The GSD will likely be from Leerburg Kennels. They're pricey (~$1800) but not exorbitant like many other breeders.
I've done a lot of internet research on breeders and I want a pet that will absorb some protection training. I strongly advise anybody considering ANY dog (but especially a GSD) to check out Ed Frawley's website
Leerburg Kennels. He owns Leerburg Kennels and has TONS of information on raising/training a puppy and dog on his site. The guy has reared more than 300 litters of GSDs, has been a dog trainer for 30 years, has used dogs in law enforcement for about that amount of time, has competed in schutzhund and works with Bernhard Flinks. He's pretty freaking credentialed in what he does. And he answers each of the 50+ emails he gets a day.
I purchased a few of his videos and they're very very well done (though the production quality is not quite Hollywood).
Of course, if anybody's got other German Shepherd breeders/recommendations, I'm willing to listen.
JP
EDIT - what sold me on GSDs was a friend who lived in Lesotho. He owned a GSD that had been trained by the South African prison system, and this dog could get through/in/out/over anything. Not only was it remarkably bright and obedient, but when it was thirsty, it leaned against the counter in the sink and turned the water on (a lever-type faucet); and when it was done it turned the water OFF. Instead of knobs on the interior doors, the guy had handles, and the dog would open the doors, enter the room and then close the door behind it. If you're patient and learn how to teach dogs, you can teach Shepherds just about anything.