Pet Shop Puppies: German Shepherd Breeders And Brokers

Version3: When purchasing a purebred German Shepherd, a great deal of research must be performed in advance of buying. Key questions a potential buyer must ask include the following. What is the history of the German Shepherd? What is the breed standard and what are potential health concerns of this breed? Where do I find a reputable German Shepherd breeder? How do I care for a German Shepherd? What should I look for as far as a warranty or guarantee for my purebred German Shepherd? What other German shepherd information is available to me?

Additionally, buyers should ask themselves why they want a German Shepherd. Some may desire this breed for its utilitarian nature. Others may want a dog that is a good protector. Others may just want a household companion. If the dog is to be used as a working dog, buyers will need to buy from specific breeders that handle dogs with a family history of training in relevant tasks. The German Shepherd dog has a relatively short history. The first German Shepherd breeder, Max von Stephanitz, registered the breed in Germany in 1899. The American Kennel Club registered the breed in 1911. German Shepherds are sheep herding dogs and are still used in some countries for that purpose today but they are more likely to be used in the workforce for a variety of purposes including police work and as aides to the visually impaired.

German Shepherds, closely followed by Labradors, are one of the easiest breeds to train due to their high intelligence, trainability and physical and mental endurance. This breed is also known to be loyal, courageous and protective. Because of these inherent traits, it is very important that German Shepherds begin life in an environment in which they receive stimulation, attention, discipline and training. Reputable German Shepherd breeders take great care in providing a foundation upon which German Shepherds can grow to be smart and socialized working dogs.

A reputable German Shepherd breeder will provide registration papers for each Shepherd they sell, preferably certified by the American Kennel Club. German Shepherd breeders will also provide medical records on demand and offer a warranty or guarantee regarding certain health conditions like hip dysplasia. A good German Shepherd breeder may also ask the buyer to sign a contract stating that he or she will have the dog spayed/neutered or evaluated for other medical conditions within specific time frames.

Good breeders do not sell their dogs to pet stores. Breeders care what happens to their breed and want to know information about the potential homes puppies are going to. Though pet stores display adorable puppies to consumers, the background that these puppies come from is not so pretty. Puppies are born and shipped in cages. Like any other merchandise, they are stored and then sold. Unsold puppies are destroyed. The parents of these puppies are bred twice a year in cages with little to no socialization. Every purchase from a pet store funds the perpetuation of this cycle. This is why it is important that buyers purchase only from ethical German Shepherd breeders and rescue centers.

Jan Ryan is not a German Shepherd breeder but is familiar with breeders in the northeastern United States. German Shepherds are intelligent, hard-working dogs and it is important to find German Shepherd breeders that can help educate the buyer about German Shepherd care. This article contains German Shepherd information and advises the reader on choosing a good German Shepherd breeder.