German Shepherd
Breed Stats
German Shepherd Puppy Overview
German shepherds are some of the most popular dog breeds on the planet. And how could they not be? They start off as cute little puppies with tiny snouts and floppy ears and then grow into mature adult dogs with pointy ears, long snouts, and intelligence that will sometimes have you questioning your own.
When it comes to looking for puppies available for purchase, you can find them in shelters, hanging around as pets, protecting your local farm, or even working alongside police and military service members. For these reasons, German shepherds are popular dogs, and there tends to be a lot of them out there available for adoption or purchase at all stages of life.
Due to the flexibility of this dog breed, they’re almost always in high demand, and sometimes breeders may struggle to keep up with that demand. That said, the good news is that you can usually find plenty of German shepherd puppies for sale if you know where to look.
This involves finding the right breeders, checking with local shelters in your area, and even checking with online adoption tools or reaching out to local rescues. Read on to learn more about how to find German shepherd puppies for sale as we take you through everything you need to know.
How to Find German Shepherd Puppies for Sale?
German shepherds are a pretty common dog breed, so finding them isn’t as challenging as finding some other dog breeds, like the Alabai, for example. That said, if you want to find one, you still have to do a little work. For example, you’ll need to either find a reputable breeder, work with an online tool, or find a shelter that happens to have a German shepherd puppy available.
The best way to find a German shepherd puppy for sale is to use our online adoption tools. We can help you find German shepherds near you when you enter your state and the dog breed that you want.
The tool is frequently updated and one of the best out there for helping you find accurate listings for German shepherd puppies for sale. For these reasons, we always recommend starting with our online search tools first.
If you want to do some scouting of dog breeders in your area, you can always look online with a Google search and check to see if they’re verified by organizations like the United States Department of Agriculture and specific German shepherd kennel clubs. Making sure they’re verified by reputable organizations is essential to ensure that you receive a healthy purebred German shepherd with no strings attached.
Aside from finding a breeder that sells German shepherds, you can also buy a German shepherd from a local dog shelter or rescue in your area. They will list German shepherd puppies for sale, and you can pay an adoption fee to bring them home.
It’s important to note that shelters are more limited, and you may find more older dogs than puppies. What’s more, shelters will want to look into your living situation to make sure you’re a good fit for a German shepherd puppy. This also applies to most rescues.
How to Find a Good German Shepherd Puppy Breeder?
If you want to find a good German shepherd puppy breeder, it’s all about finding breeders who maintain a solid reputation and affiliations with kennel clubs like the American Kennel Club (AKC). This ensures that the breeder knows how to handle German shepherds, and the best ones will have great reviews and an online presence and be able to answer any questions that you have.
Great German shepherd breeders also won’t rush you out or work in crowded kennels; these tend to be red flags and suggest that a breeder isn’t following German shepherd breeding best practices. Another telltale sign of a good breeder is their willingness to provide you with medical records and documentation about their health status. For example, reputable breeders will provide you with detailed records about surgeries and vaccinations.
If you’re unsure about how to verify this information, you can always use our online dog adoption tool. You can also work with a vet if you have one you trust because they often have connections with reputable breeders to handle the medical needs of those animals.
How Much Does a German Shepherd Puppy Cost?
German shepherds are popular dogs, and a lot of people want them, especially purebreds. For this reason, the cost of a German shepherd tends to be around $2,500 to $4,500. The cost varies due to their health history and whether or not German shepherds come from a working line or a show line. On average, working lines are more affordable, whereas show lines tend to come from great or more well-known bloodlines, and that can drive up the cost.
While this is what you can expect to pay for a German shepherd puppy from a breeder, the same doesn’t apply to shelters or rescue agencies. Shelters will only charge you an adoption fee, which is usually a few hundred dollars. The same is also true for rescues, although they’re usually a little bit more expensive.
Some German shepherds may be available through private sellers as well for around $1,000 to $2,000, but we never recommend going this route. Unfortunately, you never know what you’re getting yourself into, especially if you’re looking at an older German shepherd puppy.
German Shepherds For Sale
How to Care for a German Shepherd Puppy?
German shepherd puppies are some of the easiest puppies out there to care for if you can get past the training. They start out as small, playful, and high-energy pups, but they start to mellow out as they grow older.
To properly care for them, we recommend starting with a little bit of potty training and then moving on to more basic obedience training programs once they reach around four to six months of age. German shepherds have a history of being working dogs, so make sure you’re providing both physical and mental stimulation through their puppy years via walks, runs, or even puzzle games.
Aside from training, you also need to prepare your home for a German shepherd puppy. These little canines are active, curious, and like to chew on anything they can find, so keep anything you want out of their mouth off the floor. Also, make sure you have a fence up in your yard, and make sure it’s dug into the ground a bit because German shepherd puppies love to dig.
When it comes to their other health needs, it comes down to feeding them a healthy puppy-focused diet that’s formulated for German shepherds or at least medium-sized dogs. Make sure the food is appropriate for their life stage as well.
When it comes to their grooming needs, make sure you brush their coat a few times weekly to prevent matting because they have a double coat. Also, trim their nails every few weeks if they’re not wearing down from playing, and keep an eye on their ears for any signs of infection.
Is It a Good Idea to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy As Your First Dog?
German shepherds may seem like they have all the traits necessary to be a cakewalk for first-time dog parents, but this isn’t always the case. While they may be receptive to training, you have to be firm with them and use the right positive reinforcement methods to keep them happy. If you go too far in the wrong direction, they can become stubborn and standoffish, so you need to have a gentle yet firm touch. In other words, you need to walk a fine line with them.
German shepherds can also be challenging for first-time dog parents due to their socialization and attention needs. You need to spend a lot of time with them, especially as puppies, because they like to feel as if they’re part of the family.
That said, if you can handle their energy and careful training needs, you’ll find that German shepherds make some of the best canine companions you can find. Plus, we offer plenty of dog training courses, like Puppy Kindergarten, which can help you get the hang of things fast.
Buy the Right German Shepherd Puppy for You
German shepherd puppies can be a great addition to your family. They’re easy to train, safe to have around children, and with a little socialization, they’ll fit right in with other animals in your home. That said, if you’re a first-time dog parent, make sure you know what you’re getting into before you make a commitment.
Once you know a German shepherd is the right dog breed for you, it’s a good idea to spend some time with the puppy you plan on adopting. Make sure you mesh well with their personality before you adopt because every puppy is different. If you ever need help finding a German shepherd puppy for sale, you can always use our online adoption tools to get started.
