Hi, this is my first post and I'd be obliged if someone could help me out.

I am currently looking at buying a pup, and have decided on a GSD.

A local breeder has a litter at the moment and they are KC registered, mother not hip scored, father hip score of 4(?)

Since the pups are pedigreed, what papers should I expect to get with the dog? Also, do I get a KC certificate?

Should the mother be hip scored too?

Why is the fathers hip score a single digit?( I believe it should be ?/? )

What is the oldest a dog/bitch should parent a litter as I think the father is about 11?

Any help would be much appreciated.

:)

Hi Talizman, welcome to the Forum! :)

The sire's hip-score is very good - you are correct in thinking it should be quoted as two numbers, one for each hip, but the scores are often added together - so the sire could be 0:4, 1:3, or 2:2. All of those are excellent.

The mother should be hip-scored too, so that is a bit of a black mark against the breeder.

Documentation: with the pup you wouldbe given a minimum of a pedigree (written or printed) of at least 3 generations, the Kennel Club Registration Certificate, and a copy of the Kennel Club General Code of Ethics. A good breeder will also give you a diet sheet, care instructions, the tattoo/microchip registration form (if done), details of any veterinary treatment (worming etc) and a Sales Agreement.

Ages for breeding: there are no minimum or maximum ages for breeding for males, but the Kennel Club will not register pups from a bitch younger than 12 months (most breed clubs frown upon the mating of a bitch under 2 years) or older than 8 years.

Hope this helps.
:)