The German Shepherd dog has a relatively short history though it is a well-loved and well-worked dog today. The breed began in Germany in 1899 and was registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1911. Briefly renamed the Alsatian Wolf Dog due to anti-German sentiment surrounding World War II, the dog regained popularity so much that over 48,000 Shepherds were enlisted into the German army. The intelligent and hard-working breed can be trained in a variety of areas.

German Shepherd breeders may specialize in dogs trained in a certain line of work or they may be able to refer buyers to specially trained Shepherd kennels. These dogs are commonly trained to be guides for the visually impaired, members of the police force and security for home and business owners. German Shepherds are one of the easiest breeds to train due to their inherent intelligence, desire to work, courage, physical and mental strength and loyalty. This breed excels in jobs that allow them to protect and serve. There is no better protector than a German Shepherd.

Purebred German Shepherds have specific characteristics. Max von Stephanitz inbred the first dogs so that certain traits would be guaranteed in the line. The German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany sets the breed standard. It defines characteristics from body measurements to character to gait. German Shepherd breeders should be familiar with the breed standard as well as what health problems to expect and to have dogs evaluated for. For example, this breed is prone to hip dysplasia and other skeletal disorders.

Good breeders will also have registration papers or some form of pedigree for each Shepherd they sell, preferably from the American Kennel Club. German Shepherd breeders will also provide medical records and offer a guarantee against the dog developing hip dysplasia at least within the first year. Good breeders have their own kennels, and dogs should receive daily socialization as well as being well fed and groomed. Unfortunately, there are many breeders who may attempt to sell Shepherds with false registration papers. They may also sell unhealthy dogs. It is important to know how to avoid bad German shepherd breeders.

How does a buyer avoid bad or illicit breeder? There are some obvious signs by which to recognize bad breeders. Unlike good breeders, bad breeders often do not have their own kennels, or if they do they refuse to allow buyers to visit. This is a clue that the breeder does not want the buyer to see the environment in which the German Shepherd has been raised or that the breeder does not have a kennel at all. Some so called breeders are actually brokers who take a fee for finding buyers for breeders.

Another sign is that the breeder cannot or will not provide health information. Some may have ties with specific veterinarians and may want a buyer to get medical documentation only from certain vets. A buyer should be able to take their puppy for evaluation at the veterinarian’s office of their choice. A final sign of a bad breeder is not asking the buyers for any information about themselves. Good breeders interview buyers to make sure the household their puppy is going to will be appropriate and have adequate discipline, care and training. Breeders that don’t ask questions don’t care about their German Shepherds.