I want to touch on a sensitive subject for some but over the last 2 years, the puppy questionnaires that have been submitted from seniors (over 60 years old with some 78 years old) have over tripled in what is normally submitted. 

In this article, I will touch on a few key points to consider if you are a senior and are wanting to add a German Shepherd puppy to your family.

CONSIDERATIONS

• What is your health like? Do you have physical limitations that would prevent you from properly handling a rambunctious puppy? Do you have osteoarthritis/arthritis, back issues, neck issues, surgeries for joints etc.,  that if jumped on or run into, would injure you? Are you currently undergoing medical treatments that will keep you bed ridden or sick to where you cannot properly care for a puppy/dog the way they require?
• How active and mobile are you? Do you currently walk consistently even in the winter or bad weather? Are you able to physically control and restrain a 80 lbs dog even in the winter? If you are thinking that getting a puppy will make you more active, this is not the correct answer.  You should be practicing being mobile before a puppy comes to your home.
• Expectations – while one of you may want a dog, who is going to care and train the dog? If it is left just to one person who is also a senior and their health fails, will the second member be willing and able to handle the dog and be present in the day to day tasks?
• Do you have a succession plan for your puppy/dog, worse case if something happened to you and/or your spouse or you have to move to where you can no longer have animals? Is your family supportive to take the dog or return the dog back to the breeder and work with them on your behalf?
• Do you have a back up plan for care of the dog if you are sick or unable to properly take care of the dog? Which means not leaving them unsupervised in the back yard for hours a day to self exercise or locked in a crate.
• Are you willing and able (have the energy) to put the time and effort into training a puppy which means getting out and taking the puppy to classes, investing in a professional trainer or do doggie daycare at a reputable facility? Can you physically groom the dog or have the finances to have a groomer assist every couple months?
• Have you completed the proper research as to the type of shepherd you are looking for? Working lines (DDR/Czech), West German Show lines, American lines or if the breed is even suitable for you?
• Why this breed? Is it for feeling safer in your home? If this is the only reason, it unfortunately is the wrong reason if you do not have experience with the breed or a power breed.
• Are you asking the right questions to the breeder to determine if they have what you are looking for and reasonable about your expectations on what you can handle? Do they take the dogs back they bred at any time?

When applications come in from seniors, I have several questions that are important for me making the decision as to whether or not one of my puppies or dogs is suitable for them:

• Do they have experience with the breed in the last 10 years? Owning a German Shepherd in your 20’s is not comparable to owning one in your senior years. If you have never owned a German Shepherd or a power breed (rottie, dobie, pit bull etc.) in the last 10 years, likely my answer will be no, I do not have a puppy suitable for you. This does not mean that you wouldn’t be a good dog owner however, this breed may be too much for you and will be a lot harder than you remember because our bodies and minds as well as stamina for most of us, is not as it was in our younger years!
• Do I have a litter coming up that will work for this client? Sometimes I honestly will not. Many of the pedigrees that I produce (not all and why I have several pedigrees in my kennel), come from all titled lines and higher drives that require an experienced handler and a handler that can physically restrain the dog if needed due to drives. They need to be physically able to take this dog on hikes, obedience etc. Not just 1 hour a day slow walk as this will frustrate the dog and in turn, will create unwanted behaviours. When I do have more docile pedigrees and puppies born, first picks for these temperaments will be for my service dog/emotional/therapy dog requests and if these are satisfied, then I move to requests for softer drives and easier dogs to live with.
• What is my waiting list like? Do they want to wait one to two years for a puppy? Many reputable breeders have waiting lists as I have had for over 12 years and some wait from several months to over 3 years for a puppy from Elhart. If you are thinking about another dog or a German Shepherd for your family from Elhart, it is best to apply earlier and then there is no rush and the right puppy can be chosen.
• How many puppies have I already placed with the request for the senior to return their puppy back to me if needed?  If I already have placed numerous puppies with this request, future placements may not be possible until these dogs age out as I cannot possibly take back all of them at the same time as I do not have capacity. If the puppy is sold and the agreement is for them to go to their family in the worst case, then these clients are not considered “returning their puppy” to me.
• I may suggest an older dog from a rescue that will have already experienced the puppy stage and is more settled for a senior. This is not an insult to their capabilities, but rather, a consideration that this option may be more compatible and enjoyable for them. The odd time I may have an older dog here that is a perfect match for a senior home in which I would definitely give consideration.
• For those of you that have had one or more dogs from me, the answer is usually always a yes because they know what they are getting and especially so, if they are getting a puppy from the same pedigree.

99% of seniors that have applied and I have had these tough conversations never get offended but rather appreciate the time and effort I have gone to in order to ensure my puppies are properly placed. As many of you know that have applied for a puppy, I will ask questions whether you are a senior or not. Why? Because I want both puppy and family to thrive.  You may be together over 12 – 14 years and if the personality or energy/drives are not compatible, you will struggle, there will be frustration, and dog ownership should be about compatibility and enjoyment once you have dedicated that first year with imprinting and shaping proper behaviour. 

This follows along with me also choosing puppies for their owners rather than the family “picking their own puppy”. I need correct and accurate information in order to select the right puppy for your family.

If you are offended by this article and these questions then I am not the breeder for you and I won’t apologize for asking the tough questions. This is not a business for me. This is a passion of producing the best German Shepherd I can and the time and devotion I have put into them are 100% deserving of these questions and the time I put forth in asking them. 

Those of you that have been clients with me for a short time or a long time will know that I am very direct and up front but also stand behind my dogs and the support that I give to you. I am unbiased and feel everyone should be treated fairly. The videos and training I post are a small thank you and an extra assist to my clients to help them in rearing their puppies and working out the kinks in their training. It is a free service in which my followers can also take part. This is again, all part of wanting my clients and their puppies/dogs, succeed with rearing and caring for their dog. Dog ownership requires commitment, dedication, balance, consistency and fairness to both yourself and the dog.

I will not tolerate being bullied and chastised for wanting the best for my dogs and expect respect from all applicants as I will also give in return.