| Choosing a Puppy |
| Puppies are adorable bundles of wagging tails, soft eyes and warm puppy kisses that pull at your heartstrings, begging you to take them home. As difficult as it may sometimes be, the choice of a puppy should not be made on the spur of the moment. Doing so has often resulted in the acquisition of a dog that does not meet the expectations of his owner. Many times these dogs are eventually resold and unfortunately, some end up in rescue organisations. This is never the fault of the poor puppy; the uneducated owner is to blame. |
| Talk to GSD owners about the breed, gather information to make an informed choice. Each breed was developed for a specific function and as a result, their personality and traits may not match your lifestyle. |
| The German Shepherd - Versatility on Four Feet |
| German Shepherds were bred in Germany in the nineteenth century as herding dogs. They are one of the most trainable and intelligent of all breeds. The GSD has a reputation as a one man dog with outstanding loyalty and devotion to his human family. This loyalty together with responsiveness to command and natural suspicion of strangers make them a superb guard dog and natural protector of the family. |
| As with all working breeds, the intelligence factor comes at a price; mental stimulation is as important as physical exercise, a bored GSD can soon become destructive and vocal. Grooming is minimal but remember that they are prone to seasonal moulting at which times their coats require more attention. |
| If you intend to show your dog, you will want to obtain a pup that displays the qualities that are necessary for the show ring. Keep in mind that until puppy is fully grown, no one, not even the breeder, can be sure that the puppy will indeed grow up to be a good show dog. You will be buying a puppy that has what is termed "show potential". This means that the pup possesses good show conformation, and if he continues to develop along these lines, he should become a good show dog. Unfortunately, it is common for conformation to change as the puppy grows and some promising pups don't quite develop according to their potential. |
| Although these dogs may not excel in the show ring, there are many other options such as obedience, tracking, schutzhund, trials, agility etc that you may decide to pursue. It is important to keep in mind that the true value of your dog will be in the loving companionship that he provides and the bond that you develop |
| 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. |
| Choose a puppy from reputable, conscientious breeders; it is these people who think ahead, considering pedigrees, the dogs themselves, known genetic defects associated with the breed and many other factors before breeding. |
| Health |
| When you visit the breeder the first visual indication is the kennel/home where the puppies live, if it isn't clean enough for you to enter, go no further. If the breeder's dogs are not healthy - leave. Puppies are constantly messing so expect a little lingering poop and pee smells and possibly some recent mess! |
| All pups spend a lot of time sleeping, but whey they are active they should appear alert and energetic. Bloated stomachs, except possibly right after eating, can be a sign of worms. Eyes and noses containing a mucous-filled discharge can signal a viral or bacterial infection. Never take a puppy home in this condition, anyone who has ever brought home a sick puppy can tell you how frustrating and heartbreaking it can be. The whole experience can turn what should be an exciting, happy time into a nightmare. The stress of taking a sickly puppy to a new home can quickly worsen the problem - do not buy a sick puppy because you feel sorry for it! It is up to the breeder to provide the puppy with the proper care. |
| Ask to see the breeders other dogs. Are they approachable and sociable, well behaved? Are they in good condition and healthy? If you have children make sure they are well behaved and supervised around both the adults and puppies. Do the puppies and adults interact well with your children? |
| Most breeders will give you a health guarantee, usually for 72 hours in order for you to take the pup to your vet. If your vet finds a serious problem that the pup had upon delivery from the breeder, you should be entitled to a full refund of your purchase price upon return of the pup. |
| Your new puppy |
| When you have made your choice you should expect to leave the breeders premises with the following: |
| 1. Kennel Club Registration Certificate |
| 2. Your puppy's pedigree |
| 3. Health Guarantee (valid for at least 72 hours) |
| 4. Microchip or Tattoo identification Certificate |
| 5. Diet sheet including worming history and any vaccination record |
| 6. The puppy's food (at least enough for the first couple of days - enough time for you to buy your own) |
|
|
