How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

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

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

How to Choose a Breeder with a Good Reputation

Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's essential to get acquainted with the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to share information about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing as well as early socialization and the environment where their puppies are fostered.

The best place to begin is to contact your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The majority of breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can point you in the right direction for credible breeders in your region. You can also contact your state animal control agency to get the list of breeders who are licensed.

Once you've identified a breeder with good breeding standards, make sure you take the time to meet them in person. You should search for a clean, comfortable facility in which the mother dog and her puppies are kept. It is important to inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to be aware if they've been screened for hereditary issues like hip dysplasia or eye problems.

A responsible breeder should also be able provide you with a copy your puppy's medical history and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet that can perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They can provide the name of the doctor and his phone number and will provide you with consultation records.

It's also an excellent idea to inquire with the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living situation that might prevent them from selling you an animal. For instance when they know that you have children, they might be hesitant to offer you a puppy since German Shepherds can be aggressive with children.

A reputable breeder will also require you to sign a contract prior to 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 an important way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they will be placed in good homes.

Health Tests for Health

Breeders with a good reputation will test the health of the dogs they plan to breed. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip and German Shepherd to Give away elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also known as Bloat).

In addition to health screening, reputable breeders strive to acquire a personal understanding of the temperaments and health of each pet they own. They are also able to freely and openly share this information with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

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

These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also allow breeders to make more informed mating decisions which will decrease the risk of inheritable diseases in the coming generations.

Typical genetic tests include:

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 joint diseases cause pain and schäFerhund Baby Kaufen discomfort, but they can be treated with exercise restrictions, weight control, supplements and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure that the results are accurate.

The OFA test checks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV) and Reinrassiger schäFerhund spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not foolproof however, and it cannot determine if the dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal disorders later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs require rigorous physical exercise along with training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They can easily become bored and their lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior SchäFerhund Baby Kaufen such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are usually caused by a lack of emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the pup gain confidence around new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will become fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play and play with each other. This teaches puppies appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough, siblings. The puppies are also exposed to various sights, sounds and smells. The puppies are taught to behave in the group. This is essential to their success as adults.

The puppy should be introduced to a variety of household noises including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy does not develop afraid or anxious of these types of stimuli. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcements will be used throughout the process.

During this time, it's essential that the puppy interacts with different people and pets. This will help to prevent anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. A good example of this is when the dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure way with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be confined so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact with older, more relaxed and calm dogs. This will help the puppy realize that not all older, larger dogs are fearsome and will help them to develop a good temperament.

Training

German Shepherds need constant regular obedience training. It is important to enroll them in an obedience class as soon as possible, especially while they are still young. This will assist them in developing into confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a good time to make them familiar with the basic commands like sit, down, stay and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic skills they'll be more likely to obey your instructions as they age.

Territorial aggression is a common problem for many German Shepherd owners. They can be extremely protective of their homes and property, leading to barking or yelling at people or German Shepherd Kaufen animals that enter their area of. Territorial behavior can be slowed by the proper training, exercise and socialization.

Obedience training will also help to prevent other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained may be a nuisance to their family and neighbors. They can easily be distracted by other animals or toys, or even children and ignore basic commands like "sit" or "down."

In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people locations, sights, schäferhund baby kaufen and sounds. This is especially important when they reach 16 weeks old since they enter a critical period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy until then, it will likely be more difficult for them to grasp new things once they are an adult. They could also be more prone to fear-based aggression or anxiety.

Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be happy and calm. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they have a strong desire to please their owners as well as work. If they don't get enough exercise they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps in weight loss and reduces "cabin-fever." It's a great way to connect with your German Shepherd as well!