| asn't passed a pet store and noticed the cute, | | | | brokers, the Internet, the newspaper (private |
| sad-eyed puppies behind the glass? What most don't | | | | owners), pet stores, shelters and rescue centers. |
| know is the history behind those puppies and the pet | | | | Simply put, the best place to buy a purebred German |
| store itself. Unfortunately, pet stores are not the | | | | Shepherd is from a certified, ethical German |
| best place to purchase puppies. This article will explain | | | | Shepherd breeder. These breeders have their own |
| the reasons why. Pet buyers shopping for purebred | | | | kennels and often work in tandem with rescue |
| German Shepherd puppies must take care in where | | | | centers or house rescues within their own kennels. All |
| they buy their desired pet. Thorough research into | | | | other sellers of German Shepherds cannot provide a |
| German Shepherd breeders and other sellers must be | | | | full history and put buyers at risk of purchasing dogs |
| done. Additionally, pet buyers must research the | | | | with health and behavioral problems as well an |
| breed they are buying and be prepared to care for | | | | uncertain ancestry. |
| its specific needs. | | | | A bad German Shepherd breeder only breeds dogs |
| The German Shepherd is a large sheep-herding dog | | | | for cold hard cash and nothing more. They see the |
| breed. The breed's history is recent. The first German | | | | puppies and the parents as merchandise, not as living |
| Shepherd breeder, Max von Stephanitz, founded The | | | | creatures. The term puppy mill or backyard breeder |
| German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany which | | | | is the name given to these illicit breeders. The |
| classified the German Shepherd in 1899. The | | | | females are bred each and every season leading to |
| American Kennel Club (AKC) registered the breed in | | | | shorter life spans and ill health. They are confined to |
| the herding group in 1911. Though German Shepherds | | | | very small cages and have no socialization of any |
| come from one of many versions of German | | | | kind. The puppies are kept in the same kind of |
| sheep-herding dogs, they perform many other | | | | conditions, which can lead to physically and |
| functions today. | | | | emotionally unhealthy litters. These are the kind of |
| The German Shepherd dog has a large body and is | | | | puppies found at pet stores. |
| wolfish in appearance. Stephanitz initially inbred the line | | | | The best advice is to find a reputable German |
| to retain its lupine beauty, intelligence and utility. | | | | Sherperd breeder that really cares about the puppies |
| Unfortunately, inbreeding also caused genetic defects. | | | | they produce. This kind of breeder will ask questions |
| German Shepherds are highly prone to hip dysplasia | | | | of potential buyers to ensure the well being of the |
| and other skeletal disorders. It is recommended that | | | | puppy in it's new home. They will have all the |
| any potential buyer ask for a warranty from the | | | | appropriate paperwork such as American Kennel Club |
| breeder that their dog has been evaluated and | | | | registration and veterinarian health reports as well as |
| cleared for hip dysplasia. | | | | plenty of care information to pass on to the new |
| There are many places where a buyer can acquire a | | | | family. |
| purebred German Shepherd. These include breeders, | | | | |