How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

When you buy 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.

Pet stores and online retailers generally sell puppies from puppy mills that place profit over animal well-being. Choose a reputable breeder instead.

How to Select a Breeder with a Good Reputation

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

Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to start. The majority of breed associations have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you to credible breeders in your region. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to find an updated list of licensed breeding companies.

Take the time to meet with a breeder in person after you've found one who is in line with your breeding standards. Find a clean and Deutsche Schäferhundwelpen tidy facility where the mother and pups are kept in a safe environment. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You want to be aware if they've been screened for hereditary issues like hip dysplasia, and eye problems.

A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a solid working relationship with a vet who is able to perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to provide the name of the veterinarian and his contact number and also provide you with records of your consultation.

It's also recommended to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living circumstances that would prevent them from offering you an animal. 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.

A reputable breeder may require you to sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include details about the parents and their AKC registration number and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a great way for responsible breeders to track their dogs and make sure they go to good homes.

Health Tests

Reputable breeders undertake health tests on the dogs that will be part of their breeding collection. This is to make sure that they do not produce puppies with an inherited disease. These tests include elbow and hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy and GDV (also known as Bloat).

In addition to health screenings, reputable breeders strive to get a better understanding of the temperaments and health of each dog they own. They also share this information completely and freely with other breeders and potential buyers.

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

These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also help breeders make more informed mating decisions that will lower the chance of developing hereditary diseases in the coming generations.

Typical genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia are common issues 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 weight control, activity limitations and medications. The X-rays are made under conscious sedation to obtain exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test focuses on the presence of hemivertebra, butterfly vertebra block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not impervious and cannot predict whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

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

Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them how to be around their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety of scents, sounds and sights. The puppies are taught to behave in groups. This is crucial to their success as adults.

Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds, including sirens, traffic, and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not become anxious or fearful of these sounds when they become adults. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.

It is also very important for the puppy to meet numerous people during this time, as well as other pets. This can help prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. 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 safe, controlled way with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be confined so that the pup isn't overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer and more doggies who are friendly. This will help the puppy realize that not all larger, older dogs are fearsome and will aid in developing a good temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require regular, strict obedience training. It's important to start an early training class, especially when they are still puppy dogs. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. It's also a great time to introduce them to basic commands like sit down, Schäferhund Welpe kaufen sit and stay. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic commands they'll be more likely to obey your instructions as they age.

Territorial aggression is a common issue for a lot of German Shepherd owners. They may be overly protective of their homes and property, deutscher schäFerhund Welpe kaufen leading to screaming or groaning at other any animal or person who enters their area of. Proper training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.

Training in obedience can aid in preventing other issues with behavior in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have proper obedience training can become a nuisance or even a threat to their family members and their neighbors. They are often distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands such as "sit" and "down."

In the early years of puppyhood It is essential to introduce your German Shepherds with new people, deutscher schäferhund Welpe kaufen places, and sounds. This is especially important when they are 16 weeks old, as they go through an important phase of brain development during this time. If your german shepherd kaufen Shepherd is a sheltered puppy until that point they'll likely face new experiences more difficult as they grow older and become more susceptible to fear-based aggression and anxiety.

One thing that many dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to stay calm and happy. They are herders by nature and have a strong urge to do their best and delight their owners and if they don't have enough work to do, they could become bored or destructive. Regular exercise also tones muscles, decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and aids in weight loss. It's also a great way to build a bond with your German shepherd!