A buying checklist for a protection German Shepherd

Before the first call

• Write what you want the dog to do for your household, in plain sentences.
• Choose a line direction using the working and show comparison.
• List the records you will require.

On the call

1. Ask how long the source has worked with German Shepherds and which lines.
2. Ask what testing the parents have and request certificate numbers.
3. Ask to see the dog behaving normally, not in a staged demonstration.
4. Ask what is included after pickup, such as handler lessons.

At the visit

Watch how the dog settles, how it responds when you arrive and how it reacts to ordinary distractions. Bring someone who has handled large dogs. If you plan to ask about protection training, do it with a qualified professional present, not as a casual test.

In the contract

• Identity, age and registration of the dog.
• Health records and recourse terms.
• Deposit, balance and refund conditions.
• What training has been done, in specific terms.
• No promises that a dog will never fail.

Walk away if

• You are rushed to pay before meeting the dog.
• Records are promised but never produced.
• The seller will not describe the dog's weaknesses.

Quick answers