How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're taking a huge risk when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible, for many years, for the training and health of your dog.

Pet stores and online sources offer puppies, which are typically from puppy mills, which place profit ahead of the health of animals. Select a reputable breeding facility instead.

Choosing a Reputable Breeder

Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders will be happy to provide information about their dogs and their practices with you. They will be willing to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, was kostet ein reinrassiger schäferhund and the environment in which their puppies are fostered.

Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to start. Breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can guide you to reputable breeders. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to get the list of breeding companies.

If you've found a breeder with good breeding standards, Reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund welpe take the time to meet them in person. You should search for an upscale, clean facility in which the puppies and their mother are confined. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings; you want to see proof that they have been screened for hereditary diseases like hip dysplasia, eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should also be able to supply you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a veterinarian who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able tell you the name of the veterinarian and his contact number and will provide you with the records of consultation.

It's also a good idea to ask the breeder if they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living situation that might stop them from offering you puppies. If they know you have young children, they may not want to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask you to sign a contract to purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers as in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is an important way for a responsible breeder to keep track of their dogs and ensure they will be placed in good homes.

Health Tests

Breeders who are trustworthy will examine the health of the dogs they plan to use as breeding stock. This is to make sure that they do not produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also known as bloat).

Breeders who are reputable are determined to understand the temperaments and health issues of every dog they own. They also are able to freely and completely communicate this information to other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

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

These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also permit breeders to make better informed decisions about mating which will decrease 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 joint conditions that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, but can be managed through weight control, activity limitations and supplements as well as medications. X-rays are taken with conscious sedation to obtain exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test focuses on hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not completely foolproof however, and does not tell you if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or Blue Shepherds any other spinal disorders later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They are prone to becoming bored, and lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence around new people and environments. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be scared or aggressive in new situations.

Puppy socialization begins with mother and reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund kaufen deutscher belgischer schäferhund welpen kaufen österreich welpe (pattern-wiki.win) her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them how to interact with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety of kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies learn to behave appropriately in a group environment, which is crucial to their success as dogs who mature.

The puppy should be introduced to different household sounds such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed to different outdoor sounds such as sirens, traffic, and construction. This is essential so that the puppy will not become scared or anxious of these sounds as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace, and positive reinforcement should be utilized throughout the process.

During this period, it is essential that the puppy meets many different animals and people. This will help to prevent anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. One good example is when the dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be able to interact with other dogs in a secure well-controlled manner. The interactions should be tempered initially so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with calmer, older, gentle dogs. This will help the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and will help them to develop a positive temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in a class as soon as you can and SchäFerhund Kaufen öSterreich especially when they are still young. This will allow them to become confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a great time to familiarize them with basic commands like sit down, stay and sit. The earlier a dog can learn these basic commands, the more easy it will be for them to follow your directions as they age.

Territorial aggression can be a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly guarded of their homes and property and this can result in them barking at people or animals who enter their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.

Training in obedience can also help prevent other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained may cause annoyance to their family and friends. They can easily be distracted by other pets, toys or children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

During their puppy years it is crucial to socialize your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when they are 16 weeks old since they enter an important period of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a quiet pup until then they'll likely encounter new experiences much more challenging as an adult and be more prone to anxiety-based aggression and fear.

Many dog owners don't realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be happy and calm. They are herders by nature and have a strong drive to satisfy their owners, so if they don't have enough to do, they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss, and decreases "cabin-fever." It's also a great way to build a bond with your German shepherd!