Who hasn't passed a pet store and noticed the cute, sad-eyed puppies behind the glass? What most don't know is the history behind those puppies and the pet store itself. Unfortunately, pet stores are not the best place to purchase puppies. This article will explain the reasons why. Pet buyers shopping for purebred German Shepherd puppies must take care in where they buy their desired pet. Thorough research into German Shepherd breeders and other sellers must be done. Additionally, pet buyers must research the breed they are buying and be prepared to care for its specific needs.

The German Shepherd is a large sheep-herding dog breed. The breed's history is recent. The first German Shepherd breeder, Max von Stephanitz, founded The German Shepherd Dog Club of Germany which classified the German Shepherd in 1899. The American Kennel Club (AKC) registered the breed in the herding group in 1911. Though German Shepherds come from one of many versions of German sheep-herding dogs, they perform many other functions today.

The German Shepherd dog has a large body and is wolfish in appearance. Stephanitz initially inbred the line to retain its lupine beauty, intelligence and utility. Unfortunately, inbreeding also caused genetic defects. German Shepherds are highly prone to hip dysplasia and other skeletal disorders. It is recommended that any potential buyer ask for a warranty from the breeder that their dog has been evaluated and cleared for hip dysplasia.

There are many places where a buyer can acquire a purebred German Shepherd. These include breeders, brokers, the Internet, the newspaper (private owners), pet stores, shelters and rescue centers. Simply put, the best place to buy a purebred German Shepherd is from a certified, ethical German Shepherd breeder. These breeders have their own kennels and often work in tandem with rescue centers or house rescues within their own kennels. All other sellers of German Shepherds cannot provide a full history and put buyers at risk of purchasing dogs with health and behavioral problems as well an uncertain ancestry.

A bad German Shepherd breeder only breeds dogs for cold hard cash and nothing more. They see the puppies and the parents as merchandise, not as living creatures. The term puppy mill or backyard breeder is the name given to these illicit breeders. The females are bred each and every season leading to shorter life spans and ill health. They are confined to very small cages and have no socialization of any kind. The puppies are kept in the same kind of conditions, which can lead to physically and emotionally unhealthy litters. These are the kind of puppies found at pet stores.

The best advice is to find a reputable German Sherperd breeder that really cares about the puppies they produce. This kind of breeder will ask questions of potential buyers to ensure the well being of the puppy in it's new home. They will have all the appropriate paperwork such as American Kennel Club registration and veterinarian health reports as well as plenty of care information to pass on to the new family.