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 many years, for the training and health of your dog.

Online sources and pet stores offer puppies that are typically from puppy mills that focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Choose a reputable breeding facility 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 share information about their dogs and the ways they treat you. Breeders will be happy to share information about their dogs and practices with you.

The best place to start is to contact your local German Shepherd club or organization. The majority of breed clubs have an officer for puppy or secretary who can point you to reliable breeders in your area. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency to get an inventory of licensed breeders.

If you've found a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Look for a clean facility where the mother and puppies are safe. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings. You need proof that they were examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder will be able to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a great relationship with a vet who can carry out all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able to provide you with the name of the doctor and phone number, and also provide you with consultation notes.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they have about your lifestyle and Schäferhundwelpen living situation. This might hinder them from bringing puppies 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 also require that you sign a contract prior to purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain details about the parents, their AKC registration number and the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a great way breeders who are responsible to monitor King Shepherd Kaufen their dogs and ensure they have a good home.

Health Tests

Breeders with a good reputation will examine the health of the dogs they intend to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they do not produce puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also called Bloat).

Breeders who are trusted are determined to understand the temperaments and health issues of every dog they own. They are also able to freely and openly give this information to other breeders and potential 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 Deutsche SchäFerhunde Welpen Kaufen öSterreich German shepherds also recommend that breeders carry out additional tests.

These health tests look for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also help breeders 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 susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint diseases cause pain and discomfort, however, they can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations, supplements and drugs. X-rays are taken under anesthesia to ensure precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar-sacral transformational vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't foolproof however, and it does not tell you if a dog will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal conditions later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs require a lot of physical exercise, training and was kostet ein reinrassiger Schäferhund mental stimulation to keep active. They are prone to becoming bored, and lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or eating shoes. The majority of these behaviors stem from insufficient emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization can help the puppy gain confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the likelihood 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 teaches them to be around their rough and boisterous siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety of scents, sounds and sights. The puppies are taught to behave in groups. This is essential to their success as adults.

The puppy should be exposed to a variety of household noises such as doorbells, vacuum cleaners and kitchen appliances. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds like traffic, sirens and construction. This is very important so that the puppy will not be scared or anxious of these sounds when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.

It is also crucial for Deutscher schäferhund schwarz kaufen the puppy to meet many different people during this time, in addition to other pets. This will help to prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. A good example of this is when a dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a safe well-controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted at first so that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact also with older, more friendly, calmer dogs. This will help your puppy realize that older, larger dogs do not need to be scary. It can also aid in developing an excellent attitude.

Training

German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is important to enroll them in an obedience class as soon as possible, especially while they are still young. This will help them develop into confident, Reinrassiger Deutscher SchäFerhund well-mannered dogs. It's also a good time to familiarize them with basic commands like sit down, sit and stay. The earlier you teach your dog these basic commands and Reinrassiger deutscher Schäferhund commands, they'll be more likely to follow your commands as they age.

Territorial aggression can be an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They might be extremely protective of their home and property, which can lead to their barking at strangers or animals who venture into their area. Territorial behavior is averted through exercising, training, and socialization.

Obedience training can also help prevent other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs that don't possess the proper obedience training can be a nuisance, or even a threat to their family members and their neighbors. They can easily be distracted by other pets, toys or children and disregard basic commands like "sit" or "down."

In the early years of puppyhood, you should continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, and sounds. This is especially important when they are 16 weeks old, as they go through an important period of brain development during this period. If your German Shepherd is a protected puppy they'll likely encounter new experiences to be more difficult as they grow older and become more susceptible to fear-based aggression and anxiety.

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