German Shepherds in Michigan » Guides http://www.germanshepherdmichigan.com Pure Bred German Shepherds Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:48:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 How to Choose a Breeder http://www.germanshepherdmichigan.com/how-to-choose-a-breeder/ http://www.germanshepherdmichigan.com/how-to-choose-a-breeder/#comments Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:48:08 +0000 admin http://www.germanshepherdmichigan.com/?p=16 Pure Bred German Shepherd puppies can be expensive, as a quick review of reputable breeders in Michigan can show. Because of this though, there are many people interested in making money by breeding inferior dogs. These people are usually deemed “backyard breeders” or “puppy mills.” That is why it is important to visit your breeder before purchasing a dog. That is also why we will try to help you by providing reviews of breeders in Michigan on our website!

When visiting a breeder, there are some important things regarding the conditions of the kennels and care of dogs to look for:

  1. Does the breeder provide enough attention and play with their dogs?
  2. Do the kennels feed healthy food and provide clean water?
  3. Is the shelter adequate for the number of dogs?
  4. Are the puppies given needles before you pick them up?
  5. Are the puppies given the proper de-worming and medication?
  6. Are the puppies cleaned and groomed as they get older?
  7. Are the puppies given exercise?
  8. Are there enough times for socialization? (e.g. play, interacting with new people, interacting with other puppies)

As for the breeder itself, look for the following signs:

  1. Belongs to a national or local breeding club?
  2. Tests the breeding stock for any genetic diseases (especially Hip Dysplasia)
  3. Do both the stud and bitch have excellent temperaments?
  4. Are the breeders very knowledgeable about GSDs?
  5. Why did the owners get into breeding? What is their history?
  6. Provides a warranty or other guarantee for their puppies regarding Hip Dysplasia and other common genetic disorders.
  7. Does the breeder show their dogs? Do they win?
  8. Agrees to take the puppy back if it doesn’t work out.

It is never recommended to purchase your animal from a pet store. These dogs often come from puppy mills, no matter what the store owner tells you. This is a very low-quality experience that does not provide you with the opportunity to meet the breeders or breeding stock.

]]> http://www.germanshepherdmichigan.com/how-to-choose-a-breeder/feed/ 1