Healthy starts with what you can see—and what the breeder can prove

A healthy puppy looks bright, clean, and comfortable, and comes with clear records and transparent breeder practices. Use this guide as a practical checklist whether you’re visiting in person or reviewing photos and video.

What a healthy puppy should look like

In general, you want a puppy that looks balanced and “well put together,” with clear eyes, clean skin, easy breathing, and free, comfortable movement.

Eyes, ears, nose, and mouth

These are quick, high-signal health checks you can do in seconds:

• Eyes: bright and clear; minimal to no discharge; no constant squinting or rubbing.
• Ears: clean inside; no heavy odor, redness, or dark debris; not constantly scratching.
• Nose: normal to have light moisture; avoid thick, colored discharge.
• Mouth & gums: pink, moist gums; clean baby teeth; no strong foul odor.

Coat, skin, and body condition

The coat and skin can reflect overall health and environment:

• Coat: soft and dense; not dull, patchy, greasy, or heavily flaky.
• Skin: no bald spots, scabs, open sores, or persistent irritation.
• Body condition: you can feel ribs with gentle pressure but not see them sharply; not pot-bellied.
• Hydration: skin should spring back quickly when gently lifted (slow tenting can mean dehydration).

Movement, structure, and energy

Movement tells you a lot. Look for comfortable, free use of the body:

• Gait: no limping; no persistent stiffness; no repeated bunny-hopping.
• Balance: normal puppy clumsiness can happen, but repeated stumbling or toe-dragging is a concern.
• Energy: playful in short bursts, then rests. Constant lethargy (or frantic, nonstop agitation) is a flag to ask questions.
• Breathing: should be easy and quiet. Persistent cough/wheeze deserves attention.

A single awkward day can happen in fast-growing pups. Patterns are what matter.

Behavior and comfort level

Health and temperament overlap—pups that feel unwell can look flat or uncomfortable.

• Healthy puppies show curiosity, engage with people, and recover quickly after small startles.
• A naturally calm puppy is different from a puppy that looks shut down or uninterested in everything.
• Consistent hiding, isolating, or refusing food/play is worth investigating.

Vaccinations, deworming, and vet records

Paperwork matters as much as appearance. You should be able to get clear answers about:

• Vaccines: which ones, and the exact dates given.
• Deworming: what product(s) were used and how often.
• Vet involvement: whether the litter has been examined and documented by a veterinarian.
• Written terms: what your agreement covers, and what it expects from you (care, feeding, routine vet visits).

A responsible breeder won’t dodge these questions—and won’t make you feel annoying for asking.

Parents, pedigree, and health testing

A healthy puppy starts with healthy parents. Ask about:

• Hip and elbow certifications: official clearances for both parents from a recognized registry.
• Temperament and stability: how the parents behave with people, in new places, and under pressure.
• Structure and movement: soundness matters—especially in a large, athletic breed.
• Pedigree planning: thoughtful pairing supports consistent health, temperament, and breed type.

Red flags to watch for

Even if a puppy is cute, certain signs should make you pause and ask more questions:

• Strong odor or dirty conditions in the puppy area.
• Persistent cough, heavy sneezing, or obvious breathing difficulty.
• Multiple pups with runny eyes, crusted noses, or ongoing diarrhea.
• No written health records or vague answers about vaccines/deworming.
• Pressure to “decide right now” without time to review information.

A trustworthy breeder wants you to feel informed—not rushed.

What we do at Gunbil German Shepherds

• Carefully selected parents with proven temperament and structure.
• Clean, enriched environments that support confident development.
• Age-appropriate nutrition and steady routines.
• Regular health protocols with documentation.
• Honest guidance for the first weeks at home.

Our goal is simple: healthy, resilient puppies that bond deeply and thrive long-term in their new homes.