Littleton, Colorado 80123, United States
720-425-5240 Text or Call
Do you ever wonder why there can be such a price difference?
German shepherd price can range anywhere from $700 to $8000 or more depending where the German Shepherd is coming from. There are many criteria’s you should look into when purchasing your GSD.
As you are searching for a GSD it’s important to look into the breeder. Are you able to visit their place? Do they have a contract just not a bill of sales? Where are the dogs kept? Is the dog/ kennel environment clean? What do they eat? How are they trained? Do they get enough exercise? How do the breeder and dogs interact with one another? Are you able to view all the GSD health clearance for any disease or health defects? Can you view the GSD lineage? Do any of the dogs show any aggression? These are all important question to ask yourselves as well as the breeder, as you want to be able to take home the healthiest puppy as possible that will have great health condition.
As a breeder our job is to better the GSD lineage, not down grade the line. We look seriously in to the health condition prior to even breeding.
Common health conditions in a GSD are: heart defects, hip and elbow dysplasia, arthritis, degenerative myelopathy, Von Willie brand disease, exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, susceptibility to diarrhea.
Arthritis, Hips and Elbows:
Hop dysplasia is a very common condition in GSD. The ball and the joint sockets of the hips are malformed. There can be slipping in the joint, and grinding of the bones against each other leading to arthritis and degenerative joint disease. More than a 5th of GSDs have abnormal hips and 20% have abnormal elbows.
Degenerative Myelopathy:
Genetic condition in which the spinal cord deteriorates. Dogs lose their ability to walk, control their bladder and bowels, eventually become paralyzed and die. You can usually see this in older dogs over eight years of age but a GSD can get is as young as 6 months. 2% of GSD have degenerative myelopathy.
Von Willebrand disease:
Caused by a recessive gene, most common breeding problems in dogs. Dogs are unable to produce a protein that works to clot the blood. Dogs can bleed excessively and potentially bleed to death. GSD is one of the breeds often diagnosed with this condition. Genetic testing is the only way to find out for this condition there is no cure.
Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency:
Pancreas produces the enzymes that work in the digestion and absorption of food and does not produce enough of these enzymes to digest the food. Causes diarrhea, weight loss and malnutrition of the dog. Diagnosed by blood test and not curable but treatable.
Susceptibility to Diarrhea:
Dogs with chorionic diarrhea begin to lose weight. They become dehydrated and malnourished. GSDs can have irritable bowel disease. Which causes abdominal cramping and diarrhea. GSDs have sensitive stomachs. Many owners and breeders of GSDs do have to pay an inordinate amount of attention to find food that will nourish and not upset their loyal canine. GSD May find themselves paying for high priced premium food.
All of these health condition can be tested through DNA testing or X-rays. Even when you do find an incredible breeder you still want to insure your puppy health by testing for all of the health conditions.
Dog breeders are here to offer future forever homes a puppy that is balanced, healthy, fulfilling their needs. Not every home should welcome a dog from anyone or anywhere, not everybody has the knowledge to cope with a dog with an unknown background and history.
A good breeder:
1. Will allow you to visit and tour all areas where the pups and their parents spend their time. The grounds should be well-maintained with clean, odorless kennels and exercise areas. Dogs should not be confined in cages for long periods. Small breeds may actually be housed in the breeder’s home.
2. Is not a puppy mill churning out high volumes of pups, but rather considers their breeding dogs to be family members and treats them with loving care. The breeder should encourage you to spend time with one or both parents on your visit. The parents should be friendly and socialize well with both people and other dogs. Their pups should have the same demeanor, be clean and energetic.
3. May not have a littler of pups readily available, but can put your name on a waiting list. Since optimum mating times occur according to natural schedules, litters are usually born in the spring and fall. Conscientious breeders give their dams a rest between litters and don’t over-breed them, so the wait for a pup may be over a year.
4. Should be very knowledgeable about the breeds they raise and should be able to answer your questions about the dog’s potential size, temperament, exercise requirements, inherited health issues, special needs, etc. Since most devoted breeders only deal with one or two types of dogs, their knowledge of the breed should be extensive.
5. Knows that socialization is an important part of puppy development and spends one-on-one time with their pups. They provide toys, fun exercise and lots of love for each pup.
6. Has a good working relationship with a respected veterinarian who examines each pup. The breeder should readily provide a complete medical record on each pup.
7. Practices responsible mating, taking genetic predispositions into account to reduce potential inherited problems. When appropriate, the breeder should present documentation illustrating that the pup’s parents/grandparents were screened for inherent breed problems such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart conditions, etc.
8. Provides several references from other families who have purchased pups and welcomes inquiries.
9. May question you regarding your ability to care for the dog, how much time you have to spend with him and where he will fit into your family.
10. Only sells pups to people he has approved as good pet owners and never sells to pet stores or over the internet.
11. Informs you of the pup’s diet and daily routine to minimize complications when introducing the pup to a new home.
12. Offers to be available to answer any questions you may have after you take the pup home.
13. Provides a written contract with a guarantee of health allowing time for a examination by a veterinarian of your choice. If medical problems are diagnosed, the breeder should readily take the pup back and provide a full refund.
14. Provides documentation of pedigree and registration papers made out in your name.
15. Will request that you give him first option to re-home the dog if you find that you find that circumstances prevent you from keeping him.
Reputable breeders, when pricing their German Shepherds, must factor in the expenses involved in breeding, raising, training and showing their dogs. A puppy whose parents (and often grandparents and other relatives) are proven show or champions has the potential to excel in these areas as well and will cost more money than a puppy who is the offspring of just average parents. Adult German Shepherds from proven show or hunting lines are more expensive than similarly bred puppies because of the additional costs of raising a puppy to adulthood and because it’s easier to determine overall quality in an adult dog. Finally, the most expensive German Shepherds are those adults who have already proven themselves as show dogs, K9 or breeding dogs. There’s very little risk involved in purchasing a proven German Shepherd – and these dogs will be priced accordingly.
