Things to look for when getting a German Shepherd

The German Shepard is an awesome dog.   They make great family dogs as they can get along with children. They are very loyal and become very protective of the families children. They are great guard, protection and tracking dogs.  This is why they are used so much in law enforcement and the military.  They are great service dogs and make excellent Seeing Eye dogs. 

They are loyal, dedicated, protective, courageous, intelligent and faithful to their owner or handler.  German Shepherds have different personalities and temperaments.  A lot of their behavior traits well depend on how they are raised.  German Shepherds are a large dog and they require training to teach them how to behave.

Before you get your German shepherd make sure this is the right dog for you.  German Shepherds are very active and need a lot of room to run around and play.  Do you have a big yard for your dog to play in?  You must decide if you want a registered dog.  If you do not need a registered dog check out the shelters and rescues.  They have a lot of great dogs looking for homes.  You must decide is a male dog or a female dog would be best for you.    You must decide if you want a puppy or adult dog.

It is usually a good idea to get a puppy if you have children.  Puppies do have disadvantages. They will probably destroy many things with their chewing.  When you get a puppy you do not know how it will turn out.  When you get a puppy you also have a risk of it developing hip dysphasia.  Hip dysphasia is an inherited problem that affects the dog’s hips.  Your dog can develop the problem as early as 6 months of age.

If you decide to get a pure bred puppy go to a reputable breeder.  You will usually be able to see both parents.  You can see what type of temperament they have.  You will also be able to find out if the parents are OFA certified.  This means that the parent’s hips have been x-rayed.  A rating is issued based on the dog's bone structure.  Usually the breeder will have OFA certifications going back several generations.  Getting a puppy from a bloodline that has been certified for several generations will usually mean you are pretty safe that your puppy will not develop hip dysphasia.

Reputable breeders do not let their puppies leave until they are 8 to 10 weeks old.  This gives the breeder time to socialize the puppies properly.  He gets them where they are relaxed with other dogs and people.

Check to see if the breeder offers some sort of guarantee.  Most reputable breeders do offer a guarantee.  They might offer to give your money back or exchange for another puppy is your puppy becomes ill within a certain time frame.  If the breeder does offer a guarantee be sure to get it in writing.  Always buy your purebred puppy from a reputable breeder.

Article sources:

http://www.mydogbreed.com