The German Shepherd Dog- Where to Find and How to Choose a German Shepherd Puppy- Part I

Since my last post a couple of months ago I have been getting more and more questions from many of my friends about where to find and how to choose the right German Shepherd puppy. The problem is; these are very hard questions to be answered in a couple of sentences. So, I decided to answer their questions on this blog and that way share my thoughts on this topic with everybody who reads it. This will probably take more than one post, but I will try to answer most of the questions I have received related to finding and choosing the right German Shepherd puppy.

Before helping you find the right German Shepherd puppy there are a couple of things you have to be sure about. First, you want to make sure that you are ready for the responsibility. There are too many dogs in dog pounds or shelters, and in rescues. You don’t want your beautiful German Shepherd puppy to end up in a rescue a few months or a few years after you bring him home. By then, you will love your dog, but most importantly he will love you and you will be the being he loves the most in the whole world. That cute German Shepherd puppy could become your worst nightmare though; either because you didn't train him properly or because you chose the wrong German Shepherd puppy for you. You could lose your job; have to move to a smaller place, etc, etc. Like a very good friend of mine always says; “hope for the best, be prepared for the worst”. If you take a German Shepherd puppy into your home, he will most likely be a part of your life for the next ten to fourteen years or more. Make sure you understand that before you make a decision.

The second thing you have to be sure about is that the German Shepherd breed is the right breed for you. Depending on which organization or club, or clubs’ recognition you are going by, there are anywhere from approximately 330 to around 500 breeds in the world today, not including the many breeds that have been recently created, re-created, are experimental or under development. So why a German Shepherd dog? Is it because you like the way they look, because of the many stories about how wonderful this dogs are, or because you have done some serious research about the other breed options available and the specific characteristics of this breed? If your answer is anything other than the last option, you are not ready for a German Shepherd puppy yet.

On a previous post where I wrote about German and American lines I list the ten breed groups recognized by the FCI; check it out. At least research a little about the characteristics of each group and make sure the German Shepherd dog breed is in the right group for you. Size and activity level are important too. If you chose the right group, see what other breeds are in the same group and if you find one you like as much, learn a little more about it. Examine your lifestyle, what adjustments you are willing to make and your family’s needs. Make sure you are choosing the right breed.

If you decide that you are ready for a dog and that that dog will be a German Shepherd puppy, then congratulations! From now on it’s just a matter of following the right steps and I will guide you along the way. On my next post I will give you specific steps to finding that German Shepherd puppy you have been dreaming of.