How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

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

Pet stores and online retailers typically sell puppies from puppy mills who place profits over the welfare of the animal. Select a reputable breeder instead.

Choosing a Reputable Breeder

Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, Schäferhund Kaufen it's important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to discuss their dogs and their practices with you. They will be happy to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment in which their puppies are being raised.

Your local German Shepherd organization or club is the best place to start. Breed clubs usually have a secretary or puppy officer who can point you to breeders who are reputable. Alternatively, you can contact your state animal control agency to get an inventory of licensed breeders.

Make the effort to meet a breeder's representative in person once you've located one who is in line with your breed standards. You should look for an environment that is clean and comfortable where the puppies and their mother are kept in a secure. You should ask about the parents and siblings of the puppy. You should know if they have been screened for hereditary issues like hip dysplasia or eye issues.

A responsible breeder will also be in a position to provide you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and an up-to-date shot schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet who can carry out all necessary tests and vaccinations. They should be able tell you the vet's name and phone number, and also provide you with consultation notes.

It's also a good idea to ask the breeder whether they have any concerns about your lifestyle or living situation that would stop them from selling you an animal. For instance, if they know you have young children, they may be hesitant to offer you a puppy due to the fact that German Shepherds can be a bit aggressive with children.

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

Health Tests

Breeders who are reputable will check the health of the dogs they intend to breed. This is to ensure that they don't 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 breeders who are trustworthy gain personal knowledge of the temperaments and health of each dog they have. They also share this information fully and openly with other breeders as well as prospective buyers.

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

These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also help breeders make better choices when mating which will decrease the likelihood of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.

Common genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These degenerative joint diseases cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled through weight control, activity limitations, supplements, and drugs. X-rays are taken under anesthesia to ensure accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test checks for the presence of hemivertebrae and butterfly vertebrae, block vertebrae as well as lumbar-sacral verbrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. The test isn't completely foolproof, however, and does not tell you if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy or other spinal diseases later in life.

Socialization

GSDs require rigorous physical exercise in addition to training and mental stimulation to keep them occupied. They can easily become bored and their inactivity can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or chewing up shoes. These behaviors are often caused by a lack of emotional requirements. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. A good socialization program helps the puppy build confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will develop anxious or aggressive in new situations.

Puppy socialization begins with mother and her littermates as they play and interact. This teaches them how to get along with their boisterous and sometimes rough siblings. The puppies are also exposed to a variety sights, sounds and smells. The puppies are taught how to behave in the group. This is crucial to their success as adults.

Introduce the puppy to various household sounds, including vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds, including sirens, Blaue SchäFerhunde traffic, deutscher schäferhund kaufen schweiz and construction. This is important to ensure that the puppy doesn't become scared or anxious about these sounds. The puppy will be exposed to these stimuli at an ease rate and positive reinforcement is utilized throughout the process.

During this period, it is crucial that the puppy interacts with different people and pets. This can help prevent anxiety over separation 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 be allowed to interact with other dogs in a controlled well-controlled manner. The interaction should be limited initially to ensure that the puppy does not become overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to interact with older, calmer, gentle dogs. This will help your puppy see that larger, older dogs do not need to be frightening. It can also aid in developing an excellent attitude.

Training

German Shepherds require constant, consistent obedience training. It is essential to enroll them in an obedience class as soon as you can and especially when they are still young. This will help them become confident, well-mannered dogs. This is also a great moment to familiarize them with the basics of commands such as sit, down, stay and come. The earlier a dog is taught these basic commands the more easy it will be for them to follow your instructions as they age.

Territorial aggression is a frequent problem for many German Shepherd owners. They may be overly protective of their homes and property, leading to barking or Deutscher SchäFerhund Kaufen Schweiz growling at those who enter their territory. Training, exercise and socialization can prevent territorial behavior.

Obedience training can aid in preventing other behavioral problems in German Shepherds. Dogs who aren't properly trained can cause trouble for their neighbors and family members. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They might not pay attention to basic commands like "sit" and "down."

During their puppy years it is essential to socialize your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach 16 weeks old because they are in an important period of brain development during this time. If your German shepherd is a protected puppy it is likely to be a lot more difficult for them to grasp new things when they become adults. They could also be more prone towards anxiety-based aggression or fear.

One thing that many dog owners don't realize is that a German Shepherd needs lots of mental as well as physical exercise to remain calm and happy. They are herders by nature and have a strong desire to do their best and please their humans If they don't have enough things to do, they may become bored or destructive. Regular exercise strengthens muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It helps improve circulation, assists in weight loss, and helps reduce "cabin-fever." It's also a great opportunity to strengthen the bond between you and your German shepherd!