How to Buy a German Shepherd Puppy

You're taking a huge risk when you purchase the German Shepherd pup. You'll be accountable for the health, training, and mental stability of your dog for a number of years.

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

Selecting a Breeder who is reputable

It's essential to know your breeder before you buy a German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who are responsible will be happy to give you information about their dogs and breeding practices. They will be willing to discuss health and genetic testing as well as early socialization and the environment in which their puppies are raised.

The best place to start is to talk to your local German Shepherd club or other organization. The majority of breed associations have a secretary or deutscher schäferhund Zu verkaufen puppy officer who can direct you in the right direction for credible breeders in your region. You can also contact the animal control agency in your state to get the list of breeding companies.

Once you've identified a breeder who has good breeding standards, take the time to meet them in person. You should look for a clean, comfortable facility in which the mother dog and her puppies are kept in a secure. Find out about the puppy's parents and siblings; you would like to verify that they've been examined for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, heart disease and Degenerative Myelopathy.

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

It's also recommended to ask the breeder if they have any concerns regarding your lifestyle or living circumstances that would prevent them from selling you a puppy. If they are aware that you have young children they might not want to offer you a German Shepherd puppy because they can be aggressive towards children.

A reputable breeder may require you to sign a contract when you purchase your German Shepherd puppy. The contract should include information about the parents and their AKC registration number as well as the clause that allows them to return the puppy to the breeder. This is an important way for schäferhunde suchen ein Zuhause a responsible breeder to keep track of their dogs and ensure that they are going to suitable homes.

Health Tests for Health

Breeders who are reputable will test the health of the dogs they intend to use as breeding stock. This is to ensure that they don't produce puppies with an inherited disease. 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 get a better understanding of the health and temperament of each dog they have. They also are able to freely and completely give this information to other breeders as well as potential buyers.

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

These tests check for genetic diseases that affect the German Shepherd Dog as a whole. These tests also help breeders make better decisions about mating that will reduce the incidences of hereditary illnesses in the next generations.

Common genetic tests include

Hip Dysplasia

Hip and elbow dysplasia are a common problem in German Shepherds with the latter suffering from the condition in their front legs. These joint disorders that cause degeneration cause pain and discomfort but can be controlled through weight control, activity limitations supplements, and medications. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals receives the X-rays under sedation to ensure the accuracy of the results.

The OFA test looks for the presence of hemivertebrae as well as butterfly vertebrae. block vertebrae and Schäferhundwelpen lumbar-sacral vertebrae (LSTV) and spondylosis and spina bifida. This test is not completely foolproof however, and it cannot determine if dogs will develop degenerative myelopathy, or other spinal diseases later in the course of.

Socialization

GSDs require intense physical exercise as well as training and mental stimulation to keep them engaged. They can get bored easily and a lack of exercise can lead to destructive behavior such as excessive digging or eating shoes. Often, these behaviors stem from not being able to satisfy their emotional needs. Early socialization is important for German Shepherd pups. Proper socialization can help the puppy gain confidence in new people and situations. It also reduces the chances that the puppy will be fearful or deutscher SchäFerhund welpe kaufen aggressive when in unfamiliar situations.

The mother and her littermates play and interact with one another. This teaches them to interact with their rough and boisterous siblings. The puppies 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.

The puppy should be introduced to various household sounds including vacuum cleaners, doorbells and kitchen appliances. The puppy should be exposed to different sounds outside, like sirens, traffic and construction. This is crucial to ensure that the puppy does not become scared or anxious of these sounds as an adult. The puppy should be exposed to all of this at a relaxed pace and positive reinforcement will be used throughout the process.

During this time, it's also important that the puppy interacts with different people and pets. This will help prevent separation anxiety while the owner is away. An excellent example is when the dog is taken to puppy classes, dog parks or play dates with other dogs.

The puppy should only be allowed to interact in a controlled, secure manner with other dogs. At first, the interaction should be restricted to ensure that the puppy does not feel overwhelmed. The puppy should also be able to be around calmer, older and friendly dogs. This will help your puppy understand that bigger, older dogs do not need to be frightening. It will also help them develop an excellent attitude.

Training

German Shepherds need firm, consistent obedience training. It is crucial to enroll them in an obedience class early enough, especially while they are still young. This will help them develop into confident, well-mannered dogs. It is also a great opportunity to teach them basic commands such as sit down, sit and stay. The earlier a dog can learn these basic behaviors, the easier it is for them to follow your commands as they age.

Territorial aggression can be a problem for many families with German Shepherds. They may be overly guarded of their home and property, which can lead to them barking at people or animals that enter their area. Training, exercise and socialization can reduce territorial behavior.

Other behavioral issues can be prevented through obedience training for German Shepherds. Dogs that are not properly trained can be a nuisance to their neighbors and family members. They are easily distracted by other pets toys or children, and disregard basic commands like "sit" or "down."

During their puppy years, it's important to continue to keep your German Shepherds in contact with new people locations, sights, and sounds. This is especially important before the puppy turns 16 weeks old and their brains are undergoing an important phase of development. If your German shepherd is a sheltered puppy prior to this it's likely to be more difficult for them to learn new things once they are an adult. They could also be more susceptible to anxiety-based aggression or fear.

Many dog owners do not realize that the German Shepherd requires mental and physical exercise in order to be happy and calm. German Shepherds are herding breeds by nature, and are driven to please their owners as well as work. If they don't exercise enough they can become bored or destructive. Regular exercise tones muscles and decreases "cabin-fever." It also improves circulation, helps with weight loss, and decreases "cabin-fever." It's also a great method to build a bond with your German shepherd!