Are you financially prepared for vet bills, puppy classes, and continued classes? Will you be able to handle an emergency vet trip?
Do you have the time and energy after work to meet a GSDs needs? You said play time which is kind of vague. Most GSDs need real training and exercise well into adulthood.
These are things to seriously consider. Many people love to look at a GSD but can't provide a good home for one because they can be very demanding dogs.
You can start your search for a puppy here: http://gsdca.org/join-the-gsdca/breeders-code
Notice that they mention x-rays of hips and elbows as the very minimum of health testing. When you look at a breeder, you'll want the OFA numbers of the dam and sire to enter into the OFA database. This lets you verify that they aren't breeding dysplastic dogs. More health testing is even better!
Do NOT settle for a breeder that says,"Well the vet gave him a clean bill of health." A vet check is all fine and well but simply looking at a dog cannot tell you what's going on inside of a dog.
Do you have the time and energy after work to meet a GSDs needs? You said play time which is kind of vague. Most GSDs need real training and exercise well into adulthood.
These are things to seriously consider. Many people love to look at a GSD but can't provide a good home for one because they can be very demanding dogs.
You can start your search for a puppy here: http://gsdca.org/join-the-gsdca/breeders-code
Notice that they mention x-rays of hips and elbows as the very minimum of health testing. When you look at a breeder, you'll want the OFA numbers of the dam and sire to enter into the OFA database. This lets you verify that they aren't breeding dysplastic dogs. More health testing is even better!
Do NOT settle for a breeder that says,"Well the vet gave him a clean bill of health." A vet check is all fine and well but simply looking at a dog cannot tell you what's going on inside of a dog.
