If you are considering owning a German Shepherd, there a several things to consider. This breed is NOT easy!
Are you a suitable owner?
This breed needs a calm, confident, understanding, consistent and astute owner. If you are of a nervous, anxious or worried disposition, you will struggle with this breed and you will have an anxious dog, which may develop behavioural issues. A new study, published recently in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, has concluded that canines pick up on and absorb the fretfulness of their owners, and that's what fuels anxiety-related behavior problems among dogs. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and you will need to be calm and consistent at all times, plus be one step ahead! You need to have plenty of time to take the new pup out and about so the dog grows to be a well adjusted and well trained adult, so if you work full time, this is not the breed for you.
Do you have the right environment for a German Shepherd?
You will need a totally secure fenced garden, as a pup will wriggle through the smallest gap and an adult can jump! The house and garden must be free from hazards, such as electric wires, cupboards which may house toxic substances which a pup can open, poisonous plants, swimming pools etc. Slippery laminate floors can cause permanent injury to a growing, gangly pup.
Do you have young children?
NEVER buy a puppy for the children. The decision to take on any dog must be because the adults in the family want one and are prepared to do all the work. Puppies and dogs are not playthings. GSD puppies in particular have a high play drive and like to chase and bite! They are not particularly 'cuddly'; they are a working breed and need to use their brain and be kept occupied. So frequently, the children will undo all your hard work at training the puppy, as they don't understand the need for consistency. As a consequence, many dogs end up being rehomed.
Do you have the funds?
Not only is there the initial outlay to buy a puppy, which is on average around £1500-£2000 for a puppy from an experienced and reputable breeder, KC registered with fully health tested parents. Some breeders charge more, but unless there is good reason for an inflated price (such as an older pup which has achieved wins in the showring or has received satisfactory health scores) you should be able to find a puppy within the above guidelines. Sadly, some breeders are just plain greedy!
On top of this is all the equipment required (food, bowls, bedding, crate, collars, leads, toys, suitable equipment for car travel etc) veterinary fees (which are rising at over 10% annually) and insurance (around £50+ per month!), Dog training fees. The list goes on....
How do I find a puppy from a good breeder?
The price does not necessarily reflect the experience or reputation of the breeder or the quality of the puppy. Straight backs are not linked to health and longevity. It is worth knowing that the show stance of the German Shepherd will cause the back to appear to slope. The back will not take on this apearance when the dog is relaxed and standing four square. Also, if the colour is advertised as“rare” it is probably not a recognised GSD colour and, as such, is not worth more money. So, beware of the breeder who advertises using the words 'straight backs' and 'rare colours' as many unscrupulous breeders sell on the strength of these words and often at inflated prices. The acceptable colours are Black and Gold or Tan, Black, Sable (Grey, dark or gold) and Bicolour. Unacceptable colours are White, Blue, Liver, Isabella and Panda. Reputable breeders DO NOT breed from these colours or aim to produce unacceptable colours.
There are hundreds of puppies advertised on the numerous free sites. HOWEVER, you are unlikely to find a long standing reputable breeder advertising on these sites.
Other sites where puppies are advertised are Champdogs, which do have a good code of ethics and relevant health tests of parents (good or bad) will be displayed.
The Kennel Club also has a list of puppies for sale. The list highlights assured breeders, where relevant health tests must be done. Non assured breeders do not have to do any health tests. However, there is no limit on whether these health tests are good, which does rather defeat the whole object. It is really a case of the puppy buyer doing their homework.
Most longstanding reputable breeders will have a waiting list, so this is the first place to look if you are prepared to wait for a puppy. A reputable breeder will ask you questions and want to meet you, often before a litter is even due, so they can be assured their puppy will be going to the right home. Beware of any breeder who seems keen to sell you a puppy without asking any questions, or one who is asking for a deposit before meeting you or before a puppy is actually born and available.
A good breeder will have no need to try and sell you a puppy or even take a deposit. You will have to convince this breeder that you are able to provide a satisfactory home for their puppy!
Many breeders will have a website. Beware of impressive sites which make false claims about the breeding dogs they use or the puppies they produce, but actually provide little actual information. The information should be factual and to the point. The dogs should be listed by their Kennel Club registered name, with their relevant health test results. Potential owners can check these details (Hips, Elbows, DM and other DNA tests) on the Kennel Club website.
SO IN SHORT
Both parent must have a confident and friendly temperament.
Both parents must be Kennel Club registered and the breeder should make the parents names available. Reputable breeders do not breed from, or produce puppies which are not Kennel Club registered.
Both parents must be Hip and Elbow scored.
The lower the hip score, the better. A total score in single figures or low teens is ideal and preferably an even score. For example a hip score of 5:5=10 is better than a score of 2:8=10.
Elbows should ideally be 0:0 and certainly no more than 0:1 or 1:0.
One parent must test clear for DM.
Many breeders also test for DM (Degenerative Myelopathy) and one parent must be tested clear for the SOD1 gene. Unfortunately, a dog which tests clear for the DM gene may still develop symptoms of DM in old age, as there are other conditions which have the same symptoms, which is in fact, not DM caused by the SOD1 Gene.
Beware of a breeder who is selling puppies at an inflated price on the strength of clear DM tests. They cannot guarantee that your puppy will not have symptoms of DM in later life.
Sires must be tested clear for Haemophilia A.
Assuming all the above is in order, you might then like to visit the breeder.
You must feel able to ask questions before and after buying the puppy.
You must meet mum and see her with her puppies when the puppies are old enough to interact with you. Many breeders won't allow you to handle the puppies before around 4 weeks. Mum should not be nervous or aggressive.
Puppies must be friendly, clean, well covered and not smelly. They should be reared in a home environment or at the very least, have access to it.
The puppies must be wormed twice before sale, which must be documented.
They must also be microchipped and this is a legal requirement.
In addition, the puppies should come with a comprehensive information pack covering immediate and future care, training etc, plus details of parents and other documents and a receipt for the puppy.
The pups should be vet checked prior to sale and insured for 4 weeks.
The breeder should also require you to sign a contract, stating all details relating to the puppy, breeder and buyer. It should also cover eventualities, especially what happens to the puppy (or dog) if the owner can no longer keep him or her.
All reputable breeders care about the puppies they breed for the whole of their lives. There are plenty of 'Puppy Producers' but good reputable breeders are few and far between.
