Buying a German Shepherd Dog Puppy
What to expect from a breeder who puts Health, Welfare and Temperament first.
Essential Documents
- Heath Certificates (both parents)
- Signed AWF Puppy Contract
- KC Registration Certificate (if applicable)
- Microchip Registration Certificate
- Temporary Pet Health Insurance
- Vaccination Certificate
A Good Breeder Will:
- have socialised and habituated the puppy
- provide a supply of food
- provide a blanket smelling of Mum
- follow the Code of Practice for Dog Breeding
Official Health Schemes
- BVA/KC scheme for hip dysplasia (HD)
- abnormal formation of the hip – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC scheme for elbow dysplasia (ED)
- abnormal formation of the elbow joint – pain and lameness
- BVA/KC screening for eye disease; full ophthalmological testing before breeding (includes checks for multiple inherited diseases)
- various abnormalities can cause blindness and pain
Other Diseases
No current health scheme or DNA test available.
- Allergic skin disease
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- Anal furunculosis
- deep infection in the skin around the anus
- Bloat/GDV (gastric dilation and volvulus)
- where the stomach inflates with air and twists, sometimes fatally
- Cancer
- particularly haemangiosarcoma in the spleen
- Diarrhoea
- caused by problems with the intestines or pancreas
- Epilepsy
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- Patent ductus arteriosus
- congenital heart abnormality in puppies, can be fatal if not treated
- Lumbo-sacral stenosis
- pain and weakness caused by abnormalities of the lower spine
DNA Tests Relevant to Breed
- Degenerative myelopathy (DM/CDRM)
- progressive weakness of back legs
- RVIIID (Haemophilia)
- abnormal blood clotting
- MDR1 (Multidrug resistance)
- adverse reactions to certain medications
- Pituitary dwarfism
- failure to grow normally due to hormonal problem
Other Tests
- Some testing panels will also include other rare genetic diseases
Further Information
None.