A German Shepherd puppy
A German Shepherd dog is courageous and will happily risk life and limb to protect his family and then curl up on the couch to watch TV with his master at the end of the day. When you look for a German Shepherd puppy to share your life, you have a better chance of success if you know what to look for and what to guard against.
History
The German Shepherd dog (GSD) is a rugged herding breed that far exceeds its farm-life roots. The breed was developed by 1899 in Germany to protect the flocks in the field and the shepherd that accompanied them; the GSD emerged as an intelligent, agile and swift all-around protector: GSDs were first brought to the U.S. in 1908 but surged in popularity after WWI, when returning vets brought home their military dogs. The GSD had been used by the Red Cross, at the front, for police work and for guard duty. Movies boosted the public image of the versatile and intelligent GSD with such canine heroes as Rin-Tin-Tin and exposure from new-found police work added focus to their protective natures. They excelled in service fields for Seeing Eye dogs, search and rescue and, in show ring competitions, their numbers soared.
Temperament
GSD puppies are cute and playful and grow to adore their families and protect them vigorously. A well-bred German Shepherd dog is a stable family member. A GSD with the proper temperament must have a fearless but not vicious personality. They are loyal to a fault but accepting of strangers once their master indicates approval. When you look at GSD puppies, never pick the shy puppy who runs to the corner of a room, avoids your gaze, shakes or otherwise appears apprehensive. Look for the bold puppy that comes up and wants attention.
Appearance
The distinctive outline of a GSD is hard to mistake.
Upright, pricked ears are a familiar sight with GSDs. The ears stand erect but puppy ears often flop a bit until they gain strength. A puppy's body can look too large when compared to his head size at first but he will soon grow proportionately. GSDs have square, long bodies with large, strong bones. As adults, they will grow to be from 22 to 24 inches at the shoulder.
Colors
German Shepherd puppies come in a wide variety of colors. All are permissible with the AKC and other registering bodies, except white. The most common colors for GSDs are sable (brown) with a black "blanket" or "saddle" marking and with or without a "face mask" (coloring on the face); all black; and red with a black blanket or saddle and face mask.
Hereditary Disease
Two of the most serious hereditary diseases that strike German Shepherd puppies are Von Willibrand's disease (VWD) and hip dysplasia. VWD is a lack of clotting ability in the blood. Dogs affected with VWD can bleed to death from a superficial wound. Hip dysplasia is a malformation, usually in the hip joint, although elbows and knees may also have problems. Always ask to see the parents' hip certification from OFA, OVC or Penn Hip to ensure that the puppy's sire and dam have been tested and cleared. Hip dysplasia shows up as a puppy ages and youngsters will not show symptoms. Other health concerns from eczema to cherry eye, bloat and dwarfism may arise in German Shepherd puppies. The more you know about a puppy's ancestry, the more likely you can be sure he is healthy and will stay that way.
Living Conditions
A German Shepherd puppy will be happy anywhere you live. They are very social dogs that do much better in a family home than a kennel environment. It doesn't matter if your home is a tiny one-bedroom apartment or a palatial estate; as long as you spend quality time with your puppy and make sure he gets enough exercise and attention, he will be happy.
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