German shepherd question

Yes, by purchasing your dog from a reputable breeder..I recommend someone who show their dogs. To find a responsible breeder contact someone from your local German Shepard breed club. DO NOT buy a dog from the internet, a pet store, or an ad from your local newspaper. These type of breeders do not do any genetic testing on their dogs. Before you purchase, please read the difference between good and bad breeders here; http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/comparison.html Trust me, call someone in your local german shepard breed club and let them know youre looking for a GS puppy and if they can refer you to someone. Most, if not all of them know each other and show their dogs. By purchasing a dog from a reputable breeder, you will get a lifetime guarantee on the dog if the dog should become ill due to genetics. Buying a dog off the net, petstore or ad in the paper, will only get you a one yr guarantee. Most genetic problems start well past one yr. So basically 1 yr guarantees mean nothing! IF youre willing to pay pet store prices, then you can pay the price for a show dog quality from a responsible breeder. Ya see, many people have this percieve notion that just because its from a show dog breeder, the cost far exceeds the price of a pet store.. WRONG. Now on some occasions such as a puppy from the number one dog in the country.. well.. yeah youre gonna shell out some bucks for that pup. Just remember, by purchasing a dog off the net, pet store, or an ad in the paper, supports puppy mills. Good luck~

research the breed very carefully. IMO...you are better off getting a german bred german shepherd vs. an american bred show german shepherd. the german breds have much more stable temperaments, are prone to a lot less of the disorders that the american bred shepherds are. besides hip and elbow dysplasia gsd's are prone to eye disorders like pannus, digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and pancreatic insuffincies, long bone growing disorders such as panosteitis. plus the severe angulation that is desirable in the american show ring will give you a crippled dog in 7 years. good luck in your search.

i am not sure of the status of the gsd's in australia. checking pedigrees will be your best bet.

even from a reputable breeder they, on the average can only guraentee around 2yrs. for their hips. I've had shepards both from a breeder and a petstore and they have lived roughly the same ripe old age of 16 yrs. What I gave them was powdered Shark Cartledge. It helps with the joints. I wish you the best of luck.

Please don't fall into the trap of "they show so they must be good breeders". That is not always the case. You'd be shocked if you knew some of the crazy things people in the show world do so their dogs will win. Talk to you your local vets and see if they know someone who breeds German Shepherds. Ask to see paper work of anyone who says they do genetic testing. Both parents should be certifed to have good hips. Even then it doesn't mean your dog won't end up with bad hips. You also need to worry about Epilepsy in German Shepherds its more common than most people know. Good luck!