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Choosing Your New German Shepherd

Deciding to add a German Shepherd to your family can be a life-altering decision.

Sometimes it seems there are as many places to get a German Shepherd as there

are dogs! This guide is designed to help you as you choose your new family member.

By Sarah Filipiak

Table of ContentsDo I Want a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy? 2Pet Store Puppies 4 What the pet stores tell you 4 Finding a reputable pet store 4 Adopting from a pet store 5How To Find A Responsible German Shepherd Breeder 6 Questions you should ask a German Shepherd breeder 6 Where to find breeders 8 What’s involved in breeding German Shepherds? 8 The German Shepherd breed standard 9 Hip screening for GSDs 9Adopting A German Shepherd From A Shelter Or Rescue 10 Where do the dogs in rescue come from? 10 What should you ask the German Shepherd rescue? 12 Shelter adoptions 12Additional resources 13Appendix: What does a good puppy contract include? 15

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Shepherd: Companionship? A jogging partner? A playmate for the kids? A watchdog? How much grooming do you want to do? How much space do you have in your house? Do you have a fenced-in yard? Cats or small animals? Once you’ve narrowed down the pos-sibilities according to lifestyle, ask yourself this question: Do I need a purebred? Or will a mixed breed dog meet my needs? If not: Do I need a puppy? Or will an adoles-cent or adult dog meet my needs?

The benefits of a mixed breed dog are numerous. Besides the lower intial cost, there are millions to choose from, and you’ll have a one-of-a-kind dog!

Read about the benefits of adopting a German Shepherd.

A purebred German Shepherd puppy is a major purchase — you owe it to yourself and the dogs to find the right breeder. Nobody but you (and the puppy) pays the price for a poor deci-sion. The unethical breeder has already pocketed your hard-earned money! Meanwhile, you’re stuck with a German Shepherd with health or temperament problems that could end up cost-ing you much more, financially and emotionally, than your intital investment.

Be prepared to wait for a pure-bred puppy, as well. Good German Shepherd breeders rarely, if ever, have puppies available at the time you contact them. Even if they do have puppies, these often will be spoken for, as responsible breeders ask for paid deposits and keep a waiting list.

Whether you decide on a pure-bred or mixed breed, take your time and be judicious about the temperament of the dog you choose. A careful decision can make or break that lifelong committment.

And what about the client who needed advice? The family decided to adopt a mixed breed puppy from a reputable rescue group instead — and the pup is an agility whiz!

A German Shepherd mix often has many of the same wonderful qualities as its purebred cousin.

Do I Want a Purebred German Shepherd Puppy?Think carefully before choosing a purebred puppy as your next pet.

A dog training client called to ask for advice on find-ing a German Shepherd

puppy. The family had researched breeds and decided on a German Shepherd, with which they could compete in agility and that matched their space, exercise and grooming requirements.

She had made calls to some repu-table German Shepherd breeders, but was getting frustrated. There were only two breeders within driving distance, and the soonest either of them would have pup-pies was October (it was June).

So they contacted a breeder they found nearby. “She has five of the most adorable puppies,” the cli-ent told me. “Both parents are AKC-registered. She doesn’t do hip certification or health testing, but the bitch and dog have never had health problems, recently passed vet checks and have nice temperaments.

“We’d like to buy one — the pups

are considerably cheaper than the prices the other breeders quoted. But, my sister breeds and shows dogs, and she disagrees with me on this. What should we do?”

“I would absolutely not purchase a puppy from this breeder,” I said.

My client sighed. “I was afraid you were going to say that.”

Once you’ve decided to add a German Shepherd to your life, you begin to realize they are available everywhere... Newspaper ads, on the Internet, at the pet store, off the street, at the local shelter or from a rescue group, your neigh-bors, relatives or friends — the possibilities are endless. So why does it matter which you choose, as long as you get a puppy you like?

Sadly, when it comes to dog stew-ardship in this country — espe-cially purebred dogs — we are failing miserably. People think nothing of purchasing, adopting or taking in a puppy and then giv-ing it up as inconveniences arise. Before making the decision to get a dog, mixed or purebred, be aware of the millions of animals killed in shelters each year for lack of forethought.

The foremost thing to consider is what you want from a German

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tions” to the public whose prac-tices are still deplorable.

Beware any “adoption”-type pro-gram from stores selling pure-bred puppies. Ask to see the store’s spay/neuter requirement and health guarantee. The health guarantee for puppies for adop-tion (usually from nearby shel-ters, individuals or rescue groups) should offer a full monetary refund should the puppy become sick with a highly contagious disease (parvo, distemper, etc.) within two weeks, and a minimum 72-hour guarantee on all other diseases or disorders. The spay/neuter requirement should be just that — a requirement, not a voucher or partial refund once the surgery is completed. The signed contract should state what will happen in the event the puppy is not spayed or neutered by the date indicated.

But I feel sorry for the German Shepherd puppies in store windows — won’t I be helping to save one?Anytime you buy a puppy from a pet store — whether to “save” it or not — loudly and clearly, you’ve told pet store owners and puppy mills that you support their busi-ness. And each puppy that leaves the store creates a space for the

puppy mill to fill. If you want to save a German Shepherd, go to your local shelter.

Adopt a German Shepherd puppy if the pet store...Does not sell purebred puppies • or kittens.Requires an adoption application • be filled out before you adopt.Asks you to speak with an adop-• tion counselor, who asks about your lifestyle, home, children and other pets.Requires via written contract that • the animal be spayed or neu-tered, if it isn’t alreadyHas an adoption team visit your • home before the adoption is completedPresents you with a written • health guarantee.

Avoid German Shepherd adoptions if the store...Sells purebred puppies or • kittens.Doesn’t insist you sign a writ-• ten contract saying you will spay or neuter your new pet, if it isn’t already. Vouchers toward the cost of the surgery, if offered, are convenient for the new pet owner, but do nothing to ensure this particular animal will not produce unwanted litters.Offers no refund (only puppy • exchange) if the German Shepherd puppy you adopt becomes ill and dies.

Pet Store Puppies

You may have heard that a pet store is one of the worst places you can purchase a

puppy or kitten. “But why?” you may ask. “The one in my town is always clean, the puppies seem happy and the clerks are caring and helpful.”

Or, you’ll recall, “I purchased a puppy from a pet store and every-thing was fine. Nothing ever went wrong.” If that’s the case, consider yourself very lucky.

Almost all German Shepherd pup-pies sold in pet stores come from puppy mills. This is not informa-tion that pet store clerks or own-ers will readily share with you.

What the pet stores tell youA common ploy of pet store employees is to tell customers that all their German Shepherd puppies “come from local breed-ers.” While a few might, the majority of puppies are shipped to the store on crowded, unsanitary trucks, usually from puppy mills in the Midwest.

When an employee tells you about “local breeders,” ask to see the puppy’s registration papers, which list the breeder and broker names. The broker is who the store pur-

chased the puppies from, and who transported the puppies. Puppy mills will be listed under the breeder’s name.

Even if the pups do come from local breeders, it means you are purchasing a puppy from a breeder who cares so little about her puppies as to sell them to anyone with cash, sight unseen. This “local breeder” also has no consideration for the physical or mental health of her pups, forced to live 20-24 hours a day in a cage. Puppies pass through their critical socialization periods with-out normal household interaction. The pups eat and sleep where they eliminate, making house training nearly impossible for the new owner. NO RESPONSIBLE GERMAN SHEPHERD BREEDER WILL EVER SELL A PUPPY TO A PET STORE. PERIOD.

Read about Pet Store Tactics.

Finding a reputable pet storeThe truth is, a pet store that cares for the well-being of your new puppy is one that does not sell puppies or kittens! Some pet sup-ply retailers, such as PetSmart, help shelters and rescue groups by showcasing animals for adop-tion (not for sale) through their stores. However, there are some pet stores also offering “adop-

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sometimes surprised to find a health problem that has cropped up in their lines; that’s why they test their dogs for health prob-lems before they are bred. In this way, they can avoid passing on serious genetic defects to the next generation -– and its owners. Any German Shepherd breeder who tells you she’s never had a health problem in her lines is either lying or has not bothered to follow up with her puppy owners. Run, don’t walk, in the opposite direction!

Do your dogs live in the house?Breeders who only keep their dogs outside in kennels, and not in the home as part of the fam-ily, should be avoided. First, this breeder doesn’t really know his or her animals — they aren’t living in the house, so this breeder has no idea what they’re like in a family setting. Second, breeding facili-ties with huge numbers of animals living in outdoor kennels usually mean the breeder is interested in only one thing — money.

Where are the puppies raised?Puppies should be raised in the house, under-foot, so they receive maximum socialization and handling. Be very wary of the breeder who rears her puppies in the backyard, or in a part of

the house isolated from normal activity. When can I take my German Shepherd puppy home?Puppies are ready to go to their new homes between 7 and 12 weeks, depending on breed and breeder preference. Any puppy younger than 7 weeks is going home too early — the puppy still needs time with its littermates to learn how to be a dog! Can you explain the puppy’s pedigree?A good German Shepherd breeder will know enough about the dogs on your puppy’s pedigree to tell you something about them. He or she can explain any titles earned (letters before or after the dog’s name) and should provide you with a pedigree going back at least four generations.

What is your health guarantee?Without a written health guarantee (usually part of the breeder’s con-tract), you are basically throwing your money away. Good breeders will refund your money if a health problem arises from the breeding — i.e., hereditary disorders such as hip dysplasia, Von Wildebrand’s disease, blindness and more.

Can I visit your kennel?Nothing replaces the assurance

(Continued on page 8)

Left: German Shepherd puppies are cute, but a dedicated breeder knows how much work they are!

How To Find A Responsible German Shepherd Breeder

A “dog breeder,” by defini-tion, is anyone who mates two dogs with the intention

of producing a litter of puppies. However, there is a gigantic spec-trum of ethics on which a breeder can fall. And the only puppy you should purchase is one from the ethical, responsible breeder.

Unfortunately, all breeders are NOT responsible breeders! Some people who sell puppies only want one thing — your hard-earned cash. Whether through greed or ignorance, they are content to send you home with a puppy who has life-threatening or life-alter-ing hereditary disorders, or seri-ous temperament issues. So, how do you go about finding a respon-sible breeder?

Questions you should ask a German Shepherd breederHow long have you been breeding German Shepherds?Avoid breeders who “switch breeds” every couple of years. Good breeders are devoted to their

German Shepherds, and many spend years studying and living with the breed. How many breeds do you have?Because of the time and expense involved in raising puppies prop-erly, most responsible German Shepherd breeders have only one breed. Occasionally a breeder will have two breeds, but any more than this is a red flag: Remember the lifetime of study involved in knowing even one breed. How many litters do you have each year?Anyone who breeds more than 1-3 litters a year is not careful about the health, both physical and mental, of her puppies. Each litter should be a huge investment of time, money and care. A good breeder will rarely have puppies available when you contact her. Expect to wait 3 to 6 months or more, and pay a deposit to be put on a waiting list. What genetic defects, diseases or disorders are present in the German Shepherd breed?Even the best of breeders are

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The German Shepherd breed standardThe German Shepherd Breed standard is a written descrip-tion of how a “perfect” German Shepherd looks, moves and acts. However, there are a few ver-sions of this standard. The first most U.S. residents think of is the American Kennel Club’s stan-dard. This is the standard used by breeders of North American conformation-style show dogs. Most breeders of working or European-style shepherds use the standard from the breed’s country of origin: Germany. The Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde,or SV, has slightly different requirements in its version of the standard, as well as strict guide-lines breeders must abide by before they can breed their dogs. This standard is published by the United Schutzhund Clubs of

America in the United States. The World Canine Federation, or FCI, uses the standard set forward by the SV.

Hip screening for GSDsAt minimum, the breeder should screen all of her breeding stock for hip dysplasia, a debilitat-ing, inherited orthopedic disease common to German Shepherds. The primary certification orga-nization for hips and elbows is the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Breeders who use the OFA’s or another organiza-tion’s hip-screening test (such as PennHip) should be able to pro-duce paper certificates declaring their dogs free of disease.

Never purchase a puppy from a breeder without a written contract guaranteeing your new puppy’s health. (See “What does a good puppy contract include?”)

The German Shepherd WorldwideThe German Shepherd is a popular breed all over the word; however, the breed standard can vary depending on the registry the breeder is using. Below are GSD breed standards across the world.

(Note: You will need internet access to view them)

American Kennel Club »United Kennel Club »United Schutzhund Clubs of America »Canadian Kennel Club »Kennel Club (U.K » )

of visiting a breeder and her dogs in person. If the breeder is hesi-tant or refuses to let you visit her operation, for any reason, go elsewhere.

Where to find breedersThe Internet can offer a wealth of information when searching for a puppy. But proceed with cau-tion. Anyone can set up a web site and call herself a reputable breeder. The proof is in how the breeder handles inquires — does the breeder want to know more about you, your lifestyle and what kind of dog you’re interested in? Or does she simply offer what-ever puppies are available at the moment? Does the breeder encourage visitors and phone calls? Beware of any breeder who deals solely through use of the Internet; you can guarantee these are brokers, not respon-sible breeders. The simplest way to verify a breeder’s intentions is to visit the breeder and meet her dogs. Are the dogs healthy and clean? Are they kept primar-ily indoors? Though they may bark at first, do they happily allow you to pet and play with them? If not, look elsewhere.

What’s involved in breeding?Breeding purebred dogs, when done properly, involves much

more than finding a male and female of the same breed and mating them. The process is a time-consuming and detailed one, with an eye ever toward improving health, conformation and tem-perament. Your breeder will spend roughly $2,500 or more1 to whelp the litter — and this does not include the cost of purchasing, maintaining and showing a breed-ing-quality bitch, not to men-tion the time and effort required to raise a litter of puppies! Most breeders use what money they do earn to fund the next litter — very few, if any, are making a substan-tial income.

For most breeders, selling pup-pies amounts to far more than a simple business transaction. Good breeders are concerned for the welfare of their pups, beginning the day the puppies are born and continuing throughout their entire lives. As a result, most breed-ers are careful about the kinds of homes their puppies go to — and rightly so.

1 Based on an informal Internet survey of breeders in 2002.

Happy, stable adult GSDs start with a great breeder.

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guarantee the health of the dog for at least 72 hours (enough time to visit your vet for a check-up); and should contain a spay/neuter requirement. Other provisions might include where the dog will be housed; identification, transport and confinement procedures; and a release from liability. Be sure to read the contract carefully and ask if you have questions about a particular item. Most con-tracts state that if broken, the rescue group has the right to ask you to return the dog.

An interview.• This can range from something as basic as a telephone question-and-an-swer session to an in-home, sit-down discussion with the entire family. Rescuers want to know if you are able to care for the dog for its lifetime, and whether you will provide a humane and safe home for the dog. The interview will include questions about your home, family, lifestyle, travel arrange-ments, current pets, past pets and plans for the adoptive pet.

Spay/nueter requirement.• No reputable rescue group will place one of its animals in a home without a requirement that the pet will be spayed or neutered. Ideally, the dog will be altered before being offered

for adoption; but if not, a writ-ten guarantee that the new adopter will have the surgery done is a must.

An adoption fee.• This will vary from rescue to rescue, and is usually more expensive for purebred dogs. Rarely does a rescue recoup expenses on an adoption fee, especially if the dog has had more medical care than a vet check-up and one set of shots.

A home visit.• Don’t be put off by the prospect of a home visit; rescuers usually aren’t visit-ing to see how clean your home is! The purpose of the visit is to ensure you are prepared to care for the dog and to help you spot any potential prob-lems the dog could encounter in your home. This also weeds out those potential adopters who stretch the truth on adop-tion applications. Some rescues bring along the prospective adoptee for these visits. Not all breed rescues will have the time and resources available to conduct a home visit, especially in cases where distance is an issue. In that case, the rescue should at least ask for:

References.• Typically, rescues want to talk to your veterinarian,

(Continued on page 12)

Adopting A German Shepherd From A Shelter Or Rescue

Purebred rescue groups are an excellent place to begin your search for a German

Shepherd. Many German Shepherd rescues are run by a group of fanciers (or even an individ-ual) devoted to the welfare of a German Shepherds, who can pro-vide you with detailed information about whether this is the type of dog for you.

Web sites devoted to featuring rescue and shelter dogs include Petfinder.com and Pets911.com. You can use the sites’ search engines to look for dogs by breed or breed mix, age, size, sex and location.

The American Kennel Club web site also has a listing of breed rescuers by region on its web site. Where do the dogs in rescue come from?Most German Shepherds who end up in rescue come from the shel-ter, as rescuers try to make the most of their resources for dogs whose time is running out. Most of those are turned over to the shelter by their owners — and

the reasons are legion. Often an irresponsible breeder will turn over the puppies, now grown, they weren’t able to place into homes. Or a well-meaning person may have purchased a German Shepehrd puppy without under-standing the needs of that dog as an adult.

Be aware, however, that there is no regulation by the state or local government of the rescue indus-try. Nor are there standards by which rescuers adopt out dogs — sick or healthy, dirty or clean, severe behavior problems or easygoing, aggressive or sweet-tempered; any of these dogs are adopted out by rescuers on a regular basis. Check out as many purebred rescues as possible and ask about their adoption proce-dures and which dogs they deem “adoptable.”

What should I look for before adopting a German Shepherd from breed rescue?

A contract. • All responsible German Shepherd rescues, for legal and ethical reasons, will ask you to sign a written contract. The contract should indicate that if you can no lon-ger keep the dog at any time, for any reason, the dog will be returned to the rescue group;

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Shepherd, either a puppy or an adult. In addition, shelters are full of terrific adolescent or adult dogs, all waiting for homes. And according to the Humane Society of the United States, as many as 25 percent of all animals in shelters are purebred. Petfinder.com has a searchable database of dogs in shelters all over the nation.

Adopting a German Shepherd from a shelter requires as much research and forethought as pur-chasing a puppy. If you begin your search for a shelter puppy, don’t be discouraged by not find-ing what you’re looking for right away. Often it is helpful to call several shelters and ask them to call you if a dog you may be interested in comes through.

Get as much history on the dog as possible. Often, shelter work-ers know very little about a dog brought in as a stray. However, be sure to ask if the dog has any history of biting or aggres-sion. And if the dog was an owner turn-in, try to find out the own-er’s reason for taking the dog to the shelter, as well as what the shelter knows about the previous owner’s lifestyle.

If a shelter worker tells you a dog is available for adoption, but is not good with kids, ask yourself

why the shelter is adopting the dog out. Even the most isolated home will have children visit-ing on occasion. The same goes for a dog who shows aggres-sion towards humans over food or toys — will we ever eliminate the things the dog finds valuable

Additional resourcesThe following are resources for choosing and training your new German Shepherd.

Books“The Essential German Shepherd Dog,” »Ian Dunbar

“The German Shepherd Today,” »Winifred Gibson Strickland

“Successful Dog Adoptions,” »Sue Sternberg

“Positive Puppy Training Works,” Joel »Walton

“The Culture Clash,” Jean Donaldson »

DVDs“Sirius Puppy Training,” Ian Dunba » r

“Clicker Magic,” Karen Pryo » r

Web siteswww.germanshepherdcentral.ne » t

www.germanshepherds.co » m

www.gsdca.or » g

www.clickertraining.com »

www.petfinder.com »

www.dogstardaily.co » m

groomer, pet sitter, dog trainer or other pet professional to find out what kind of care you have pro-vided for past pets.

What should you ask the German Shepherd rescue?

Dog’s history.• Find out as much about the dog’s his-tory as you possibly can; this can help you prepare for life with the dog and any behavior problems you might encoun-ter. Don’t assume or take a rescuer’s word for it that a dog was abused — unless you or they witnessed an inci-dent or have court records to prove it. Many undersocialized German Shepherds (dogs who have never left the back yard, for example) are simply shy around strangers, especially men. And many dogs who have suffered real abuse (beatings, broken bones, burns, et cetera) remain sweet and outgoing.

Aggression. • Has the dog ever shown aggression to a human? To other dogs? If so, get as detailed description as pos-sible of what happened. Red flags include aggressive dis-plays toward humans over food or toys; fights with other dogs resulting in damage to the other dog; and bites to humans in any form. Before

adopting a dog with aggres-sion problems, ask yourself this question: Is this a dog you would want your next-door neighbors to own?

Full disclosure.• Don’t let this detail slip by the wayside. Ask the rescuer whether the dog has ever bitten a human, regardless of whether the bite broke skin. Any previous bite could be a potential liability for you and the rescue.

Shelter adoptionsAnimal shelters can be wonder-ful places to obtain a German

German Shepherds often end up in rescue because their original owners were under-prepared for dog ownership.

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When in doubt about a par-ticular dog’s behavior, consult a professional animal behavior consultant.

Success with your adopted German ShepherdExpect the shelter or rescue group you adopt your German Shepherd from to offer advice on acclimating the dog to its new home, as well as recommend resources such as classes, books or videos you can use to further

your education. Your new friend is counting on you to be informed and prepared before bringing him or her home!

The “Resources” section of this booklet provides a selection of materials you may find help-ful; or ask your veterinarian, pet supply store employee or board-ing kennel operator to recom-mend a qualified trainer. You can also search online at iaabc.org or apdt.com for a trainer or behavior consultant near you.

Appendix: What does a good puppy contract include?

A puppy contract is a must for anyone purchasing a purebred German Shepherd puppy from a breeder. The contract outlines the breeder’s expectations for how the dog will be kept, as well as protecting both the breeder and buyer in the unfortunate event that something goes wrong.

Good puppy contracts list the breeder’s contact information; the puppy’s identifying details (including microchip or tattoo number) and purchase price; whether full or limited registration is available for the puppy; and whether the puppy is intended as a pet, or for breeding and show. In addition, never purchase a puppy from a breeder without a contract specifying the following:

That the breeder will take the puppy back, at any point in the dog’s life, »should you no longer be able to care for him or her.If the puppy is sold as a pet, that it be spayed or neutered. »A health guarantee of at least two years following the puppy’s purchase, and »whether the breeder will replace the puppy or refund the buyer should the puppy have an inherited health defect.

Ethical German Shepherd breeders may also include stipulations about where the dog may be housed and what kind of veterinary attention is required throughout the dog’s lifetime, or similar details. If you have any questions about what is listed in the contract, ask the breeder before you sign!

from our homes and environ-ment? Don’t risk injury or heart-ache over a particular dog while there are hundreds more without these problems, waiting to die.

Should I invite a trainer along when choosing a German Shepherd from a shelter?If you have a relationship with a dog trainer or behavior profes-sional whom you trust, asking them to accompany you when looking at a potential dog or puppy from a shelter or rescue is a good idea. If you choose this route, however, be prepared to walk away from the dog and take a few days to discuss your trainer’s observa-tions before making a decision. A shelter or rescue group that discourages you from having a professional evaluate the dog you intend to adopt probably doesn’t have the dog’s best interests in mind, and certainly isn’t looking out for yours!

What traits should I look for when choosing a German Shepherd from a shelter or rescue?Your first priority when obtain-ing any dog, especially a German

Shepherd, from a shelter or res-cue, is to find a dog who is safe to live with and handle.

Along with asking the shelter staff or rescue volunteer about their experience with the dog, make some observations of your own.

Does the dog seek out and enjoy the attention of people? If the dog barks at you intially, does it quickly settle and allow you to pet it or play a game of ball? Are you comfortable handling the dog without the assistance of the shelter or rescue worker? Is the dog pleased to interact with all people, including men and small children?

If the answer to any of the above is “no,” look for a different dog! Beware the German Shepherd that takes a long time to “warm up” to people, barks threateningly for an extended period of time, or who growls at you or others. These dogs typically have behavior issues that will require long-term (and expensive!) professional intervention.

The German Shepherd you choose should be an outgoing, stable, happy dog who is interested in and friendly towards people without acting overly excited or hyper.