How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

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

Pet stores and online sources sell puppies that are usually from puppy mills, which focus on profit over the welfare of animals. Select a reputable breeder instead.

How to Select a Breeder with a Good Reputation

Before purchasing a German Shepherd pup, it's important to get to know the breeder. Responsible breeders are happy to provide information about their dogs and practices with you. They'll be willing to discuss genetic and health testing, early socialization, and the environment that their puppies are raised.

The best place to begin is to contact your local German Shepherd club or other organization. Breed clubs usually have a secretary or puppy officer, who can direct you to breeders who are reputable. You can also contact your state animal control agency for an inventory of licensed breeders.

If you've found a breeder who has good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. Find a clean and tidy facility where the mother and pups are kept in a safe environment. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings; you want to see proof that they've been screened for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia, eye issues, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

A responsible breeder should also be able to supply you with a copy of your puppy's medical record and the most current vaccination schedule. They should have a great working relationship with a vet that can carry out all necessary tests and vaccines. They will be able to give you the name of the veterinarian and telephone number and give you consultation notes.

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

A reputable breeder will also require you to sign a contract when purchasing your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents and their AKC registration number as well as a clause allowing them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an important way for responsible breeders to keep track of their dogs and ensure they are going to suitable homes.

Health Tests

Reputable breeders conduct health checks on the dogs that will be part of their breeding selection. This is to ensure that they do not produce pups with an inherited disease. These tests include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy GDV and Bloat.

Breeders who are trustworthy strive to know the temperaments and health conditions of each dog they own. They also share this information in full and freely with other breeders and prospective buyers.

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeder Scheme requires members to carry out certain tests on their dogs. Breed clubs for German Shepherds also recommend that breeders take additional tests.

These tests are designed to detect genetic diseases that affect all German Shepherd Dogs. They also help breeders make better informed choices about mating that will lower the chance of developing hereditary diseases in future generations.

Typical genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

German Shepherds are at risk of elbow and hip dysplasia, especially in the front limbs. These joint conditions that are degenerative cause pain and discomfort, but can be controlled with the control of weight, exercise restrictions as well as supplements and medications. X-rays are taken with anesthesia to ensure accurate results and then submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

The OFA test is designed to detect the presence of hemivertebras, butterfly vertebras, block vertebra, lumbar sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) as well as spondylosis, hemivertebra and spina bifida. This test is not impervious and cannot predict the likelihood that a dog's spinal problem will be degenerative myelopathy.

Socialization

GSDs need rigorous physical exercise, training and mental stimulation to keep active. They can easily become bored and their lack of activity can result in destructive behaviors like excessive digging or chewing on shoes. The majority of these behaviors stem from unmet emotional needs. This is why early socialization is so vital for German Shepherd puppies. A good socialization program allows the puppy to build confidence around new people and surroundings. It also reduces the risk that the puppy will become fearful or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play and interact with each other. This teaches them how to be around their noisy and sometimes rough siblings. The pups are also exposed to a variety kinds of sounds, sights and smells. The puppies are taught to behave in groups. This is vital to their success as adults.

Introduce the puppy to different household sounds, such as vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances, and doorbells. The puppy should also be exposed various outdoor sounds, including traffic, sirens and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy doesn't become afraid or anxious of these sounds. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a comfortable pace, and positive reinforcement should be used throughout the process.

It is also crucial for the puppy to meet many different people during this time, as well as other pets. This can help prevent anxiety over separation when the owner is away from home. One good example is when the dog is taken to puppy classes or dog parks, or even play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should be allowed to interact in a controlled, safe manner with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be restricted so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should be allowed to interact with older, more friendly and calm dogs. This will help the puppy understand that not all older, larger dogs are scary and it helps them develop a positive temperament.

Training

German Shepherds require consistent, firm obedience training. It is important to enroll them in a training class early especially when they're still puppies. This will help them develop into confident and 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 and commands, the easier it is for them to follow your commands as they get older.

Territorial aggression is a problem in many families with German Shepherds. They can be extremely concerned about their home and reinrassiger deutscher schäferhund züchter deutscher altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen züchter (timeoftheworld.date) property, which can lead to screaming or groaning at other people or animals that enter their area of. Territorial behavior can be slowed by the proper training, exercise and socialization.

Other issues with behavior can be avoided through obedience training in German Shepherds. A dog that doesn't have the right obedience training could become a nuisance and even a danger to family members and neighbours. They can be easily distracted by other pets, toys, or children. They may ignore basic commands like "sit" and "down."

During their puppy years it is crucial to socialize your German Shepherds with new people places, sights, and sounds. This is particularly important before they reach the age of 16 weeks because they are in an important phase of brain development during this period. If your German Shepherd is a quiet puppy they'll likely encounter new experiences more difficult as they grow older and become more susceptible to fear-based aggression and anxiety.

Many dog owners do not realize that a German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise to be happy and calm. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and schäferhund Welpen österreich kaufen have a strong desire to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough they can become bored or even destructive. Regular exercise can tone muscles, reduces "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!