Buying a Pup

[wildmoor]

Make an appointment and go and view - leave your purse/wallet behind at home.

If you are a complete beginner, then try and take someone with you who has a bit of an idea about dogs in general and GSD’s in particular. Don’t go in your best suit if you are going to handle dogs, but don’t go looking like a scruff either. A breeder is going to have first impressions and if you look like a pauper you may be considered unsuitable.

Kennel Club registration
Whatever we think about the KC it is still the ‘ruling body’ and one is entitled to have registration papers for a pedigree puppy, even a long coat or non standard colour. Insist upon having those at the time of purchase. Some breeders who tattoo may delay registration in order to have the tattoo on the registration form in that event, the registration paper will not be available at 8 weeks but in that case, you should have a written agreement that the puppy has registration papers to come. You would be surprised at how many people wait months or even years, for registration papers and it is not the KC’s fault.

Vacinations
Some breeders will have initial vacs done - if so you require the card so you can take to your own vet and they know what the pup has already had.

Tattoo/microchip
I would expect any self respecting GSD owner to tattoo or Micro Chip all litters and thus you should expect to receive tattoo forms at purchase. Although tattooing is not obligatory and many excellent litters may not be tattooed, I am afraid we would expect it as routine to carry out at least the Micro Chipping in this breed.

Pedigree papers
Most breeders write out their own pedigrees and you should get a minimum of 3 better yet 4, better still 5 generation pedigree. This should be neat and accurate and should include not only titles such as Ch. but also any working qualifications. (CD, PD, Sch.H 111, FH etc). You would also expect hip/elbow scores to be completed whether they be BVA or SV.

Hip & elbow Details
Registrations these days include any hip score done under BVA, but before purchase ask to see the green card from the BVA, if a parent is an import ask again to be shown export pedigree - the SV also put health results on the back of this document.
Dont buy without seeing as your statutary rights under the sale of goods act may be affected.
Scores should be listed right hip/ left hip, not simply as a total. Thus 4/5 not merely 9. A 4/5 is not quite the same as 0/9. Dont listen to the tales of it was an accident when there is a realy uneven score unless there are prelim xrays prior to 'accident' to back up what they are saying, high and realy uneven hips produced high/uneven hips often it will skip a generation but come back with a vengence.
Elbow problems ( OCD, UAP and to a lesser extent FPC) are known to this breed. Scoring is 0/1/2 or 3 on each elbow with the higher number being the worst, the overall score is given as the highest eg a 0/3 = 3, 3/2 = 3 - dogs/bitches with a grade 2 or 3 should not be used.
Haemophilia
All breeding males should be haemophilia tested and I would advise you not to buy pups sired by dogs which have not received Breed Council Certificates on this count.
Other tests that may be available on one or more of the parents are;
PD pituitary dwarfism - certificates are from Ultricht University (can also be tested via Laboklin Manchester) who act as intermediataries
AF - Anal Furunculosis via Genoscoper
DM - degenerative myleopathy either through OFA, DDC veterinary dna testing - both by cheek swab or Laboklin who do blood or cheek swab

[wildmoor]

Whilst reseaching get the breeder to send you a copy of what the pups pedigree would be check out as much information as you can.
If they have a website check that the names they state are the KC names are by using the KC site - quite often they will deliberately miss spell the names think you cant check the health results.
If you need help research ask here or contact Chris Hazel, dont believe just because they have KC accredited breeder now known as KC assured breeder that they are doing things correctly and if they are registered as one a member of this scheme and are not adhering to it complain to Bill Hardway a the KC, also complain if they are using the logo when they are not members.

Remember hip screening in one form or another as been around for about 60 years - no excuses not to have 5 generations of scored dogs/bitches, elbow scoring as been around 13 years again no excuses to have at least 2 generations of screened dogs.

[LOVEGSD]

Thanks for posting this Pam, invaluable info here for everyone...xx

[Kealagirl]

Brilliant info Pam, everyone looking to buy a pup should use this as a guide

[Timmo]

Good info. Thanks. I'll no doubt need it in a couple of months.