Question 1

How big does a German Shepherd get?

Accepted Answer

Adult German Shepherds weigh 50–90 lb and stand 22–26 in tall. Parents of Pawrade German Shepherds typically weigh 70–110 lb (fathers) and 60–90 lb (mothers).

Question 2

Should I get a male or female German Shepherd?

Accepted Answer

Males are bigger, at about 65–90 lb and 24–26 in tall, against about 50–70 lb and 22–24 in for females. Males also tend to reach full maturity later.

Question 3

What colors do German Shepherds come in?

Accepted Answer

The familiar colors are black and tan, black and red, black and cream, bi-color, solid black and sable. The AKC standard permits most colors, while white, blue, liver and pale, washed-out colors are outside the AKC breed standard.

Question 4

Is a white German Shepherd a purebred German Shepherd?

Accepted Answer

White is a German Shepherd color, though it is outside the AKC breed standard; the UKC accepts it. The white line is also recognized as its own breed: the White Shepherd (UKC) or Berger Blanc Suisse (FCI).

Question 5

What is the difference between a long-coat and a stock-coat German Shepherd?

Accepted Answer

The stock coat is the medium-length double coat of the AKC standard, and the long coat has a longer outer coat over an undercoat. A long coat is outside the AKC breed standard, while the UKC and FCI recognize it as long as it has an undercoat.

Question 6

What is the difference between working-line and show-line German Shepherds?

Accepted Answer

They are informal lines within one breed, and the registries recognize one German Shepherd with one standard. American and German breeding went separate ways after the Second World War, which is why dogs from different lines can look different.

Question 7

When do German Shepherd puppy ears stand up?

Accepted Answer

A German Shepherd puppy's ears usually stand by about 4 months. They may go up and down while the puppy is teething, and the standard calls for upright adult ears.

Question 8

What is the German Shepherd temperament like?

Accepted Answer

German Shepherds are confident, steady and eager to please, and the standards describe a fearless, attentive dog that is neither timid nor hostile. They are reserved with strangers and bond closely with their people.

Question 9

Are German Shepherds good protection dogs for a family?

Accepted Answer

German Shepherds are naturally protective and aloof with strangers, which is why police and military programs use them. Broad socialization with friendly strangers keeps that instinct from turning into fear or aggression.

Question 10

Are German Shepherds friendly with strangers?

Accepted Answer

Most German Shepherds are reserved with strangers at first, and the breed is not given to making friends with everyone. A well-socialized German Shepherd should still be approachable, and the standard calls for a self-confident dog, not a shy one.

Question 11

How much energy and drive does a German Shepherd have?

Accepted Answer

German Shepherds are high-energy working dogs that need a daily job. Give yours daily exercise plus mental work, such as obedience, scent games or puzzle toys.

Question 12

Can a German Shepherd be a service or therapy dog?

Accepted Answer

German Shepherds work as guide dogs, therapy dogs, search-and-rescue dogs and detection dogs. The Seeing Eye, the American guide-dog school, was founded to train German Shepherds.

Question 13

Are German Shepherds good with kids and other dogs?

Accepted Answer

German Shepherd puppies on Pawrade usually meet children and other dogs early: breeders report socializing 93% of litters with large dogs and 81% with young children. Keep it going at home, because broad socialization with friendly people helps a protective breed stay steady. Among Pawrade German Shepherd buyers, many already have another dog or children at home.

Question 14

Are German Shepherds good with cats?

Accepted Answer

It depends on training, because a bored German Shepherd may chase cats and other animals. Teach self-control, such as sitting for food and toys, and a reliable recall early.

Question 15

How much exercise does a German Shepherd need?

Accepted Answer

A German Shepherd needs more than 2 hours of exercise and play a day. Mix walks, jogs, hikes or play with mental work such as obedience or agility, because a bored German Shepherd turns destructive.

Question 16

Can a German Shepherd be left alone while I work?

Accepted Answer

Not for long stretches, because German Shepherds are people-oriented dogs that need a job, and boredom leads to destructive behavior. Short crate breaks from puppyhood help prevent separation anxiety.

Question 17

Can a German Shepherd live in an apartment?

Accepted Answer

It can work with a lot of daily exercise and training, but it is not the easiest fit for a high-energy dog that needs a job. Almost all German Shepherd buyers on Pawrade have a yard.

Question 18

When can my German Shepherd puppy run and jump?

Accepted Answer

Forced, repetitive running should wait until your puppy has finished growing, which in large breeds takes until about 18 months. Growth plates in a puppy's legs stay soft while it grows, and strenuous exercise can hurt them. Until then, keep play free and varied, and keep your puppy lean.

Question 19

Do German Shepherds shed a lot?

Accepted Answer

German Shepherds shed heavily, and they blow their coat about twice a year, in spring and autumn. They are not a low-shedding breed.

Question 20

How much grooming does a German Shepherd need?

Accepted Answer

Brush a German Shepherd more than once a week with a de-shedding brush, and daily during the heavy sheds. Bathe only when needed.

Question 21

Should I shave my German Shepherd in summer?

Accepted Answer

Never shave a German Shepherd, because the double coat insulates it. In hot weather, move exercise to the cooler hours instead.

Question 22

Are German Shepherds easy to train?

Accepted Answer

German Shepherds are intelligent, eager to please and quick to learn. Use food, games and praise, given calmly and consistently, because harsh methods backfire.

Question 23

What activities and dog sports are German Shepherds good at?

Accepted Answer

German Shepherds do well in obedience, rally, agility, tracking, herding, scent work, flyball, dock diving, IGP (Schutzhund) and therapy work. As a tending herder, a German Shepherd can take an AKC herding instinct test with no prior training.

Question 24

Why does my German Shepherd bark, dig or chew?

Accepted Answer

Boredom is the usual reason, because an under-exercised German Shepherd barks, digs and chews destructively. Daily jobs, such as scent games, puzzle toys and chase-then-stop toy games, give that energy an outlet.

Question 25

How long can a German Shepherd puppy hold its bladder?

Accepted Answer

A German Shepherd puppy can usually hold its bladder for about an hour for each month of age, so a 3-month-old can wait about 3 hours. Take young puppies out first thing in the morning, last thing at night and after naps.

Question 26

How do I crate-train a German Shepherd puppy?

Accepted Answer

Put the crate in a room where the family spends time, or in your bedroom at night. Short, calm spells in the crate teach a young German Shepherd to settle and help prevent separation anxiety. Breeders on Pawrade report whether they have started crate training, so ask how far your puppy has got.

Question 27

Why did my German Shepherd stop listening at 8 months?

Accepted Answer

Adolescence usually starts at about 6–8 months, and many dogs test boundaries and seem to forget their training for a while. It is a normal phase, and consistent training, patience and plenty of exercise help. Keep training calm and reward-based, because harsh methods backfire with this breed.

Question 28

At what age can a German Shepherd puppy go home?

Accepted Answer

Puppies travel only once they are at least 8 weeks old and weigh at least 2 lb. Most German Shepherd puppies go home at about 11 weeks, usually between 9 and 18 weeks.

Question 29

How many puppies are in a German Shepherd litter?

Accepted Answer

German Shepherd breeders on Pawrade report a typical litter of 7 puppies, usually between 4 and 10.

Question 30

What should I prepare before my German Shepherd puppy comes home?

Accepted Answer

Set up a crate in a room where the family spends time, and buy a large-breed puppy food to feed in measured meals. Book a first vet visit that checks the heart, bite and weight, and ask about a DNA panel that includes MDR1.

Question 31

When should my German Shepherd puppy start socialization and classes?

Accepted Answer

Start the day your puppy comes home, because the first 3 months are the most important time for learning that new people, places and animals are safe. Puppy classes can start as early as 7–8 weeks, as long as your puppy stays away from sick dogs. For a protective breed, plenty of friendly strangers matter most.

Question 32

How are Pawrade German Shepherd puppies raised before they come home?

Accepted Answer

Most German Shepherd litters on Pawrade meet other dogs and children before the puppies go home. Breeders report socializing 93% of litters with large dogs, 81% with young children and 71% with older children. Most also get their puppies used to car rides and household sounds such as pots and pans. These figures come from what breeders reported for 320 litters.

Question 33

What should a German Shepherd puppy eat?

Accepted Answer

Feed a large-breed puppy food in measured meals rather than leaving food down all day. Growth food slows the rate of growth, not the final size, and helps protect the joints.

Question 34

When is a German Shepherd fully grown?

Accepted Answer

Large breeds reach most of their adult size by their first birthday and full height by 12–18 months, then keep filling out. Full maturity comes at 2–3 years, and young dogs often look lean until then.

Question 35

Should I spay or neuter my German Shepherd?

Accepted Answer

Spaying or neutering is a decision to talk through with your vet, because the right timing depends on things like sex and expected adult size. In large breeds the timing can affect joint health, so ask your vet about it early.

Question 36

When is a German Shepherd puppy fully vaccinated?

Accepted Answer

The puppy vaccine series usually finishes at about 16 weeks, as your vet advises. Your puppy's vaccination and deworming records are separate documents that travel with your puppy. Bring them, with the Veterinary Health Report, to your first visit so your vet starts from the same record. Puppy classes can still start before then, as long as your puppy stays away from sick dogs.

Question 37

What is the Veterinary Health Report?

Accepted Answer

The Veterinary Health Report is the record of your German Shepherd puppy's exam before it goes home. The breeder's licensed vet gives the puppy itself a full hands-on exam to PetPay's exam standards and writes down what they find. It gives you and your own vet a clear starting point for your puppy's care.

Question 38

Who examines my German Shepherd puppy before it goes home?

Accepted Answer

The breeder's licensed veterinarian examines every puppy before it goes home, to PetPay's exam standards. The results are recorded in the puppy's Veterinary Health Report, and a copy travels with your puppy for your records.

Question 39

What does the exam check in a German Shepherd?

Accepted Answer

The breeder's vet examines the whole puppy and pays close attention to a few things that matter in German Shepherds. The vet listens to the heart for a murmur, looks at the bite and the teeth coming through, and compares the puppy's growth with its littermates.

Question 40

Which vaccines will my German Shepherd puppy have had?

Accepted Answer

Before travel, every puppy follows PetPay's vaccination and deworming schedule as far as its age allows: deworming at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks, and the distemper, parvo, adenovirus and parainfluenza combination shot at 6–8, 9–11 and 12–14 weeks. Bordetella and corona are given at the vet's discretion, and no vaccine is given within 3 days of travel. Rabies is given by a licensed vet on the schedule your state requires. Your own vet completes the series. Your puppy's vaccination and deworming records are separate documents that travel with your puppy. Bring them, with the Veterinary Health Report, to your first visit so your vet starts from the same record.

Question 41

What happens if the vet finds something?

Accepted Answer

If the vet finds something that could put your puppy at risk during travel, your puppy stays with the breeder until it's resolved. Problems that can be treated before travel are treated by the breeder's licensed vet first. Anything else the vet notes is shared with you.

Question 42

Why can't the exam find everything?

Accepted Answer

Puppies grow and change quickly, and their immune systems are still developing, so no single exam can find everything. In German Shepherds, conditions such as hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy show up as a dog grows or ages. The report is a strong early look at your puppy, and your own vet builds on it at every checkup.

Question 43

Does a German Shepherd from Pawrade come with a health guarantee?

Accepted Answer

Every puppy comes with a health guarantee administered by PetPay, independent of the seller. The terms are on the health guarantee page.

Question 44

What do other German Shepherd buyers say?

Accepted Answer

German Shepherd buyers rate their Pawrade experience 4.7 out of 5 on average, from 341 reviews, and about 82% of those reviews give 5 stars.

Question 45

How much does a German Shepherd puppy cost?

Accepted Answer

Right now, most German Shepherd puppies on Pawrade are listed within the typical range shown on Pawrade's German Shepherd listings. Each breeder on Pawrade sets their own price, and each puppy's listing shows it. A German Shepherd puppy's price reflects what goes into it: its pedigree and registration, its coat and color, and the breeder's program. Every Pawrade puppy's price also includes the pre-travel exam by the breeder's licensed vet, the Veterinary Health Report and a health guarantee administered by PetPay.

German Shepherd Puppies for Sale – Page 3

Available German Shepherd Puppies

Health Guarantee

1-Month Included with every Puppy!*

Need help finding a puppy?
Call us at (888) 729-8812

German Shepherd Puppies for Sale – Page 3

Available German Shepherd Puppies

Health Guarantee

1-Month Included with every Puppy!*

Need help finding a puppy?Call us at (888) 729-8812

Need help finding a puppy?
Call us at (888) 729-8812