German Shepherd puppy health checks should cover both the puppy and its parents. Before buying, ask for evidence of parent health testing, review the puppy’s veterinary records and consider its general condition, movement, temperament and early socialisation.
Important areas to investigate include hip and elbow screening, degenerative myelopathy (DM) testing, eye health, vaccinations, parasite treatment and the puppy’s overall physical development.
LinkK9 has worked with German Shepherds and protection dogs from Formby, Merseyside, since 2002.
Founder Rory Larsen remains personally involved in training the dogs, with a focus on health, stable temperament, family integration and responsible protection work.
Why Do German Shepherd Puppy Health Checks Matter?
Health screening helps identify recognised inherited risks and shows how carefully the breeder has planned the litter.
This matters whether you choose the puppy as a family companion or plan to have it assessed later as a German Shepherd protection dog.
Health: A stable temperament is particularly important for dogs that may later undergo personal protection dog training. Alongside confidence, trainability, temperament and the ability to settle safely within a family environment.
What Health Tests Should the Parents Have?
Ask for health information for both the sire and dam. Do not rely on descriptions such as “healthy” or “good hips” without seeing the supporting results.
Hip Screening:
German Shepherds can. Both parents of German Shepherds should ideally undergo recognised hip screening, as hip dysplasia can affect the breed. by hip dysplasia, so both parents should ideally have undergone recognised hip screening.
Hip scoring uses X-rays to assess the condition of the hip joints. Lower scores generally indicate fewer signs associated with hip dysplasia.
Ask to see the actual results for both parents and discuss anything you do not understand with your vet.
Elbow Screening:
Elbow dysplasia is another condition worth investigating.
Screening uses X-rays to assess the elbow joints for abnormalities. Lower grades generally indicate fewer identified problems.
Reviewing the results for both parents can provide useful information about potential inherited joint risks.
DM Testing:
Degenerative myelopathy, or DM, is a progressive neurological condition that can affect German Shepherds later in life.
DNA testing can provide information about a dog’s genetic status. Ask whether both parents have been tested and request copies of the results where available.
Eye Screening:
It is also worth asking whether the parents have undergone appropriate eye examinations.
Where screening has been completed, ask to see the written results rather than relying solely on verbal reassurance.
What Checks Should the Puppy Have Before Collection?
Ask whether the puppy has been examined by a vet and whether anything unusual was identified.
A veterinary examination may consider the puppy’s:
- Eyes and ears
- Heart and breathing
- Mouth and teeth
- Abdomen
- Skin and coat
- Legs and joints
- Movement
- Weight and body condition
You should also receive clear information about vaccinations, worming, parasite treatment and microchipping.
What Should You Look for When Meeting the Puppy?
Your own observations can provide useful additional information.
A healthy puppy will generally appear alert, responsive and comfortable when moving. Look at how the puppy walks, interacts with people and responds to normal handling.
Be cautious if you notice persistent limping, unusual movement, very low energy, breathing difficulty, coughing, diarrhoea, obvious discomfort or discharge from the eyes or nose.
These signs do not provide a diagnosis, but they are good reasons to seek veterinary advice before proceeding.
What Health Records Should the Breeder Provide?
Ask to review relevant written records before committing to the puppy.
These may include:
- Health certificates for both parents
- Hip and elbow screening results
- DM DNA test results
- Eye screening records
- Puppy veterinary records
- Vaccination information
- Worming and parasite-treatment history
- Microchip details
- Pedigree or breeding information where applicable
- Details of any known health problem
Check that names, identification details and dates correspond with the dogs being discussed.
If anything appears unclear or inconsistent, speak to your own vet before making a final decision.
What Should You Ask About the Bloodline?
Health certificates only provide part of the picture.
Ask the breeder:
- Are there known inherited conditions within either bloodline?
- Have previous litters experienced significant health problems?
- Have either parent experienced joint or neurological issues?
- What are the temperaments of the sire and dam?
- How have previous puppies from the same bloodlines developed?
A knowledgeable breeder should be comfortable answering detailed questions and discussing the history of the dogs they breed.
Why Do Temperament and Socialisation Matter?
Health is not purely physical.
The way a German Shepherd puppy is raised can influence how confidently it adapts to family life.
Ask how the puppies have been introduced to different people, household sounds, handling, environments and everyday situations.
You should also consider the puppy’s individual temperament. Look for appropriate confidence, engagement and curiosity rather than simply choosing the boldest or most intense puppy.
For dogs that may later be considered for personal protection dog training, stable temperament is particularly important.
Aggression alone does not make a suitable protection dog. Confidence, obedience, emotional stability, handler engagement, physical condition and maturity all require professional assessment.
What Breeder Red Flags Should You Look For?
Take additional care if:
- Health certificates are unavailable.
- Information about the parents is unclear
- Records appear inconsistent.
- Questions about health are discouraged.
- Previous health concerns are avoided.
- You are pressured into paying immediately.
- Independent veterinary advice is discouraged
Buying a puppy should give you enough time to review the available information properly.
Does Health Testing Guarantee a Healthy Puppy?
No.
Health testing cannot guarantee that a German Shepherd puppy will remain healthy throughout its life.
Screening helps breeders make better-informed breeding decisions and gives buyers useful information about recognised risks, but it cannot eliminate every future illness or medical problem.
Responsible breeding combines appropriate health testing with good nutrition, careful rearing, socialisation, welfare and ongoing veterinary care.
What Should You Do After Bringing Your Puppy Home?
Register with your chosen vet and arrange an early health check.
Provide your vet with the records supplied by the breeder and follow their advice regarding vaccinations, parasite treatment, nutrition and preventative care.
Continue age-appropriate socialisation and obedience training while allowing the puppy to develop physically and emotionally.
If you are considering protection dog training in the UK, focus on these foundations first.
Do not rush protection work. A professional should assess the dog’s physical development, temperament and obedience before deciding whether it is suitable for protection work.
LinkK9 provides dog performance assessments alongside one-to-one and residential protection dog training for suitable dogs.
German Shepherd Puppy Health Check Checklist
Before buying, make sure you have:
- Reviewed available health information for both parents
- Asked about hip and elbow screening
- Asked about DM DNA testing and eye screening
- Checked the puppy’s veterinary records
- Confirmed vaccination and parasite-treatment information
- Received microchip details
- Asked about inherited health concerns
- Discussed previous litters
- Observed the puppy’s movement and general condition
- Asked about socialisation and temperament
- Given yourself enough time to review the information
Choosing Health and Temperament First
The most useful German Shepherd puppy health checks combine parent screening, clear veterinary records, careful observation and open discussion about health, temperament and development.
If your long-term aim is a family protection dog, health, stability and obedience should always come before protection ability.
Since establishing LinkK9 in 2002, Rory Larsen has focused on developing dogs that combine controlled working ability with the temperament needed to live successfully within a family environment.
Taking the time to investigate these areas before buying gives you a stronger foundation for choosing a German Shepherd suited to your home, lifestyle and plans.