Quality German Shepherd puppies are expensive. Puppies from German bloodlines with sire and dam titled in Schutzhund and breed surveyed range from about $1000 to $5000 and even higher. Unfortunately German Shepherds like many breeds are plagued by their share of genetic problems. So, as a savvy buyer, you want a written contract and guarantee. Right? Well before you get all comfortable and cozy with that piece of paper, let's explore the world of guarantees on the German Shepherd Dog.

As a prospective new puppy owner looking for a responsible breeder, what are the primary concerns you want addressed in your contract? The usual answers are general health, hips, ears that are erect, testicles on males, good temperament and registration ability.

The breeders we checked who did provide written contracts and guarantees had one element in common. NONE OF THEM EVER REFUND MONEY. At most, they will give a replacement puppy selected by them and within a time frame selected by them. But the conditions under which they furnish this puppy are usually very well defined and delimited. For example, we frequently saw guarantees against "crippling hip dysplasia" without a clear explanation of what exactly this meant? The inference is that the dog has to be so totally disabled that it cannot walk and has to be euthanized? The explanation we received is that if the hips were so bad that the dog had to be euthanized, the buyer would be eligible to receive a replacement puppy. If the hip problem was not "crippling" no replacement would be forthcoming.

We saw many breeders guaranteeing "working hips," which they defined as a dog that might technically have hip dysplasia but could otherwise lead a normal life. Another very common part of the guarantee making everything contingent on the buyer feeding a certain diet and totally conforming to other conditions such as limiting puppy from climbing stairs, jumping, maintaining a clean environment, etc. If the buyer does not comply absolutely with any of these conditions, all guarantees are null and void. Another absolute is that if you breed the dog, all guarantees are null and void.

Usually the breeder asks that the OFA x-ray be accomplished within a couple of months after the dog has reached 24 months. The dog must be 2 years old before official OFA hip certification can be granted. The breeders know full well that by the time the dog is two years old, you and your family have become tremendously attached to this animal. They know you are unwilling to return the dog (which many breeders require for a replacement puppy) as you and your family are very attached to your dog.

The breeder usually demands that you send them the x-rays and do additional radiographs if OFA has determined there is improper positioning. And without exception the breeder asks you to pay travel expenses to return your dog, and the breeder will usually give you only one replacement dog. Thereafter, any guarantees are no longer in effect. They usually will not guarantee your replacement puppy against hip problems.

Some breeders will make a replacement puppy available at a reduced price, which means you basically have to buy another puppy, even though the price will be less expensive the second time around! We have even seen a contract that actually uses language suggesting that the buyer is not required to go through the "expensive process" of x-raying their dog and sending film to OFA!! Some breeders do not really want you to x-ray the dog; they suggest it is so much easier to just accept the dog and go your merry way.

There are as many variations of the hip guarantee language as there are breeders. Read carefully!

What about the other concerns you have such as general puppy health, ears, testicles, temperament and registration? Almost everyone guarantees health of the puppy for the first 48 or 72 hours allowing you to take the puppy to your vet for examination. Take advantage of this feature. A good vet can see problems before your family become attached to your new puppy. Do not hesitate to return the puppy. We know this is difficult, but it is best in he long run. And a good breeder wants to know if there is a problem. They do not want to sell you a defective puppy.

Most breeders do not reference ears in their contracts but those that do want to know if ears are erect by 4 months of age. If they are not up--and have not been up--they will ask you to tape them for a certain period of time. If you do not comply with taping, any guarantee is void. In any case, the breeder asks that the dog be one year of age before honoring this part of the guarantee, which again means you have developed quite an attachment to your dog.

Descended testicles on males may be guaranteed. The contracts we saw that referenced this subject asked that the buyer wait a full year to ensure that testicles will not descend, and they insisted that the male be returned at your expense before a replacement puppy is considered. Once again, this is difficult for a family who has become attached to the dog.

Temperament? We did not see temperament guaranteed in any way in the contracts we researched. There are a few good breeders who guarantee temperament and eagerly accept a dog back in their kennel. They normally will honor this if you have not neutered or spayed your animal. And registration? Everyone guaranteed that the buyer could register the puppy with AKC and a few breeders provided the "pink" papers issued by the SV but sometimes charging the buyer the additional cost of this service.

What we can conclude is that while a written guarantee makes you feel good when you buy a puppy, the reality is that most people never exercise their rights. Since breeders seldom if ever give money back, your only option is to return your dog and get another puppy from the same breeder. And your replacement puppy is normally not guaranteed. While we have related what we typically found in our research, this article in no way is comprehensive. Every breeder puts their own spin on their guarantees. All we suggest is that you read carefully and ask a lot of questions.

Our View

We would tell you that a puppy cannot be guaranteed like an appliance. All any responsible breeder can attest to is the soundness of his breeding dogs. They must have excellent temperament and be free from genetic problems. A puppy from any breeder can develop hip dysplasia even if sire and dam and past generations have good hip. We are not making television sets or refrigerators. We are breeding beautiful living animals, and sometimes the genetic toss does not fall out favorably.

And it is not conclusive that genetics alone determine whether a puppy develops hip dysplasia. There are theories that over feeding, diet, and too much exercise at a young age can contribute to hip dysplasia. There are arguments over this issue, but it has not absolutely been proven either way. Therefore, the buyer has the responsibility to make sure the puppy stays thin and receives a good diet of high quality dog food. The buyer must ensure that the puppy does not run up and down stairs, jog, and jump in or out of a vehicle until they are at least 12 months old.

Another point to consider is that good hips mean nothing if you have bad temperament. Temperament predisposition is genetic, but environment plays an overwhelming role in determining the ultimate nature of your dog. And hips are not the only problem! German Shepherds can also have elbow and back problems. They are prone to blood disorders and can have allegies and skin problems.

Why do we tell you all this? We're not trying to make you feel bad or helpless. Instead, we want you to understand that you are getting a living, feeling and thinking creature that will make you the center of his life. We want to make sure you take care of him in every way, even if he is not perfect. Most of the problems that plague German Shepherds are very manageable with good diet, supplements, training, and good veterinarian care. If you properly care for your dog, he will give you a lifetime of unmitigated love and devotion. He will be your best friend and protect you, your family and your property with his life.

With our puppies, we guarantee that the breeding stock is in good health and that hips and elbows have passed the German and/or American standards. The HD Zuchtwert will also comply with the German SV standards (the average for sire and dam not over 100). The puppies we will have in the future will be from titled and breed surveyed sire and dam complying with the world standard for breeding. These tests are in place for a reason--it is not enough to have a son or daughter from titled and breed surveyed dogs. The actual breeding dogs must have passed these tests. Beware of the breeder who says "Gorgeous puppies from Rikkor daughter" available. And invariably the picture will be of Rikkor and not of the Rikkor daughter. Keep in mind that the top dogs have been bred literally hundreds of times, and they do not always have perfect progeny. Look at the actual sire and dam of the litter you are considering, not just their parents or grandparents. And what we mean by "look" is to study the accomplishments of those dogs. You will likely not be able to see the sire, as many breeders send their bitches to a sire located elsewhere. But do not hesitate to contact the owner of the sire and ask questions about his progeny.

Puppies are a crapshoot. If you want to ensure absolutely that your new dog will have good hips, elbows and great temperament, get an adult dog. They are considerably more expensive than a puppy because they have already demonstrated they have these qualities. If your preference is only for a puppy, research extensively and then make your selection based not just on a guarantee, but on the bloodlines of the breeding. Most good breeders can talk bloodlines with you (if they can't, consider another breeder), and they will advise you what type of German Shepherd would best fit with your family. Again beware of breeders who have many litters on the ground at the same time and even give you a color selection from white to black and in-between. If they offer references, check them. Do your homework--do not buy a puppy impulsively.

Many of our inquires are from people who say, "I do not want to show." " I just want a pet, so I do not need your most expensive puppy." You ALWAYS want the best puppy you can obtain. For most breeders, there is no such thing as "pet quality." Where you find reduced prices are on long coated puppies (coats), males with undescended testicles and ears that are problematic. If you do not wish to breed, most breeders will sell you these puppies with limited registration (meaning you cannot breed them) for a reduced price. Another source to consider is German Shepherd Rescue organizations. Sometimes these groups get outstanding dogs perfect for families. We have a link to the Austin, TX rescue group on our web site.

And many folks are turned off by the high purchase price of a quality puppy. If anyone is hesitant about a puppy because of initial purchase price, we will not place the puppy in that home. Maintaining a German Shepherd with quality food, training and medical care is costly, far more costly than the initial purchase price.

Do not be afraid to buy a dog from another location. It is not an problem to have your puppy shipped. Believe me, they do just fine--even coming directly from Germany at 9 weeks of age. But do not expect perfection. Consider yourself lucky and blessed if you get a puppy that meets every expectation in terms of health and temperament. Most of us try our best to produce a healthy joyful puppy, but sometimes there are problems. A good breeder may not necessarily give you a written guarantee but will generally work with you to reach a satisfactory solution. They want you to be happy, and most of all, they want the best home for their precious puppies.

A Sample Guarantee

We thought it would be helpful for you to look at a puppy guarantee, which I found on the Internet. It is actually one of the better guarantees I have seen, but after reading the above comments, you should be able to have more insight in your analysis of what the seller is offering. I supplied the underlining for emphasis.