How to choose a German Shepherd puppy - from examination to necessary documents

Why do you need a dog?

Before choosing a puppy, think about why you need a dog. The following options are possible.

Companion, nanny, guide

For such work, animals are selected that are calm, sociable, and not aggressive. They enjoy being in the company of people, even if they have to endure the pranks of children. More often, female individuals are chosen for this, as they are less conflicting.

To protect the territory, premises, owner

The puppy is chosen to be distrustful, courageous, and with an active reaction to unfamiliar people and animals. Physically developed and self-confident.

Most often, male dogs are chosen for this function.

Dog for participation in sports competitions

Must be tireless and understand people perfectly. Such a puppy actively plays with toys, brings them to the owner, inviting them to play, he will be the first to catch up with the ball, and will be the last to go to bed. But for successful performances you will have to devote a lot of effort to education and training.

Breeding

It is no secret that puppies of excellent quality are expensive, and you can make a good annual income from this.

How to choose a show-class German Shepherd puppy

Character in this case is not so important. The main thing is the ideal exterior (appearance).

For these purposes, it is better to look for a mature puppy, six months old, for example. The body is partially formed and physique flaws, if any, are noticeable.

Who is better to buy: a boy or a girl?

Boys, unlike girls, have better conformation and enjoy great success at exhibitions. Therefore, if you are purchasing a puppy for the purpose of participating in competitions, then it is recommended to purchase a male puppy. In addition, it is important to remember about such inconveniences for bitches as going into heat every 6 months. Males feel the call of nature, but to a lesser extent. However, if you plan to breed puppies, then a female is best suited.

To participate in exhibitions it is better to buy males

If the purchase of a dog is intended for the purpose of protecting the house or simply “friendship,” then gender in this case does not play a significant role.

With documents or cheaper

Everyone wants to save money these days. Keep in mind that any breeding contains many expense items: payment for mating, assessment of the status of the puppies and parents, vaccination and deworming of offspring, etc. Therefore, a puppy with documents cannot possibly cost a penny, otherwise it will be a loss to the breeder and breeding will lose its meaning.

You can buy a puppy without any documents at all, but then no one guarantees you that it will grow up to be a German Shepherd, and you will be disappointed and waste time.

Remember! Even if you have chosen the right puppy, this is only half the success, because even the most ideal dog can easily be spoiled by improper training or feeding. Conversely, even the most unpromising animal can be turned into an ideal companion through consistent training.

Choosing a nursery and breeder

What to look for when choosing a nursery and breeder? Should I buy a puppy with documents or cheaper and without them? This question is no less important; it may happen that your career as a dog breeder will be short-lived if you are sold a sick animal. Or, under the name “shepherd”, you bring home a painted mongrel - disappointment is inevitable. Please note the following points.

• There is a risk of purchasing a non-purebred dog on the market, and even the documents may be fake.
• Look for responsible German Shepherd breeders. Select all suitable options and visit them. Several visits may be required. If you are in a hurry to make a purchase, I will gladly drop the price tag; such behavior should alert you.
• A responsible breeder treats puppies as if they were their own children. This is a true fan of his favorite breed. He cares deeply about the conditions the baby will find himself in. The seller has already invested a lot of effort, finances, love and care into the litter. For at least 2 months he groomed and cherished each of them, studied the character of each and wants to place the children in good families.
• From documents up to two months, each puppy already has a puppy card (information about the origin, date of birth, age of the pet) and a veterinary passport (check if there is information about deworming and vaccinations).
• After 2.5 months, some puppies also have a mark.
• If you plan to participate in exhibitions or engage in breeding, inform the seller, he will recommend a more suitable specimen for this. A show class puppy is more expensive than others.
• Seeing the puppy's parents is a very important condition; the mother may be present, and the father will be shown to you in the photo - ask about it.
• It is necessary to choose from a litter with 6 puppies, if there are more of them, there is a possibility of underfeeding, it is advisable that offspring be born no more than once a year, otherwise the bitch does not have time to recover, the babies may be weakened.
• Ask more questions without being shy. Exchange contacts in case problems arise.
• If there is a kennel club in your city, contact them and experts will tell you where you can buy a puppy from.
• Working breeding is practiced in police nurseries and rescue services; they may offer to purchase a puppy if there are extra ones.

The choice of breeder and nursery has been made. What's next?

Breeders' advice

If you are purchasing a German Shepherd puppy in hopes of raising him to be a champion (show or working line), you will need to remember a few key points.

• The first is that the bitch who brought the puppy must have a pedigree that proves her blood ties to a family that produced many known offspring. If a bitch has whelped for the first time, her closest female relatives, mother and grandmother, must produce high-quality litters.
• Secondly, the bitch’s genetic makeup is not enough to give birth to good puppies. The male dog must also have equal innate characteristics: the more impressive the list of his victories, as well as the list of titled male relatives, the better.
• Third, you need to look for a puppy in kennels with an impeccable reputation that have been conducting long-term breeding activities with the German Shepherd breed. Here they follow modern trends in breeding and guarantee excellent quality of litters.

Körung

A far-sighted buyer will make sure of the health of the producers (mental and physical), for which he will ask the breeders for kerkarts of the female and male.

This is interesting! Kerkarta is a basic document of breeding German Shepherds, which describes the exterior, character, working qualities and behavior. Recommendations for using the dog in breeding work are included in the kerkarta.

Regulation SV specifies the minimum age of “Germans” allowed for breeding: 24 months for males, 20 months for females. Korung is a regular event where breeding sires are selected taking into account their anatomical data, behavior and working qualities.

Before passing the kerung, the German Shepherd undergoes a comprehensive check, consisting of several stages:

• passing a training exam;
• endurance testing;
• undergoing diagnostic testing for dysplasia;
• participation in a breeding exhibition (with a rating of at least “good”).

Kerung includes an examination of the shepherd and a description of the exterior, as well as a test of courage (fighting qualities). In addition, other data is included in the card (degree of dysplasia, absence of eye diseases and mental disorders). After the shepherd dog has passed the Kerung, it is assigned 1st (it is considered the highest) or 2nd Kerung class.

Character Definition

German Shepherds, recognized as universal dogs with high adaptability, “kick” from time to time, demonstrating their not the most positive traits:

• independence flowing into disobedience, oh;
• relative stubbornness – in 15% of dogs;
• pronounced obstinacy – in 10%.

Not all German Shepherd owners achieve an ideal relationship in a dog-human pair. To help those who have acquired service breeds, tests have been developed that reveal the individual characteristics of puppies (with suitability for the type of training).

Campbell's tests are recognized as the most revealing . However, it depends on the owner how the dog will grow up. A person has the power to soften the negative manifestations of a pet and enhance its positive properties.

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He or she?

Think about what gender your puppy prefers. You need to choose carefully.

Each gender has its own advantages and disadvantages, this affects the character and some reactions.

Girl or boy - the important question has been resolved. The breeder has been selected. That happy day comes when a theoretically savvy future dog breeder sets out to get his own German Shepherd. Rest assured, this day will be remembered for a lifetime! Be prepared that you will like all the puppies that are shown to you, but don’t give in to emotions, you will still have to choose one.

We choose based on two criteria – behavior and appearance. Remember for what purpose you need a shepherd dog; if working qualities are a priority, then character is more important; if you want a star of exhibitions, then pay attention to appearance when choosing.

Compatibility test

The puppy should suit your temperament and character. Therefore, play with him, observe how he behaves around his brothers. Also, it would not be amiss to conduct several tests with him in order to understand what character traits the puppy already has.

IMPORTANT!

See if he runs up to you as soon as you leave him, if he follows your call, how much he is subject to submission and dominance - to do this, turn him over on his back and try to hold him in this position, stroke him and look at the reaction, take him hold him in your arms and observe his behavior - whether the puppy can remain at a distance from the ground in your hands.

Based on the puppy’s reaction, draw conclusions about what he will become and whether you need a pet with such a character.

Testing for the puppy and its future owner

To find out which puppy is mentally healthy and whether the dog’s character matches the breed characteristics, conduct testing.

Dog character and reactions:

1. Active, keenly interested in who came to us? Runs towards you, curious.
2. Playful and cheerful - wags its tail.
3. Active defensive position. Clap your hands and observe the reaction, if he is alert or even yelped - well done! He squealed and tucked his tail - he was a coward.
4. Babies may try to growl and bite you - this is not a good sign; their psyche is unstable.
5. He explores a new subject, actively contacts it - a serious guy, he will grow up assertive and militant.

The following signs will help you choose a healthy puppy:

1. The eyes are clean, without traces of streaks.
2. You need to pay attention that there is clean hair under the tail - a sign of healthy digestion.
3. Wet nose.
4. Legs are smooth, straight, without signs of rickets.
5. Those who have a body that feels dense, elastic, and well-fed have good health.
6. There is no pronounced “dog” smell.
7. The abdomen is not swollen (a sign of worms) and is of normal size.
8. There are no bald spots on the skin, the stomach is clean - without rashes and acne.

Examination of the puppy to assess exterior quality

Already at the age of 2-3 months, a German Shepherd should have clearly defined characteristics. What to look for when examining a puppy?

We select a show puppy based on the following characteristics. Exterior and appearance assessment.

• From the litter, select those with an elongated body, the back does not sag and does not have a hump, and is straight.
• The limbs are straight. Paws without dewclaws. The claws are dark.
• The croup has a slope that is clearly visible.
• The criteria for the tail are: straight, not kinked, not curled, not thrown over the back.
• The eye shape is almond-shaped, the color is dark brown.
• Ears may not stand up until 4 months.
• The bite is scissor bite only.
• The muzzle is not sharp, the forehead is not very wide.

When testing for the puppy and its future owner is completed, you will be left with 2-3 puppies that meet your requirements. Give them a competition. Take them a couple of meters from the bed and place them on the floor. Whoever gets to the nest first without panicking and screaming is definitely the future champion! Take this treasure home!

Does it matter at what age you get a German Shepherd puppy?

Puppy characteristics

Pet characteristics can be divided into the following groups:

Puppy psychology

A calm and balanced temperament is what you should first pay attention to. By three months your baby may still be like this, but if you don't take him out for walks, he risks becoming fearful.

Take a closer look at the behavior of the puppy among sisters and brothers, in its element. His actions can tell a lot. He should feel confident and enjoy exploring the world around him. Children who are too active may become aggressive in the future, while babies who are slow and lethargic may develop into cowardly and lazy ones. But with good care, you can help your pet overcome bad qualities and adapt to life. Although this will require a lot of time and effort.

Puppy physiology

You should immediately pay attention to the appearance. The baby must be strong and well-fed, which is the main indicator of health.

Ask the owner for permission to take a closer look at the puppy.

The coat cannot be long; feathering around the ears should appear only by three months. If length or curliness is observed, then deviations from the standard are possible in the future, which will be a defect. The coat is clean, as are the ears. It smells good, otherwise there may be some disease present. If your puppy bites himself or scratches himself, he has fleas. The absence of pimples and red spots on the stomach is a good sign.

An elongated body, strong bones, a straight back, a long neck, straight and strong limbs are the main parameters of a puppy’s body, which it must correspond to.

The slope of the croup requires special attention. Ideally, the baby has a sloping croup, which will be lost as he grows up. Wide hips and shoulder girdle, short lower back and back. He must also have short metatarsals and a long bend in the knee joint.

Compact feet, with thick pads and dark nails, should not have dewclaws. A tail without kinks cannot be curled with a hook.

To get a complete picture of your puppy's body type, it is best to observe his movements without a leash while playing outside.

The transition from a non-sharp muzzle to a not too wide forehead is clearly expressed.

Almond-shaped eyes should not water. Although the eye color may be blue during the month, over time the dark brown color will replace it.

At a young age, the ears may not yet stand. This should not worry you, since their formation occurs in the period from five weeks to four months. To check whether the puppy can hear, just clap your hands.

The teeth should have a scissor bite or a slightly forward upper jaw. The distance between the incisors does not exceed 2 mm. Puppies with fused teeth are not suitable for future exhibitions.

The best age to take your baby home is one and a half to two months. It is at this age that the development of character and psyche occurs, the puppy begins to feel like an individual shepherd dog.

Before you leave with your new family member, the breeder should provide you with a list of vaccinations and deworming procedures. It also states what necessary measures you will need to take in the future. The diet will also be useful information.

Thanks to the information described above, it will not be difficult to decide on the choice of your future pet. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the owner of the puppies. He will be happy to share his experience with you, advise you and help you select a baby, based on your preferences.

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Pet's age and vaccinations

If the litter is large, then feeding the cubs begins early, and it makes sense to give the largest and most developed ones to new owners in the first month (from 3 weeks), or upon reaching 1 month. This development of events is a rare occurrence today; usually babies are prepared for sale when they reach 2 months. By this age, a German Shepherd puppy has developed individual qualities and is ready for independent life without its mother. It is believed that from 2 to 6 months is the most appropriate time to move to a new family. If you want a show puppy, buy it as late as possible, when all the necessary breed characteristics have appeared - at the age of 5 or 6 months.

There are times when it is possible to purchase an adult dog, sometimes it is given away for free. Is it possible to adopt an adult German Shepherd? Before doing this, it would be useful to inquire about the reason why they want to get rid of the dog. Often this is the death of the owner, and the animal is a burden to the relatives. The German Shepherd is so versatile that it can survive the stress of changing owners, and will serve another person with the same diligence. But if the reason is inappropriate behavior, the dog was kept in an enclosure or on a chain, it is not socialized, then this option is only for an experienced dog breeder who can correct character flaws. It is better for a beginner not to take risks.

Whatever your choice, we hope that our recommendations were useful and your dog will meet the standard: “The German Shepherd must have a balanced temperament, strong nerves, confidence, absolute calm (except for an excited state caused by appropriate circumstances), and be friendly , attentive, easy to train and teach. It must have courage, fighting instinct, hardness and endurance, i.e., those qualities and properties that make it an ideal companion dog, guard, protector, excellent service and guard dog.” See the addresses of nurseries in Moscow and the Moscow region here.

Why Choosing a German Shepherd Puppy is a Good Choice

The German Shepherd is predisposed to learning from a very early age until a very old age, which many other breeds cannot “boast” of, whose appearance may be even more perfect than that of the German Shepherd.

The most well-known qualities that an OI demonstrates would be:

• pronounced protective instinct;
• the ability to make independent decisions, active actions and at the same time complete submission to the owner;
• sociability, playfulness, curiosity;
• absence of signs of aggression towards others and deep affection for the owner;
• a willingness to happily complete tasks, learn, and remain completely fearless when faced with an unfamiliar environment or unexpected difficulty.

In addition, the shepherd dog has calm self-confidence, strong nerves, combativeness and assertiveness - the main qualities for a good service dog.

Perhaps, thanks to the totality of the breed's data, few of the larger and more ferocious breeds can compete with the BUT, both for home protection and as a personal protector.