Choosing a puppy

Question
Hi, my name Frank and I live in Houston, TX. I wanted to find out the process in choosing a baby puppy (german sheperd). What are some excellent companies to buy from and the process in buying. Please write back I will be expecting your answe.
Thanks a million.
Frank, Houston, TX

Answer
Hi Frank,  When it comes to choosing a puppy, here is a list of things you should do before making the actual purchase:

1.  You want to check out a lot of breeders.  
2.  You want to meet both parents to see that they both have a good temperment.
3.  Meet previous siblings if they have been bred before (to see how those dogs turned out) - Basically get references from previous buyers of puppies from the same parents.
4.  Check out where the puppies are raised, make sure the surroundings are clean as this is very important for future potty training of your puppy.
5.  Make sure the breeder offers you a one year health guarantee in writing and vaccinates as well as deworms the puppies before they are sent to their new home.  
6.  Make sure both parents have been OFA rated for their hips as hip dysplasia runs rampant in shepherds.  They should also be testing for other genetic diseases and show you proof of those tests.
7.  Make sure they offer a two year guarantee against hip dysplasia.  A one year guarantee against dysplasia is a joke because minor dysplasia won't even come out until the dog reaches 2 years of age.
8.  When you pick out a puppy, make sure his coat is nice and shiny, he is of adequate weight, isn't shy but also isn't overaggressive to you or the other puppies.  You want a nice outgoing puppy who is enjoying life.
9.  Check out the puppy's pedigree (lineage) to make sure that the breeder is not doing any inbreeding (father to daughter, mother to son etc).  If a breeder can not supply you with a pedigree, don't buy a puppy from them.

Hope this helps, and if you have anymore questions, just let me know.

Dawn