How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

When you buy a German Shepherd puppy, you're taking on a massive commitment. You'll be responsible for the health, training and mental stability of your dog over many years.

Online sources and pet stores sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills that focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Choose a reputable breeding center instead.

How to Select a Reputable Breeder

Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders will be happy to discuss their dogs and practices with you. They will be willing to discuss genetic and health testing as well as early socialization and the environment in which their puppies are fostered.

Your local German Shepherd club or group is the best place to start. Breed clubs usually have a secretary, or puppy officer who can point you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact the animal control department of your state to obtain a list of licensed breeding companies.

Take the time to meet a breeder's representative in person after you've found one who meets your breeding standards. Find a clean facility in which the mother and her puppies are comfortably confined. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You'll want to know if they have been screened for hereditary issues such as hip dysplasia and eye issues.

A responsible breeder should be in a position to provide you with copies of your puppy's medical record and a current shot schedule. They should have a good relationship with a vet who can perform all the necessary tests and vaccinations. They will be able to give you the name of the veterinarian as well as the number of his phone and provide you with consultation notes.

Ask the breeder about any concerns they might have about your lifestyle or living circumstances. This might hinder them from bringing a puppy to you. For instance when they know that you have children, they might be reluctant to sell you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds are known to be 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. This 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 great way for responsible breeders to track their dogs and ensure they have a good home.

Health Tests for Health

Breeders who are reputable conduct health tests on the dogs that will be part of their breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't breed pups that have an inherited illness. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia as well as degenerative myelopathy, GDV and bloat.

In addition to health screenings breeders who are trustworthy get a better understanding of the health and temperament of each dog they have. They also share this information fully and openly with other breeders and 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 take additional tests.

These tests are designed to identify genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also allow breeders to make better informed decisions about mating which will decrease the risk of inheritable diseases in the future.

Typical genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, particularly in the front limbs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled through weight control, activity restrictions, supplements, and drugs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays with sedation to ensure accurate results.

The OFA test checks for Schäferhund Welpen öSterreich kaufen the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis and spina bifida. The test isn't 100% reliable, however, and schäFerhund welpen österreich kaufen cannot determine if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy, or purebred German shepherd dog other spinal disorders later in life.

Socialization

GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They get bored very easily and their inactivity can result in destructive behaviors such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are often the result of unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is vital for German Shepherd puppies. Proper socialization allows the pup to build confidence around new people and surroundings. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will be fearful or aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization begins with the mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This helps puppies learn appropriate social signals and how to deal with their boisterous, and sometimes rough siblings. They are also exposed to a wide range of smells, sights, and sounds. The puppies learn to behave in a group environment, which is essential to their success as dogs who mature.

Introduce the puppy to a variety of household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should be exposed sounds outside, including traffic, sirens, and construction. This is very important so that the puppy will not become anxious or fearful of these situations when they become adults. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at a moderate rate, and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.

During this time, it is essential that the puppy interacts with different animals and people. This will help to prevent separation anxiety when the owner is away from home. An excellent example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be able to interact with the other dogs in a controlled, controlled manner and the interactions should be tempered initially so that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older and gentle dogs. This will allow the puppy understand that not all older, larger dogs are scary and it will help them to develop a good temperament.

Training

German Shepherds need constant and consistent obedience training. It's important to start classes early particularly when they are still young. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a good time to get them familiar with the basic commands like sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier you can teach your dog these basic skills they'll be more likely to follow your instructions as they grow older.

Territorial aggression is a frequent problem for many German Shepherd owners. They may be extremely cautious of their homes and property, which can lead to them barking at people or schäferhund welpe kaufen animals who venture into their territory. Territorial behavior is averted by exercising, training, and socialization.

Obedience training can aid in preventing other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have proper obedience training can be a nuisance, or even a threat to their family members and neighbors. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may not be able to follow simple commands like "sit" and "down."

During the puppy years, you should continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new locations, people and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy turns 16 weeks old and their brains are going through an important phase of development. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy, it will likely be much more difficult for them to master new things once they are an adult. They may also be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression or fear.

Many dog owners don't realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be content and peaceful. They are herding dogs by nature and have a strong urge to please their humans If they don't have enough things to do, they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise helps tone muscles, King Shepherd Kaufen decreases "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's also a great opportunity to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!