For all those thinking "good breeders will give to petstores" Or "dogs from petstores are just as good as breeders".. or "well, mine turned out perfect, so why not?"
Well.. you're more then welcome to come visit with Zira for a week, and we'll see where that opinion goes.
Not trying to "scare" the OP or anyone reading, but wanting to clarify that getting a dog from a petstore is not a good option, and if it's already done.... I would definitely keep an eye out for any health issues and temperament changes. I would also suggest hip/elbow xrays at 1-2yrs. Be aware of what you are up against before it turns into a problem.
Zira was rescued from a petstore back in 2011 (a week after Easter). And yes, she was rescued. We did not BUY her... we rescued her. Meaning we had police involved, a lawyer, better business bureau, AKC, etc. She was skin and bones, dead lame on her front leg... they had NO vet records or ANY plans on taking care of her leg (didn't even know what was wrong... tried to play it off as "oh she must have played too hard"), she had diarrhea, was on the wrong type of food for a growing GSD, and she was absolutely pathetic.
Anyway, to make a long story short.... this dog has allergies up the wazoo, skin issues, SIBO, HD, possible elbow problems, she had problems with her reproductive system (had to get her spayed mid heat cycle because the issues were so bad)...... and that's just the health issues we've discovered so far... seems like we add a few more each year. However, those we can work with.... good diet, medication, supplements, eventually surgery... The worst part is her nerves/temperament. She's mental. The dog has more fears then I've ever seen in an animal. The worst ones are water, and the sun (yes... the sun... the thing in the sky that is there every single darn day.... And no she has no eye issues... we've tested a million times) It started with the "fence monster" which lasted a few months.. then went to the sun. When she was younger... she would literally make herself pass out because we were trying to bathe her. We had to get professional help to get us to where we are now. It took me 1 year to be able to bathe the dog by myself. She still shakes, and cries, and throws mild fits here and there during the bath... but I'm able to tie her to the post and handle her myself now. She has terrible nerves.... she runs around my house doing the fearful crawl, shaking, barking and growing.... at nothing! She barks at random small noises of nature... that happen ALL day and night! If it's windy.... oh lord help us! We wont hear the end of it. She panics easily and at that point, she's impossible to handle. She's always stressed, always freaking out over something. She literally can't sit for 2 seconds before something else has her pacing the house. She doesn't have an off switch.... if she's out in the house, you will barely EVER see her laying down. She stresses my other dogs out because she just doesn't stop. I work her, I exercise her.... it doesn't help. She obsesses over everything. We've had Duke for over a year now... she STILL reacts to him like a normal dog would to a new dog. She wont leave him alone.... at all! He puts up with it, but it stresses him out and he ends up running and hiding under me. We were told "oh she'll get used to it.. it's just the new dog syndrome"... nope. It isn't. Over a year later... we're still trying to get her to leave him be. He'll play for 20 or so minutes, but then want to lay down... or follow us. She just doesn't leave it be. If she's not obsessing over him.... she's chewing on her bone.... which, if we let her (we don't), she will do the entire day even after she's caused damage and bleeding gums. She's quick to fall into that obsessive mode.
Her memory seems to be very off. You can correct her for something.... she'll stop.... sit for 5 seconds... go back and do it again. You correct her again.... she'll stop... 5 seconds later... again... and again.. and again. It's like having an 8 week old... but worse.. and for the life of the dog. I can't train her because she forgets.... literally... it's no longer there. She's only retained stuff we taught her as a small pup (sit, down, stay, come, leave it, and leash training). The vet can't find anything medically wrong there... it's just... Her.
She's starting to become DA. Which, is not due to lack of socialization. She was highly socialized has a pup and through out her life. She used to get along with everyone. Now, there are certain dogs she will pick fights with. I can't trust her anymore. She flips so quick with things... it's like a light switch. She's completely mental.
There are many other things... but, I think this is enough to say... Be careful when you promote petstores as an "ok" place to get a puppy. For those that have dogs from them and they are stable: GREAT! I'm glad you got lucky... However, the dog next to yours may not have been so lucky. Zira was supposed to be PTS according to 5 different vets at 5-7 months old. I fought it, and continued on. She is a happy dog for the most part... but boy do we have some bad days. Remember when you support this practice... you are supporting puppy mills... and in turn... dogs that have to either lose their life, or suffer with all these issues.
To the OP: You're BIL already has the dog... so there's nothing he can do there. But, he should understand what he should look out for. Many issues, if caught early, can be worked with (either medically, or mentally). We didn't know the full extent of what we were getting into... if we did, I'm sure I would have used some other methods, or medical plans. I'm NOT saying his dog is going to be the same as Zira... not all are... But, he should also be aware that next time he needs be careful where his money supports. I truly hope he's a lucky one and the dog turns out 100% normal.
(Just an FYI: If money is the reason, which is what I hear often... Most of the time these petstores are selling at an even higher price then the best breeders out there. Not only do you spend a lot... but you also get WAY to many chances for huge problems.)
For a well bred dog: $1250-2500....... Zira's first year (JUST medical bills): $6000.