Kraftwerk K9 Rochester Washington Kraftwerk K9, animal abuse Rochester, Washington

To Anyone Interested in Buying a German Shepherd Dog (GSD):

Disclaimer- The author of this response has been involved in showing GSD's in the German-style conformation ring for 25 years, and has spent an equal amount of years training German-line show line GSD's in the sport of Schutzhund (all the time an "amateur"), in a SchH club that trains dogs from an early age employing training techniques using praise and high-value food treats for learning results, not old-school compulsion.

In buying a pure-bred dog from a breeder, no one should take delivery of a dog until they have done considerable research on the breed (especially the GSD), and the breeder. In relation to the GSD specifically, there are three variations of breedings current available in the United States, namely: 1) American show lines; 2) German-line show lines; 3) German-line working lines.

Concerning #1, breeders of American show lines in this country have ruined the GSD. Avoid these dogs entirely!

Breeders of GSD type #2 are currently breeding dogs that have super intense working drive, and in some cases without concern for the physical makeup of the offspring. Some of these dogs may not be good house pets, and the people who buy/train these dogs often house them in runs and adjoining kennels. They are taken out of the run only for training and conditioning. As adults for sale, these dogs may or may not have adequate training, but definitely should not be placed in homes where the owner has inadequate experience in dog training, and no involvement in Schutzhund.

Some current breeders of GSD type #3 breed more for conformation (physical characteristics) and not so much for working ability and potential. Naive buyers of German-line show line puppies often find out and get interested in Schutzhund before buying a puppy and go out and purchase indiscriminately, or they go out and buy an adorable puppy (show-line GSD's are for the most part adorable) and subsequently get interested in Schutzhund. In each case, such owners often wind up with dogs that show little in-born DNA related talent for success in the sport. Puppies can be tested for focus and working drive, but unfortunately many people do not know how to conduct such a test, or they buy from a distant breeder who ships any random puppy to the buyer. Confomation potential cannot be conclusively evaluated in a puppy, but working potential can.

Mr. Dubin may or may not have dog training expertise, but he should not have taken an adult dog sight unseen into his home without first ascertaining in-person what the dog was all about. If he had $6500 to purchase the dog, then he should have flown to Seattle to check the dog out. And again, buying working line dogs can be a problem for people without training experience, and even people with some training experience. People new to dog ownership should not buy puppies where there is only a 72 hour return policy, or where a health guarantee is not offered for at least a year. Testicles in a male, droopy ears, hip and elbow dysplasia, etc., should all be addressed in the guarantee.

The online testimony concerning Mr. Curry, his kennel environment, his breeding stock, employee status, death rate of puppies, etc., etc., bodes very negatively for him. He probably did not start out this way in the beginning. I think his early training DVD's are quite acceptable. The problem with professional breeders ("professional"=a service for money) is that breeding, plus boarding, plus training for hire is their only source of income. From this income they have to pay all their bills, which can be considerable, and more than the average person takes upon themselves. This is why breeders must be chosen very carefully, and their puppies/dogs even more so. Let the buyer beware!!!

To Mr Dubin I say the following:

If you can afford to pay thousands of dollars for a highly trained "protection dog" then you should have gotten onto a jet bound for Washington to see the future addition to your family in person.  
Instead, you acted as if she was a pair of shoes you were buying over the internet and seemed to forget that she is a living, breathing GSD.  

You had a DUTY, not only to yourself and your family, but also to Emmi (whose blood lines and training you should have researched extensively prior to buying her) to make certain she was a "match" for your family.  

You should have done your homework and fully known the capabilities of a highly trained Schutzhund dog prior to purchasing one; you had an OBLIGATION to make certain that you possessed the skills necessary to control it.  When you signed the contract to buy Emmi you made a COMMITMENT to her.  

I fail to understand how you could have brought her into your home without first meeting her in person and assessing her temperament.  She should have been given the opportunity to be the loving, protective addition to your family she was meant to be.

Shame on you Mr. Dubin for your negligent and heartless actions with regard to Emmi.  The entire ordeal must have been incredibly difficult for her.  I am personally happy to know that she is back with Kraftwerk K9, where she will be cared for as she deserves.  Hopefully she will eventually find her way to a wonderful home.

I have bought 2 GSD from Wayne and both are very nice dogs. The thing is when you buy an adult dog that is trained and you know nothing about what you have or what to do its on you. These dogs that are trained are like sports cars, you should of found a trainer that was in your area and worked with the dog she was in a new place and is just placing herself in the pack. Working with her and letting her know where she is in the pack would of helped, As for blasting Wayne Curry is wrong he is very well known in the GSD world and would never let a dog go that would hurt someone. Next time you buy a sports car learn how to drive it first.

A short time later, Mr. Curry said, Continental followed with an e-mail confirming cancellation of the booking for Emmi. But unbeknown to Mr. Curry, Mr. Dubin rebooked Emmis transportation and somehow persuaded Continental officials to ship Emmi the roughly 3,000 miles.

You should be disgusted with Mr. Dubin-he's the one who booked a flight KNOWING that no one was going to meet the dog in Washington.  This is stated in the article you posted.  What part of "But unbeknown to Mr. Curry, Mr. Dubin rebooked Emmis transportation and somehow persuaded Continental officials to ship Emmi the roughly 3,000 miles" don't you understand? 

The dog was sold-Mr. Dubin is the owner and bears the responsibility to make proper arrangements to return the dog, including to ensure someone will pick up the dog.  I understand that the entire purchase of the dog is now disputed, but that doesn't mean that Mr. Dubin should just send the dog off.

You're angry at the wrong party.  Oh, and NO I don't work for them.