How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

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

Pet stores and online resources generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profits over animal welfare. Choose a reputable breeder instead.

Selecting a Breeder with a Good Reputation

It's essential to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders will be willing to provide information about their dogs and their practices with you. They will be happy to discuss health and genetic testing, early socialization, and deutscher schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen welpen schäferhundwelpen kaufen (see more) the environment in which their puppies are being raised.

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

It is a good idea to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've located one who meets your breeding standards. You should search for an environment that is clean and comfortable in which the puppy and the mother dog are confined. You should inquire about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should find out if they've been screened for hereditary issues such as hip dysplasia and eye problems.

A responsible breeder will also be able to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical records and Deutscher SchäFerhund Welpen Kaufen an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a good working relationship with a vet that can perform all required tests and vaccines. They will be able tell you the name of the doctor and his contact number and will provide you with records of your consultation.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle and living circumstances. This may prevent them from selling a puppy to you. For instance, if they know you have young children, they may be hesitant to offer you a puppy since German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.

You should also expect an accredited breeder to require you to sign a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain the names of the parents and their AKC registration numbers as in addition to a return-to breeder clause. This is a vital way for a responsible breeder to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they are going to suitable homes.

Health Tests

Breeders with a good reputation will test the health of the dogs they intend to breed as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce pups with inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, GDV and bloat.

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

As part of the Kennel Club's Assured breeder scheme members are required to perform certain tests on their dogs. The breed clubs for German shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.

These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also permit breeders to make more informed mating decisions that will lower the incidence of hereditary disease in the coming generations.

Typical genetic tests include:

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These degenerative joint disorders cause discomfort and pain but can be managed through the control of weight, exercise limitations, supplements and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure the accuracy of the results.

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

Socialization

GSDs require a lot of physical activity along with training and mental stimulation to keep them busy. They can easily become bored and inactivity can lead to destructive behavior like excessive digging or eating shoes. These behaviors are often the result of unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is so crucial for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence around new people and different environments. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play together and play with each other. This helps them learn to interact with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety of smells, sights and sounds. The puppies are taught how to behave in the group. This is vital to their success as adults.

The puppy should be exposed to different household sounds including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, such as traffic, sirens and construction. This is very important so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful 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.

During this period, it is crucial that the puppy interacts with different people and pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away. This can be accomplished by taking the dog to puppy classes, dog parks, or play dates with other doggies.

The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be restricted so that the dog isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older and more gentle dogs. This will help your puppy understand that larger, older dogs do not have to be frightening. It will also help them develop an excellent attitude.

Training

German Shepherds need constant and consistent obedience training. It is crucial to get them into a training class early particularly when they are still young. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a great time to introduce them to basic commands such as sit down, stay and sit. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands the more simple it will be for them to follow your commands as they grow older.

Territorial aggression is an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They might be incredibly protective of their homes and property, which can lead to screaming or groaning at other those who enter their area of. Territorial behavior can be prevented by exercising, training, and socialization.

Training in obedience can aid in preventing other problems with behavior in German Shepherds. If a dog doesn't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance and even a threat to their family members and their neighbors. They can easily be distracted by other animals, deutscher schäferhund Pflege toys or children and disregard basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

In the early years of their puppyhood it is crucial to socialize your German Shepherds with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important when they are 16 weeks old, as they go through an important period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy until then it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to master new things when they become adults. They could also be more susceptible to fear-based aggression or anxiety.

One thing that a lot of dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of physical and mental exercise to stay healthy and content. They are herders by nature and have a strong urge to satisfy their owners If they don't have enough things to do, they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and reduces "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, deutscher schäFerhund welpen Kaufen aids in weight loss, and decreases "cabin-fever." It's an excellent way to be a part of your German Shepherd as well!