How to Choose a German Shepherd Puppy

Say, you want to get a German Shepherd puppy. Congrats! You’ve made an excellent choice. German Shepherds are outstanding working dogs and family companions. However, they do require a lot of care and attention. So before making such an important decision, read this article for all the information you’ll need to know about German Shepherds and German Shepherd puppies.

1.    What Age German Shepherd Should I Get?

There is no perfect age for a German Shepherd to bring home, as German Shepherds can be bought at any time of their lives. However, German Shepherd puppies are more likely to bond with you at around eight weeks old if brought into your home. German Shepherd puppies will also respond better to training than German Shepherds bought as adults. German Shepherd puppies can be house trained in as little as a week. (Credit Information: https://www.smithfarmsgermanshepherds.com)

2.    What Should You Know About German Shepherd Personality?

German Shepherds are alert and loyal dogs with lots of personalities. They are curious and observant and make excellent watchdogs. Although these dogs are gregarious, they are not known to be very aggressive towards strangers. They are very protective of their family and can be trained to act as guard dogs. German Shepherd puppies love children, but German Shepherd dogs should not be left unsupervised with young children due to German Shepherd dog strength.

German Shepherds are brilliant dogs that have a lot of energy to expend. German Shepherd puppies need daily exercise ranging from brisk walks to running and playing games. German Shepherd puppies should be taken on long walks, but German Shepherd dogs should not be over-exercised in cold temperatures. German Shepherds can adapt to most living environments; they do best with families with fenced yards where German Shepherd puppies can run and play freely. German Shepherd dogs are also ideal for people who live in apartments as German Shepherd puppies are easy to train, and German Shepherds are content with limited space. German Shepherd dogs love their owners fiercely, but German Shepherds also thrive on routine, German Shepherd dogs should go for daily walks, and German Shepherds like having a regular schedule.

3.    What German Shepherd Colors Are There?

There are three German Shepherd coat colors: black German Shepherds, white German Shepherds, and tan German Shepherds. Black German Shepherds have a black undercoat with a solid black overlay. White German Shepherds have a white undercoat with a concrete black overlay, German Shepherds with a solid white undercoat, and German Shepherd dogs with patches of white on their coats are considered German Shepherds fawns. German Shepherds with solid brown skin and German Shepherds with large amounts of gray or silver in their coats are called German Shepherd sable German Shepherds. German Shepherd dogs come in two German Shepherd ear variations, German Shepherd drop ears, and German Shepherd prick ears.

4.    Be Aware of Your Shepherd Gait

German Shepherds have a German Shepherd gait that is smooth and balanced. German Shepherd gait should never be stiff or bouncing as German Shepherds should not be moving too fast at a trot. A German Shepherd’s gait should be linear instead of clumsy. Its gait also shouldn’t look as if the dog is crabbing; German Shepherds’ gait shouldn’t be with their back legs too far apart or with their hindquarters turned inward as these movements indicate the German Shepherd’s gait is uncoordinated. Overall, the German Shepherd gait should be smooth and balanced.

5.    What Is a German Shepherd Ear Cropping?

Cropping is the trimming of German Shepherd ears so that they stand upright. Long-hanging ears are prone to infections, and dogs may develop swelling over time. Dog cropping is mainly done to help them hear clearly and to avoid ear infections. When you adopt a German Shepherd puppy, you need to check with the breeder to find out about ear cropping.

6.    Do Your German Shepherd Research

German Shepherds are a large breed of dog that requires adequate exercise and mental stimulation every day, so it is essential to find the perfect German Shepherd for you based on what you can provide for them. Look for German Shepherds in German Shepherd rescues and breeders. German Shepherd puppies are usually the easiest to find, but they are often more expensive than adults or rescue German Shepherds because of their age.

7.    Bring Home Your German Shepherd Pup or German Shepherd Adult

When you are planning to get a German Shepherd as a pet, you need to decide whether you should order a puppy or an adult German Shepherd. German Shepherds need to be disciplined and trained, so getting a puppy might come across as an intelligent choice. You can also adopt adult German Shepherds if that seems more convenient. If you are looking for an adult German Shepherd, you should do a thorough background check to see if it has been appropriately trained. Undisciplined German Shepherds can be a menace for you and your family.

8.    Select Your Breeder Right

Choosing a German Shepherd dog is an essential step in your life. German Shepherd puppies are sweet, but German Shepherds may not be what you’re looking for once they grow up. You must consider everything about your German Shepherd puppy before you bring them home with you, so take the time to visit German Shepherd breeders and German Shepherd rescue centers to make the best choice.

If you want a German Shepherd puppy that is also great with children, do not pick one abused or mistreated. German Shepherds become German Shepherd dogs through the treatment they receive from their owners, so take a German Shepherd pup to your home, knowing that it will be a great companion if you raise it well.

Final Thoughts

The German Shepherd puppy you choose will be a part of your family for at least ten years, probably 15-20. To make the best decision possible, you need to weigh certain things and consider the right steps before choosing which German Shepherd pup is proper for you. The guidelines above provide you with the necessary information to make sound decisions for your home.