How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're making a significant commitment when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible for many years for the health and training of your dog.

Pet stores and online sources typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profit over animal well-being. Select a reputable breeder instead.

Choosing a Reputable Breeder

It is important to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be happy to discuss their dogs and practices with you. They will be willing to discuss genetic and Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen öSterreich health testing early socialization, as well as the environment that their puppies are being raised.

The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or group. The majority of breed associations have an officer for puppy or secretary who can direct you to credible breeders in your region. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get a list of licensed breeders.

If you've found a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and puppies are comfortably confined. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to be aware if they've been screened for any hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, and eye problems.

A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a great relationship with a vet who is able to perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to tell you the name of the vet, his telephone number, and will provide you with consultation records.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they may have about your lifestyle or living circumstances. This might stop them from selling puppies to you. For instance when they know that you have children, they might be reluctant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.

A reputable breeder will also require that you sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents as well as their AKC registration numbers as well as a return-to-breeder clause. This is a crucial way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure they are going to suitable homes.

Health Tests for Health

Breeders who are reputable will examine the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't create puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia, 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 each pet they own. They also share this information completely and openly with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

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

These tests check for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also allow breeders to make better informed choices about mating, which will reduce the incidence of hereditary disease in the coming generations.

The most common genetic tests are

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are a common problem in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition in their front limbs. These degenerative joint disorders cause pain and discomfort, however, they can be controlled with exercise restrictions, weight control and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure the accuracy of the results.

The OFA test is a check for hemivertebrae, butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. The test isn't foolproof, however, and deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich does not determine whether a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or any other spinal disorders later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise, training, and mental stimulation to keep occupied. They can get bored easily, and deutscher Schäferhund kaufen öSterreich lack of activity may lead to destructive behaviors like excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are usually caused by a lack of emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so vital for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the puppy to build confidence with new people and environments. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps them learn to get along with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety of kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies are taught to behave in the group. This is vital to their success as adults.

Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not be scared or anxious of these situations as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcements will be used throughout the process.

It is also crucial that the puppy gets to meet numerous people during this time, as well as other pets. This can reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. This can be achieved by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure way with other dogs. At first, the interactions should be confined so that the pup does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer and doggies who are friendly. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are scary and it helps them develop an appropriate temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is crucial to get them into classes as soon as possible, especially while they are still young. This will allow them to become confident, blaue schäFerhunde (elearnportal.science official blog) well-mannered dogs. This is also a great time to make them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic behaviors, they will be more likely to follow your commands as they grow older.

Territorial aggression is a typical issue for many German Shepherd owners. They can be extremely protective of their home and property, altdeutscher schäFerhund kaufen leading to barking or yelling at any animal or person who enters their area of. Territorial behavior can be prevented through the proper training, exercise and socialization.

Other behavioral problems can be prevented through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained can cause trouble for their neighbors and family members. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys or children and Deutscher schäferhund kaufen Schweiz ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

In the early years of their puppyhood it is crucial to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is especially important prior to when the puppy reaches 16 weeks and their brains are undergoing a critical phase of development. If your German shepherd is a quiet puppy prior to this it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to grasp new things when they become adults. They could also be more prone to anxiety-based aggression or fear.

One thing that a lot of pet owners don't know is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical as well as mental exercise to stay calm and happy. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't exercise enough they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great method to build a bond with your German shepherd!