Picking a Healthy German Shepherd Puppy

What a Healthy Puppy Should Look Like

A truly healthy German Shepherd puppy looks bright, balanced, and comfortable in their own skin. You should see clear eyes, a clean coat, easy breathing, and a puppy that moves freely and willingly engages with people and littermates.

This page gives you a practical, breeder-level checklist so you know what to look for when choosing your puppy — whether you’re visiting in person or reviewing photos and videos.

Eyes, Ears, Nose & Mouth

Start with the “front end” health indicators. They are easy to see and tell you a lot about how the puppy is feeling:

• Eyes: Bright, clear, and free of discharge or redness. No squinting or rubbing.
• Ears: Clean inside with no heavy odor, redness, or dark debris. Puppies should not be constantly scratching at their ears.
• Nose: Moist, cool, and free of thick discharge. Occasional clear moisture is normal; heavy or colored discharge is not.
• Mouth & Gums: Pink, moist gums and clean baby teeth. Excessive drooling, pale/white gums, or a strong foul odor can be signs of trouble.

Coat, Skin & Body Condition

The coat and skin are like a window into the puppy’s overall health and environment:

• Coat: Soft, dense, and shiny — not dull, patchy, or greasy.
• Skin: No bald spots, heavy dandruff, scabs, or open sores. Mild “puppy flakes” can be normal during growth, but heavy irritation is a red flag.
• Body Condition: You should be able to feel ribs with gentle pressure, but not see them sharply. A healthy puppy is neither bony nor overweight.
• Hydration: Skin should spring back quickly when gently lifted at the shoulder. Slow “tenting” can indicate dehydration.

Movement, Structure & Energy

Watch how the puppy uses their body, not just how cute they are when sitting still. Movement reveals a lot:

• Gait: The puppy should walk and trot without limping, bunny-hopping, or persistent stiffness.
• Balance: No repeated stumbling, falling over, or dragging toes on normal flooring.
• Energy: Healthy puppies are playful in short bursts, then rest. Constant lethargy or extreme hyperactivity are both red flags.
• Breathing: Normal breathing is quiet and easy, even after play. Wheezing, heavy coughing, or constant panting deserve attention.

Remember: German Shepherd puppies are growing quickly. Brief clumsiness can be normal; persistent, obvious lameness is not.

Behavior & Comfort Level

Health and temperament overlap. A puppy who feels unwell often looks worried, withdrawn, or unusually still compared to littermates.

• Healthy puppies show curiosity, follow people, and engage in age-appropriate play.
• They should recover quickly from small startles and resume exploring.
• A puppy that isolates themselves, hides constantly, or shows no interest in food or play may not be feeling well.

One quiet puppy in a litter can be normal personality. A puppy who looks “flat” or uncomfortable is different from a naturally calm, observant pup.

Vaccinations, Deworming & Veterinary Care

Paperwork and records matter just as much as what you see with your eyes. Before you commit, you should know:

• Vaccination Schedule: Which core vaccines have been given, and on what dates.
• Deworming Protocol: Which products were used, and how often.
• Veterinary Exams: Whether a licensed veterinarian has examined the litter and documented findings.
• Health Warranty: Written information on what is covered, for how long, and what the breeder expects from buyers in return (proper care, feeding, vet visits).

A responsible breeder welcomes your questions and is happy to explain their health protocol in plain language.

Parents, Pedigree & Health Testing

A healthy puppy starts with healthy, well-bred parents. Look beyond the puppy pen and ask about:

• Hip & Elbow Certifications: Official clearances for both parents from a recognized registry.
• Temperament & Workability: Titles, real-world accomplishments, or documented work help confirm that the parents are sound in mind and body.
• Age & Condition of Parents: Breeding dogs should be in good muscle tone, proper weight, and mentally stable around people.
• Pedigree: A carefully planned pedigree reduces the risk of inherited issues and supports the breed standard.

When the parents are correct, the puppies have a much better chance of being healthy, stable companions for many years.

Red Flags to Watch For

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

• Strong odor from the litter area or puppies that smell sour or excessively dirty.
• Repeated coughing, sneezing, or obvious breathing difficulty.
• Multiple puppies with runny eyes, crusted noses, or diarrhea.
• No written health records, no vet involvement, or vague answers about vaccinations and deworming.
• Pressure to “decide right now” without time to review information or ask questions.

A trustworthy breeder wants you to feel confident and informed, not rushed or unsure.

What We Do at Gunbil German Shepherds

At Gunbil, we raise our puppies with long-term health in mind:

• Carefully selected, health-tested parents with proven temperament and structure.
• Clean, enriched environments that support strong immune systems and confident minds.
• Age-appropriate nutrition based on breed-specific needs.
• Regular veterinary oversight, vaccinations, and deworming schedules.
• Honest communication with families about what to expect during the first weeks at home.

Our goal is to send home puppies who are not only beautiful and intelligent, but also healthy, resilient, and ready to bond with their new families.