How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

If you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You'll be accountable for many years for the training and health of your dog.

Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profits over the welfare of the animal. Pick a reputable breeder.

How to Select a Reputable Breeder

Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to provide information about their dogs and the ways they treat you. They will be happy to discuss health and genetic testing early socialization, as well as the environment that their puppies are raised.

The best place to begin is to contact your local German Shepherd club or group. The majority of breed associations have an officer or secretary who can point you in the right direction for credible breeders in your region. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to find a list of licensed breeders.

It is a good idea to meet a breeder in person after you've found one who is in line with your standards for breeding. Look for a clean facility where the mother and puppies are kept in a safe environment. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should know if they have been screened for any hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia and belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen öSterreich eye issues.

A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a good relationship with a veterinarian who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to give you the name of the veterinarian and phone number, and also provide you with consultation notes.

It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living circumstances that could stop them from offering you a puppy. For instance, if they know you have children, they may be hesitant to offer you a puppy because German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.

You should also expect an established breeder to require you to sign a contract to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain information about the parents and their AKC registration number, and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an important way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes.

Health Tests for buy german shepherd Dog switzerland Health

Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that form part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and Bloat.

In addition to health screenings, reputable breeders strive to gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of every dog they have. They also share this information completely and openly with other breeders and potential buyers.

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to perform certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also suggest that breeders take additional tests.

These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. These tests also allow breeders make better choices when mating which will reduce the incidences of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.

The most common genetic tests are:

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are at risk of hip and elbow dysplasia, Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen especially in the front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled with weight control, activity restrictions as well as supplements and Schäferhund baby kaufen medications. X-rays are taken under anesthesia to ensure exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test is a check for the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not 100% reliable and cannot tell whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They can easily become bored and inactivity can lead to destructive behavior such as eating excessively or digging shoes. These behaviors are often due to unmet emotional needs. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence with new people and belgischer schäferhund welpen Kaufen österreich surroundings. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will grow anxious or schäFerhund Kaufen öSterreich aggressive in new situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and interact with one another. This helps puppies learn appropriate social cues and how to deal with their boisterous, sometimes rough siblings. It also exposes the pups to a wide range of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies are taught how to behave in groups. This is essential to their success as adults.

The puppy should be exposed to a variety of household noises like doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is very important to ensure that the puppy does not be scared or anxious of these sounds when they become adults. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace, and positive reinforcement should be utilized throughout the process.

During this time, it's also important that the puppy interacts with different animals and people. This can help prevent anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. An excellent example is when the dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact with the other dogs in a safe, controlled manner and the interaction should be restricted initially so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more sociable, calmer dogs. This will help the puppy understand that not all older, larger dogs are scary and it will aid in developing an appropriate temperament.

Training

German Shepherds need strict regular obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in an early training class especially when they're still young. This will help them become confident and well-mannered dogs. It's also a good opportunity to teach them basic commands such as sit, down and stay. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors and commands, the easier it is for them to follow your instructions as they grow older.

Territorial aggression is an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They may be extremely cautious of their home and property which could lead to them barking at people or animals that enter their territory. Territorial behavior is averted through proper training, exercise, schäferhund Kaufen öSterreich and socialization.

Obedience training can aid in preventing other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained can cause trouble for their family and Belgischer SchäFerhund Welpen Kaufen öSterreich friends. They can easily be distracted by other pets or toys, or even children and disregard basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

In the early years of their puppyhood it is essential to introduce your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important when they reach the age of 16 weeks because they are in an important period of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy until then it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to learn new things as an adult. They could also be more prone to fear-based aggression or anxiety.

One thing that many dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to remain calm and happy. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong urge to please their humans If they don't have enough work to do, they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's also a great way to bond with your German shepherd!