Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that bringing home a German Shepherd is a significant commitment, and choosing the right breeder and puppy is an important part of that decision. Below are answers to some of the questions prospective families commonly have about Legacy Crest Shepherds and our dogs.

About Our Dogs & Breeding Program

What type of German Shepherds do you breed?

Legacy Crest Shepherds is a family-based breeding program located in Westlock County, Alberta. We focus on working-line German Shepherds selected with an emphasis on temperament, intelligence, confidence, trainability, structure and functional working ability.

Our goal is to produce capable, well-rounded dogs that can thrive as active family companions while retaining the characteristics and versatility expected from the German Shepherd breed.

Are your dogs working dogs or family dogs?

Our dogs are first and foremost members of our family, but they retain the intelligence, energy and drive associated with working-line German Shepherds.

We value dogs that are capable and eager to work while also being able to settle and live comfortably within a family environment. Individual puppies will naturally vary in drive, energy and temperament.

What temperaments do you breed for?

We value confidence, stability, intelligence, trainability, environmental curiosity and an appropriate balance between working drive and the ability to settle.

Temperament is one of the most important considerations when evaluating our dogs and planning future pairings.

At the same time, every puppy is an individual. Genetics, early development, training, socialization and the puppy's future environment all contribute to the adult dog they become.

Our Puppies

How are your puppies raised?

Our puppies are raised in an active family environment with regular exposure to people, children, other dogs and everyday household experiences.

As they develop, we introduce age-appropriate experiences intended to encourage curiosity, confidence, engagement and adaptability.

Are the puppies raised around children?

Yes. Our puppies are raised around children and have opportunities for appropriate, supervised interaction with them.

While early exposure is valuable, families with children should continue teaching both their puppy and their children how to interact respectfully and safely with one another.

Are the puppies raised around other dogs?

Yes. Our puppies grow up around other German Shepherds and are introduced to appropriate canine interactions from an early age.

Do puppies begin training before going home?

Yes. We begin introducing age-appropriate foundations while puppies are with us.

Depending on their age and development, this may include beginning house-training routines, basic commands, engagement with people, handling, boundaries and other everyday skills.

New owners should expect to continue training consistently once their puppy comes home.

Will my puppy already be potty trained?

Our puppies begin learning appropriate potty habits before leaving us, but young puppies should not be expected to arrive fully house-trained.

Moving into a new home also means learning an entirely new schedule and environment, so consistency and patience are important during the transition.

Are puppies vaccinated and dewormed?

Puppies receive age-appropriate preventative care before leaving for their new homes, including vaccinations and deworming appropriate for their age.

Families should establish a relationship with their own veterinarian and continue their puppy's recommended vaccination, parasite-prevention and general healthcare schedule after bringing them home.

Choosing a Puppy

Can I choose my own puppy?

We want each puppy placed in a home where their individual temperament, energy level and personality are likely to be a good fit.

We encourage families to tell us what they are looking for in a German Shepherd so that temperament and lifestyle compatibility can be considered alongside personal preferences.

What should I tell you when I'm interested in a puppy?

We appreciate knowing about your household, previous dog experience, lifestyle, activity level, other pets, children, training plans and what you hope to do with your German Shepherd.

There isn't one "perfect" type of home. The purpose is to understand what kind of puppy is most likely to thrive with you.

Are working-line German Shepherds suitable for first-time owners?

They can be, but they are not necessarily the easiest choice for every first-time dog owner.

German Shepherds are intelligent, powerful and highly trainable dogs that require structure, appropriate exercise, mental stimulation, socialization and consistent training.

A committed first-time owner who is prepared to learn and invest in training may be an excellent home. Experience alone is less important to us than realistic expectations and commitment.

Do your puppies need a lot of exercise?

German Shepherds are active dogs, but appropriate exercise involves more than simply exhausting them physically.

Training, sniffing, puzzles, exploring new environments and other forms of mental enrichment can be just as important as walks and physical activity.

Exercise should also remain age appropriate while puppies are developing.

Would one of your puppies be suitable for dog sports or working activities?

Potentially. Working-line German Shepherds can be excellent candidates for a wide variety of activities, depending on the individual dog's temperament, drives and structure.

If you have specific goals for your puppy, please tell us when contacting us so that we can consider those goals when discussing potential matches.

Can your puppies simply be family companions?

Absolutely. A working-line background does not mean that every puppy needs a formal working career.

Many can make wonderful active companions when placed with families prepared to meet their physical, mental and training needs.

Purchasing a Puppy

Do you require a deposit?

A 50% deposit has been used to reserve puppies, with the remaining balance due according to the terms established for the litter.

Specific deposit and reservation terms will be provided before a family commits to a puppy.

Where are you located?

Legacy Crest Shepherds is located in Westlock County, Alberta, approximately north of Edmonton.

Specific meeting or pickup arrangements are discussed directly with approved families.

Can I meet the puppies before choosing one?

When circumstances allow, we are happy to discuss opportunities for prospective families to meet available puppies.

Because the health and safety of young puppies is important, visits may be structured according to the puppies' age and current circumstances.

When can puppies go to their new homes?

Puppies remain with their mother and littermates during their important early developmental period and do not leave for their new homes before they are old enough to do so safely and appropriately.

The exact go-home date will be provided for each litter.

Preparing for Your Puppy

What should I have before bringing my puppy home?

At minimum, families should be prepared with appropriate food, food and water dishes, a properly sized crate, collar or harness, leash, identification, safe toys, training rewards, grooming supplies and a secure area for their puppy.

We also strongly recommend arranging a veterinarian and considering a professional training program before your puppy arrives.

Should I crate train my puppy?

We strongly encourage crate training when it is introduced appropriately.

A crate can provide a puppy with a safe place to rest and can be extremely useful for house training, travel, veterinary care and managing a young dog safely within the home.

When should training begin?

Immediately.

Training a puppy does not need to mean long or highly structured sessions. Short, positive interactions can begin from the day your puppy comes home.

Early priorities should include engagement, name recognition, recall foundations, handling, house training, crate training, leash skills and appropriate household boundaries.

How important is socialization?

Extremely important, but good socialization does not mean allowing a puppy to interact with every person and dog they encounter.

The goal is to help your puppy learn to navigate the world confidently and appropriately. Calm exposure to different environments, surfaces, sounds, people, animals and situations can be more valuable than constant direct interaction.

Before You Contact Us

Do you always have puppies available?

No. We breed selectively rather than maintaining constant puppy availability.

Information about current and planned litters will be posted on our website as it becomes available.

What if there isn't a puppy available right now?

You are still welcome to contact us about future litters and tell us what you are looking for.

Because temperament and compatibility are important to us, waiting for the right pairing or puppy can sometimes be worthwhile.

Do you guarantee a particular adult temperament, size or appearance?

No breeder can responsibly guarantee exactly how a puppy will develop.

Genetics influence temperament, structure, coat and other characteristics, but development is also affected by training, socialization, nutrition, environment and life experiences.

We can provide information about our dogs, their characteristics and what we observe in individual puppies to help families make an informed decision.

What happens after I bring my puppy home?

Bringing your puppy home is the beginning rather than the end of raising a German Shepherd.

We want our puppy families to feel comfortable reaching out with questions and sharing updates as their dogs grow. Seeing the dogs we produce develop into adult companions is an important part of evaluating our breeding program and planning responsibly for the future.

How do I inquire about a puppy?

Please visit our Available Puppies or Contact page for information about current litters and upcoming plans.

When contacting us, tell us a little about yourself, your household, your experience with dogs and what you are hoping for in a German Shepherd. This helps us start determining whether one of our puppies may be a suitable fit for your home.

Still Have Questions?

Choosing a puppy should never feel rushed. If there is something you would like to know about our dogs, our puppies or an upcoming litter that isn't answered here, please feel free to contact us.

We would much rather answer questions before a puppy goes home than have a family feel unprepared afterward.