Before one goes out and buys a German Shepherd puppy, it is important to things to consider research when buying a German Shepherd puppy so as to know more about its breed as well as talk to other experienced owners so that one fully understands what it is one is getting into. There is no doubt that the German Shepherd puppy makes a wonderful family pet yet one should take care to understand that some of its traits are closely related to it being a working breed and so may behave a bit differently than an ordinary pet dog.

Among the things to consider when buying a German Shepherd puppy, one should realize its needs for exercising as well as its close attachment to its master and take care of these aspects. The traits of a good German Shepherd puppy are firmness of nerve, attentiveness and courage, to name a few and the owner should realize that owning the German Shepherd puppy is not for the faint hearted and be prepared to devote time and energy towards it. It is a long term commitment that should be fulfilled diligently and with a lot of care and love.

When considering things about buying a German Shepherd puppy, one should also realize that the German Shepherd puppy is naturally protective and territory conscious and loves quiet and peace. Therefore, when buying the German Shepherd puppy, one should bear in mind that there should not be too many visitors in the beginning and to carefully groom the puppy to accept visitors. A common problem faced by the buyer of a German Shepherd dog is that to a great extent, this breed has been spoilt due to irresponsible breeding and so one should take expert advice and find a reputable source before buying the German Shepherd puppy.

An alternative to spending a lot of money on an expensive German Shepherd puppy would be to consider a rescue German Shepherd puppy from a reputable rescue that would be able to provide the prospective owner with a good assessment of the puppy. In reality, when considering things before buying a German Shepherd puppy one should be prepared that the puppy may not always meet your expectations and some puppies may need more time to get accustomed to its new surroundings than others. Patience is a must and one should also consider their own lifestyle and personality before buying the German Shepherd puppy.

• Learn about the individual dog's personality. Let signs of hyperactivity, aggression or shyness serve as warnings of trouble to come. The ideal German Shepherd is calm but alert, with spirit and courage.
  
  
• Check out potential breeders very carefully; ask if they are members of breed, specialty or obedience clubs. You can check references through clubs to make sure the breeder does not run a puppy mill (a place where puppies are constantly bred for financial gain - without consideration of the integrity of the breed) and that he or she carefully screens for health problems before breeding.
  
  
• Think about adopting a German Shepherd from an animal shelter or a boxer rescue organization. But be aware that rescued boxers may have disciplinary problems and may have been neglected or abused. Be prepared to spend a lot of time training your puppy or dog.
  
  
• Note that you will probably pay between $500 and $1,500 for a German Shepherd.
  
  
• Be prepared to enjoy a full 12 to 14 years with your German Shepherd, as this is the German Shepherd average life expectancy.