Purchasing

Question
how to find the best greman sheperd for me and my family? Questions to ask, things to look for, signs ext.

Answer
Hi Bradley

First of all, do u want American in your lines or pure German Bred Shepherds as I breed?
I do not like any American blood mixed into my lines is why I went to the Pure West German V and VA rated parents to buy pups from, the utmost best in Germany.
Make a list of questions to ask the breeder.  Get good answers, no pauses.  Look at the parents, if they say one cannot come out for some dumb reason, BEWARE!
You should be able to visit the litter of pups in a whelp room with the bitch right there to see her temperment with people around her pups, if she is agressive, BEWARE!
Ask if the hips were OFA rated or certified and make sure they were for A normal is Excellent and A Fast normal is Good, anything less, stay away from.
Ask about any diseases in the lines they breed in, like heart, bleeders, thyroid, Testicles, soft ears and teeth, any congenital disease and ask to read the warranty they offer.
It should be for two years on Hips to be certified at two by our OFA and if they do not a replacement will be made by the Breeder of equal quaility you purchases.  Hip Displasia cannot be totally rulled out as this is why good breeders give a warranty of two years, for one little gene can slip from way back in the lines.  Anything can for that matter, but I only charge $800 for my pups, micro chipping is included and vetting at six weeks, so I cannot warranty only for HD the most important thing for now.
I would not pay over two grand for any pup.  I do not and I buy  the best available.  Nobody can tell what that two gran puppy will grow up and look like, no matter what the parents look like, etc.  It is purely foolish to pay too much for a good bred puppy.
Ask for dark pigment in color, no fade outs.  You want a black face, black saddleback, if the parents look faded so will the pups end up also.
Ask for a two week guarantee to have the puppy vetted by your vet for anything, and it can  be returned for a replacement if something by then should be found congential. Get in writing everything.  
Search for a good breeder on the web with references to offer.  Vetting of pups done at 6 wks, shots, wormed and checked good.  It should be tatooed or micro chipped, if not why?  Tatooing is painful to the pup for a day, then it is ok, but make sure the number is registered so if the pup is lost they know who's pup and where it belongs.  My micro chipping is registered in SCHREKNHAUS KENNELS.  Then I keep on  record your name, address, phone, etc.

Look for an outgoing puppy, not one that shys back and does not want any attention.  Look for a friendly, tail wagging puppy, clear bright brown eyes, good deep color, straight legs, nice top line and nice movement.  Not alot of angulation in rear.  A bright expression on the face of intelligence, good health and being handled alot.  Pick it up above your head, if it stiffens, it has not been worked with enough, it should let u roll it on its back and hold it to count to five, have the breeder drop a can of coins, marbles, etc and watch the puppys expression, if it goes to the can its good, if it hides, bad.
Hold the puppy like a baby in your arms, if it does not seem to like being held, most likely it has not been worked alot of prekindergarten training which it should be.
So many breeders it is all about money, whelp a litter and let it be, no more attention other than feeding them and vetting them.  Puppies should be handled daily alot, be socialized with other dogs if any are there and should be if a breeder.
They should be almost fearless at 9 wks.  Outgoing, bright, happy, healthy loving pups ready for a good home.  Make it part of the family, take it along always, my stud goes to funerals, shopping, everywhere I go he goes.

If u need further help go to  my site, click on an emails and I will be happy to assist in your purchase.  On my front page is a video of a Sasha pup at only 16 wks old or so, many tips of good advise, I keep my site full of information for the German Bred Lovers of Shepherds.

Kind Regards
Patt
WWW.SCHREKNHAUS.COM  my site..
WWW.SPRINGTIMEINC.COM for all great supplements I use and look at my dogs.