Dog Breeder Questions

Found a quality German Shepherd Breeder? Discover the common dog breeder questions.

German Shepherd for Sale

Most likely, you did not find this breeder in the newspaper or online classifieds. There are many things a reputable breeder will want to know about you before selling you a German Shepherd.

And there are several things you should inquire about before purchasing your puppy.

Dog Breeder Questions

Be Prepared for an Interview

A quality German Shepherd breeder will (and should!) ask you a ton of questions. In "What Is a Backyard Breeder?" Karen Peak correctly states that "a good breeder will all but interrogate you."

Do not take this personally. Reputable breeders are very demanding of their buyers. They take full responsibility for the puppies they produce and have strict criteria for potential buyers. You should also spend time questioning him.

Is a GSD right for Me?

This will be the most inportant of the dog breeder's questions.

An ethical breeder should ask if you've ever owned a German Shepherd. If not, they should highlight the challenges in owning a GSD.

After all, both of you have a vested interest in keeping the dog from being euthanized in a shelter.

Some things to look out for when considering a GSD:

• Destructive behavior from lack of exercise and mental stimulation
• Health problems are somewhat common in the breed
  
• High prey drive - will chase anything that moves quickly, animals, kids, bikes, joggers, cars
• Legal liabilities regarding public perception, breed bans, insurance issues, possibility of lawsuits
• Notoriously heavy shedders
• Poor socialization may result in agression or shyness
• Rowdiness and jumping on others while young/untrained
• Vigorous exercise requirements

If you locate a breeder that does not discuss the disadvantages of the breed, continue your search.

Right Breed, Right Dog

Once you have determined that a GSD puppy is right for you, now you need to pick the right one.

The backyard breeder I visited did not offer any advice whatsoever about my pick. He did not ask me any of the typical dog breeder questions. His attitude was "take the puppy and go."

A reputable breeder works very closely with his dogs. And he should know the personality and temperament of each one. Ideally, the puppy's progress has been tracked since birth and he can identify each one's traits.

This helps to match every puppy with a buyer for a perfect fit. He is also able to judge which animals have the best potential to be show dogs and which ones will make the best pets.

Mission: Improve the Breed

One goal of ethical German Shepherd breeders is to improve the bloodline of the breed. Therefore, he will more than likely keep in contact with you.

He will want to know if the dog:

• becomes a biter
• is excessively shy
• develops arthritis
• has problems with his coat

Questions About Your Dog

You should expect a call from the breeder if any puppies from the litter develop unexpected temperament or health issues. The breeder is an invaluable resource. Do not hesitate to ask questions about your dog.

Usually, each puppy comes with a health guarantee. Should the puppy develop a disorder that is covered in the guarantee, a responsible breeder will take steps to make things right. This may include a refund, a new puppy, or assistance with the problem.

A caring breeder considers each litter to be his responsibility for life. And will gladly offer assistance. Many times without expecting compensation.

Tell Me About Your Mother...

Ask to see the litter's sire and dam. Ironically, responsible German Shepherd breeders will most likely not have both parents on site.

Unlike casual breeders, they do not mate their dog with the most convenient dog of the same breed.

Backyard GSD breeders do not take the time to verify that a stud may lack the ideal qualities of the breed.

The dam, however, should always be on site, and he should be happy to let you meet her. If the breeder hesitates, go elsewhere. The dogs may be aggressive, fearful, or have temperamental issues. 

I should have known better when the breeder said he needed to "lock the mother up," before letting us see her puppies.

Try to spend some time with the mother. Pet her and play with her to determine her temperament. It will be a good indicator of the personalities of her pups.

Dog Breeder Questions

In addition to the breeder asking you questions, you should also come prepared with some of your own.

More tips and dog breeder questions can be found on the checklist for choosing your puppy.