Everything You Need to Know About Getting a German Shepherd Puppy?
Why Buy Through the GSDCV?
Registered Club Breeders give a greater surety.
A puppy that is purchased through the GSDCV Puppy Listing service comes from a breeder who is a member of the GSDCV, and has complied with all of the Breed Improvement Schemes (Hips & Elbow xrayss, Breed Survey) and Breeding Guidelines relating to breeding and rearing of their puppies. This will provide a greater assurance that you are buying a quality puppy that will have less chance of suffering from the hereditary diseases that may occur in the German Shepherd Dog.
Puppy FAQs
The average price for a GSD puppy is currently $3500-$5000
Pedigree registrations are controlled by the State Kennel Control. Puppies/dogs registered with that body have been registered from pedigree parents on the Main Register and pedigree details of the puppy have been recorded for many generations. There is a Code of Ethics which breeders registered with the State Bodies must uphold in their breeding practices and this ensures that the purchaser of a puppy can expect that their puppy should be reared under those practices.
The most important thing when purchasing a puppy is that you get a puppy that is healthy, physically sound, and of good temperament. A guide to assessing these things is that:
– the puppies must be clean, healthy (immunised), active, bright and outgoing (happy to see you),
– both parents must be Breed Surveyed (have PASSED all of the Breed Improvement Schemes, especially Hip and Elbow Schemes),
– documentation (such as pedigree, vaccination, worming, diet sheet, etc.) must be available,
– the kennel/yard must be clean and tidy.
We recommend that you purchase a puppy through the Club Puppy Listing service as these Breeders have complied with all of these requirements.
Yes ! – This type of pedigree is prepared and signed by the breeder and shows the preceding five generations from which the puppy/dog evolved. It should also contain details including linebreeding, tattoo number, coat colour and markings, and names/sex of litter mates (siblings). The Five Generation Breeders Pedigree is used to participate in the GSDCA Breed Improvement Schemes. Details on this pedigree should co-incide with those like details on the Registration Papers.
Your breeder should supply you with the following:
– copies of both parents Breed Surveyed certificates
– Copies of both paretns GSDCA Hip and Elbow (AZ) certifcates
– Your puppies pedigree
– a 5 generation pedigree (listing back parents, grand, great grand etc)
– microchip details and registration
– Your puppies vaccination certificate
– information on worming your puppy
– a diet sheet and informaiton on what your puppies has been/should be fed
You should alwayys be able to view the mother (dam) of the puppies. Breeders utilise Stud Dogs often owned by other members or the dog may live interstate, so you may not be able to view the father (sire) of the litter. If you attend a local show you may see the sire in the ring. However the breeder should be able to provide you with information about the sire (hip & elbow xrays, breed survey status).
Your puppy should be 8 weeks of age before you pick it up from the breeder.
Dogs Australia Pedigree registrations are issued by the State Kennel Control (Dogs Victoria) after application by the Breeder. ‘Main Register’ pedigrees are blue in colour, whilst the ‘Limited Register’ pedigrees are orange in colour, and are both A4 size. Dogs registered on the ‘Limited Register’ may not be exhibited in conformation shows, nor can they be bred with, but can still be entered in Obedience, Agility and Tracking Trials. Dogs registered on the ‘Main Register’ are eligible to participate in all aspects of the Kennel Control sanctioned activities, ie breeding, showing, trialling and breed surveying, etc
Yes you should transfer the ownership of your puppy into yoru own name. The pedigree papers supplied by your breeder will have the puppy in their name as owners (when they registered them). They should have signed the papers to permit transfer. Its a good idea to transfer the ownership to yourself so the pedigree papers are in your name as outright owners
A mistaken belief is that a young GSD puppy (up to 12 months) should have ‘plenty’ of exercise. As a fast growing breed, this can cause excess strain on a young body. On lead exercise should be limited until final growth and height is achieved at around 12 months. Maximum time walking (the dog at a fast trot) of a puppy up to 6 months should be five minutes at one instance, then rest. Over 6 months – training on lead could extend to ten minutes. Moderation is the best guide. If a puppy tires, then stop! Up to 12 months of age natural free running is the best form of exercise for a young pup, who if tired, can easily stop when they wish and not keep on performing because they wish to please and keep up with you! Enjoy your puppy’s first 12 months as a friend, and savour a lifetime with a fit and healthy adult. View the full exercise article here
It is our general recommendation, and that of veterinarians, that German Shepherds should be able to grow physically and should be speyed or neutered after 18 months of age.
This varies, but generally 12 months of age is regarded as the end of puppyhood. By 12 months, your pup would have reached maximum height. The period between 12 months and 24 months is a transitional period of gradual muscular development filling the skeletal frame. More serious physical and mental training of your young dog can now gradually commence. Most experts agree that the GSD reaches, or should reach, adulthood at 2 years of age. Further physical and mental development can occur after this with full maturity being attained at about 4 years of age.
GSDCV Breeders should provide a ‘4 free training’ certifcate that can be used at any of our 11 training branches. This entitles you to 1 months discount on your membership and training fees
Yes, it is law that puppies are registered with their local council
Breeders and litters are listed here when available
Sire & Dam
Both the Sire and Dam must have been successfully Breed Surveyed and have passed both the Hip and Elbow dysplasia schemes
Pedigree
All puppies come with a Dogs Australia Registered Pedigree – providing proof of breeding and parentage. Read about the types of pedgirees here
Price
The price of puppies is very similar to that from other online advertising websites, but they cannot provide any of the above.
Support
Join the GSDCV for training your dog and particpate in a broad range of activies. Expert help is always available
Puppy Socialisation
A well bred puppy will have all the basics for the making of a sound, well adjusted puppy and adult dog. It's your responsibility to continue the development of your puppy by exposing and reassuring them to and around people, other dogs, the home and the outside community environment, to be confident in all circumstances. The GSDCV offers training classes from 8 weeks of age
Character
The GSD must be of well balanced temperament, steady of nerve, self assured, absolutely free and easy, and (unless provoked) completely good natured, as well as alert and tractable. He/she must have courage, combative instinct and awareness, in order to be suitable as companion, watch, protection, service and herding dog. Upbringing can affect character.
Training
Yes ! – It is your responsibility as a dog owner, to ensure that your dog is a well behaved, accepted member of the community. Obedience Training will teach you how to work with your dog, teach good habits, and overcome less desirable behaviour. A well trained dog is a pleasure to own, for you and other people your dog may interact with.
What Coat Type?
The correct coat of the GSD is a double coat with undercoat. The 'stock coat' top coat should be dense, straight, harsh and close lying. Short hair on the head and body. Longer hair on the back of the legs to the pastern or hock. A 'long stock coat' has a long double coat with long, wavy, topcoat not lying closely, with undercoat, feathering on ears and legs, bushy breeches and tail.