How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

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

Pet stores and online resources typically sell puppies from puppy mills that prioritize profits over animal welfare. Choose a reputable breeding facility instead.

How to Choose a Breeder with a Good Reputation

Before you buy a German Shepherd pup, it's crucial to know the breeder. Breeders who are responsible will be delighted to give you details about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be willing to discuss genetic and health testing as well as early socialization and the environment that their puppies are being raised.

Your local German Shepherd club or organization is the best place to begin. The breed clubs typically have a secretary, or puppy officer, who can guide you to reputable breeders. You can also contact your state's animal control agency to obtain the list of breeders.

Take the time to meet with a breeder 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 mother dog and her puppies are kept in a secure. Ask about the puppy's parents and siblings; you want to see proof that they have been checked for hereditary disorders such as hip dysplasia eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should be able to provide you with a copy your puppy's medical record and a current vaccination schedule. They should have a great relationship with a vet who is able to perform all necessary tests and vaccinations. They can provide the name of the doctor, his telephone number, and provide you with consultation records.

It's also a good idea to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living circumstances that might prevent them from offering you a puppy. If they know you have young children they might not want to sell you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

You should also expect a reputable breeder to ask you to sign an agreement for the purchase of your German Shepherd puppy. This contract should include information about the parents and their AKC registration number, and an option to return the puppy to the breeder. This is a crucial way for responsible breeders to monitor their dogs and ensure that they will be placed in good homes.

Health Tests

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

Breeders who are trustworthy strive to know the temperaments and health conditions of every dog they have. They are also able to freely and openly communicate 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 take additional tests.

These health tests look for genetic disorders that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. They also help breeders make better informed choices about mating, schäferhund welpen Kaufen Schweiz which will reduce the risk of inheritable diseases in the coming generations.

Common genetic tests include:

Hip Dysplasia

The elbow dysplasia and the hip are common issues in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition in their front limbs. These joint diseases cause discomfort and pain, however, they can be controlled with weight control, activity limitations and supplements as well as medications. X-rays are taken with anesthesia to ensure exact results. Then, they are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test checks for the presence of hemivertebrae and Buy a German Shepherd Puppy butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae and lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test isn't impervious and cannot predict whether a dog's spinal condition will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep engaged. They can easily become bored and their lack of activity can lead to destructive behavior like excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional requirements. Socialization at an early age is crucial for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program helps the puppy gain confidence with new people and situations. It also decreases the chance that the puppy will become fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

Puppy socialization starts with the mother and Buy German Shepherds 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 learn how to behave appropriately in a group, which is essential to their success as adult dogs.

Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, like vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed to various outdoor sounds, including sirens, traffic 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 should be exposed to all of this at a calming pace and positive reinforcement will be utilized throughout the process.

During this period, it is essential that the puppy interacts with different pets and people. This will help reduce anxiety about separation when the owner is away from home. One good example is when a dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact with other dogs in a controlled well-controlled manner. The interaction should be restricted initially to ensure that the puppy doesn't become overwhelmed. The puppy should be able to interact also with older, more friendly and calm dogs. This will allow the puppy to realize that not all older, larger dogs are scary and it will aid in developing a positive temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is important to enroll them in an obedience class as soon as possible, especially while they are still young. This will help them develop into well-mannered, confident dogs. This is also a great time to get them familiar with the basics of commands such as sit down, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog learns these basic behaviors, the more easy it will be for them to follow your directions as they age.

Territorial aggression is an issue in many families with German Shepherds. They might be incredibly concerned about their home and property, which can lead to barking or growling at any animal or person who enters their territory. Territorial behavior is averted by proper training, exercise, and socialization.

Other behavioral issues can be prevented by obedience training in German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained could cause annoyance to their family and neighbors. They are easily distracted by other animals or toys, or even children and ignore basic commands such as "sit" or "down."

In the early years of puppyhood, you should continue to introduce your German Shepherds with new locations, people and sounds. This is particularly important before they are 16 weeks old, as they go through an important period of brain development during this time. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy until that point they'll likely face new experiences to be more difficult as an adult and belgischer schäFerhund welpen kaufen österreich be more prone to anxiety and fear-based aggression.

Many dog owners do not realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be calm and happy. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and they are driven to please their owners and work. If they don't exercise enough they could become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "cabin fever," improves circulation and helps with weight loss. It's the perfect way to connect with your German Shepherd, too!