You’ve decided that you want to adopt a German Shepherd! You have probably heard many stories of people adopting a German Shepherd and it was the best decision they ever made. You may have heard very different stories of the adoption process. By following these tips, you too can have a positive story to tell.
By choosing to adopt a German Shepherd you have helped to give a dog a home who may have never had one before. There are several different routes you can take when choosing to adopt, so it’s important to understand what questions to ask and how to prepare. Not all adoption organizations, just like not all breeders, are the same.
Choosing to adopt a German Shepherd is a great idea, but now it’s time to make sure you’re ready for your new companion’s homecoming. Follow these tips to make the rescue process as seamless as possible for both of you.
How do I choose the right place to adopt my German Shepherd from?
Choosing the right rescue or shelter can be as overwhelming as trying to choose the right breeder to get a puppy from.
It’s usually best to first look locally so that you are close in case you have any questions or concerns after your adoption. Also, word of mouth is very trustworthy, so you’ll want to pay close attention to what your community is saying about the rescue or shelter you’re considering.
Things to look for when researching your local rescue or shelter:
- If the dogs are kept in a shelter facility, take a look around. Look to make sure that the facility is clean and that the dogs’ sleeping spaces are also maintained regularly. Look around for staff and observe how they work with and engage with each dog and any other animals that may be on site.
- A reputable shelter facility will NOT allow you to take any dog home on the spot, until they are sure that you are the best home for that dog. They may offer a trial adoption (preferred) or at least the promise that you can return the dog if it doesn’t work out.
- If the dogs are with foster homes, there is a higher chance of being able to learn more about them and how they feel about more natural home environments. A reputable rescue will have full write-ups about them, coming from their foster’s experiences while sharing their home with the dog.
The downside to a foster home-based rescue is that you won’t be able to just see the GSD you’re interested in, on the spot. The rescue will take the time to make sure that they have the information they need from you.
- A reputable organization (shelter or rescue) will require you to fill out a questionnaire to ensure that you are a right fit for the GSD you’re interested in. This questionnaire can seem excessive but having a dog returned for the is the last thing they want for a dog. And it is also devastating for both the dog and the caregivers.
- A reputable organization will keep in touch with you and will often offer discounts on training and other services. They have qualified professionals who work with them regularly and are prepared to help you when you need them.
What are the pros and cons of adopting a German Shepherd?
Wanting to adopt a German Shepherd is a wonderful idea, as you would be giving a dog in need, a home to finally call his own. There are pros and cons to adoption, however. It’s important to keep these things in mind before going forward with the adoption process.
Pros
- You are saving a GSD from homelessness
- You are not tied to any breeder contract
- If you don’t want to experience puppy or adolescent stages, you can seek out an adult instead
- If you prefer a GSD in the golden years, there are many seniors available for adoption, looking for their final retirement home
- Spay/neuter, microchip and all vetting are already included in the adoption fee. Training sessions are also often included
- An adoption fee is substantially less than purchasing a pup from a reputable breeder
Cons
- There are many irresponsible rescue organizations out there, who only want your money and will push adoptions through like an assembly line. They will not do proper vet or behavior care and will lie about what they know about the dog. Proper research is paramount so that this experience can be avoided.
In my opinion, this is the only real con of adopting a dog but it is a big one. Unfortunately, there are many irresponsible breeders out there just looking for money as well, but if you research properly by asking questions and seeing things for yourself, you can avoid these situations.
How is adopting a German Shepherd different from purchasing one from a breeder?
Whether you’ve decided to adopt a German Shepherd or purchase one from a breeder, it’s important to do your research. The pet industry is unregulated and there are many people simply looking to make money rather than help people to find the right dog for them.
According to the AKC, “reputable breeders require buyers to sign a contract, whether they are acquiring a show dog or a family pet. (And many dogs are both!) The contract will outline the basics about the puppy – including the names of both parents and the puppy’s AKC registration number – and will always include a return-to-breeder clause: No matter how old the dog, no matter what the reason, reputable breeders require that any dog they bred be returned to them. In this way, they keep track of and take responsibility for all the dogs they have brought into this world, and do not contribute to the rescue problem.”
The AKC also offers this advice on what to look for when to choosing a rescue:
- The group’s knowledge of their dogs. A reputable group will have vetted the dog’s health as much as possible. At the very least, they should know whether the dog has been spayed or neutered, whether they’ve seen a vet, what health records exist for the dog, and what treatments, such as de-worming, have been provided. Ideally, they’ll also have information about the dog’s temperament and personality.
- The group’s transparency. Usually, a reliable group will display its non-profit status, board of directors, and tax status. Morrison affirms that, in these days of internet search, rescues should have some online presence as well as a physical address and phone number. Ask if the group is registered locally or with the city, county, or state. Many locales don’t have any sort of registration or inspection process, but if your area does, you should know whether the group has complied.
- The group’s “vibe.” Rescue groups are normally made up of volunteers who put a lot of heart into their work. The people you come into contact with should seem happy and committed to working with the group. At the least, there should be a general sense of well-being and organization.
Is it better to adopt a young GSD instead of an adult?
It’s important to consider what you/your family is ready to take on, when deciding on what age of GSD to include in your family. Puppies are a lot of work, adolescents are hard on our patience and adults may have behaviors you need to “un train”.
GSDs in particular though, are high energy, high drive, and in need of more than a couch babysitter. They don’t reach social maturity until approximately 3yrs of age and even then, depending on that dog’s genetics, learning history, environment and of course his unique personality, he may keep you more than busy his entire life.
Searching on pet adoption websites
The majority of rescues and shelters have their own websites or social media pages where they display a photo and a write up on most (not all) puppies and dogs they have available. There are websites like www.petfinder.com that many shelters and rescues will use to help them to advertise their adoptable animals.
This is a helpful way to start to look for a GSD to adopt, as most of the information you need in the beginning is at your fingertips (age, breed, background, etc). You can then apply for the dog you’re interested in from their website, then someone will contact you from there.
Visiting the center for adoption
Visiting the shelter can be an emotional experience, especially if you’re an animal lover. There will be dogs and cats there that are afraid, frustrated and sometimes aggressive.
Shelter life, unfortunately, is no life for any animal and sometimes dogs and cats stay in them for a very long time, waiting for their forever family.
This is something to prepare yourself for but not to dissuade your decision to go. Some of the best dogs I’ve ever met have come from a shelter. There are many animal lovers in this world and a lot of them work in animal shelters, trying to make a positive difference on the lives of the animals in their care.
Questions to ask before adopting a German Shepherd?
Whether you’re looking to adopt from a shelter or a foster home-based rescue, there are several questions you should ask before making such a big decision.
- If you visit a shelter, ask the staff about what their routines are for care and what they know about the GSD you may be interested in. Ask about his history, even if it’s a puppy you’re considering, to see if they are forthcoming with the information that they have. Ask about how often the animals are left alone in the facility.
- If you are considering a rescue organization that is a foster home run, your questions will be similar to those above. You will have an opportunity though, to ask about more specific things that a shelter would not necessarily know.
A reputable rescue will have more information about how the GSD feels in a regular home environment, so you will have more of an opportunity to ask about common things. For example, does he bark at people walking by, can he be outside by himself, does he enjoy car rides, etc.
- Ask for health records for the GSD you are interested in. Ask about any complications during any surgeries and if there were any previous illnesses. Ask if they have a Veterinarian that they recommend and if they do, do some research on them as well. You may want to continue with that vet if the GSD you choose feels safe with them.
Understanding the adoption procedures
Since the pet industry is unregulated, adoption procedures will differ from one organization to the next. Some will have government funding, some private. Some have paid employees and some are fully run by volunteers. Each organization will have their own policies and procedures.
Reputable organizations will be organized and will not be afraid to answer your questions or provide as much information as they can. Volunteer-run organizations may be slower to return your calls, but they are volunteers and are helping as much as they can, when they can.
Conclusion
Adopting a German Shepherd is a great choice but it’s a choice that requires careful planning that involves the entire family. Whether you choose a puppy or an adult, he is going to need time to adjust and learn all about you as much as you are about him. You have a new friend for life, take your time and enjoy him.
