How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're making a big commitment when you purchase a German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for many years for the health and training of your dog.

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

How to Select a Breeder with a Good Reputation

It's essential to know your breeder before you purchase a German Shepherd puppy. Responsible breeders are happy to provide information about their dogs and their practices with you. Breeders will be happy to provide details about their dogs and practices with you.

Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to begin. The majority of breed clubs have a secretary or Deutscher Schäferhund Welpen Kaufen puppy officer who can direct you to reliable breeders in your area. You can also contact your state animal control agency to get the list of breeders who are licensed.

Make the effort to meet with a breeder in person once you've found one that meets your breeding standards. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and pups are kept in a safe environment. Ask about the puppy's fathers and siblings; you would like to verify that they've been screened for hereditary diseases like hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease, and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should be able provide you with a copy your puppy's medical history and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a strong relationship with a vet who can perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able to provide the name of the veterinarian and his contact number and will provide you with records of your consultation.

It's also a good idea to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living conditions that might prevent them from offering you a puppy. If they know that you have young children and they are concerned about your children's safety, they might not wish to offer you an German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

You should also expect an established breeder to require you to sign a contract for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents and their AKC registration number and the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a crucial way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they are going to good homes.

Health Tests

Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will form part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they do not produce puppies that have an inherited condition. These tests include hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and GDV (also called bloat).

In addition to health screenings Breeders who are reputable strive to gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of each dog they own. They also share this information completely and openly with other breeders and prospective buyers.

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

These tests check for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also allow breeders make better mating decisions that can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases in future generations.

Common genetic tests include:

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, SchäFerhund Welpen öSterreich Kaufen especially in the front limbs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause discomfort and pain, but can be managed by weight control, activity limitations, supplements, and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure accurate results.

The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae, lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV), spondylosis, and spina bifida. This test is not impervious and cannot predict whether a dog's condition will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise along with training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They are easily bored and their inactivity can result in destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing on shoes. These behaviors are usually due to unmet emotional requirements. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization helps the puppy to build confidence around new people and surroundings. It also reduces the likelihood that the puppy will become fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization starts with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them to interact with their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. They are also exposed to a wide range of sights, smells and sounds. The puppies learn how to behave appropriately within a group, which is key to their success as adult dogs.

Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, SchäFerhund Welpen öSterreich Kaufen kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds like sirens, traffic, and construction. This is crucial so that the puppy will not be scared or anxious of these sounds as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcements will be utilized throughout the process.

During this time, it's also important that the puppy meets many different people and pets. This can reduce separation anxiety when the owner is away. A good example of this is when a dog is taken to puppy classes and dog parks or 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 limited initially to ensure that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact with older, more friendly and calm dogs. This will help the puppy realize that not all larger, older dogs are dangerous and will aid in developing a positive temperament.

Training

German Shepherds need strict and consistent obedience training. It is important to get them into classes as soon as you can, especially while they are still young. This will allow them to grow into well-mannered, confident dogs. It is also a good moment to familiarize them with the basics of commands such as sit down, stay, and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic commands they'll be more likely to obey your instructions as they grow older.

Territorial aggression can be a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They might be incredibly protective of their homes and property, German Shepherds are looking for a home which can lead to barking or growling at any animal or person who enters their area of. Proper training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.

Other behavioral issues can be avoided through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained could cause trouble for their family and neighbors. They are often distracted by other pets, toys or children. They may ignore basic commands such as "sit" and "down."

In the early years of their puppyhood, it's important to continue to socialize your German Shepherds with new people, places, sights and sounds. This is especially important when they reach the age of 16 weeks, as they go through a critical period of brain development during this period. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy, it will likely be more difficult for them to master new things when they become adults. They could also be more prone to anxiety-based aggression or fear.

Many dog owners don't realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be content and peaceful. German Shepherds are herders by nature, and have a strong desire to please their owners and work. If they don't get enough exercise they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, schäferhund welpen österreich kaufen reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great opportunity to strengthen the bond between you and SchäFerhund abzugeben your German shepherd!