How to Find the Right German Shepherd Puppy
Shepherd Breeders Can Help Match Puppy and Pet Owner
May 6, 2009
A trustworthy German shepherd breeder will ask buyers several pertinent questions to make the best match of owner and puppy. The German shepherd breeder will inquire about what prospective pet owners want to do with their pup. Do they intend to breed or show the dog? Is the dog to serve as a protection animal? Or is the dog wanted as a loyal family pet? The answer to these questions will greatly affect the puppy that’s right for each individual.
German Shepherd Dogs for Family Pets
For buyers looking for an all around playful family dog who can, if needed, step up in the role of protector, German shepherd breeders will be able to point out the pups that do best with children. German shepherds don’t need to be bred as guard dogs to deter intruders. Just their imposing stature and reputation is often enough to provide excellent family protection.
Families looking for a German shepherd puppy will need to do extensive research to find well bred lines not prone to aggressive temperaments. They will also want to question each German shepherd breeder on the amount of early socialization and training the puppies received during the crucial weeks of early development.
Buyers can judge the socialization of German shepherd pups by handling their paws and touching their heads. How the puppies react will be a good indication of how accustomed they are to human interaction.
German Shepherd Protection Dogs
Due to keen alertness and protective instincts, certain German shepherds are born protectors. Good German shepherd breeders can recognize this trait and offer these dogs to buyers looking for this quality.
It’s important to understand that aggressiveness is never a desirable quality, even in a protection animal. Unfortunately, indiscriminate breeding has led to many aggressive lines of German shepherds. Buyers should do their homework carefully and speak to several of the breeders' clients to avoid this temperament.
Buyers can watch how the pup plays with his litter mates. They will get insight into such characteristics as who’s more dominant or who’s tougher. A puppy that’s getting nipped by several other puppies and isn’t yelping is going to be a tough dog. As pups get older, buyers can watch how they respond to what happens around them. Which puppy looks in the direction of a strange noise first? Which one hears a strange noise, scratches himself, and looks up in every direction but where the noise came from?
German Shepherd Dogs for Show
German shepherds intended for the show ring must have an excellent temperament. German shepherd reeders will recommend a pup that doesn’t shy away from people. They’ll also recommend one of their least snappy pups because a show dog is handled by not only their owner but by every judge. A German shepherd being judged will need to allow people to run their hands all over his body and to look at his teeth. If a dog can’t be touched, it doesn’t matter how pretty it is. It can’t be judged.
Of course, looks are a huge factor in showing a dog. Also, the puppy will need to conform to the AKC standards as an adult. An experienced German shepherd breeder can offer knowledgeable insight about how a puppy will look when grown.
Whether prospective pet owners are searching for a German Shepherd dog to protect their home, be a fun family pet, or raise as a show dog, a knowledgeable German shepherd breeder is invaluable to help find the ideal dog. These breeders will be involved in early training and socialization. They will also have a good idea of the dog’stemperament and health. They’ll also be an excellent source of information on German Shepherd care and whether the breed is a good fit for a family’s lifestyle.
Information gained in conversation with Lynne Brinkley of Excalibur Farms on May 1, 2009.
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