Hello!

Very excited to be a part of the community and to start this new adventure with a husky - they are very, very different dogs from what I am used to, so it'll be interesting to say the least. My roommate and I are looking to bring home a puppy somewhere near the end of this month, and are ready to put down a deposit soon. I had picked out the breeder online but have yet to meet him and the dogs in person, which I hope to do when we drop off the deposit money. We have received a few pictures already with new ones to come, and my roommate already has a favorite.

I thought I'd join the forums and ask a few questions that had been on my mind. My roommate's pick is a little sable girl but with different markings from what I'm used to. I'm not sure if I'm just not using Google Images correctly or not describing the color or pattern right? Could anyone tell me what color/mask this is, or show any photos of what this puppy would look like as an adult?

(old photo, puppy is a bit older now but we don't have pictures yet!)


The sire is a red and white and the dam is (from what I could see) all white, so that doesn't help! A FB acquaintance mentioned she'd only seen this color among Alaskan Huskies but not Siberians, but these puppies were advertised as Siberian Huskies.

Also the breeder mentioned the litter was from "Chukchi lines" which I'd love elaboration on...as I did a quick Google search and from the looks of it, aren't all Siberian Huskies from those lines?

All in all, none of it is a big deal and we are more curious than anything! Thanks in advance for your input!

ETA: and a few photos of my current two for anyone interested!

I'm going to be THAT person.

I'm really concerned you're getting a dog with your roommate. Have you worked out who is the "real" owner? What happens when one of you gets a new job a few cities over? Or if one of you gets married and gets a new home? Who gets the dog?

I've seen so many situations where college kids and young adults get a dog with a friend, then when life happens, the dog is stuck in the middle. Really think through this and decide who is the owner and who will keep custody of the pup.

That said--please, please, please do your research. Look at the stickies on this forum. You want to make sure you're going to a good breeder, one who health tests his dogs (more than just shots and a trip to the vet!), works with his dogs in either showing or work, who gives you certain guarantees on health and is willing to take the pup back if something were to happen, at a minimum.

AnyaLuv - no worries, I've been "that person" before too. Thank you for your concern and input! I do understand it's hard to give someone the benefit of the doubt sometimes, but please don't jump to conclusions so quickly

Yes we are young adults. But the assumption that I am anything less than a responsible dog owner or inexperienced with dogs is incorrect. I own a working bred German Shepherd Dog and a working bred Belgian Malinois, I'm no stranger to putting in hard work to care for a dog (if you're unfamiliar with the Malinois breed, feel free to look up a few videos to see what I put up with every day haha).

Nowhere did I say we were undecided regarding ownership of the dog. On paper the dog is hers, I already have my two. But because I am the more dog savvy one of the two of us, I am taking care of the process and will be doing a large part of the socialization and initial training. If our housing situation changes the dog goes with her. The dog will not be "stuck in the middle", as you say, as we have talked this over extensively. We are no more and no less prepared than any other adult who gets a new dog.

While I haven't done much research on huskies, I have my own standards that I judge breeders by and go with that. I know the general pattern with forums is to definitively highlight the difference between a "reputable breeder" and a "backyard breeder" but coming from working dogs and having seen what I've seen, it is hard to subscribe to that line of thinking. I am fairly satisfied with the breeder I've picked - maybe he doesn't breed Siberian Huskies true to type, but he breeds the type of dog that would fit our lifestyle, and he is/was very involved in working them. Not every dog is health tested but the dogs are worked and evaluated along the way, and the lines do include health tested stock. I once looked into Alaskan Huskies and from what I've learned, that is not altogether uncommon. I understand that's a risk and that's fine with me.

Hopefully that answers any questions or concerns, but if not I'm definitely open to discussing it! Thanks again.

I'm only guessing, but it sounds like your potential husky will look similar to another member here new husky. If you go to the "scrapbooks" forum here, look for author *Mobezilla*, she has a little girl named Ame that it sounds like to me, might be what your puppy might look like. Her scrapbook includes her 5 dogs and Ame would be in the last couple pages. Hope this helps you, I'd post a link but havnt figured how yet on this thing, haha.

it's hard for you to subscribe to the line of thinking of reputable breeders vs backyard breeders? Well since you said you haven't done much research on huskies I'll give you a little insight. Juvenile cataracts is very common in huskies so I hope you are willing to pay about 3,000 dollars to remove said dogs cataracts which your dog will most likey get since your breeder does not test all his dogs. You say Belgian Malinois are a lot to put up with I suggest you look up siberian huskies and try that on for size. Lastly alaskan huskies are not the same a siberians alaskan huskies were created to run faster in racing they are a mixed breed dog created for that purpose so comparing the two makes no sense at all, pure bred dogs run bigger ricks of health problems if not tested. Hope that helps you understand why a reputable breeder and backyard breeder are two very different things. Oh and lastly most working lines health test all their dogs to make sure they will be able to work long healthy lives. This may seem like a harsh response but as you said you have not done much research so I just did some of it for you.

Artic_Wind wrote:

I'm only guessing, but it sounds like your potential husky will look similar to another member here new husky. If you go to the "scrapbooks" forum here, look for author *Mobezilla*, she has a little girl named Ame that it sounds like to me, might be what your puppy might look like. Her scrapbook includes her 5 dogs and Ame would be in the last couple pages. Hope this helps you, I'd post a link but havnt figured how yet on this thing, haha.

Found the thread, thank you! She's a stunning little girl (and Mobezilla is a very talented photographer!!). Aside from the difference in the mask/markings I think the color itself may be similar indeed : ) It'll be interesting to see how this puppy in the OP changes as she ages, even in these 8 weeks!

CoraTheHusky wrote:

it's hard for you to subscribe to the line of thinking of reputable breeders vs backyard breeders? Well since you said you haven't done much research on huskies I'll give you a little insight. Juvenile cataracts is very common in huskies so I  hope you are willing to pay about 3,000 dollars to remove said dogs cataracts which your dog will most likey get since your breeder does not test all his dogs. You say Belgian Malinois are a lot to put up with I suggest you look up siberian huskies and try that on for size. Lastly alaskan huskies are not the same a siberians alaskan huskies were created to run faster in racing they are a mixed breed dog created for that purpose so comparing the two makes no sense at all, pure bred dogs run bigger ricks of health problems if not tested. Hope that helps you understand why a reputable breeder and backyard breeder are two very different things. Oh and lastly most working lines health test all their dogs to make sure they will be able to work long healthy lives. This may seem like a harsh response but as you said you have not done much research so I just did some of it for you.

Hahahahaha ohhh my goodness, thank you so much for the laugh! Are you anywhere familiar with the Malinois breed at all? Sorry, not having done research on Sibes specifically doesn't mean I haven't been around them. IMO every one I've handled has been very easy, compared to what I am accustomed to. Yes they are high energy, independent, and can be escape artists and destructive, but that is nothing out of the ordinary. In response to your recommendation to "try a sibe on for size", I recommend you try a possessive, human aggressive 85 lb working bred German Shepherd that has no qualms about going after his handler, and all the fight, drive, and energy to go for days. Or a Malinois that literally will not stop moving and spinning inside the house sometimes, even at 9 years old. And still cannot be left alone because she climbs counters/tables/shelves and bounces off walls and bites and chews and steals, because she's wired to be working 24/7.

Please lose the condescending attitude if you wish for your advice to be taken seriously. I appreciate insight or a lively debate, but it's hard to take your words to heart when they are so biased.

The dog will "most likely" get juvenile cataracts? Well that's a bit alarmist isn't it? Do you say the same thing to the people who adopt their husky puppies/adolescents? Because those parents are untested too. Guess we should all stop adopting young huskies when it's such a huge risk, huh? "Most likely"... Look we all know how prevalent HD is in German Shepherds, but I wouldn't even say a puppy from untested parents is "most likely" getting HD. Scare tactics are a cheap shot.

And sure if it does happen and we have to pay $3k to fix it we will. We're prepared to deal with the chance of medical issues, as any dog owner should be. No one knows what's going to happen.

It's hard for me to subscribe to the fact that there is a distinct line between "reputable breeder" and "backyard breeder". There is no distinct line and a breeder can check all the boxes of what it means to be to be a "reputable breeder" and still be the scum of the earth or breed nervy dogs. Out there, there are breeders I'd buy from, breeders I wouldn't buy from, breeders I'd recommend, and breeders I wouldn't recommend. Those aren't mutually exclusive. Some of the breeders I'd buy from are breeders I'd never recommend, and some breeders I wouldn't buy from I've recommended to others. There are too many factors and too many opinions to say anything for sure. Some people think all confo breeders are not "reputable", some people think that of working breeders. It's just how it goes. No need to explain to me the obsession with sorting out "BYBs" and "reputable breeders", that's all old news to me. Thanks

Before I start everyone is biased. I am ,you are and so is anyone else speaking on this matter because no one has experienced all the Siberians in the world nor all the Malinois dogs in the world hence why I used words like "most likely" I did not say your dog will 100% have eye problems because I do not know that.


"I recommend you try a possessive, human aggressive 85 lb working bred German Shepherd that has no qualms about going after his handler, and all the fight, drive, and energy to go for days. " No thank you if  I had a human aggressive 85 pound German shepherd who goes after his handler I would book an apportionment with a trainer as fast as possible. I'm not sure what that statement is supposed to prove? That you have a poorly trained working German shepherd?  Oh and please save the "Working dogs are more aggressive" in my experience my great uncle who has working GSD's are not aggressive and especially not human aggressive.  The way you describe your Malinois is exactly how many husky owners describe their dogs.  Do I say the same thing about cataracts to rescue pup owners? of course not (In my experience) anyone who adopts a puppy or dog from a shelter or rescue is readying them self with the possibility of paying for operations to better the dogs life. In my experience with my family when we rescue we have a fund that is pretty large ready for any care that rescue dog will need. There is also a fund for new puppies from reputable breeders but I am not setting aside the same amount because the health testing gives you a much better chance of your puppy not getting cataracts.  
Yes no one knows what will happen but when the lines of your puppy all have good or excellent  on their eye test you know that this is a much less likely chance your dog will get cataracts which might I add are hereditary so if you have the clear on this dogs family the chances will fall significantly. I would rather be safe then sorry.

Good luck with your puppy, If my advice didn't help you then thats fine but at least I tried.

Sorry CoraTheHusky but honestly your entire post is difficult to read. Are there any stickies here on post formatting that you can read? I can't tell what you're saying at all, but thanks for the effort. You've got heart, I'll give you that

giblaut wrote:

Sorry CoraTheHusky but honestly your entire post is difficult to read. Are there any stickies here on post formatting that you can read? I can't tell what you're saying at all, but thanks for the effort. You've got heart, I'll give you that

I answered all your comments in chronological order. Anyways those pictures you posted are very nice are you a photographer?

Oh Boy Folks....This thread is getting ugly in a hurry....Firstly I don't have a huge amount of time today, but felt the need to hop on this.......To giblault....I have a byb husky and a gsd bought from imo a great quality breeder.....aside from the obviously unreliable potential health issue getting a dog from a byb, there are many times behavioral issues that you will not find with quality breeders. I have a great comparison of this between my 2 girls. My gsd breeder has been training ppd, sar, and general training for 20 years. I have had huskies and gsds all my life, and was told by so many how different the breeds are. Well under 18 months, I personally feel gsd's, huskies, and belgians are pretty similar. My breeder agreed. They all have a high drive. They all can be difficult to train, handle, etc. They all can be on the strong side, as in pulling. So I understand your reasoning, BUT there is a huge difference getting a dog from a byb compared to a quality breeder.

Miya is a byb dog, byb breeders do not care when you get their dog, the earlier the better to most. Miya was 5.5 weeks old. All of her siblings are tied to a metal chain that is 6 feet long tied to a tree. Why? Because their owners had no idea how to train, and handle such a high strung, mouthy dog. Miya was impossible to train out the mouthing, until she was a year. Sofie came to us at 10 weeks old, from a quality breeder, she has no mouthing desire whats so ever, she is gentle to my hands. Both mothers were friendly and sweet. But, the byb never handled the pups much, most byb's don't. And although you may know how to handle a high strung dog, does not mean many women who have never, can.

Since you are mentioning that eventually this dog will be your room mates, and she is a she, let me ask has she had any time spent with a high strung dog? Miya is a lovely dog, she is sweet tempered, but there are some things I will never train out of her. He penchant for being a dominate dog, the huge drive she has. She is the epitome of too much dog for most people. Sofie was temperament tested at 7 weeks, she was determined to be a moderate to high drive dog, not to be placed in a seniors home, or a home with small children. Because I went to a reputable breeder for her, and we worked together, he felt Sofie would be a good fit in our home because of all the training I did with Miya. He also guaranteed me some things that I didn't get with Miya. Firstly, he will take Sofie at any time, if something were to happen to me, I am fearful that Miya would be put down, because no one else would be able to handle her, Sofie would go back to her breeder. Secondly, although nothing is a guarantee in life, Sofie's parents were hip and elbowed tested. I feel confident Sofie will have many years of easy walking, unlike Miya who may not. Even the basics, Miya was filled with worms and fleas and no core shots done. Sofie had 4 rounds of dewormer, had 2 sets of shots, and not a flea on her.

Those are just some of the differences between byb's and quality breeders. Nothing is a guarantee, you're right. But my opinion is this, pay now or pay later. I prefer paying now, than to see my dog possibly suffer because she came from a byb. I love them both, but Sofie is by far less work than Miya, all because of where I got them from.

Btw, byb's will sell you a story so you buy their poorly bred dogs. Story for Miya was she was 50% wolf, nope she is 75% husky, 25% gsd. Your story that you are buying is they are from a chucki(spelling) line. Don't buy the story, it's just their way of selling a dog that may be less than desirable for many different reasons, and it is just a story.

CoraTheHusky wrote:

I answered all your comments in chronological order.  Anyways those pictures you posted are very nice are you a photographer?

Thank you - I have a camera and I take photos. If that makes me a photographer, then I guess yes! Far from a professional though, just a hobby.

MiyasMomma wrote:

Oh Boy Folks....This thread is getting ugly in a hurry....Firstly I don't have a huge amount of time today, but felt the need to hop on this.......To giblault....I have a byb husky and a gsd bought from imo a great quality breeder.....aside from the obviously unreliable potential health issue getting a dog from a byb, there are many times behavioral issues that you will not find with quality breeders. I have a great comparison of this between my 2 girls. My gsd breeder has been training ppd, sar, and general training for 20 years. I have had huskies and gsds all my life, and was told by so many how different the breeds are. Well under 18 months, I personally feel gsd's, huskies, and belgians are pretty similar. My breeder agreed. They all have a high drive. They all can be difficult to train, handle, etc. They all can be on the strong side, as in pulling. So I understand your reasoning, BUT there is a huge difference getting a dog from a byb compared to a quality breeder.

Miya is a byb dog, byb breeders do not care when you get their dog, the earlier the better to most. Miya was 5.5 weeks old. All of her siblings are tied to a metal chain that is 6 feet long tied to a tree. Why? Because their owners had no idea how to train, and handle such a high strung, mouthy dog. Miya was impossible to train out the mouthing, until she was a year. Sofie came to us at 10 weeks old, from a quality breeder, she has no mouthing desire whats so ever, she is gentle to my hands. Both mothers were friendly and sweet. But, the byb never handled the pups much, most byb's don't. And although you may know how to handle a high strung dog, does not mean many women who have never, can.

Since you are mentioning that eventually this dog will be your room mates, and she is a she, let me ask has she had any time spent with a high strung dog? Miya is a lovely dog, she is sweet tempered, but there are some things I will never train out of her. He penchant for being a dominate dog, the huge drive she has. She is the epitome of too much dog for most people. Sofie was temperament tested at 7 weeks, she was determined to be a moderate to high drive dog, not to be placed in a seniors home, or a home with small children. Because I went to a reputable breeder for her, and we worked together, he felt Sofie would be a good fit in our home because of all the training I did with Miya. He also guaranteed me some things that I didn't get with Miya. Firstly, he will take Sofie at any time, if something were to happen to me, I am fearful that Miya would be put down, because no one else would be able to handle her, Sofie would go back to her breeder. Secondly, although nothing is a guarantee in life, Sofie's parents were hip and elbowed tested. I feel confident Sofie will have many years of easy walking, unlike Miya who may not. Even the basics, Miya was filled with worms and fleas and no core shots done. Sofie had 4 rounds of dewormer, had 2 sets of shots, and not a flea on her.

Those are just some of the differences between byb's and quality breeders. Nothing is a guarantee, you're right. But my opinion is this, pay now or pay later. I prefer paying now, than to see my dog possibly suffer because she came from a byb. I love them both, but Sofie is by far less work than Miya, all because of where I got them from.

Btw, byb's will sell you a story so you buy their poorly bred dogs. Story for Miya was she was 50% wolf, nope she is 75% husky, 25% gsd. Your story that you are buying is they are from a chucki(spelling) line. Don't buy the story, it's just their way of selling a dog that may be less than desirable for many different reasons, and it is just a story.

I've seen far uglier threads than this, this is very typical and expected so no worries

As far as energy goes I do feel that young GSDs and huskies can be similar, and do understand your point. In fact, a great deal of the drives that make German Shepherds difficult do not awaken until maturity (such as the possessiveness and defensiveness I like to see in my dogs). My GSD is working bred as well, from a breeder heavily involved in producing dogs for bitesports and civil service work for 45+ years (before he passed) - every dog in each generation health tested and working titled. My Malinois herself IS working titled, has an IPO1. I am no stranger to finding breeders and good dogs, and no stranger when it comes to understanding drive and energy.

Yes there's a difference between getting a dog from a "BYB" and a quality breeder, but what is "quality" for one person may not be quality for another. And I have seen countless dogs from so called "quality breeders" (extensive health testing, titles out of the whazoo, etc) that do not make the cut when it comes to nerves and drives. Which is why I no longer trust labels such as "byb" and "reputable breeder" because they are so inconsistent in the dogs that are produced from such breeders.

Off topic but is Sofia your GSD? Haha I have never known a working bred GSD puppy that was not mouthy! How peculiar!

I am glad your GSD's mother was friendly and sweet. My GSD's parents were not and I am happy with that - I do not want a friendly and sweet dog, I want a working dog that could do bitework So this is what I mean - what is a positive trait to you may be a negative trait to me. You cannot judge all breeders and dogs by the same standard.

I know how it works when it comes to getting a puppy, thank you. I dislike that this husky breeder has us choose the puppies at such young ages, but after talking with him I feel there is a low chance that the puppy will be such an extreme that we cannot handle her.

As far as temperament and being high strung goes - I mentioned earlier this breeder may not breed true to Sibe type. My experience with many conformation bred Sibes is that they are too high strung with not enough biddability for my liking. This breeder selects for and emphasizes biddability and a thinking mind, which he brought up before I even asked for it. Obviously if I meet the parents and they are high strung lunatics, we will pass and lose our deposit. That's fine. But I am a fair judge of character when it comes to dog people and the language this breeder speaks in talking about drives, biddability, and working his dogs (weight pull, skijoring, mushing, etc. and is also a club sled dog judge etc. etc.) meshes well with what I want. If a Sibe isn't supposed to be biddable and level headed, that is fine, my only concern is that the Sibe we get does possess those traits. I will evaluate the puppy myself prior to bringing her home.

It's a nice romantic notion to think that having dog from an internet/forum approved breeder practically guarantees you "superior" quality but here's the thing...I've seen just as many show/working breeder dogs with health issues as I've seen rescue/pet bred dogs. There are several big name German Shepherd kennels out there that are very well received and well known that produce dysplastic dogs out of parents with passing scores. Health is more complicated than that, and it's easy to fall into this trap of "well someone else on the forum said ____ about reputable breeders vs. bybs so this is my belief as well". I used to think that as well, but in practice it is only a version of the truth.

Also I only asked about Chukchi lines out of curiosity because I enjoy studying pedigrees and lineages. If he lied about it or doesn't know the truth himself, it honestly does not make a difference to me. I didn't pick these puppies because they were advertised as "Chukchi lines", I picked them because of other qualities the breeder mentioned, which I will be able to evaluate and see for myself when I meet them. We will have this dog for 13+ years hopefully, it doesn't matter what the breeder said to me in the passing at one single point of this puppy's life if I don't care about that particular trait/line.

Just curious - what are "bite sports?"

amymeme wrote:

Just curious - what are "bite sports?"

Hi amymeme! Bitesports are dog/protection sports that include Schutzhund/IPO, PSA, KNPV, French Ring, etc. Often used to evaluate working and breeding prospects and very demanding on the dog's nerve strength, temperament, and drives when done right.

Schutzhund/IPO is the most common one around here, this is a good explanation of what it involves


This is a quick example of French Ring


And an example of PSA Obedience


and protection

At the moment, I am not watching a lot of videos - we have a satellite connection with limited data cap which I just went over last week doing my cards.

I did read about Schutzhund on wikipedia - I 'm not sure siberians are suited to the protective work. For the most part, the love people, greet them with wagging tail and adoration. I do believe that the can be obedience trained with success. One of their strong points is their independant thought - at the lead of a sled, they are supposed to be able to see a hazard and say "uh, huh, not doing that" to something the musher may not see. Sort of a good kind of disobedience. As for the Schutzhund - mine would fail miserably - there are hunters shooting across the field right now and Ami just came running, rang his door bell and went to his "safe" spot (his throne. THough now that I'm on the computer, he's checking to see if I have my breakfast toast and peanut butter (nope, way past breakfast, big boy )

But, if you like an engaging, impudent whelp who will always keep you laughing - this is the dog for you. Or if you want to run, bike, ski with a buddy, this is the dog for you.

amymeme - oh my bad, didn't stop to think you might not be able to view videos! I understand that.

And I didn't mean to say or imply I would be at all interested in pursuing bitesports with a husky! Haha goodness, that would be...interesting (and frustrating!). They have prey drive but not the intense biddability and handler focus, combined with a good genetic grip and desire to fight. I am not talented enough of a trainer to convince a husky to try bitesports!

I absolutely love dogs that desire to engage (my Malinois requires attention and at least passive engagement almost 24/7). Every husky I've spent time with has been enormously fun with a grand sense of humor, so I am looking forward to that. My college roommate also has a Sibe and has joked that her dog is the dumb, sweet, fun loving blonde and my German Shepherd is the grumpy ol' quarterback.

With just my two dogs we do a lot of hiking, beach trips, playing ball, training, shaping, and running around so there will be plenty of exercise involved!

Little derpy dog in question

Giblaut, Pretty pics of the various dogs in your life. Nice looking! Yes Sofie is my gsd. Her momma is very sweet, but well trained sweet. She is a ppd, and does amazing bite work. Her daddy is the star though. He just earned his BH and conformation rating of a "G", pennhip .28/.28, his sire SCHH3 Kkl1 and his dam IPO1, now I posted these, simply because I believe you know what they mean, and with all truthfulness, I do not. I know his pennhip scores are outstanding for a gsd, but the titles and such, I am not in the loop. Sofie is not mouthy at all, and she will place my finger or hand in her mouth she will not bite. I got her for a companion to Miya and myself, but will be worked for ppd for me. She is extremely alert and at 4.5 months old has demonstrated she will be an excellent ppd. Miya for all the trouble she gave me as a puppy, is not your typical husky, by any stretch of the imagination. We observed Sofie's breeder's CGC class with all gsd's and belgians, she was by far the most obedient dog there, and he said she could pass the cgc without any of his training. I worked diligently with this dog. She has strong traits for ppd work, both Sofie and Miya alert me very well. Miya also is a retriever/pointer, never flinches at gunshots, remains in a sit and stay until told to retrieve. Yes I am talking a byb poorly bred, out of control husky. This is not a brag (well sort of it is, lol), this is just the facts of what it takes to train a really bad puppy. Miya gave me little joy as a pup. Miya grew way to fast as well, she weighed 45 pounds and was 22 inches at barely 5 months old. Where most people would have gave up, I dug in. Not many people have that type of dedication. I realize that you may know what to look for, just don't drop a hot potato in the lap of your room mate. I will always encourage people to do their research and go for a quality breeder every time someone is looking for a breeder. I looked, for almost a year. I talked to my breeder non stop, asking him questions. I researched Sofie's pedigree. I understand what you are saying about quality breeders vs byb's and how sometimes there may be a gray area. But that gray area to me, and by hopefully the sound of the breeder you are currently talking with, is more of a hobby breeder than either a quality or byb. Some do have the interest in bettering the breed, and some working lines of huskies do not do the health testing that some of the show line breeders do. For me, going to a quality breeder was important, I have the background of both sides of her pedigree, I can go back at least 7 generations. All were working, titled dogs. All of their health tests I can see, hips, eyes, and elbows. Sofie's breeder started potty training, crate training, leash training. Those were important aspects to me, to insure I had a better behaved pup and I could actually enjoy puppy hood. To have her come home, and have her be healthier than a horse, where I didn't have to worry about if she became sick, she wasn't going to get sick, I had her health records. Trust me when I say, I love my two equally. My husband was not on board with paying for a quality dog, at first. Now he is on board, he said had we got Sofie first and then Miya, he would have sent Miya back, she was that bad of a puppy. Health wise, training wise, even eating wise, it's like night and day. Yes they are high energy, they go, go, go. In my book though, there is a huge difference in what you get with a byb dog, and a quality bred dog. You may end up with a great dog either way, but I would rather enjoy the puppy time, that I got with a quality bred pup.

ETA: "Off topic but is Sofia your GSD? Haha I have never known a working bred GSD puppy that was not mouthy! How peculiar!

I am glad your GSD's mother was friendly and sweet. My GSD's parents were not and I am happy with that - I do not want a friendly and sweet dog, I want a working dog that could do bitework Wink So this is what I mean - what is a positive trait to you may be a negative trait to me. You cannot judge all breeders and dogs by the same standard."

I quoted this section for a reason.....Sofie's desire to please, and her ease of training is the reason for this. I brought her home at 10 weeks old. It is very common for most puppies from most breeds to be excessively mouthy when taken form the litter pre 8 weeks. She learned bite inhibition from her siblings. She is not inclined to bite the hand that feeds her. I would have no doubt, through training, that she would bite someone who was harming her free meal ticket, namely me. She bites the living crap out of Miya through play, another reason she has no desire to mouth me. Lastly I said Sofie no bite once or twice, and well, she will not put any pressure on me at all.

I never met her daddy, but her momma was sweet, she is trained to switch it on and off. I have seen her bite work videos. You do want a dog who is sweet when they are with their people, and know when it is time to work. I find that as a huge positive quality. Miya is also sweet and gentle after much training, but I have seen her work as well, she will not allow any one she deems a threat to me to be anywhere near me. I guess I prefer a dog who can switch the work mode on and off.