How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're taking a huge risk when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You will be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog for many years.

Pet stores and online resources typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profit over animal well-being. Choose a reputable breeder instead.

How to Choose a Breeder with a Good Reputation

It's essential to get acquainted with your breeder prior to you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to give you details about their dogs as well as breeding practices. They will be willing to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment where their puppies are raised.

Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to start. The breed clubs typically have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you to breeders who are reputable. If you prefer, you can contact your state animal control agency for a list of licensed breeders.

Once you've identified a breeder that meets breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility in which the mother and her puppies are comfortably confined. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings. You need proof that they have been screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should also be able to supply you with a copy of your puppy's medical records and an up-to-date vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who can conduct all the required tests and vaccines. They can give you the name of the veterinarian and his phone number and provide you with the records of consultation.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have regarding your lifestyle and living circumstances. This might hinder them from bringing puppies to you. For instance when they know that you have children, they may be hesitant to offer you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds are known to be aggressive with children.

A reputable breeder may require that you sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should contain details about the parents as well as their AKC registration number and a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a great method for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they go to good homes.

Health Tests

Breeders with a good reputation will check the health of the dogs they plan to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they do not produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also known as Bloat).

In addition to health screenings breeders who are trustworthy get a better understanding of the health and temperament of each dog they own. They also are able to freely and completely give this information to other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

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

These tests are designed to detect genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also permit breeders to make more informed mating decisions which will decrease the incidence of hereditary disease in the coming generations.

Typical genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort, but can be managed by weight control, activity limitations, supplements, and drugs. X-rays are taken with conscious sedation to obtain precise results, and then sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test is a check for hemivertebrae, schäferhund Abzugeben butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV), spondylosis, schäFerhund abzugeben and spina bifida. The test is not 100% reliable and cannot tell whether a dog's spinal condition is degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs require rigorous physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They are easily bored and their lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional needs. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program helps the puppy gain confidence with new people and SchäFerhund Kaufen öSterreich situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and SchäFerhund Abzugeben interact. This teaches the puppies appropriate social signals and how to cope with their boisterous, sometimes rough siblings. It also exposes the pups to a variety of smells, Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen öSterreich sights and sounds. The puppies are taught to behave in groups. This is crucial to their success as adults.

Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, Deutscher SchäFerhund Zu Verkaufen like sirens, traffic and construction. This is essential so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful of these stimuli when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a comfortable rate, and positive reinforcement is used throughout the process.

During this time, it's crucial that the puppy interacts with different people and pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away. One good example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or Deutscher SchäFerhund Schwarz Kaufen play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a secure, controlled manner and the interaction should be limited initially so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be allowed to interact with calmer, older and doggies who are friendly. This will help your puppy realize that older, larger dogs don't have to be terrifying. It will also aid in developing an excellent attitude.

Training

German Shepherds need constant regular obedience training. It's important to get them into classes early particularly when they are still young. This will help them develop into confident and well-mannered dogs. This is also a good time to make them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog is taught these basic behaviors and commands, the easier it will be for them to follow your directions as they age.

Territorial aggression is a typical problem for many German Shepherd owners. They may be overly protective of their home and property, leading to screaming or groaning at other people or animals that enter their territory. Territorial behavior can be slowed through exercising, training, and socialization.

Training in obedience can aid in preventing other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained could cause trouble for their family and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands such as "sit" and "down."

During the puppy years it is important to continue to introduce your German Shepherds to new people, places, and sounds. This is especially important when they reach the age of 16 weeks since they enter a critical period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy prior to this it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to master new things when they become adults. They may also be more prone to fear-based aggression or anxiety.

One thing that a lot of dog owners aren't aware of is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to stay calm and happy. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and they are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise, they may become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, aids in weight loss, and reduces "cabin-fever." It's also a great way to bond with your German shepherd!