How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're taking a huge risk when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be responsible for many years for the health and education 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.

Choosing a Reputable Breeder

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

Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to start. Most breed clubs have an officer or secretary who can point you in the right direction for reliable breeders in your area. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to get an updated list of licensed breeders.

Make the effort to meet a breeder in person once you've found one that meets your standards for breeding. Look for a clean facility where the mother and pups are safe. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings; you need proof that they've been examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder will be in a position to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and a current shot schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who can carry out all required tests and vaccines. They should be able to tell you the vet's name as well as the number of his phone and give you consultation notes.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle and living situation. This could hinder the breeder from selling the puppy to you. If they know that you have young kids and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish 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. This contract should include the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers, as in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is a crucial way for deutscher schäferhund kaufen österreich responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure they will be placed in good homes.

Health Tests

Breeders who are reputable will test the health of the dogs they plan to breed as breeding stock. This is to make sure that they don't create puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, myelopathy degenerative and GDV (also known as bloat).

Breeders who are trusted seek to be aware of the temperaments and health status of each dog they own. They are also able to freely and openly share this information with other breeders and prospective buyers.

As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder program members are required to take certain tests with 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 allow breeders to make more informed mating decisions, which will reduce the risk of inheritable diseases in future generations.

Common genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia are common problems in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition that affects their front limbs. These joint diseases cause discomfort and pain but they can be treated with exercise restrictions, weight control, supplements and drugs. X-rays are taken with anesthesia to ensure exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. The test isn't completely foolproof, however, and does not tell you if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal disorders later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise along with training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They get bored very easily and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. Often, these behaviors are a result of not being able to satisfy their emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization helps the puppy to build confidence with new people and environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will grow anxious or aggressive in new situations.

Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps them learn to be around their rough and boisterous siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety sights, sounds and smells. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately in a group environment, which is crucial to their success as adult dogs.

Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, German Shepherd puppies for sale in Switzerland kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed to a variety of sounds outside, such as traffic, sirens and construction. This is crucial 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.

It is also important for a puppy to get to know many different people during this period, along with other pets. This will help to prevent anxiety over 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 able to interact with the other dogs in a safe well-controlled manner. The interaction should be limited initially so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with calmer, older and more doggies who are friendly. This will help the puppy to realize that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and will aid in developing a positive temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It is important to enroll them in an obedience class as soon as possible and deutscher schäferhund welpen kaufen schäferhund welpen kaufen schweiz deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz österreich (simply click the up coming website page) especially when they are still young. This will help them develop into confident and well-mannered dogs. This is also a great time to get them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog learns these basic commands and commands, the more simple it is for them to follow your instructions as they get older.

Territorial aggression is a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly guarded of their property and homes and this can result in them barking at people or animals who venture into their territory. Territorial behavior can be prevented by proper training, exercise, and socialization.

Obedience training can also help to prevent other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained can be a nuisance to their family and friends. They are easily distracted by other animals or toys, or even children and disregard basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

During their puppy years 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 is 16 weeks old and their brains are undergoing a critical phase of development. If your German Shepherd is a sheltered puppy until that point they'll likely face new experiences much more challenging as they grow older and become more prone to fear-based aggression and anxiety.

Many dog owners don't realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be content and peaceful. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and they are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, reinrassiger Deutscher schäferhund assists in weight loss and decreases "cabin-fever." It's an excellent way to bond with your German Shepherd also!