Monday, March 25, 2024
HomeMust ReadWhat To Look For When Buying German Shepherd Puppy

What To Look For When Buying German Shepherd Puppy

How Do You Puppy Proof For German Shepherds

5 Things to Know Before Getting a German Shepherd!

German Shepherds are naturally active and tend to explore the world with their mouths, especially during their adolescent period.; So, before you can bring your new puppy home, there are a few things you can do to puppy-proof your house:

  • Cover electrical cords with cable wraps or PVC pipes.
  • Buy a new laundry basket that has a lid, no holes, and is tall.
  • Make sure both your kitchen and bathroom trash cans have lids. Your new puppy will dig around for anything to bite, like chicken bones, diapers, used hygienic products, or even a disposable razor. If possible, you should buy new trash cans that only open when a button is pressed.
  • Store all the chemicals in secured cabinets or even better on high shelves. German Shepherd puppies have strong teeth and can open plastic containers by biting through even the toughest of plastic!
  • Put away any small items or toys that are small enough for your puppy to swallow. Think of small kid toys that could be dangerous for a curious puppy.
  • Find a safe spot for your shoes. Whether in a closed closet or in the laundry room behind a closed door.; I remember losing a pair of brand-new shoes because I forgot to put them away and Allie thought chewing them was a fun idea.

Cost Of Owning A German Shepherd Puppy

The cost of purchasing a German Shepherd puppy can vary, depending on the breeder and location.

You can get a feel for prices in different areas by visiting the AKCs and filtering by state or zip code.;

Some German Shepherd puppies in California, for example, are being sold for $3,000-$5,000. Others in Iowa are listed at $500-$1,500.

These are not rigid prices for these states, and every breeder will be different, but they give you some idea of what you can expect to pay.

If your search for a conscientious breeder took you far from home, you would want to factor in shipping costs as well.

Depending on how far away the breeder lives, shipping can add upwards of several hundred dollars to your total.

Lastly, once your pup is safe at home, you will need to feed him the high-quality food that he deserves, take him for regular visits to the vet, and spoil him with a toy or several toys.

In general, you can annually expect to pay in the low-thousands for puppy care.

For a better understanding of the costs associated with acquiring and raising a German Shepherd puppy, we have it all broken down for you in this excellent article linked below:

Bringing Your Puppy Home

  • Coming home: Encourage your new puppy to lie down and sleep to lessen the shock of the car ride.
  • The vet: Take him to the vet within 24 hours of bringing him home, even if he has passed a vet’s inspection at a shelter.
  • Potty training: When you get your puppy home, take him or her to the right place for dogs to relieve themselves. Praise the puppy highly when he goes in the right place. Keep using that place for toilet training and use verbal commands. Small puppies have small bladders. They will need to go outside to try and toilet every two hours until they are about six months old when they can start holding their bladders for seven hours. German Shepherd puppies usually walk in circles sniffing when they need to go. When a puppy has an accident, he is not trying to be bad. He often just can’t hold it. However, once they learn, it’s learned.
  • Getting spayed or neutered: You can help the training process along by getting the puppy spayed or neutered. Mentally, neutered dogs stay more like puppies and are more comfortable letting you make the big decisions. They also avoid a lot of health problems this way.

In time, with lots of patience, daily handling, and attention, your German Shepherd puppy will be a canine ambassador. Your friends, neighbors, and even total strangers will appreciate you for taking the time and responsibility to train your dog well.

Also Check: Can German Shepherds Eat Tomatoes

Look For Signs Of Abuse Or Neglect

Any sign of abuse or neglect must be considered; you want to know if you are bringing home a puppy that has been through trauma. Take a look at the breeder and at the location where the puppies have lived for the last few weeks. If there is something there that causes you any reason for concern, then it is best to look somewhere else.

German Shepherd Dogs Shed A Lot

German Shepherd Dog (GSD)

If youve done a bit of research about German Shepherds you may have heard that they are hypoallergenic or that they dont shed a lot.

Thats a myth!

Not only are GSDs not hypoallergenic, but they also tend to shed a lot! This breed sheds year-round and blows its undercoat twice a year, resulting in dog hair flying and sticking all-around your home.

That is unless youve taken the necessary precautions:

  • Regular brushing
  • Seasonal grooming
  • Raking of the undercoat before shedding season

Even if you take good care of your GSDs coat, however, you can still expect lots of dog hair flying around. So, its also smart to make sure that you clean your home and furniture regularly too!

You May Like: Is My German Shepherd Too Skinny

Other Ways To Find A Puppy

Other ways of finding German Shepherd Dogs to buy include:

Google Search for German Shepherd and Breeder Search

You can search Google for terms such as German Shepherd dogs for sale or German Shepherd breeders. Be cautious, however, with this method and follow the ethical breeder guidelines given earlier to assess the breeder or seller before making a purchase.;

Dog Blogs and Websites;

Outbound links that direct you to GSD breeders or puppies for sale on blogs and websites are also options. As with the Google search, here too, you need to evaluate the reliability of the linked breeder and the quality of the German Shepherd puppy using the ethical breeder guidelines.;

Consult Vets, Groomers, Trainers, and Owners

Veterinarians, groomers, and trainers are experts in their own right considering that they interact with German Shepherds on a day-to-day basis. They may also work for breeders and will, therefore, know which ones have high breeding standards.;

German Shepherd owners who have a positive experience buying their pet from a reliable breeder would also be dependable sources of information on where to buy a GSD.;

In all cases, ensure that there is no conflict of interest with people advocating for breeders on other factors rather than quality.

What Is The Best Age To Buy A German Shepherd Puppy

German Shepherds are oneof the most popular breeds of dog in the country. They are renowned for theirstrength, agility, and fierceness, as well as their ability to protect theirfamilies. If youre looking to adopt or purchase a German Shepherd puppy, youshould know the right age at which to take them home and make them part of yourfamily.

The best age to buy a German Shepherd puppy is aroundseven to eight weeks. This ensures that the pup is not taken from its mothertoo early, but still has enough time to integrate into being a part of yourfamily.

Its important to makesure that youre working with a reputable adoption agency or breeder that knowstheir local laws and restrictions for when puppies can be taken away from theirmothers. Read on for more tips on when the best age is to bring home your newGerman Shepherd pup.

Read Also: Best Age To Neuter A German Shepherd

Questions For You To Ask The Breeder:

  • How many different types of dogs do you raise? If its more than one breed, you should likely stay away.;
  • Can I meet the puppies parents? The breeder should allow you full access to the puppies parents.
  • Can you provide me with a pedigree of all of your puppies? A pedigree is essentially a family tree for your puppy. A good breeder should have a detailed pedigree for any dog they sell. Beware of any breeder that wants to charge for this or says that they will provide it at a later date.
  • Do you have references? They should provide you with several without thinking twice.
  • Do you guarantee your puppies health? All reputable breeders will offer this guarantee in the form of a written contract.
  • Do you breed your females more than once a year?;Female GSDs should not be bred more than one time per year. This allows for adequate recovery time and maintains good health.
  • Can you provide me with a detailed medical history for your puppies? Health screenings are essential for puppies, and a reputable breeder should be able to provide proof of these.
  • Can you explain any potential health issues for GSD which may come up later in life? A knowledgable breeder should be able to clearly explain conditions like hip dysplasia and other health issues more common in GSDs than other dogs.

If the answer to any of these questions comes up as unsatisfactory, move on. It is simply not worth the risk of pursuing the breeder any further.

Getting A German Shepherdpuppy

How To Prepare For A German Shepherd Puppy

Choosing to adopt or go through a breeder for your new German shepherd puppy is a personal choice that requires research. Thankfully, there are many resources out there to help you find a rescue or breeder that offers healthy, ethically-sourced German shepherd puppies.

Knowing what youre in for when you get a German shepherd puppy is an important step in being a responsible pet owner. Whether you find a responsible breeder or are planning on adopting, its up to you to be prepared for an energetic and friendly addition to your household.

Recommended Reading: German Shepherd Growth Chart

How Are You Rearing The Puppy

Its vital that a puppy is properly socialized during its first few weeks of life. Has the puppy been safely introduced to new things places to walk, things to smell and see and hear? Or has it been kept inside a kennel?

Early exposure to new things helps develop a pups confidence. You will want to know how its been brought up.

For a more comprehensive look into what it takes to properly socialize a German Shepherd, we have an excellent article for you linked below:

Consider A Large Number Of Health Issues

German shepherds are famous for their litany of health issues. On a range from more benign to life-threatening , shepherds seem to have them all. The breed even has predispositions to diseases that seem to occur exclusively within the purebred line Its heartbreaking, but its a reality if you want a shepherd. Find a good vet , and start taking measures to keep your shepherd trim and healthy.

Also Check: German Shepherd Dog Diapers

Beware The Land Sharks

German Shepherd Puppies have earned the moniker land shark for their mouthiness. It comes from somewhere deep in their herding heritage, I suppose, but these are very bitey puppies! For this reason, a GSD can be a trying breed with young children, who often become unwitting targets for playful biting. Start teaching your puppy right away that biting humans is inappropriate behavior and channel that mouthiness into heavy-duty chew toys and games that dont involve tasty human hands.

German Shepherd Puppy Health Issues You Can Check Yourself

Lennox â German Shepherd Puppy #sablegermanshepherd (With ...

This is one of the most critical sections of what to look for and know before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Health problems are common, but there are some things you can check, often in the company of the breeder whilst seeing the litter.

Whilst not all health issues will be obvious, there are some which have visible signs. Heres what you can check for easily:

  • Eye health: Eyes are very easy to check. Things to look for include cataracts which can be hereditary; look for cloudiness. Red eyes;and visible gunk or discharge is also a sign of ill health. Also look at the health of the mothers eyes.
  • Ear and nose health: Similarly, the ears and nose should be free of gunk, be free of nasty odors, and not have any discoloring such as redness or sores.
  • Coat health: German Shepherd puppies should have shiny and clean coats.
  • Recommended Reading: German Shepherd Hates Baths

    Selecting Your German Shepherd Puppy From A Litter

    You dont want to go home with just any German Shepherd puppy, although they all are adorable.; You want to select one that will be compatible with you and your family. Consider the following when picking a puppy from the litter:

    • Choose a puppy that is sociable around you and other puppies.
    • Pick a puppy that walks confidently with its head high and tail up and wagging.
    • Choose a puppy that has clear eyes, ears, and teeth, walks evenly, and appears clean. Basically, choose a puppy that looks healthy.
    • Look at the personalities of the puppies. If the pup doesnt play nice and bounces off the walls at the breeders, it is likely that will be how he acts once you get him home.
    • Choose a welcoming puppy that wants to greet you as opposed to one that retreats or appears shy.
    • Ask to interact with each puppy one by one after seeing them with their littermates. That way you can get a better sense of how the puppy responds to you without distractions.

    Many potential owners make the mistake of choosing the largest, loudest, or most rambunctious puppy in the litter, but that doesnt guarantee that this will be the best dog for you. If possible, visit the litter at least three times before making a final decision, this will allow you to determine the personalities of each of those little fluff balls, and see which would best fit into your family.

    Even Purebred German Shepherd Dogs Are Not As Healthy As Other Breeds And Require Extra Care

    The AKC describes German Shepherds as healthy dogs and thats true to an extent GSD are not the most sickly dog breed out there but theyre not as healthy as some other dog breeds either.

    The veterinary charity PDSA lists some of the most common health issues even properly-bred GSD dogs can experience:

    • Canine hip dysplasia
    • Thyroid disease
    • Bloating

    When we say common that doesnt mean that these issues happen very often of course just more often than the average for other dog breeds. So, while this is not a reason not to get a GSD, it is a reason to look for adequate breeders, to ask for health certificates, to take good care of your dog, and to go to routine vet check-ups.

    Don’t Miss: How Much Is A German Shepherd In The Philippines

    Consider The Price And Your Budget

    When you think of buying a German Shepherd, the buying price is one of the key aspects you should consider. Even if you found the best puppy from the best breeder, youll need to have the purchasing capacity to buy, or your search for the pet will end up futile.

    So, how deep will you need to dig into your pocket to bring your GSD puppy home?;What is the price of a German Shepherd?

    A German Shepherd puppy costs an average price of $2000. Puppies range in price from $800 to $6,000. Prices are determined by lineage, litter size, color, breeder qualifications, breeding costs, and location. Puppies with the highest prices are from a top pedigree or are show quality.

    My in-depth article, How Much is a German Shepherd? 21 Examples!, will give you more information and examples of how much youll have to spend to buy a German Shepherd.

    For example, if you buy a German Shepherd puppy using the earlier referred AKCs MARKETPLACE, you will pay $2,000 for a puppy from DenWolf German Shepherds in Denver, CO.

    If instead, you go by breeder websites from a Google search, you will find a wide range of price differences. For example, on the Good Dog breeders website, you will pay $2000 for a German Shepherd puppy from Austerlitz German Shepherds and between $3600 $6000 a puppy from Select Shepherds.

    Alternatively, if you decide to adopt from rescue centers, you will certainly pay a lot less.

    German Shepherds Need Training And Exercise

    THE CUTEST German Shepherd Puppies Ever!!

    German Shepherds arent the sort of dog breed that loves lying on the couch all the time. They are large in both size and activity. If they get bored then they are known to become loud and destructive.

    Training is a great activity to do with your German Shepherd. It not only helps to ensure they behave correctly but also keeps them entertained and can provide good exercise. Especially if you do training such as agility training.

    When thinking about training your German Shepherd to remember that police forces throughout the world use German Shepherds for a wide variety of tasks, which helps to show their flexibility to training.

    Wherever possible try to choose training that also exercises them. Similarly to humans exercise not only helps keep them physically well but also mentally well.

    If you havent trained a dog previously then it is worth looking into local dog training facilities. Most dog training facility provide classes that you can sign up for, where a qualified trainer will walk a class of dogs and fur parents through training of your dog. A great added benefit of these classes is that you will meet like other local fur parents who have a love for dogs.

    Classes also provide a great way for you to socialize your German Shepherd. By introducing them to new dogs and different environments you will be able to train them on how you expect them to behave in that situation and also to help them understand that they dont need to be afraid of other dogs.

    Also Check: Gsd Vs Pitbull

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular