Where To Find German Shepherd Breeders

The German Shepherd dog breed was registered in the herding group by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1911. Though German Shepherds are descended from sheep herding dogs, they perform many other functions today. German Shepherds are one of the most utilitarian dog breeds in the world.

German Shepherd breeders may specialize in German Shepherds trained in a certain line of work or they may be able to refer buyers to specially trained Shepherd kennels. These dogs are commonly trained to be guides for the visually impaired, members of the police force and security for home and business owners. German Shepherds are one of the easiest breeds to train due to their inherent intelligence, desire to work, courage, physical and mental strength and loyalty. German Shepherd dogs excel in jobs that allow them to protect and serve. There is no better protector than a German Shepherd.

Purebred German Shepherds have specific characteristics. Max von Stephanitz inbred the first German Shepherds so that certain traits would be guaranteed in the line. The German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany sets the breed standard. It defines characteristics from body measurements to character to gait. German Shepherd breeders should be familiar with the breed standard as well as what health problems to expect and to have dogs evaluated for. For example, German Shepherds are prone to hip dysplasia and other skeletal disorders.

Good German Shepherd breeders will also have registration papers or some form of pedigree for each Shepherd they sell, preferably from the American Kennel Club. German Shepherd breeders will also provide medical records and offer a guarantee against the dog developing hip dysplasia at least within the first year.

Knowing characteristics of the breed such as height, weight, and markings and the potential health problems specific to the breed can help a buyer rule out bad dogs (or bad breeders). One of the first signs of good breeders is that they maintain their own kennels and will encourage buyers to visit and get to know German Shepherd puppies and see how they are raised.

Sure-fire signs of bad German Shepherd breeders include the fact that they only sell puppies over the Internet, they have no physical kennel of their own or only broker puppies, they ask for a non-refundable down payment before the litter is born, they do not plan to keep one of the litter, They claim to have a kennel but will not allow a buyer to visit and they have many dogs for sale at one time.

Buyers must know the breed standard including it's characteristics, needs and potential medical conditions. Buyers must also research breeders to make sure they and their dogs are legitimate.

Most importantly, buyers must be ready for the responsibility of raising (particularly in the case of the German Shepherd) a large, intelligent, energetic dog for possibly the next thirteen years and they must be committed to doing so. Good breeders ask that a dog be returned if a buyer cannot care for it. This is the last and best sign of a good breeder.

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