Adopting a German Shepherd in London: rescues, costs and the law

Yes, two breed rescues take London adopters. The first, German Shepherd Rescue Elite, is a national breed rescue, and the dogs we list from it are at its Essex kennels. German Shepherd Rescue South, based in Fareham, rehomes to adopters in the South of England. General rescues near London list German Shepherds with us too, and Dogs Trust has a centre at Harefield in West London.

Adopting usually costs a few hundred pounds; buying costs more. German Shepherd Rescue South asks £175 to £400 depending on age, and Battersea charges £230 for any dog over six months. Blue Cross puts the cost of buying a puppy at £400 to £3,000. A rescue fee normally covers neutering, microchipping and first vaccinations.

Not free from a rescue, but under £200 is sometimes possible. Reputable rescues normally charge a fee towards the dog's vet work: All Dogs Matter charges between £150 and £220, and German Shepherd Rescue South asks from around £175 depending on the dog's age. A "free to good home" German Shepherd advert is a private advert, with no rescue behind it, so be cautious.

For most London homes, an adult, and Blue Cross's puppy advice notes that an adult dog may suit you better than taking on a young puppy. The breed needs more than two hours of exercise a day and a lot of training, and a puppy's adult temperament is unknown. With an adult, the rescue can tell you how the dog behaves with people, other dogs and being left, and what a vet has found about its hips.

Sometimes, but it is a hard fit. The Royal Kennel Club lists the German Shepherd as suited to a large house with a large garden, needing more than two hours of exercise a day. A rescue dog's needs can differ with age and health, so tell the rescue about your home and let it judge the dog. If you rent, German Shepherd Rescue Elite needs your landlord's permission first.

Ask about hips, elbows and back legs. The Royal Kennel Club asks breeders to test hips and elbows as a minimum, and recommends a DNA test for degenerative myelopathy, a spinal cord disease, plus eye testing. Its Breed Watch flags poor rear movement. Ask what the rescue's vet has found and whether the dog is insured.

You give a dog a second home and know more about the dog you are getting. A rescue has watched how the dog behaves, usually has it neutered, microchipped and vaccinated, and usually charges less than buying a puppy costs. Blue Cross puts the cost of buying a puppy at £400 to £3,000.

It can be. The Royal Kennel Club gives the lifespan as over 10 years, so a dog of 6 or 7 can still have years ahead, and the rescue can tell you how much exercise it needs. Some charities charge less for older dogs: Blue Cross fees start from £235 for dogs aged 8 or over. Ask the rescue about the dog's hips and mobility.

Not with German Shepherd Rescue Elite: its site says "We cannot reserve dogs". It completes your home check first, then matches you with a suitable dog that is available at the time, so the dog you first saw may have been rehomed. Other rescues set their own rules, so ask.