How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

When you purchase a German Shepherd puppy, you're making a big commitment. You'll be responsible for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for a number of years.

Pet stores and online resources typically sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profits over animal welfare. Select a reputable breeder instead.

How to Choose a Reputable Breeder

Before you purchase a German Shepherd pup, schäferhund BeschüTzerinstinkt it's important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to discuss their dogs and the ways they treat you. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, schäferhund beschützerinstinkt and the environment in which their puppies are raised.

The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or group. The majority of breed clubs have an officer or Deutsche SchäFerhundwelpen secretary who can direct you to credible breeders in your region. You can also contact your state animal control agency for an inventory of licensed breeders.

It is a good idea to meet with a breeder in person after you've found one who meets your breed standards. You should seek out an environment that is clean and comfortable in which the puppy and the mother dog are confined. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings. You'll want to see proof that they've been screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder will be capable of providing you with copies of your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who can perform all required tests and vaccines. They will be able provide the name of the veterinarian and his phone number and provide you with the records of consultation.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle or living situation. This may prevent the breeder from selling the puppy to you. If they know that you have young children, they may not want to sell you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

A reputable breeder will require that you sign a contract when you purchase your german shepherd kaufen Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents as well as 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 monitor their dogs and ensure they are going to good homes.

Health Tests for Health

Breeders who are reputable will check the health of the dogs they plan to breed as breeding stock. This is to make sure that they do not produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy GDV and bloat.

Breeders who are trusted seek to be aware of the temperaments and health conditions of every dog they have. They also share this information completely and freely with other breeders and prospective buyers.

As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to conduct certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.

These tests check for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also allow breeders to make more informed mating decisions that will lower the chance of developing hereditary diseases in the future.

Common genetic tests include:

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia particularly in the front limbs. These degenerative joint disorders cause pain and discomfort, however, they can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations and supplements as well as 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 looks for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't 100% reliable and SchäFerhund BeschüTzerinstinkt cannot tell whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise along with training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They are prone to becoming bored and inactivity can lead to destructive behavior like excessive digging or schäFerhund baby kaufen eating shoes. These behaviors are usually due to unmet emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization can help the puppy gain confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in new situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This teaches them to be around their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. They are also exposed to a variety of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies are taught to behave in a group. This is vital to their success as adults.

Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, like traffic, sirens, and SchäFerhundwelpen construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not become scared or anxious about these sounds. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.

It is also important that the puppy gets to meet numerous people during this time, as well as other pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other doggies.

The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a safe, controlled manner with other dogs. At beginning, interactions should be limited to ensure that the puppy isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with older, calmer and more doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy understand that bigger, older dogs do not have to be frightening. It will also help them develop a good attitude.

Training

German Shepherds need strict regular obedience training. It is important to enroll them in classes early especially when they're still young. This will help them become confident and well-mannered dogs. It's also a good time to familiarize them with basic commands such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier you teach your dog these basic commands and commands, they'll be more likely to follow your instructions as they get older.

Territorial aggression is an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their homes and property, which can lead to them barking at people or animals who venture into their area. Training, exercise and socialization can help to prevent territorial behavior.

Other issues with behavior can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could cause trouble for their family and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets toys or children, and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

In the early years of puppyhood it is important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds to new people, places, and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach the age of 16 weeks, as they go through an important period of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy prior to this, it will likely be a lot more difficult for them to master new things when they become adults. They may also be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression or fear.

Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be content and peaceful. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, schäferhund baby kaufen and they have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps with weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's an excellent way to connect with your German Shepherd as well!