We picked up Ranger last weekend, and he is turning out to be just as Christie described: confident, smart, willing (except to take walks away from the kitchen. Once we start walking away from the house, he is reluctant, on the way back he actually picks up the leashes of the other dogs and hurries back toward the house pulling them along), playful, calm in general, runs like a klutzy maniac all over the back yard and then comes in and plays with his toys quietly (well, they used to be the other dogs' toys, now they are sharing more or less amicably). He sleeps in his crate with no more than 30 seconds moaning and groaning about it.
He is learning very quickly what he can and cannot "taste" with only a mild verbal cue. Has actually let himself out once or twice to pee which is funny because the current doggy door is a bit small for him.
He is a walking void needing to be filled with food, I suspect he is going to grow very quickly...After less than 48 hours in the house he will show us where the dog food bag is, then the refrigerator, then the bowls drying on the counter and then the spot where he gets his meal. Can he be more clear?
And he already knows sit and down...
I anticipate many happy years with Ranger, thank you Christie!

[Schlussdibusti]

Now I am confused

Christie, you have pups in Pompano Beach, FL ?

[Dutch in America]

No, that post was from Linda Lew, responding to me.
I live in Citrus County. Any other Dutchy owners near me?

[Karin]

Re: reluctant walks. My pup was also reluctant and I just baited him out gently. He loves walks/hikes/ and getting out now at 5 months. It will come.

[Sugars Mom]

Mine was also reluctant to walk past the end of the driveway as a pup and I've read many owners describing the same thing with their DS...so for whatever reason, it doesn't seem unusual for a DS.