going to look at a Rough Coated Dutch shepherd

[BarbadosSheep]

I have been looking for a good personal protection dog for a while, unsure which breed I wanted. Then I found someone who has a 6 month old male Rough Coated Dutch Shepherd for sale. He's triple registered from imported parents and is adorable. We will meet him on Friday. If all works as hoped, he will come home with us. This is such a RARE breed. There might be 30 rough coats in this country. Wish me luck!

The first pic is of him. The second is of his parents.

[CAjerseychick]

Wow that is so interesting, I love learning about the rare breeds, keep us updated.... He is so unique looking, I wonder if that coat is water repellent (its so unusual looking) is it nonshed...?

[BarbadosSheep]

They are distantly related to Bouvier Des Flanders (the coat reminds me of a bouvier coat, without the beard). The Dutch shepherd also comes in smooth coat (used as police dogs often) and they are always brindle. They are also related to the German shepherd dogs and the Belgium shepherd dogs (Malanois and Teurvern and leakinoise).

[CAjerseychick]

ahhh I see the Bouvier connection makes sense (explains the coat)... We see a few of the smooth coats, I think there is a K-9 protection type outfit selling them down near Santa Cruz, CA (down there somewhere, I was looking at an Ad, yes I browse classifieds looking at dog ads, you know like some people look at Tools).... the smooth coated ones seem very lightly built though, even leaner than the smooth coated Malanois...

[BarbadosSheep]

Yeah I browse pet sales too. You see some nteresting stuff! I kow the breeder you are talking about. They sell really high end protection dogs for mega bucks. If and when I decide to breed this boy, I'll probably have to import a bitch. I had a bouvier years ago and while I loved her, I hated that heavy coat and beard. These dogs lack the beard and the coat is not as heavy. Their temperament is more mellow than the smooth ones (lots of the smooth ones have malanois crossed in) although it will still be sharper than a bouvier temperament. I am so excited about this. He has been living as a house dog with his site and dam. The breeder has livestock too and he's spent a lotif time with stock. He's also been well socialized. I plan to start him in an obedience class towards the end of January to see what he's capable of and go from there. I'd love to try schutzhund.

[CAjerseychick]

Just keep us updated I LOVE it.... !....
(and really ? high end protection dogs? that last dutch shepherd puppy was very poorly built and I thought it was a bitch, the poor owner had to correct me....)...Sorry thats a comment on that breeder not the Breed...

[BarbadosSheep]

I guess "high-end" was the wrong word. What I meant was pricy. VERY pricy. He sells pups (for $2000 and up I believe) all the way to to fully trained, imported dogs (around $25,000). Yeah....way too rich for my blood. Many smooth coated Dutchies look too lean and sleak to me. But I guess that build also makes them very athletic and some breeders are going for that look. I prefer a dog to look like a dog, with some muscling. I have a young Amstaff who is solid rippling muscle, so getting any other breed will take some getting used to. She is not a squishy dog at all....she is as solid as a rock. This new guy is going to feel a lot different. I can't wait to meet him tomorrow.

[CAjerseychick]

Nah I agree completely! 2000-25000k is "high end" in my book-- the "?" was that the pup I saw did not look well built at all (although I do like you prefer a stockier dog, with solid muscles, however I have seen some excellent built Malanois despite their lean builds).... So I think it does depend who you buy/ import from...
Very excited to hear of your pup's progress.....Keep us updated, and more pics!!!

[BarbadosSheep]

This pup came home with me. He is wonderful!! He is affectionate, inquisitive and fearless. I could not have been more pleased. I'll update with some photos soon.