Breeders — Good and Bad
As the shepherd is one of the most popular breeds in the United States, German shepherd breeders are everywhere. Finding a litter of shepherd puppies is easy. Finding a litter of quality puppies that will grow into good canine companions is much more of a challenge.
One rule holds true for all breeds: Don't trust someone just because he calls himself a “breeder.” Any person who has two dogs can consider himself a breeder, whether or not he really has any experience with the breed or with dogs in general. To be sure you're getting a quality dog, you must ask lots of questions. Inspect the dogs and the premises carefully, and get in touch with other people who've bought puppies and dogs from this breeder in the past.
Quality Breeding
Quality breeders are conscientious, knowledgeable breed hobbyists — they generally aren't in it for a profit — who concentrate solely on producing the best German shepherds possible. The reputable breeder is one who consistently produces healthy dogs that are sound in both mind and body. This is the breeder who will stand behind his dogs with a health guarantee, offer to always take back an unwanted puppy he has bred, and provide an ironclad contract that requires altering of all pet-quality puppies sold.
A quality German shepherd breeder will also be able to show you generations of well-bred shepherds with conformation and performance titles. He will also provide information on puppies that have gone on to work as K-9, search and rescue, or service dogs. If you find a breeder who provides all of this, he likely has a quality puppy for you.
Unfortunately, disreputable breeders far outnumber quality breeders, and they are generally easier to find — whether through advertising in the local paper, magazines, or on the Internet. For this reason, it's worth the time and effort it takes to sift through the irresponsible and ignorant breeders to find the breeder — and shepherd — you want.
Newspapers
Quality breeders rarely place ads in the newspaper. Less-than-reputable breeders and backyard breeders (the neighbor who bred her shepherd to keep a puppy and sell the rest) will advertise in the newspaper. Some of these advertisements use wording such as “AKC-registered puppies.” Remember, AKC registration means nothing except that the parents of the puppies are registered as purebreds. They're not necessarily good purebreds — just purebreds.
The irresponsible or backyard breeder will include a price in his advertisement for puppies. Quality breeders will rarely mention a price; they are more interested in attracting people because of the breeding — not a “low” or “special” price. Also, if you ever see puppies advertised as being available for sale at six weeks of age, this is another sign of an irresponsible breeder. Six weeks is too young for a puppy to be separated from his mother and siblings. A reputable breeder knows this and will not release puppies until they reach at least seven or eight weeks of age.
If a good breeder is going to advertise an upcoming litter in print, she is much more likely to place an ad in her national organization's publication, such as GSD Review, the monthly magazine published by the German Shepherd Dog Club of America. Check these sources first when looking for a puppy.
Magazine Ads
Puppy mills, puppy brokers, and some large, for-profit-only kennel operations frequently purchase large, expensive advertisements in popular, full-color, glossy all-breed dog magazines. Ads may show photos of good-looking German shepherds, testimonial blurbs from satisfied customers, and brags, such as “Championship bloodlines”; “massive,” “immense,” or “heavy”; or “German dogs.”
However, a quality breeder wants buyers to know his dogs' actual achievements. When advertising an upcoming litter, he will list all of the parents' titles, full registered names, and accomplishments.
Those big flashy ads of puppy mills and brokers will not print the names of their titled dogs, or the names and registration numbers of the German (SV-registered) dogs used in their breeding program. Why not? They don't give the names and numbers because these dogs don't exist.
Web Sites
Almost everyone in business uses the Internet to advertise products — and this includes those with German shepherd puppies to sell. The good news is that many quality breeders do have Web sites where they freely share a wealth of information about the breed and their own dogs, as well as insights into a variety of sports and competitions.
The bad news is that the Internet is also the perfect marketplace for disreputable breeders. You can usually weed out the most obvious ones if you know the warning signs to look for on their sites. For instance, if these breeders do not substantiate their claims, there's likely an unfortunate reason why. Here are some clues that you've found an advertisement from a deceptive breeder:
Photos of dogs with call names only
Vague references to champions without any specifics or names given
Claims of German dogs in their lines without any specifics
Statements touting the best in personal protection and guard dogs with no training credentials given for the breeder (or trainer)
No pedigrees posted
No contracts or health guarantees posted
Buyers are not invited to visit the kennel
All puppies are shipped to buyers
No buyer requirements other than a credit card or a check that clears
