Should You Purchase a German Shepherd?

Originally Published In Feb 1997 Issue of Dog World

My husband and I are proprietors of a training facility, and we also breed black German Shepherd Dogs. When we meet prospective clients for a puppy sale, we cover the following points to help them decide if they are really ready for a puppy.

There are several questions that need to be answered honestly before you consider purchasing our breed, or any other large breed. Realize first that the pup is going to take a lot of time and work because it is still a baby. Therefore, you must have the time and facilities available to take proper care of your puppy.

First, space is an important consideration. A shepherd is a large dog and even though your puppy may seem small at this time, it will definitely become much bigger. Large dogs must have a lot of exercise. If you are a regular runner (and this means in the winter months as well as the warmer months), and you can take the dog with you on a daily basis, a large yard may not be necessary. If you are a couch potato, or somewhere in between, you should have a fenced yard for the dog to get plenty of exercise. A dog kept in a small area has no way of "running off" its energy and will become a problem.

Second, do you have the time and energy to work with your puppy? A puppy is going to take a lot of time and patience. Your puppy will not grow up overnight and will need a lot of gentle guidance.

Third, do you have some way of containing the puppy until it has matured enough not to hurt itself or to destroy the house? Along with veterinarians and animal rescue groups, we recommend keeping the puppy in a crate.

Fourth, do you have children and will they be taught to treat the dog gently? A puppy can be a great companion to a child but is not a toy for them to hit, sit on, pull, tug, kick, etc. For your puppy to grow up with a good temperament, it must be treated humanely by everyone in the family.

We have bred, raised and loved these puppies from day one. We know they will make excellent family members if raised properly. We want them all to go to good homes where they will be happy, so please understand the breeders' desire to be sure one of their puppies is right for you.

Written and Contributed by Jeanneane Kutsukos

Pro Dog Training, 561-575-1244
Pro Dog Training, Inc.,
Springfield, VA,
copyright 9/1/97