We have dedicated whole sections of our website to subjects like HIP SCORING, HEALTH CONCERNS, IDENTIFICATION and HISTORY OF THE GSD please visit these pages for more detailed information.

GSD's are one of the most easily recognised breeds in the world. Their appearance should be of a muscular, alert dog with a noble and aloof attitude. The dogs are agile and well balanced in the fore and hindquarters and carry themselves with pride. Although substantially built, these dogs are not square but made up of smooth curves, the length being greater than the height. Their coats are impressive: the outer coat being hard, coarse and flat hair with a thick undercoat.

One of the most intelligent and trainable dogs, the GSD has a reputation of being a one-man or woman dog, protective of his owner and sometimes aggressive towards strangers.  It is true that the German Shepherd Dog’s most outstanding characteristic is his loyalty and devotion to his human family.  This loyalty together with your dog’s responsiveness to command and natural suspiciousness of strangers makes the GSD a superb guard dog and protector of the family, however, this can be a potential problem if allowed to get out of hand.  This is a slow maturing breed with a long puppyhood, so you must be prepared to provide kind but firm discipline and a secure environment to help the dog develop into a well-behaved adult.  GSDs are highly active dogs, self assured and highly obedient with a willingness to learn and an eagerness to have a purpose.  All this high intelligence comes at a price and this is a breed that needs a great deal of physical and mental stimulation.

Many common ailments of the GSD are a result of the inbreeding required early in the breeds creation.  See the section on HEALTH CONCERNS for more information.  German Shepherds have a life span of 9 - 12 years, which is normal for a dog of their size.   A natural breed , meaning it does not require clipping or unusual groomnig.  They are heavy shedders at which point they require daily combing.  Not a dog for those who cannot abide dog hair on the furniture, carpets, clothes etc.

The correct coat is relatively short with an obvious undercoat.  As such it is quite waterproof.  Some dogs are born with long coats which usually, though not always are devoid of undercoat.  Such coats are less useful and more difficult to groom but many pet owners seem to prefer them.  The normal coat gene is dominant to the long version, so there are three kinds of dog: normal, normal but carrying the long coat gene and long.  About 10% of pups born are long coats.

Some owners say that the personality of a Long Coat is different to that of a normal coat; sweeter or more comical! Perhaps its just down to all the extra hugging and cuddling that these beautiful balls of fluff receive as puppys?

Under the Breed Standard the long coat is considered a fault and cannot be shown under UK Kennel Club of German SV rules.  It is because the long coat does not have an undercoat making the coat less weatherproof.

There is no evidence that a Long Coat sheds more hair than a normal coat, in fact it could be said that they shed less because they do not have the thick undercoat. However, due to the length of the hair, more combing is necessary.

Many people believe that female dogs make better pets...female preference seems to be ingrained in these people. Most calls for pet dogs have people wanting a 'sweet girl'. They don't think females display alpha behaviours like 'marking' and/or 'humping'. They believe that they are more docile and attentive and do not participate in fighting over dominance.

Well folks, this is not true and they don't call them a 'bitch' for nothing!

In the dog pack makeup, females usually rule the roost, determine pecking order, and who compete to maintain and/or alter that order. The females are, as a result, more independent, stubborn, and territorial than their male counterparts. The females are much more intent upon exercising their dominance by participating in alpha behaviours such as 'humping'. There IS a reason people utilize the technical dog term of 'bitch' in a negative way-and it refers directly to the behaviours exhibited by the females of the dog world. Most fights will usually break out between 2 females. Males, on the other hand, are usually more affectionate, exuberant, attentive, and more demanding of attention. They are very attached to their people. They also tend to be more steadfast, reliable, and less moody. They are more outgoing, more accepting of other pets, and take quicker to children. Most boys are easily motivated by food (how true!!) and praise, and so eager to please that training is easy. However, males can be more easily distracted during training, as males like to play so often. And no matter what age, he is more likely to act silly and more puppy-like, always wanting to play games. Boys are fun-loving until the day they die. Females tend to be more reserved or dignified as they age. Witness the human equivalent of the twinkling eyed Grandad still playing catch at age 70, while Grandma quietly observes from the kitchen window.

While the female will usually come to you for attention, when she's had enough, she will move away. While boys are always waiting for your attention and near at hand. Females are usually less distracted during training, as she is more eager to get it over with, and get back to her comfy spot on the couch. The female is less likely to wage a dominance battle with YOU, but she can be cunning and resourceful in getting her own way. She is much more prone to mood swings. One day she may be sweet and affectionate-the next day reserved and withdrawn or even grumpy. The female also has periods of being 'in heat' unless she is speyed.

Seasonal heats can be a three week long hassle not just for the female, but you and every male dog in the neighbourhood.  Seasonal heats happen TWICE a year?

If you are not breeding, you'd be best off to have her speyed since during this time she can leave a bloody discharge on carpets, couches, or anywhere she goes. She will be particularly moody and emotional during this time. A walk outside during this period can become hazardous if male dogs are in the vicinity, and she will leave a 'scent' for wandering intact males to follow right to your door, where they will hang out, and 'wait' for days.

Keep an open mind when selecting your puppy, don’t close the door on a puppy because of preconceived notions of its gender, because you may be missing out on the best companion that you could have ever had.   Either way you go male or female, if it is a German Shepherd you can’t go wrong.  Just keep in mind every dog, male or female has it’s own personality & is unique in every way. 

You will be told to buy a puppy from a 'Reputable Breeder', however, how do you find one of these?  The process of choosing a puppy is exciting but it is also full of pitfalls.  We have put together this brief guide which will hopefully point you in the right direction of finding that 'reputable breeder' and giving you some tips on the areas to be wary of.

PUPPY FARMS, DEALERS & PET SHOPS

‘Dealers’ are agents for puppy farms.  They buy puppies and sell them on, advertising them in newspapers and magazines, often masquerading as breeders.  If an advert lists more than one breed of puppy for sale, then the person placing it is probably a dealer (but not always).  Ask if you can see the mother with the puppies, and if they make an excuse about why the mother cannot be seen, do not buy a puppy from them. 

Do not buy a puppy or a dog from a pet shop as it is likely to have originated from a puppy farm.  Good breeders would never sell their puppies via a pet shop, despite what you may be told.  If you need any further convincing about avoiding puppy farms please CLICK HERE.

The Kennel Club accept registrations from 'Puppy Farms' and similar establishments so do not be fooled into believing that a Kennel Club Registration Certificate is an indication of quality.

STARTING YOUR SEARCH

Contact your local Veterinary practice, they will have close relationships with good breeders.  Contact the Kennel Club for a list of Breed Clubs, you will then be able to speak to the Club's Secretary who will put you in touch with club members who will be able to help.  The Kennel Club also run a "Findapuppy" service advertising puppies for sale, this can be a good starting point in the fact that you can research the breeders, usually via their website which will show you the history of the breeder and the standard of their dogs.  Once you start contacting good breeders you will begin to get a feel for the good and the bad, the good ones will help and offer advice even when they don't have puppies to sell, its the breed on the whole that's important to them, not the colour of your money.  If you find a breeder via a website whose dogs and ethics you like contact them to ask for help, they will know of other good breeders, they may have stud dogs and know of forthcoming litters due from those dogs; they can be a great and valuable source of information for you.

Both of the above type of breeders will undoubtedly give their puppies the best possible start in life and care greatly about the wellbeing of both breeding stock and the future welfare of the puppies.

Hobby Breeders usually have a couple of pedigree bitches, which live in the house as pets and sometimes breed puppies. They will not always necessarily test for all the known hereditary conditions associated with the breed and the confirmation type of the parents may be of lesser quality.  There also may not be the back up and 'after sales service' if they are not very experienced, they may not be able to help in the future with any problems that may arise.  Lifetime help and advice is always offered by the experienced breeder.

Don't be put off buying from a show kennel just because you don't want to show; a show dog is just one that looks and acts exactly like it should for the breed and isn't that why you want a pedigree dog?  Puppies from a show kennel will almost always have received the best of everything - a well balanced diet, regular worming, daily play, exercise, grooming and lots of socialising.  Show Kennels are very concerned to keep hereditary and other health problems at bay.  They will be aiming to keep the best of their puppies for themselves, so may well be trying harder than non-show breeders to avoid them by only using tested breeding stock.  People who are breeding to produce show dogs are looking to continue their 'line' and should be much more vigilant than the average breeder to avoid hereditary disease.

The price of the puppy will also reflect the type of establishment you are buying from.  A well bred GSD puppy from a reputable kennel will cost approximately £700, some may be slightly more or less but this is a general rule of thumb.  Anyone offering GSD puppies for half this price needs to be questioned further about their reasons for breeding and carefully grilled about the hereditary test results of the parents, if in doubt ask to see certificates.  A good, reputable breeder of quality stock cannot afford to sell their puppies at low prices, campaigning show dogs and performing all the current known hereditary tests is vastly expensive, not to mention the actual cost of breeding.  Neither will a reputable breeder barter with you, the price is the price.  Also, the worse first question you can ask a breeder is the price, understandably we need to know the cost but don't make it you're only consideration, a reputable breeder will expect you to prove that you want this puppy to join a loving family home before considering you as a new owner.

• Doesn't breed from bitches under 18 months of age or after 8 years of age
• NEVER sells to dealers or pet shops
• Is friendly, open and helpful.  Willing to answer all your questions
• Will not fail to ask YOU lots of questions.  The good breeders are very concerned to whom they sell their precious puppies.
• Will be happy to show you all their dogs (except perhaps newly whelped bitches and newborn puppies)
• Will obviously love their dogs to bits and treat and talk about them with great affection
• Will want to stay in touch with you after you take your puppy home to help you with any problems or queries
• Will give you in depth information on exactly how to feed, train and care for the puppy with written instructions
• Will be most concerned to find the very best homes for their puppies and not be desperate to sell them quickly

If you are looking for a pet puppy, your pup will not have to meet the exact specifications of bone structure and movement set out in the breed standard.  Good temperament, however, is one attribute that should never be sacrificed in the pet puppy.  It is important that a family pet have a happy, stable personality.