What should I look for & do when purchasing a puppy?

• Research the Breed first & foremost. Be sure that a German Shepherd Dog is right for you & your family.

• Select a reputable Breeder (by this I don't necessarily mean that you should go to the Breeder that has won the most ribbons).

• Visit the kennels where the pups are to be born. Be satisfied that the kennels & yards are clean & tidy. This is a must. Do not be fobbed off for any reason !!! If you are not encouraged to visit the kennel, you do not want to buy a puppy from that Breeder.

• View the Dam & also the Sire, though sometimes this is not always practicable, as an interstate Stud Dog may have sired the litter.

• Both parents must have PASSED the Breed Improvement Schemes.

• After the puppies are whelped we like the puppy purchaser to visit at least twice. Check & see that the puppies are clean, healthy & outgoing.

• The Breeder should also give the purchaser a puppy booklet with Diet, 5-Generation Pedigree, Contract of Sale & helpful information to get you through the first 12 months of your puppy’s life.

• Most reputable Breeders will offer ongoing support through the life of the dog. 

Should I buy from a Pet Shop or Market?

It is against Victorian Canine Association & German Shepherd Dog Regulations for Breeders to sell puppies to pet shops & markets.

Purchasing a puppy is a lifetime decision that should be taken very carefully & not on impulse.

You will be unable to see the parents or the environment where the puppies have been raised & could not possibly be confident of the puppy’s health or for that matter the health of the parents.

What is the difference between the "Main" & "Limited" Register pedigrees?

The Breeder applies to the Canine Association for, & is issued with, a pedigree registration for each puppy in a litter.

Puppies on the "Main" Register are given a blue coloured registered pedigree that entitles the owner to exhibit & breed the dog.

Puppies on "Limited" Register are given an orange coloured pedigree but are unable to participate in shows & are unable to be bred with. Limited Register dogs can still be entered in Obedience Trials & should be encouraged to do so.

How much does a puppy cost?

A quality puppy may cost in the vicinity of $1000.

What is a Long Coat?

The correct German Shepherd Dog coat is relatively short, with an obvious undercoat. This coat is quite waterproof. Some dogs are born with long coats, which usually are devoid of undercoat. The long coat is a disqualifying fault & the puppy is generally sold on Limited Register. Many pet owners prefer long coated German Shepherds & this in no way detracts from the dog’s ability to act as an obedience, pet or companion dog.

What should I feed my puppy?

Your puppy’s Breeder should give you a diet sheet & recommend the foods that she thinks is suitable for your puppy’s growth to adulthood. If your Breeder has not given a diet sheet, contact your Veterinarian.

How much should I exercise my puppy?

The puppy is only very young & will not require much exercise, just is allowed to play & rest when he wants to. It is too young to go on walks for the first 4 months, as it places too much stress on growing bones & joints. After the puppy reaches 16 weeks of age, he can go on short walks of approximately 5 minutes duration, around the block or to the local shops, school or park. After the age of 6 months, the puppy can generally be walked more often & for slightly longer periods, but must be allowed to rest when tired. After 12 months of age, the puppy can generally walk, run, etc as often as you like & for longer distances as it will have achieved its final skeletal growth, & will be starting to develop muscle. Prior to this the puppy does not have enough muscle to support the bones & joints, so walking & exercise should be moderate. Careful exercise when young, & not overdoing it will give you a sound & healthy adult for life!

From what age can I take my puppy to obedience classes?

To be part of the "responsible owner fraternity", we suggest the new owners take their puppies to obedience classes from 8 weeks of age. Obedience training will assist in your puppy becoming a well-adjusted member of our community.

If you are taking your puppy to a Registered Dog Club such as the GSDCV, all animals taking part in any form of training are checked on a regular basis to see that their vaccinations are current.

When should I vaccinate my puppy/dog?

If you have bought your puppy from a Registered Breeder, you will have been given a vaccination card that says the puppy has been vaccinated at 6 weeks. You will also see that the next vaccination is due when the pup is 12 weeks old. After this your dog must be vaccinated every 12 months.

How long does a German Shepherd live?

Regular veterinary care, yearly vaccinations & proper feeding are vital in maintaining your dog's health. With proper nutrition, routine veterinary care, & regular exercise & grooming your German Shepherd Dog should live approximately 10 to 13 years.

What are the Breed Improvement Schemes?

Please refer to the GSDCA Schemes page on our website.

The Schemes consist of:

• Tattooing

• Hip/Elbow X-raying

• Haemophilia Testing

• Breed Survey

NB: Microchipping is not an acceptable identification for the Breed Improvement Scheme, however both Tattooing & Microchipping are permanent forms of identification of your puppy, & will aid in the identification & subsequent reuniting of you & your dog if it becomes lost.

Why is it important to socialise my puppy?

Before any puppy leaves their home, it has been loved, cared for & socialised.

Even so the puppy does not leave the kennels as a finished product. The Breeders have done their part - it is then up to the new family to continue with the puppy’s development. This means taking the puppy out & around shopping centres, parks, etc to meet people & other dogs - this is most important if your puppy is to develop into a well-adjusted, happy individual.  et the puppy encounter different situations, shapes, noises, traffic, etc, but do it gradually, NOT ALL IN 1 DAY. This allows the puppy to experience everyday situations & learn to react calmly.

It is a very great responsibility for the new family to continue the puppy’s development through structured training, discipline & love.

To help achieve this, the family is advised to become involved in the German Shepherd Dog Club training activities, which are held at branches throughout Australia.

Can the Breeder guarantee that the puppy will not have hip problems?

No Breeder can guarantee that your puppy will not have hip problems. But a responsible Breeder will guarantee that if there is a genetic problem with hips &/or elbows, they will replace the puppy or refund your money. Most breeders require the owner to return the puppy for replacement. Do not be dismayed by the Breeder requiring the return of the puppy. The puppy may be in a great deal of pain & the owner emotionally unable to deal with having to put the puppy to sleep. A responsible Breeder will want what is best for the puppy/dog.

Be very wary of the Breeder who says that their puppies will definitely not have any hip/elbow problems !!!

When will my puppy's ears stand up? 

Some puppies' ears are erect as early as 8 or 10 weeks, but do not be concerned if the pup's ears are not standing up until 5 months, especially if they are very large ears. Also, ear carriage can be very erratic during the period when a puppy is getting its adult teeth.

Don’t let anyone pet or pull your puppy's ears backwards before they are erect. This can damage the cartilage in your pup's ears, which can affect the ear carriage.

What is the difference between a German Shepherd Dog & an Alsatian?

There is no difference. After the 2 World Wars, anything that was German fell out of favour with the populace. So instead of German Shepherd Dog the Breed was known as Alsatian.

Why is the word "Dog" used in the Breed name?

The name in Germany is Deutsche Schaferhunde, which translated means "German Shepherd Dog". The word "Dog" is actually part of the Breed's name, unlike other breeds.