Okay, let me tell you about my journey trying to find an adult German Shepherd. It wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, believe me.
Getting Started – The Idea Phase
So, the idea popped into my head a while back. My kids were getting older, and we had the space. I’ve always loved German Shepherds, had one growing up, you know? But a puppy? Honestly, I just didn’t feel like I had the energy for the chewing, the potty training all over again. Been there, done that. So, I figured, why not an adult? Someone already past the crazy puppy stage.
Diving In – The Search Begins
First thing I did, like everyone else, was hit the internet. Typed in “german shepherd adults for sale” and boom, tons of results. Websites for breeders, rescue groups, classifieds… it was a lot. Spent a few evenings just scrolling, looking at pictures, reading descriptions. Some sounded amazing, you know, perfect family dogs, fully trained, the works. Others were a bit vague.
I started making a list. What was I really looking for?
- Good temperament, obviously. Had to be okay with kids and maybe other dogs down the line.
- Some basic training would be nice. Didn’t need a police dog, just basic commands.
- Healthy, of course. Didn’t want to inherit massive vet bills right off the bat.
Hitting Some Roadblocks
Tried contacting a few breeders first. Some specialized in adults, often retired breeding dogs or ones that didn’t quite make the cut for show or work. The prices were… well, they were up there. More than I expected for an adult, honestly. And the application process for some was intense. Felt like I was applying for a top-secret job, not trying to give a dog a home.
Then I looked into rescues. Found a few German Shepherd specific rescues. Great people, really passionate. But the waiting lists were long, and often the dogs they had needed experienced handlers because of past issues. I wasn’t sure I was equipped for a dog with serious baggage, much as I wanted to help. It’s a big responsibility, you know?
Found some ads on general classified sites too. This felt sketchier. Less information, sometimes just a picture and a price. I messaged a couple of people. One guy seemed okay, but the dog was located hours away. Another one just gave me weird vibes, couldn’t answer basic questions about the dog’s history or health. Red flag right there. Decided to steer clear of those.
The Shelter Visit – A Reality Check
Decided to check out the local county shelter. Didn’t expect much, but thought, why not? Walked through the kennels. Lots of barking, lots of dogs needing homes. Saw a couple of Shepherd mixes, but no purebred adults at that specific time. It was kinda sad, seeing all those dogs. Made me think hard about the whole process. Finding the right adult dog isn’t just about picking one from a catalogue.
Refining the Approach
Okay, so after hitting those walls, I regrouped. Realized I needed to be more patient. I started focusing on building relationships rather than just “shopping”. I kept in touch with a couple of the rescues, explaining my situation, what kind of home I could offer. Followed a few reputable breeders online, ones who seemed genuinely interested in where their dogs ended up, even the adults.
It took time. More time than I thought. Wasn’t like buying a toaster, that’s for sure. You’re looking for a living creature, a new family member. Had to adjust my expectations a bit too. The “perfect” dog probably didn’t exist. It was about finding a good match, temperament-wise, and being prepared to put in the work to help them settle in.
Where I’m At Now
Still looking, actually. But I feel like I’m going about it the right way now. Talking to people, learning more, being patient. It’s a process, a real journey. Not just a quick search and purchase. Learned a lot about the breed, about rescues, about responsible breeding. It’s definitely more involved than just searching “german shepherd adults for sale”. You gotta put in the legwork.
