Buying A Puppy
Buying your German Shepherd Dog
Introduction
Any prospective purchaser wanting to get into the breed, whether to become a breeder, show or working enthusiast or just to have a reliable pet has to start by purchasing their dog. It is the happy individual who will be able to source and buy their dream dog without having done their research.This guide will enable the prospective new owner to avoid common mistakes and to help you in making your choice and in getting value for money from the breeder.
You should also seek information regarding the structure and breed standard of the GSD, areas covered elsewhere on this website.
So you want to own a GSD?
The GSD will grow into a medium sized dog weighing in at approximately 36 kg. and standing 65 cm. at the shoulder. It will be very active and strong , likely to be vocal and will be a companion for 10 or more years. The restrictions made under the Dog legislation are other considerations of which to take account.
Think about it carefully and read up on the breed.
Don’t buy a GSD simply because of the Macho image you feel it may give you!
Advertisements and sources of pups.
Newspapers, the Buy and Sell will all carry ads. for GSD puppies. The quality of pups available from such adverts will vary tremendously. Some highly reputable breeders will use such media to advertise their pups, but these are not the usual channels through which reputable breeders seek owners for their puppies.
Contacting the Club secretary is an important way of sourcing your pup or you may wish to contact the Irish Kennel Club for details of breeders. In the latter case you should be aware that the breeders’ directory they provide is self selecting in that breeders pay to be included in the directory.
Take yourself off to one of the three Club shows in the year and talk to members and owners of the dogs you like.
Take your time in selecting the breeder and be prepared to wait for the right litter.
Taking a Look
If you are a complete beginner, then try and take someone who knows something of dogs in general (or preferably knowledge of the breed) to help you.
Be prepared to answer questions posed by the breeder regarding family and circumstances such as who is at home, who will be looking after the pup during the day when you are at work, where will the dog be kept etc. If you are married take your partner with you as it is important that the breeder knows that everyone in the family is as like minded as you with regard to obtaining a dog.
The questions asked will indicate the type of breeder with which you are dealing: if the breeder is keener on getting your money and getting you out and away then beware.
However, breeders are busy people too and will have dogs and pups to look after once you are gone.
- You should not be going to see pups before they are at least 4 weeks old, preferably 6 weeks.
- Look at where and how they are reared.
- You should be able to see the mother: if she is unavailable is it because she is nervous or were the pups bought in for resale? Be highly suspicious if she is not shown to you.
- Puppies should be clean and in clean surroundings.
- Pups should approach you eagerly without fear at this age.
- If the pups huddle away at the rear of the room or kennel then do not buy.
DO NOT VISIT MORE THAN ONE LITTER PER DAY AND CHANGE / DISINFECT SHOES AND CLOTHES SO AS NOT TO INADVERTENTLY SPREAD DISEASE.
PRICES
Prices will vary by location, breeder, and the quality of the breeding stock. A minimum price for a six to eight week pup would be in the region of € 300 but the upper limit may vary enormously.
Something which is offered at low prices is likely to be no good, so you should be cautious: if it’s cheap it may also be cheap and nasty!
Some breeders prefer cash not because they wish to fiddle their taxes but because cheques have been known to bounce once the new pup has left the breeder’s premises.
So on the day of the purchase be prepared to take cash.
Some breeders ask for deposits on pups which are usually not refunded if the pup is cancelled.
If you cancel then you should tell the breeder immediately so that they are not left with a pup getting older and more difficult to place.
What service should you expect?
The minimum requirements of the Irish Kennel Club, for breeders to supply to new owners are a diet sheet and advice on house training.
Many reputable breeders will also supply some food so that the diet is not changed. Records of worming, vaccinations and simple training exercises are also often supplied by reputable breeders.
Other breeders will spend time explaining about socialisation and early training and the importance of the early weeks in forming the dogs temperament.
Many reputable breeders will also maintain contact with you after you have purchased the pup, dealing with your enquiries and caring about how the pup has settled and what type of dog it has become.
Irish Kennel Club registrations
If you are buying a pedigree dog (and certainly if you intend to compete in the show world) you should have the pedigree papers available or at a minimum see the documents for the parents.
The kennel club will send to the breeder a registration document which is individual to each pup in the litter, on which is a certified copy of the pedigree and transfer of ownership form which you can fill in and return to them once you have purchased the puppy. By transferring the pup into your name you will automatically receive one month’s free health insurance for your pup through Petplan. You then have the option to continue this insurance on an annual basis.
Some breeders who tattoo or who send in their registrations late may not have the papers ready for when you collect the pup, but you should ask for a written agreement that they will be provided.
Vaccinations
Depending upon the age of the puppy you should expect to see a preliminary vaccination against parvo-virus and leptospirosis by the time you collect. Some breeders will give an initial complete vaccination and will provide information for you to pass onto your vet.
You should expect a pup to have been wormed more than once before you collect it. The date of the last worming should be known so that you can pass such details to your vet.
Hip Scores
The parents of your prospective pup should both be hip scored and these will be recorded on the pedigree .the lower the score the better are the hips. A score of 0.0 is perfect (and quite rare) and the accepted score for breeding purposes is below 20 for males and 24 for females. These scores are the total for both hips; scores are listed for right and left hip so that an evaluation for each hip can be made. For example a total score of 13 may be made of 7 for the right hip and 6 for the left, but this would be different to a dog with hip score 0.13.
Imports may not show a hip score but may have German “a stamps” which are divided into 3 classes: normal, fast normal, and noch zujelassen in descending order.
Haemophilia
All breeding males should have been tested and shown not to be carriers of this genetic disease.
Endorsements
The IKC allow endorsements to be attached to registrations by breeders whilst they own the puppy. Such endorsements may include restrictions on name changes, breeding, exportation etc. your breeder should draw your attention to any endorsements and explain how they apply to your pup. Endorsements can be lifted at any stage by the breeder, but once lifted cannot be re-instated.
